The nuances of making a dressing table with a mirror with your own hands

Advantages and nuances of self-production

The main advantage of making a table with a mirror and lighting yourself is the great variability of designs and a variety of materials. Regardless of the specifics of a particular model, the structure of the product always consists of three basic elements: a work surface made of wood or chipboard, a large mirror, and a place to store cosmetic accessories (a drawer or a bedside table). Possible modifications:

1. Two mini chests of drawers connected by a tabletop.
2. A cabinet of three sections, to which is attached a narrow table in the shape of an L.
3. A table in which four drawers are allocated for storing cosmetics; they are arranged in pairs in two tiers.
4. The surface of the bedside table simultaneously functions as a tabletop.

The latter option is especially convenient for small apartments and is also easy to manufacture. This model can be safely placed in the hallway. But in this case the mirror will need to be hung separately. The remaining models are more complex, but functional and look interesting in the interior.

The complexity of the design and the choice of material should be calculated based on experience in creating furniture and the availability of tools. A DIY dressing table with a mirror is the best gift for family and friends.

Great variability of designs

Variety of materials

Required functionality

Peculiarities

When planning the interior of the bedroom, every woman will definitely allocate a corner for herself where she will devote time to self-care. The key item in this corner is, of course, the dressing table. By the way, it can be used not only for regular cosmetic procedures, but also for working with a laptop. This is a kind of mini-working office for a woman

Therefore, it is so important to create not only beauty and comfort, but also convenience in this area

Before you head to the furniture store, check out some of the nuances:

• Take care of the lighting. If there is not enough natural light, add more lamps.
• There should be at least one outlet near the vanity.
• The size of the mirror should match the size of the table.
• The height of the table and the seating area should also be in harmony.

It would be a bad idea to place a table in front of a window. Not only will the face always be darkened, and this is unlikely to contribute to the application of neat makeup, but the mirror will also give off glare. Ideally, the beauty area should be next to the window. If the layout does not allow this, install special lighting.

The standard table height is 75 cm, but you can choose a different height to suit your needs. For seating, select an armchair, pouf or banquette. An important point here will be the size of the product: if the model is compact enough, it can be pushed under the table. However, sitting for a long time without a backrest is problematic, so ladies who sit for hours at a marathon are better off choosing a chair.

Materials and tools

The most popular materials used to make a makeup table are wood and MDF. Some craftsmen, continuing the traditions of Soviet times, work with chipboard and laminated chipboard. The drawers and back wall are usually cut from sheets of plywood. What you will need for the work is indicated in the table.

As a mirror, a rectangular, elongated panel with a semicircular end is placed on a women's or children's dressing table. Its width in the middle is 50 cm, the height can vary depending on the wishes of the master. To create the backlight, you will need to drill several sockets around the perimeter of the glass frame; the socket and switch will be located at the bottom. For makeup mirrors, any suitable size diode lamps are used. You can make a dressing table with your own hands without lighting.

Chipboard is considered one of the cheapest and most accessible materials. However, if the stoves are made from low-quality raw materials, they will constantly release dangerous toxins into the air.

Materials

Fastenings

Accessories

Remaking an old wall: changing the design

Covering old furniture with self-adhesive film is the easiest option for changing the decor. Today, film is available both plain and colored, in different colors, textures and shades. There is no point in gluing a film with a wood pattern; otherwise, it is in trend today. But plain or patterned ones are what can turn an old wall into new furniture. The steps are simple, but the work requires accuracy. But the result is excellent. See two photos. The first one shows an old Soviet chipboard wall before renovation, the second one shows it after.

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Updating an old furniture wall - before and after

Now about how it was updated. Compacted furniture self-adhesive film was used, cream color, matte surface. The open part of the old wall was closed with glass doors; a translucent matte film was used for the glass. The edging is furniture layout (also self-adhesive) chrome color. The order of work is as follows:

• Everything that can be removed, you remove and disassemble. Remove old fittings.
• Surfaces must be clean and free of grease. This is easier to achieve with a soft cloth soaked in dishwashing detergent. Then everything is washed off with warm water and a small amount of vinegar. Wipe with a dry cloth.
• Cut out the details. It is better to cut the film 8-10 mm larger. The remains are then cut off with a paper knife.
• Spray the part to be glued with water from a spray bottle. On a wet surface, the film can be moved if something goes wrong. You can even peel it off without damaging it.
• After removing the protective layer from the film, carefully lay it out. Having leveled it, begin to smooth it with a soft cloth from the middle to the edges. Try not to have any bubbles. To do this, you need to move gradually, without jumping from place to place.
• If there is still a bubble, you can pierce it with a thin needle approximately in the middle. Then expel air from the edges of the bubble to the hole and rub the puncture site.
• Having glued the film, take a clean thin cotton cloth, spread it on top and iron it with a warm iron (medium heat).
• We glue the trim and install new handles.

