So this project was for a Broadway style vanity mirror. I found them online for $250-600 so decided to try and see if I could custom build one. All the materials I got from Home Depot for about $200.
It was pretty easy actually, I sketched out about what I wanted to do on a piece of notebook paper, went to Home Depot to see what parts were available then adjusted my plans accordingly. I wanted to have lighting on the top and both sides, a large mirror and most importantly a dimmer switch. I grabbed all the parts and supplies and over the weekend I created a huge mirror that puts out a ton of light, 560 Watts, and it’s dimmable.
Here’s the basic needs.
- Large mirror – 24″ x 36″
- 1 Light Fixture – 5″ x 36″
- 2 Light Fixtures – 5″ x 24″
- 2 36″ long 2″x4″s
- 2 16″ long 2″x4″s
- Wall Mount Dimmer Switch
- Heavy Duty Wiring
- 36″ x 48″ Large MDF Board
- Switch Face Plate and Outlet Metal Mount Box
- Mirror Mounts Brackets
- Wire Nuts
- Drill, Screwdriver, Screws, Saw, Wire Snips and Plyers…..
Basic Instructions to follow…
Layout a square frame with the 2″x4″s and mount that the middle of the MDF.
Roughly setup the mirror and the light fixtures around the sides. Drill any holes that you need for the wiring. I drilled wholes thru the 2″x4″s as well so I can run the wires thru the frame instead of around. just a way to help clean it up a bit. Cut out a square for the electrical outlet box for the switch somewhere towards the bottom. You can also add an additional electrical outlet as well.
Sand down the corners and apply your paint. Now would be the time to go crazy and get creative with a mural or design around the edges. I went with a flat black tho to keep it standard.
While you’re waiting for it to dry, you can finish up the wire connections for the dimmer switch and electrical outlet.
Mount the mirror and light fixtures, run all your wiring and pace on any hardware like the face plates.
Plug in and light up the room!
is it wired in to the electricity in the house or can it be plugged in into any outlet?
It’s run off of a standard 3 prong plug so that it can be moved or mounted anywhere. It uses a standard house dimmer switch as the control for the lighting.
Did you have a diagram for the wiring?
I updated the post to add a wiring diagram.
Hello! I love this mirror! Such a lucky girl to have you build this for her! I was wondering, I would like to putin an electrical outlet on this mirror on the bottom as well. How can I go about doing so? Can you please explain the wiring steps needed? Thank you so much! And great job!!
Thanks! I’m sure it would be easy to add an outlet. The wiring is just a 5ft length of wire with a 3 prong plug on one end and a dimmer switch on the other. The 3 bathroom light fixtures were then wired to the dimmer switch and to complete it, I screwed a box with the dimmer switch in the back of the mirror.