How to hang a mirror

This step-by-step guide provides detailed information on how to complete a task.

It includes a list of tools and materials needed for the task.

Please be advised that this is only a guide and I cannot accept responsibility for any work undertaken. If you are not confident undertaking electrical work then you should have this work undertaken by a qualified electrician.

Tools and Materials

Mirror
Appropriate screws and fixings for your wall and weight of mirror. Do not use the supplied screws and fixings as they are cheap, rubbish and do not know what type of wall you have.
Drill
Impact driver or screw driver
Spirit level
Measuring tape
Pencil
Family member or friend to help (weight and size dependant)

Step by Step Guide

Choose the location

Decide where you want to hang the mirror. Make sure it’s at a suitable height and in a position that complements the room’s aesthetics. Once decided mark on the wall the top and centre of where you want the mirror. Avoid areas with electrical wires or plumbing behind the wall.

Measure and mark

Use a measuring tape to measure the distance from the top edge of the mirror to the hanging point (D-rings or hooks or wire). If wire you will need to pull the wire up making sure you are doing so at the same points the screws fill be and mark on the back of the mirror the height of the wire.
Taking the hanging point measurement, measure down from the height you marked on the wall of the top of the mirror and mark. Ideally do this at the centre of the mirror.
Once you have the hanging point and centre of mirror marked you need to measure the distance between the centre of the D-rings or hooks or wire distance you want the screws. Then mark this measurement on the wall at the same height as your hanging point and equal distance either side of your centre point.

Get level

Now you have your distance between D-rings, hooks, or screws for wire you need to make sure you get level with your hanging point height. To do this get the right size level to cover the distance between D-rings, hooks or screws for wire and hold the level at the hanging point height and mark once level on the wall. You now should have a cross which is where you are going to drill.

Pilot holes wall fixings

When complete you need to check that your marking’s locations are not horizontal or vertically to a plug socket as the cables maybe running behind the wall and you do want to drill through the cables. If you are horizontal or vertically to a plug socket you can unscrew the plug socket (please refer to my guide ‘How to change a plug socket to USB’ to do safely) to see which way the cables are running, if they run towards your holes you will need to move the position of your mirror.
Using an appropriate drill bit, drill holes into the marked spots on the wall about 6-10cm deep depending on weight of mirror. If you are unsure about drilling into plasterboard or solid walls, please refer to my guides ‘How to hang on plasterboard’ or ‘How to hang on solid wall’.

Wall fixings and screws

Once your holes are drilled, check that the appropriate screws you are using will go all the way in by poking into the hole. Then insert your appropriate wall fixing and use an impact driver to drill screws in making sure the D-rings, hooks or screws can fit on the screw. Pull down on the screws to ensure secure to hold mirror.

Hang the mirror

With the help of a friend or family member, lift the mirror against the wall and hang on screws. Use a level to ensure the mirror is straight.

Double-Check Stability

Give the mirror a gentle pull to ensure it’s securely attached to the wall. Check for any signs of instability or wobbling.

Clean the mirror

Once the mirror is securely hung, clean it with a glass cleaner to remove any fingerprints or smudges.

To learn how to hang a shelf – click here

CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE COMPLETED IT!

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