This is the sequence of work with every detail. It’s the same with glass, you just need to glue it to the inner surface. After assembly you have a renewed wall. This technique can be used for any item: chest of drawers, bedside tables, wardrobe, kitchen set, etc.

With lighting, the updated wall looks magical

For example, after a successful experiment with a wall, we remodeled an old cabinet in the same way and added it to the right. Now the entire wall is occupied. You can update your kitchen set in the same way: apply self-adhesive film and replace the handles.

There is a second way. It is a modification of the proposed method, but it is simpler and not so labor-intensive. Only the doors are covered, not with film, but with non-woven wallpaper. The wallpaper is glued with PVA glue. To prevent the edges from riding up, the parts are cut 5 mm smaller on all sides. It turns out a kind of edging. Everything looks good (example in the photo below).

A simple renovation of an old Soviet-era wall: paste suitable non-woven wallpaper on the doors

What's good about this method: it's easy to change the decor. Tired of the old appearance, they tore off the wallpaper and put on new ones. Despite the fact that the method seems frivolous, the appearance is maintained for several years. Its author even tried it on a kitchen set. Only the wallpaper on top is coated twice with PVA glue. In this case, the cabinets can be washed

It is important to apply a layer of varnish evenly, without sagging, there are no other difficulties

Sometimes wallpaper is varnished. But before you do this, try it on a scrap piece: see how they react to it.

When choosing a varnish, you need to remember that acrylic and cellulose varnishes remain transparent after drying, while polyurethane varnishes turn yellow after time. Also, polyurethane is almost not softened by solvents: it can only be removed mechanically (from wood - cleaned with sandpaper).

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Drawing selection

A dressing table for a girl or woman is made according to the diagram. Detailing for cutting the basic elements of the product can be done manually or using computer programs. The first option is suitable for craftsmen without experience, the second - for those who have made furniture on their own more than once. When choosing drawings and diagrams, you must consider:

1. Design dimensions.
2. Its complexity, number of components.
3. The presence of a sufficient number of places (sections, drawers, shelves) for storing cosmetic accessories.
4. The material for which the drawing is being developed.

You should also consider the presence or absence of backlighting. You can choose a ready-made drawing with dimensions or draw it yourself. Another option is to adapt the dimensions of the finished diagram to the area of ​​the room in which the table will be located. On many thematic forums you can find practical advice on how to assemble a dressing table for a beginner.

If you decide to use a professional computer program, it is better to choose the Russified version, because Western graphic editors may not meet domestic furniture manufacturing standards. Because of this, confusion with sizes may arise, which will significantly complicate the work.

How to make a dressing table with your own hands?

Let's not waste time thinking about what the mirror at the dressing table will be like. Because there really are a lot of options:

• Attach it to a backing or insert it into a frame.
• Make it square, round or fancy shape.
• Decorate with sandblasting and bevelling.
• Complete with stylish lamps or LED strip.
• Buy separately and hang on the wall. In a strict wooden frame or with a frame made of openwork forging.
• Design a movable box for it that will allow you to change the angle of the mirror.

Which option to choose is up to you.

Let's focus on the basic design of the dressing table for now. In fact, you will need to assemble the frame of the cabinet, the drawers for it and the console superstructure.

You won't have to do much drilling for assembly on confirmats. If the parts are cut to size and rolled along the visible sides, the whole process will take no more than a day.

Backlight installation

Installing LED lighting for your makeup table is necessary so that you can find something in your nightstand without turning on a bright chandelier. This is especially true if you plan to place furniture in the bedroom. The main thing is to strictly follow the step-by-step work algorithm:

1. Make a frame for the makeup mirror according to the shape of the glass. You can buy ready-made.
2. Drill holes around the perimeter for cartridges.
3. Insert LED lamps.
4. Install a push-button switch with a socket at the bottom.

After this, the dressing room mirror is installed in its place: attached to the tabletop or hung separately. If the frame is square, the number of lamps is 10: 4 on the sides and two on the top. For round glass, the illumination depends on the diameter.

Before you make a dressing table with your own hands, you need to think about the shade and intensity of the lighting. The color of the illumination is chosen at the discretion of the future owner of the furniture. But it’s better to stick to white lamps; with this light it’s more convenient to do makeup. Multicolor LED lamps that can be controlled using a smartphone are suitable for the bedroom. They can change the brightness and color of the glow, which is very convenient.

An original product made from scrap materials will become a worthy decoration for any interior. A homemade makeup table will last much longer than a purchased one. The main thing is not to overload it with cosmetics and other things, so that over time the tabletop does not bend. Interesting furniture made in vintage style will create a unique atmosphere at home. You can place a table with a mirror and lighting in the hallway or in the bedroom, depending on the availability of space.

