A mirror, which from time immemorial has been a symbol of wealth, is today an indispensable piece of furniture. And really, how can we do without it? After all, a mirror allows you to visually expand the room and bring more light into the room. It gives its owner the opportunity to look at himself from the outside. But then why is everything more people looking for ways to get rid of this piece of furniture? Is a mirror always appropriate? Let's try to figure this out and find ways to solve the problems that have arisen.
Myths about mirrors
The most common reason why people strive to rid their homes of mirrors is various mystical legends, originating from the “door to another world” to the source of “energy absorption.”
So, for example, when a person sleeps, his soul temporarily leaves the body. And if there is a mirror in the bedroom, then the soul may accidentally get lost and go on a journey through parallel worlds, where the reflective surface will let it through. In other words, a person sleeping in front of a mirror risks remaining soulless.
It is worth mentioning that in ancient times this did not apply to women, especially redheads, because they were believed to have no soul.
Also, many believe that children under one year old should not come close to a mirror - it can jinx them.
In addition to causing everyday troubles, there is a legend according to which a mirror is a portal connecting the past, present and future. That is, if you really want to, you can travel back in time and... not return. Find yourself between two worlds. Never find peace.
But still, these are just myths. Scientific background no less more interesting than superstitions and largely justifies them. We also know from school biology courses that people tend to figure out what they don’t know. But in the end, instead of a complete picture, the worlds are just a deception, a deception of oneself.
Who knows, maybe both scientists and mystics are right?
And yet, there are objective reasons to remove the mirror in certain places.
Where and why you shouldn't have mirrors
Let us consider cases where superstition and scientific ideas are similar in opinion.
- In the bedroom.“Losing your soul” is not the first reason to get rid of the mirror in the bedroom. The fact is that when a person sleeps, the mirror gives him the feeling of the presence of someone else in the room. One’s own actions, especially in semi-darkness, are perceived as someone else’s. And this, one way or another, is a lot of stress. It is already becoming impossible to get a full night's sleep. Frustration, lethargy, reluctance to do anything - perhaps the reason is in the mirror?
- In the nursery. Similar to the example above, a mirror can scare a child at night. It is especially not recommended to have this piece of furniture where the baby is very small. Problems with falling asleep, frequent awakenings, irritable behavior during the day - this is what a mirror in a children's room entails.
- In the kitchen. We are talking about all reflective surfaces in the food preparation area. While cooking, it is better to concentrate on the process so that your own reflection does not create a feeling of fatigue in the hostess. And according to popular belief, you shouldn’t waste energy that should go into food on a “soulless” mirror.
- In the dining room. It is believed that a mirror in front of a table with food is a good sign of wealth, but this is only if you do not look into it. One glance and the case is gone. And who can resist admiring themselves while eating? Moreover, from a physiological point of view, a mirror in the dining room will not bring anything good. Looking at one's reflection, a person is distracted from eating, which leads to digestive problems.
So, there's a problem brewing - there's a mirror where there shouldn't be one. Fortunately, this issue is easily resolved - let's find out how.
Ways to get rid of the mirror
There are quite a lot of them. Below are the best of them.
- Remove the mirror. No mirror - no problem. It sounds easy, but sometimes it may not be such an easy task. For example, the bedroom already has a closet with mirrored doors. Shouldn't we get rid of the closet now? And if the housing is rented, then what to do?
- Vinyl sticker. A compromise solution that will not only cover the mirror, but also give self-expression to your interior. We choose any color and picture according to the size of the surface and rejoice at how our home has been transformed. It is worth noting that the sticker is made of vinyl film - durable material, able to withstand drops of water and fat, so this option is perfect for the kitchen.
- Chalk sticker. A type of vinyl sticker, but I would like to highlight it in a separate item, because it is specially designed for drawing on it with crayons. Just imagine how delighted a child will be if, instead of falling asleep in a frightening mirror, he looks at his own creations!
- Color the mirror. Armed with paints (acrylic, nitro, aerosol and other types) you can easily close mirror surface. And with the help of reusable stencils, the drawing takes on new patterns and becomes completely unique. The same mirrored wardrobe in the bedroom can easily be transformed into a canvas, open to your creativity.
- Stained glass. There is plenty to choose from: you can use a strict matte color without patterns, or, on the contrary, take something brighter that attracts attention. It all depends on your taste. Stained glass looks surprisingly natural on mirrors, and is not that difficult to install, so lovers of aesthetics and those who want to cover a mirror should find this option very tempting.
