How to Build a Trumeau Mirror

This is one of those projects I’ve had in my mind’s eye for a couple of years… even since I found an old mirror in our attic.

DIY Trumeau Mirror tutorial- Maison de Pax

The silvering was a little messed up, but I think that just adds character, so I thought an antique looking frame would be best. And as you know, I have a thing for French design. 😉

DIY French Vintage Mirror- Maison de Pax

This was really fun to make, and fortunately, it’s easy to customize to your own liking.

Details on a DIY Mirror- Maison de Pax

Now before I give you the step-by-step instructions, I must first apologize for the funny lighting in these photos. I confess that I was having a VERY hard time not showing you all myself or my dining room (in which the contents of our entire kitchen are stacked to the ceiling because of our current kitchen renovation) in the mirror. But I digress…

Tutorial to create a French Vintage mirror- Maison de Pax

Materials needed to build a diy trumeau mirror:

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How to build a trumeau mirror:

Step by Step tutorial on Trumeau Mirror- Maison de Pax

1. (not pictured) Lay your mirror on the floor and decide how much space you’d like to border it and how large you want your decorative section at the top.

2. (not pictured) Cut plywood or mdf to the full desired size.

3. Layout your mirror and trim pieces, marking with pencil where they should go.

4. Make sure you have your angles correct when marking your trim and cut accordingly using a chop saw or hand saw.

5. Lay all the pieces out one final time to ensure they fit properly.

6. Use construction adhesive to attach your mirror.

7. Use a thin bead of wood glue and finishing nails to attach your trim (be sure you don’t nail your mirror!!)

8. Caulk all seems.

You can really paint it any way you like. I’ll share a full tutorial on my particular process later, but I think that’s enough for now.

What do you think? Could you build one?

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How to build a trumeau mirror- Maison de Pax

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57 Comments

  1. Gorgeous!!! Really great job! Looking forward to the painting process. Have been wanting to do something like this for a mirror above bathroom sink but on a smaller scale, I may now have to go for it.
    Many Blessings to you, Candy

    1. Thank you, Candy! I’m so glad you like it. And a smaller one in the bathroom would be gorgeous! Hopefully I can get that painting tutorial together soon. 😉

      1. Hello! I, too, love this mirror tutorial…is it possible to get the tutorial for the painting process you used for this mirror? So soft and elegant!!

  2. gorgeous project Rachel! I love trumeau mirrors, they’re so elegant. I’ve been wanting to make one for a while, so glad I saw this post!

  3. Rachel this is beautiful, you did a great job on it. I may try this, but I’ll need to hunt down a large mirror first.

    1. Thank you so much, Diana! You could always try a cheap framed mirror (from Target or Walmart); you might be able to glue the entire thing to your backer. That would save you having to frame the mirror with trim. 🙂

  4. I LOVE THIS!!!! I’ve been thinking about doing this for awhile as well:) This is so awesome, it’s beautiful:) You did a fab job!

  5. Breathtaking, Rachel! I adore this project. It would look great in my living room. I can see Bobby and me doing this one together. You make it look so fabulously antique! Brilliantly done!

    1. You are so kind, Yvonne! It was a fun project to do; I hope you and Bobby get the chance to try it sometime! Thank you so very much. xx

  6. This mirror is so cute. I love how you put everything together. Your housing ideas are truly inspirational.

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  8. This was a great DIY project. The mirror would be great for almost any room in the house. Thanks for the steps.

    1. Thank you so much, Tracy! I still haven’t decided where I’m going to put mine permanently. 😉

  9. Hi Rachel,
    I have a mirror that I was ready to give away, but now I know what I’ll do with it!
    Thanks for this great DIY project!

  10. Rachel!!! Just stop! I’ve always wanted to make my own too. You beat me too it 😉 I’ll have to try your plans. I’m sharing on my FB page today and pinned like mad.
    Hugs, Jamie

    1. You’re such a doll, Jamie. Thank you! I should have known this was on your to do list. 😉 xx

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  12. Love this mirror. Great job. Please, let me know what colors of paints you used on this mirror. Going to do one for my granddaughter.

  13. Beautiful mirror love it! Rachel thank you for posting this. I’been wanting to make a trumeau mirror for a while,but couldn’t find any good instructions on how to build one until now.

  14. This is beautiful and I’m excited to make it for my 5 year old girls’ room. Can you please tell me the size of the actual mirror and plywood you used for yours? Your dimensions seem perfect.

    1. I’m so sorry for the slow reply, Cassie. I kept forgetting to go measure it! The mirror is 16″x60″, and the plywood is 24″x84″. I hope this helps!

  15. Not sure if this was mentioned ( if so, excuse me) . What I ink would look spectacular is to antique the mirror before racing it on the board.

  16. Very nice mirror! Can you show or tell how you did the top and bottom headers? Do they turn at the corners or just a straight piece across?

    1. Thank you! I did cut my trim at 45 degrees to turn the corner and finish off the sides of the bottom, but I actually didn’t have enough scrap trim (which is what I was using for the project) to do the top, too! Ha! So I still cut it at 45 degrees (giving it the crown look), but I didn’t add side pieces on the top. Hope this helps!

  17. I was overbid at an Estate Sale on a vintage Italian mirror I fell in love with. Seeing your awesome Trumeau Mirror project I feel this will make me happy again and have a beautiful mirror that I made! You make it look so simple! Love your posts and ideas!

  18. Love your trumeau mirror! I’m gathering up my supplies and have a few questions please!
    1) Did you trim the sides of the raw edges of mdf?
    2) Size of mirror only?
    3) Overall dimension of completed project?
    I’m super excited to build this, thank you so much!!!

    1. Apologies for the slow reply, Bonnie! In answer to your questions:
      1. I did not trim the sides of the raw mdf; I just painted them.
      2. The mirror was 16″ wide by 60″ tall.
      3. The final project is roughly 23″ x 83″
      I hope this helps! Good luck!!

  19. Thanks Rachael, no worries! I ended up making 2 of the mirrors and am absolutely in love with them! I had never heard of Trumeau Mirrors before so thank you, thank you!!! I have 2 granddaughters that will get them when they grow up, it is such a joy to know this! I’ve also written something on the back for each of the girls! In the meantime, they look beautiful in my dining room!!! Thanks again!!!! I’ll try and send a pic if I can figure out how!!!🤣🤪😉

    1. I would love to see it, Bonnie! I love that you wrote a note on the back for your granddaughters.

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