Maybe you’ve seen the cool effect of a mirror with built-in LED lights on TV or maybe in someone’s bathroom. Make your home feel more modern by adding some light. In this article, you’ll learn how to make a LED backlit mirror yourself.
Can You Make Your Own Backlit Mirror?
You can make your own backlit mirror!
Why would you want to? There are a lot of reasons. A mirror can be customized to fit any room or style. If that’s your thing, you can even make it look like a disco ball. Beyond just the looks of your mirror, there are some practical reasons to do it yourself:
- It’s up to you what kind of light source goes in the mirror (and how bright it is).
- It’s your mirror, so you decide how big or small it should be
- It’s up to you how much space the light source takes up (and what kind of bulb it uses).
- You get to decide whether you want a table or something else.
Also Read: Are LED Mirrors Battery Operated?
How Do LED Backlit Mirrors Work?
LED backlit mirrors project a reflection onto the mirror surface using LED lights. Pixels make up the reflection, each representing a point of light. In a mirror, the number of pixels determines the quality and resolution of the image.
The lights are arranged in rows and columns behind the mirror, and an internal processor controls them. The processor scans each row and column sequentially, sending current to each LED.
A LED emits light at a specific wavelength (color) when current flows through it. We can see color in our reflections because of this.
Also Read: Are LED Mirrors Worth It?
How To Make A LED Backlit Mirror | Pro Guide
Step 1: Cut a mirror to size
To start, cut the mirror to size. If you don’t have a jigsaw, you can always use a hacksaw or break it with brute force (if that’s what it takes). Make sure you don’t cut yourself!
Step 2: Mount the mirror on a backing material
Mounting your mirror is important to keep it secure and prevent damage to the surface you’re attaching it to.
Drywall, plywood, or any other board will work for this. Make sure they’re strong enough to hold your backlit LED lighted mirror (it should be at least 3/4″ thick).
We’ll hang our finished product outside, so make sure it’s rated for outdoor use if you don’t have any woodworking tools like circular or miter saws.
Step 3: Attach the LED strips along the edges of your mirror
Now that you have your mirror and LED strips, it’s time to assemble them. The first thing you need to do is put double-sided tape around the mirror’s four edges. Ensure that each side has equal space between its edge and the LED strip.
Place another double-sided tape directly over each LED strip’s corresponding side. As a result, the strips will parallel each other and perpendicular to their respective sides.
Step 4: Mount the power supply to the wall behind your mirror
Don’t forget to use the correct wire size and connectors (male or female). You might also need wire nuts, which are plastic caps that keep your wires together.
Step 5: Wire up the power and control units for each strip
Power and control units for each strip should be wired so they can be turned on and off independently.
Check the current going through the circuit with a voltmeter. When you flip one switch, you’ll see voltage readings similar to what you saw before (like if there were only two lights).
Additional Tip:
Don’t forget to wire everything correctly, especially if you’re using different types of switches. Your power supply needs to be rated for the amount of current and voltage you’ll be using.
Your wiring needs to be able to handle this load, too. If not, there could be a fire or electrical shock if there’s a short circuit.
Ensure you use fuses or breakers on all connections between components (lights, switches) and the power supply so they don’t get damaged!
Also Read: Do LED Mirrors Need To Be Plugged In?
Bottom Line
Now you know how to make a LED backlit mirror. You can use these techniques on almost any mirror. You can add a graphic if you want to make it more personal. Taking the time to do this takes patience, but it’s well worth it.
You’ll remember how much time and effort you put into the mirror in years to come when you look at it. You put a lot of time and effort into it, so it’s no longer just an ordinary mirror.
