Hi-I’m Chris from Midwest Cottage and Finds….I’m a bit of a new DIY-er and am so inspired by Gail and all of her projects –I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be guest posting over here at My Repurposed Life!! I decided to share one of my favorite projects that I have completed so far…..Here is the breakdown on how my bedroom diy closet doors went from this.
To this…..
I fell in love with these doors when I saw them in Kevin and Layla’s blog-
The Lettered Cottage. I knew they would be perfect for my master bedroom…a smaller room – so in addition to looking great the mirrors would make the room appear larger……….
We purchased 4 new 24″ interior doors from Lowes @$20.00 a piece, hinge hardware and window handles (to use as the door handles) from Home Depot–all total $40.00…..You might be lucky enough to already have closet doors that could be transformed…unlike me who was still sporting the bi-fold 60’s doors!
The hardware I purchased even came in oil rubbed bronze–SCORE…. no painting!!
I lined up the doors and started painting–several coats…pulled out my ol’ faithful Purdy……
When I completed the painting the hardware was added
after careful measurements were taken…..I am always so nervous drilling that first hole!
Before we went to the next step we made sure they our hardware was lined up, measurements looked good and the doors fit well…once the mirrors are added they become VERY heavy, easier to double check yourself at this stage….and things were looking good!!
Next up ……penciling in the outline for the mirrors…this is a little tricky..TIP**It is helpful to mark the top and bottom of the doors to be certain your measurements are correct for each..I wanted the mirror to be a little higher on the top of the door–so there would be a few more inches of actual door showing on the bottom of each door…which sounds simple until you have 4 doors laying in front of you and you are wondering ummm..which end is up???
I called local mirror and glass companies and had 4 quotes on the price of cutting the custom mirrors….They ranged from $150.00 to $293.00..
TIP**call around it is worth the time..you will be surprised how many local places handle custom mirrors….
BIG TIP**—you will be covering the mirror edges with trim so you will not need the sides beveled…
that a lot saves $$$!
Next I prepped the doors to secure the mirrors…..Make sure you use mirror adhesive…VERY important…The mirrors are very heavy…Read the directions on the adhesive very carefully–the doors have to sit for a few days for the adhesive to set…So have them in an area that they will not have to be moved for a few days…..
I added a bit more adhesive after being creative!
I painted the trim to match the doors and added the trim around the mirror edges….and after a few days of sitting undisturbed ……….
I LOVE them…it completely changed the look of the room…along with new bedding, paint and a new bed that was purchased in the ugliest color I have EVER seen until we painted it–but that is for another DIY post!! Thanks again Gail for letting me share this will your faithful readers! If you are interested in any of my other projects and my furniture painting tips-(LOVE ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT) Hop over to Midwest Cottage & FindsEnjoy and hope to share more soon!Chris
Oh my! Don’t you LOVE Chris’ bedroom? The closet door makeover is just the icing on the cake! Be sure to check out Chris’ blog and her other fabulous links! gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
19 Comments
How do the doors stay closed? Really nice idea as I have bifold slotted closet doors that need replacing.
Lori,
I have small doorstops at the top of the closet frame with magnet catches. Hope that answers your question.
gail
Did you just buy two slab doors? Also, how did the doors latch? I don’t see a kit or directions for that. Did you have to take off the original trim before switching out the doors? Thank you!! Looking to do this in our mancave with our shoe and coat closets that are right next to each other, originally there were all bi-fold doors.
This isn’t my project. But looking at the post, I see she bought four doors. It sounds like your project is a lot like Chris’ room. I don’t think she used any latches.
hey there! just saw these over on pinterest and had to pin them too! quick question: what kind of trim did you use to cover the edges of the mirrors? quarter round? and did you overlap onto the mirror or just butt up against it? this is a FANTASTIC idea that i LOVE and plan to use! thanks!
WOW! The room looks gorgeous now, everything in the room is just heavenly. Who would have thought that such a look could be achieved with mirrors! Great job. Our bedroom is next on my list too. Still need to finish up our bath though before we dive into yet another project.
Gorgeous…I had to double back and see that your first replaced the bifold doors…then you did the mirrors. Love the way you changed out those doors…think I’ll try to talk my husband into letting use do the same in my daughter’s room. Great transformation…you should be proud!
Oh my…that room is gorgeous!! The mirrored doors ROCK! Sadly, I still have to look at ugly bi-fold doors in my bedroom…ugg! Thanks for sharing this great project with us!!
Thanks Gail for letting me guest post!! Your blog has been such an inspiration to me from the first time I read it! chris from Midwest Cottage and Finds
How do the doors stay closed? Really nice idea as I have bifold slotted closet doors that need replacing.
Lori,
I have small doorstops at the top of the closet frame with magnet catches. Hope that answers your question.
gail
Did you just buy two slab doors? Also, how did the doors latch? I don’t see a kit or directions for that. Did you have to take off the original trim before switching out the doors? Thank you!! Looking to do this in our mancave with our shoe and coat closets that are right next to each other, originally there were all bi-fold doors.
Colleen,
This isn’t my project. But looking at the post, I see she bought four doors. It sounds like your project is a lot like Chris’ room. I don’t think she used any latches.
gail
Beautiful!!
hey there! just saw these over on pinterest and had to pin them too! quick question: what kind of trim did you use to cover the edges of the mirrors? quarter round? and did you overlap onto the mirror or just butt up against it? this is a FANTASTIC idea that i LOVE and plan to use! thanks!
BIG TIP**—you will be covering the mirror edges with trim so you will not need the sides beveled…
Midwest Cottage and Finds wrote: “Purchased at lowes .. It is a mirror trim with a step on it so it can go over the mirror.”
Loved that project at TLC, and love it here too. The room looks so cozy and cottagey.
WOW! The room looks gorgeous now, everything in the room is just heavenly. Who would have thought that such a look could be achieved with mirrors! Great job. Our bedroom is next on my list too. Still need to finish up our bath though before we dive into yet another project.
Gorgeous…I had to double back and see that your first replaced the bifold doors…then you did the mirrors. Love the way you changed out those doors…think I’ll try to talk my husband into letting use do the same in my daughter’s room. Great transformation…you should be proud!
They look beautiful! I especially like the dark hardware.
Oh my…that room is gorgeous!! The mirrored doors ROCK! Sadly, I still have to look at ugly bi-fold doors in my bedroom…ugg! Thanks for sharing this great project with us!!
Thanks Gail for letting me guest post!! Your blog has been such an inspiration to me from the first time I read it!
chris from Midwest Cottage and Finds
I love it!! So much that I might try it!!! Thank you for sharing! Great idea!
Your new doors look GREAT! They really add a very updated look to the room!
Beautiful bedroom. The doors are beautiful and I love the blue and white.
The doors look great! Thanks for sharing!
Holly