How to Make a Decorative DIY Mirror Frame With Recycled Cardboard

This is a fun and easy mirror frame decor craft with simple supplies. Recycled cardboard becomes the base for a frame. And hot glue from a glue gun gives the frame an embossed look.

You can make your frame using a mirror or photograph. And you can get as detailed as you want for the faux embossing.

I think I’ve learned after 40 years of being a messy creative, that creating more surface clutter isn’t doing me any good.

So, for this project, I decided to make a frame for a simple dollar store mirror.

Speaking of mirrors.....

(I practice Buddhism and so I thought it would be a nice intention to throw in some wisdom where it fits. Find out more about this metaphor from Tricycle.)

Ok. Back to the project - I ended up searching online for inspiration since the only idea I had was to use the mirror.

I love the challenge of coming up with an idea on the spot with some forced creativity.

When you have ADHD, like me - ideas are an all-the-time experience.

I had my idea for this project after looking at mirrors like these:

I also loved the idea of using something you might put in the trash or recycling bin, so using cardboard from a box seemed perfect.

Check out my other recycled projects or some projects from Recyclart.

Here are the supplies you’ll need:

I also used

Trace your mirror onto your piece of cardboard

Draw another line half-inch inside your mirror lines.

Cut with your Exacto knife along all four of the inside lines, cutting out a rectangle.

Draw another four lines 3-4 inches out to make the frame and cut that out using the Exacto knife.

Make sure your mirror fits inside the inner rectangle.

Draw the flourish designs on the frame and erase any lines that aren’t the designs.

Go over your flourish designs with your glue gun and glue

Paint a coat of white gesso over your frame and dry flourishes.

Use gel super glue to close up the edges of your cardboard

Tarp off an area to spray paint your frame

Spray paint an even coat onto your frame

Rub some distress ink along the glue embossing.

Coat with some type of acrylic sealer.

Glue along the edges of the inside rectangle on the backside of the frame

Set your mirror so that it lays onto the glue edges facing out.:

Apply pressure until it dries

Attach hardware for hanging and you’re done!

Luckily mine ended up not being too heavy because my picture-hanging abilities are quite lacking.

I think using glue gun designs is a fun way to give something an embossed look. My head is swimming with thrift store furniture ideas using this technique.

What else? What else could we faux emboss?

Btw, if you want to make the real deal, this Etsy shop sells metal embossing kits.

Links to the mirrors that inspired me in order:

Bella Ornate

Purple Embossed

Round mirror page removed

Metal Framed Wall Mirror removed