Crafty DIYer Makes £300 Crittall Mirror For £92 Using Easy IKEA Hack
- Lauren Reading, 41, wanted a large crittall mirror for her living room but they cost £300 online
- She decided to make her own using IKEA mirrors and MDF
- Lauren’s mirror cost just £92, leaving the rest of the budget to buy a TV
If you have your eye on an expensive home item but don’t want to blow your budget, take inspiration from this savvy DIYer.
Lauren Reading, 41, was keen for a large crittall mirror to brighten up her living room.
After seeing crittall mirrors selling for £300 or even more, Lauren decided to build her own using IKEA mirror, MDF and some wooden trim.
She managed to make her own for just £92, leaving the rest of the budget to buy a TV.
Lauren, who lives in Bournemouth, told the money-saving Black Friday app: "I came up with the idea after joining DIY groups on Facebook and seeing other people making similar mirrors.
"I love the crittall style, it's the perfect mix of traditional and modern so I thought I would give it a go myself!
"After reading up on different methods used by others I formulated my plan and just went for it.
"I had all the glues and paint at home already so I just needed to buy the mirrors, trim and MDF.
“I painted the MDF with PVA glue and left it to dry, which apparently helps things stick better.
“I cut the trim to size and painted the trim with black paint.
“I painted a grid on the MDF where the trim would be stuck in case you end up with any little gaps - I was advised to not paint the whole piece of MDF so the mirrors stick better.
“I stuck the trim to two perpendicular edges using wood glue.
“I stuck a mirror into the corner with No More Nails glue.
"Then I worked along the longest edge sticking trim, then mirror, then trim.
"Then I stuck long trims along the top of this row of mirrors and started the next row.
“You have to keep going until it's all stuck; I weighed the trim down with cookbooks to make sure it stuck.
“I hung it on the wall using a French cleat.
"It's a type of bracket that can hold a lot of weight and is very easy to use - it's a game-changer.
"Many people stick the mirrors directly onto the wall, but you get a more professional finish if you stick onto MDF plus you can move it around as you wish.
“I’d also advise using a French cleat to hang.
“I did loads of research and this was by far the best option: it’s really easy to use and very stable for heavy hanging. It’s available from Amazon.
“Also, buy thick MDF or board - if it is too thin it will be flimsy once the mirrors are stuck on as they are surprisingly heavy.
“Before, the space was a dark and bland corner, but after, there was much more light and the mirror is a beautiful feature!
“I bought a large sheet of MDF for £35, the wooden trim for £8 and lots of IKEA mirrors: five packs at £7 each cost £35.
"I had the tools and glue and paint already and the bracket was £13.99.
“Overall, this cost me less than £100. For a similar size, I have seen them online costing £300 and even more!”
Lauren is thrilled with the look of her new mirror, and is already planning to make an exciting purchase with the money she has saved.
"I am so pleased I was able to make the mirror myself,” she adds.
"I loved having a project and the money I saved is going towards a new TV for our lounge!”
Tom Church, co-founder of the money-saving Black Friday app, comments: “Especially at this time of year, online shopping is always a huge temptation, with countless websites tempting us with beautiful furniture, home accessories and gadgets.
“But Lauren has proved that if you’re determined to save money and do things yourself, you definitely can.
“Her IKEA hack is genius and looks as good as the real thing - and she’s saved herself enough money to buy a new TV. Winning!”
What to read next?
Save More With These Discount CodesRead More Money Saving Guides