How to Secure a Leaning Mirror to a Wall
Do you want to learn how to secure a leaning mirror to a wall? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! From using the right tools to ensuring the mirror doesn’t slide down your wall, I’m here to walk you through the basics step by step.
When I removed my mirrored jewelry cabinet and swapped it out for a sleek jewelry drawer a few years ago, I was really excited because my new set-up left me with more space in our bedroom–space for a leaning mirror. I thought adding one to my bedroom would be a good idea, and I’m so glad I did.
If you want to know how to secure a leaning mirror to a wall, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I’ll give my super-easy, no-fail tutorial on how I hung a floor-length mirror in my bedroom–without fear of it falling on top of me or anyone else.
Our New Leaning Mirror
For years, I wanted a full-length floor mirror in our bedroom because there was no place in our home to see my entire reflection. I couldn’t look at my outfit from head to toe without a large wall mirror. My old jewelry cabinet gave me a glimpse of my hips down, and the mirror in the bathroom got my hips up, so I had to use my imagination to picture how outfits looked together.
I needed a large mirror that would allow me to see myself clearly. A full-length mirror would be the only option.
Besides the need for practicability, I absolutely love decorating with mirrors. A simple mirror can elevate the look of an entire space, and a leaning mirror was precisely what had been missing from my bedroom.
Where to Buy a Leaning Wall Mirror
I use affiliate links throughout this post.
After what felt like forever, I finally got a full-length leaning mirror for my bedroom. I purchased my gorgeous mirror from CB2, but it’s no longer sold. This mirror looks similar, though! I absolutely love the minimized look of the mirror frame!
You’ll recognize this mirror as the one I used in the design of my brother’s master bedroom. Everyone went gaga over it, and I can see why. The sleek black, the hint of brass, the size—it’s all absolute perfection.
But here’s the best part about this mirror: When my brother Ryan and his wife Sarah had the mirror shipped from CB2, the company accidentally sent them two mirrors! After they called to tell the company, CB2 told them to keep the mirror instead of shipping it back. What a score! Since they obviously didn’t need two of the exact same mirrors in their home, I asked if I could have the extra one for our space. They happily let me have it.
While I absolutely love my mirror, here are a few other wall mirrors I considered:
So, getting rid of my jewelry cabinet gave me space for a full-length mirror in our bedroom, and I got it for free. Yes, please!
My husband Finn and I set up the mirror on a wall in our bedroom closest to our master bathroom. We were immediately smitten. The mirror faces a small window, so light bounces off it, illuminating the room.
The only thing I didn’t love about the mirror initially was that we had placed it in a walkway. I was terrified that one of us would bump into it those first few days.
Even though a heavy mirror like this one typically won’t slip on its own, I was nervous it might fall.
After a few days of being extra cautious around our bedroom addition, I decided to figure out how to secure the leaning mirror to our wall.
How to Secure a Leaning Mirror to a Wall
After researching, I decided that the best way to secure a leaning mirror to a wall was with the same furniture straps you would use to babyproof furniture around your home.
Often, these straps are used on the back of a piece of furniture or even artwork to secure heavy pieces to the wall. That way, furniture won’t fall over and on top of a child if they try climbing it. This seemed to be a perfect solution for securing the weight of the mirror.
After reading good reviews, I found these furniture straps on Amazon and added them to my shopping cart.
How to Keep a Leaning Mirror From Falling Down
Since I didn’t want my mirror sliding down—or falling from the top down—I figured these straps would do the job! You’re supposed to use two straps for each item, secure one side to the wall, and then secure the other directly into the piece of furniture.
If I were securing a piece of wood furniture (or a wooden mirror), I would use a screwdriver to screw one side of the strap directly into the wood. However, my mirror is metal, which is what the back of the mirror frame looks like in the picture below:
The back of my mirror has two slots where you can mount the mirror to the wall with hardware, but since I like the “leaning look,” I didn’t want to secure the entire mirror to the wall. So, I got creative with the straps.
How to Attach Straps to Secure a Leaning Wall Mirror
I first removed the “wall” side of the hardware, leaving me with the “furniture” side and the long white strap. I then pulled the strap through the back portion of the metal mirror. The plastic will not slip through because the plastic side is much larger than the metal opening. So, I was sure this side of the strap would give the mirror stability and hold it tightly in place.
Before I fully secured the mirror, I used a measuring tape and pencil to make sure I would place the leaning mirror straight.
Then, it was time to secure the other end of the strap to the wall.
I always try to secure items into a wall stud when possible (this is when your stud finder comes in handy.) After finding two studs, I used my favorite drill to drill the hardware directly into the wall.
The furniture strap kit comes with heavy-duty anchors if you can’t find a stud.
Always use a wall anchor if you can’t find a stud on your wall! This will ensure a tight connection.
With the wall hardware in place, I took the two straps that were connected to the mirror and threaded them through the slots of the wall hardware. I did my best to get a nice tight connection and cut away the excess strap.
My mirror is now secured to the wall, and I no longer have a big concern about it falling. Even though we don’t have small children or pets, I still like to take extra precautions when securing our furniture.
Using the furniture straps is a great way to ensure the mirror isn’t going anywhere. I can walk by it briskly without fear. The straps are so safe that I’m confident this leaning wall mirror wouldn’t fall even in an earthquake!
Where to Put a Leaning Mirror
Since hanging the mirror, the rest of my room has felt much more open! I love that our dresser has room to the right and isn’t so cramped. I may eventually put a plant on the ground next to the dresser, but I’m enjoying the extra space now.
Every small change I make in this space makes me love this room even more. I don’t think I’ll make many more significant changes here. But you never know when the itch to change things will happen!
While I used this tutorial to secure a leaning mirror to a wall in my bedroom, this same method could secure a large leaning mirror to a wall in your living room, office, or even for securing a dresser mirror.
A freestanding mirror also makes a great addition to an entryway, and this method of securing will ensure your guests are safe as they enter your home!
If you own your own home and want to try your hand at some easy, DIY home decor, this simple tutorial on securing a leaning wall mirror may be the perfect place to start.
Casey
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