Make a frame for a makeup mirror

Drill holes for sockets, insert LED lamps

Install a push-button switch with a socket at the bottom

Set in place

Ready

What to consider?

The most important condition is thoroughness. The better the work you do, the better the table will turn out.

As you can imagine, a simple model is not difficult to make, but adjusting and finishing the edges is something that will require patience and accuracy.

The next condition is that you must strictly follow the project that was chosen earlier. Adding a component to a design, using a different type of fittings, or replacing a material is something that will require a partial change of the project. And if you don’t have experience working with furniture, constantly adjusting elements will drive you crazy. The result may be furniture that, frankly speaking, is not very smooth.

Final finishing

To decorate a dressing table, both standard techniques (painting, varnishing or film covering) and original design methods are used. When working with wood products, transparent varnishes applied in 2-3 layers or stains that change the shades of wood, but do not hide its structure, help to emphasize the beauty of natural wood. An interesting effect is also achieved by painting the vanity table with acrylic, chalk or similar interior paints with varying degrees of gloss. Preference is given to pastel and muted tones, but in general there are no restrictions when choosing colors.

For additional decoration use:

1. Moldings or similar voluminous decorative stickers decorating a table in a rococo or classic style.
2. Drawings or ornaments made using the decoupage technique. The best option for furniture in Provence, shabby chic, and country styles.
3. Beads or beaded stickers decorating a dressing table for a girl or models for romantic boudoir.
4. Paints and varnishes for artificial aging of surfaces.
5. Shelves made of tempered or acrylic glass, increasing the elegance and functionality of the structures. Furniture with this decor matches any type of modern interior.
6. Paints for artistic painting of surfaces, allowing you to decorate your handmade dressing table in any style.

The chosen decoration technique should be in harmony in style with the mirror frame and lighting, the color and texture of the table itself and other objects. Traditionally, this furniture is considered the most original accessory, setting the tone for the entire room. Therefore, many designers deliberately use them to emphasize the individuality of the interior.

Stages of creating a plasterboard countertop for a bathroom

Creating markings - this stage assumes that first you need to measure the area to be mounted and determine the exact dimensions of the tabletop. This stage is very important, because it will determine whether the sink will fit into the countertop or not, and whether it will be possible to expand it. If you plan to create a structure to hide a washing machine, then you need to take the measurements even more carefully, because incorrect calculations can lead to a lack of space for the entire structure.

Creating a frame - as soon as the markings are ready, you can proceed to creating the frame of the tabletop; for this you need to use special metal profiles for plasterboard. If the frame is created using wooden slats, then it will need to be treated with a special compound that will repel moisture and become an obstacle to the formation of mold. Here you need to remember that the frame should be as stable as possible and not wobble.

Making tabletop forms is a stage that involves making a pattern and cutting out two forms from it, one of which will be made of plasterboard sheet, and the second of plywood.

It is worth noting that you immediately need to outline the outline of the sink, it must completely fit in size, after which it must be cut out using a jigsaw. After this, on the resulting plasterboard base it is necessary to make a cutout for the future sink.

Assembly of the structure begins with attaching 2 brackets to the wall surface. When they are firmly attached to them, you can attach a plywood base, where there is already a cutout for the sink, while the plasterboard base is attached from below. Next, you need to make a concave end using a small strip of plasterboard sheet. It is very important that the sheet bends; for this, cuts are made on it (every 1 cm) along the entire length. After this, you need to screw the created end to the end of the tabletop.

Priming surfaces is the stage when all the main work is completed and it’s time to begin finishing work. To do this, it is necessary to properly treat the end of the structure with a primer and then with putty with a water-repellent effect. In order for a plasterboard bathroom countertop to last as long as possible, you must treat it twice with a waterproofing mixture (it is the most reliable protection against water).

The final stage will be finishing and decorating the countertop, which will involve laying ceramic tiles or mosaics.

After the countertop is ready, be sure to go over all the places where the drywall is still visible with sealant so that water cannot destroy it. Pay special attention to the cutout area under the sink; water often accumulates around it, and even waterproof materials swell when exposed to it for a long time.

Why drywall?

In order for the design to be of high quality, it is necessary to carefully select the material. In this case, it will be drywall, because it is versatile, practical and easy to install. This is an ideal option because it is very easy to work with; you can make the design yourself without inviting help.

To make a tabletop, you will first need to create a frame for it using a metal profile, then cover it with plasterboard sheets and start tiling it (this can be tiles or mosaics). As with other plasterboard structures, the countertop requires markings and a drawing; they will help calculate the amount of materials needed, as well as determine its location.