So, we have every reason to close some mirrors, there are ready-made solutions. Therefore, all that remains is to get ready and get down to business! Let beauty and prosperity come to your home!
Mirrors are very fragile objects. They are susceptible to surface damage and break if handled carelessly. If broken mirror If it can no longer be repaired in a closet or car, scratches can be easily dealt with at home. The principle of masking flaws is to fill a chip in the mirror and then polish the surface. Soft fabrics are used to provide smoothness, and scratch fillers are used. toothpaste, mustard powder, cerium oxide, nail polish, silicone sealant, epoxy glue or GOI paste.
At home, completely get rid of chips and scratches on the outside and inside Mirror walls of a cabinet or the surface of a dressing table will not work, but it is possible to disguise them. The same goes for side rear view mirrors in a car.
The main thing when working on a scratch is not to split the product itself. If possible, it is advisable to contact specialists who will restore the mirror using a professional grinding machine. If you still decide to restore the surface yourself, then you can use several methods to deal with scratches and chips.
Toothpaste
You can remove a scratch from a mirror using toothpaste and a soft flannel cloth. The product is applied to the surface and gently rubbed in a circular motion.
After the paste dries, polish the surface to a perfect shine. All small scratches will become invisible.
Mustard powder
You will need dry mustard powder and 9% vinegar.
Procedure:
- The products are mixed in equal quantities.
- The resulting paste is applied to the chips.
- The excess is removed.
- Then polish the mirror soft cloth until shine appears.
Cerium oxide
Cerium oxide can visually remove visible chips and scratches. This Chemical substance, which chemists call “jeweler’s blush” because of its ability to optically smooth the surface. The powder is mixed with a small amount of water to form a paste and applied to the surface.
Then polish the entire application area with a damp cloth. If necessary, carry out the procedure again.
Clear nail polish
More deep scratches and chips must first be filled with something, then polished. Suitable for this clear nail polish for nails.
First, apply a layer of liquid to the chip. Then wipe off the excess and wait until it dries. After this, bring the surface to a shine using a soft cloth.
Transparent silicone sealant
Transparent silicone sealant also copes with masking imperfections in mirrors in cabinets or cars.
Sequence of work:
- The chipped area is degreased with alcohol or glass cleaner and dried well.
- Fill the cavities with silicone sealant and wait 24 hours for complete drying.
- The excess is cut off with a knife, which must be held at an angle of 45 degrees to work surface so as not to damage it.
- The surface is sanded with a flannel cloth or grinder, if available.
When polishing, do not press too hard on the mirror, otherwise it may crack.
Foil
If a scratch is left on the amalgam with reverse side mirrors, you can disguise it using foil.
Procedure:
- Carefully remove the mirror from the frame or cabinet door.
- Place on a flat surface (table or floor) front side down.
- The prepared piece of foil, which is slightly larger than the size of the damage, is smoothed out and tightly glued with tape to the surface.
Paste GOI
A good option for masking damage and making glass surfaces smooth is GOI paste.
Sequence of work:
- The paste must be crushed into powder, collected on a cotton swab and applied in a thick layer to the damaged area.
- Rub the product into the surface for a minute and a half, then wipe it with a dry, clean cloth.
- Repeat the procedure, increasing the polishing time to 15 minutes.
Do not vigorously rub the paste into the mirror or use a drill with a polishing attachment. The paste may fade and the area treated will differ from the rest of the surface.
Epoxy glue and GOI paste
For deep chips, use epoxy glue together with GOI paste.
Algorithm of actions:
- The crack is degreased and filled with glue. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that no air bubbles remain.
- Excess glue is removed with a knife or flat stick. It should dry for about four days.
- After complete drying, the treatment area is polished using GOI paste.
There comes a time when the usual surroundings become boring. I want to change something, update the old interior, add some detail or make good repair. The best way update the room, make it brighter, perhaps even increase the space - attach a mirror to the closet. You purchased new furniture, you need to glue a mirror to a cabinet door, and you don’t know how to do it correctly, let’s look at individual mounting methods.
The best way to update a room, make it brighter, and perhaps even increase the space, is to attach a mirror to the closet.
We apply “Liquid nails” or silicone to the mirror surface in parallel lines at equal intervals.
