Getting Started with the Mirror Idea
Okay, so I had this idea kicking around for a while. You know how regular mirrors are fine, but sometimes the lighting in the room just doesn’t cut it when you’re trying to see an outfit properly? Yeah, that bugged me. I wanted something better, something that could give me decent light, maybe even change the mood a bit. Didn’t need anything super fancy, just practical.
Figuring Out the Plan
So I sat down and sketched out what I really needed. Good lighting was key. Adjustable brightness seemed like a good idea, maybe even different light colours, like warm or cool white, to mimic different environments. I decided the easiest way was probably grabbing a standard mirror and adding some LED strip lights around it. Keep it simple, you know?
Gathering the Bits and Pieces
Next step was getting the materials together. This involved a trip out. Here’s roughly what I picked up:
- A decent-sized mirror. Nothing too huge, just big enough.
- LED strip lights. I got one of those kits with a remote control so I could change brightness and colour easily.
- A power supply for the LEDs. Had to make sure it matched the voltage and stuff.
- Some wood strips or maybe some plastic channel for a simple frame.
- Strong glue or double-sided tape specifically for mounting stuff.
- Basic tools I already had: measuring tape, saw (for the wood), maybe some wire connectors.
Putting It All Together
Alright, construction time. First, I measured the mirror carefully. Then I built a basic frame around it using the wood strips. I made sure to leave a small gap or recess behind the mirror’s edge, or maybe inside the frame itself. This was where the LED strips would sit.
Then came sticking the LEDs. I carefully applied the LED strips into that gap I made. The idea was to have them face slightly outwards or maybe inwards towards the edge of the frame, so the light wouldn’t be shining directly in my eyes, but would instead create a nice glow around the mirror. Used some strong adhesive tape that came with the strips, reinforced with a bit of glue in places.
Wiring It Up (Carefully!)
This part needed a bit of attention. I connected the LED strip to its little controller box, the one the remote talks to. Then I connected the controller box to the power supply plug. Safety first here, made sure all connections were secure and insulated if needed. I tried to hide the wires as much as possible, routing the main power cord down the back of the frame so it wasn’t too obvious.
The Moment of Truth: Testing
Plugged it in. Grabbed the remote. Success! The lights came on. I played around with the settings – dimmed them, brightened them up, cycled through the different colours the strip offered. Stood back and checked the kind of light it cast. Looked pretty good, gave off that even illumination I was hoping for.
Finishing Touches and Final Result
Once I knew it worked, I just tidied things up. Made sure the frame was solid, maybe could have painted or stained it but I kept it simple. Cleaned the mirror surface properly. Then I found a good spot on the wall and hung it up.
And that’s pretty much it. Now I’ve got this mirror with built-in lights. It’s nothing revolutionary, but honestly, it makes a big difference when checking outfits. Being able to change the light brightness is super helpful. A straightforward weekend project that actually turned out really useful day-to-day. Happy with how it went.