How to glue a mirror to a cabinet? How to do this job correctly? There are several ways to glue a mirror.
| Method name | Features of the method |
| Mounting double-sided tape. | This material must be chosen correctly. The adhesive tape should be high-grade - 3M, foamed, its thickness should be 0.8-2 mm (to even out unevenness). It is possible to work with it at temperatures from +10 to +25°C. Indicators higher or lower will not provide adequate grip. The tape consumption is 60 cm² per 1 kg of mass. |
| Usage " liquid nails» special glue or colorless construction silicone. | There are some nuances: it is better not to glue the mirror to “liquid nails” or other products that have a characteristic odor. The substance contained in them can lead to damage to the amalgam. It is better to purchase special adhesives for mirrors - “Titanium” (the most reliable means), "Abro", "Soudal", "Bostik 2750". A very high-quality and handy method is gluing a mirror to silicone. This is the best option. |
| Mechanical method. | Using U-shaped metal tabs, plastic stops or special screws. |
You have purchased new furniture, you need to glue a mirror to the cabinet door, and you don’t know how to do it correctly, let’s look at individual mounting methods.
Most best option– gluing the mirror onto colorless construction silicone.
Attention! Which gluing option to choose is up to you to decide. The main thing is not to rush, do all the work scrupulously, approach the matter responsibly, then the mirror will be attached firmly enough and will last a long time.
How to glue a mirror to a cabinet?
Remove the protective stickers from the tape.
Necessary materials
Before you start work, you need to prepare following materials: mirror, “liquid nails”, glue or silicone for gluing the mirror, double-sided tape, masking tape, degreaser.
There are several ways to glue a mirror.
Now you need to wait for the glue to dry.
Required Tools
The following tools will be useful: sandpaper, mounting gun, pencil, ruler or tape measure. If you are going to screw the mirror onto the mount, then you will need a drill, a screwdriver, screwdrivers, regular drills, a diamond drill (to make a hole in the mirror), and a special mount for mirrors.
Which gluing option to choose is up to you to decide.
If you decide not to use “liquid nails”, but to attach them to the legs, then you need to make sure that they are manufactured accurately in height and, if necessary, install spacers.
Fastening process: step-by-step instructions
So, you stocked up on all the materials and tools, purchased a mirror the right size. It is preferable if its back side is protected with a special film, which, if the mirror breaks, will prevent fragments from falling off. Now let's get to work.
You can walk shallow sandpaper for better adhesion of the glue.
Before fixing the mirror, you need to place a soft layer, and then press the mirror with paws.
First, remove the cabinet door. To make it easier to work with, you need to place it in a horizontal position. Using a pencil, draw marking lines on the surface. Use a degreaser to clean the door, then the mirror. You can use fine sandpaper for better adhesion of the glue. Use a brush to remove all the dust.
Use a degreaser to clean the door, then the mirror.
If the mirror has ready-made holes, you can use special screws instead of the tabs.
We apply “Liquid nails” or silicone to the mirror surface in parallel lines at equal intervals. Between them, for auxiliary fastening, we glue strips of double-sided tape. The best option is to glue the mirror onto colorless silicone for construction. There is no need to use only adhesive tape, since a mirror glued in this way may fall after some time, especially when the room is very warm or you are doing work in the summer.
First, remove the cabinet door.
To prevent the glass from cracking, the mirror surface must be wetted all the time or a side made of plasticine must be made and water poured into it.
Remove the protective stickers from the tape. We fix the long edge of the mirror on the marking line. Slowly, we lower the mirror surface, trying to prevent displacement. It is better if an assistant works with you. He will make sure that the mirror lies flat, without going beyond the applied markings. That's it, the mirror is glued. Now you need to wait for the glue to dry. Optimally, a day is allotted for this. The door can be secured in place.
So, you stocked up on all the materials and tools and purchased a mirror of the required size.
The mirror should lie on cardboard or fabric.
If you decide not to use “liquid nails”, but to attach them to the legs, then you need to make sure that they are manufactured accurately in height and, if necessary, install spacers. They should be close to the mirror, but without tension. You also remove the door from the cabinet, lay it horizontally, mark where the holes for fastening the tabs should be, screw them, and bend them. Before fixing the mirror, you need to place a soft layer, and then press the mirror with paws.
The following tools will be useful: sandpaper, mounting gun, pencil, ruler or tape measure.
Gluing a mirror to a cabinet door is not that difficult; all the work must be done very carefully.
If the mirror has ready-made holes, you can use special screws instead of the tabs. In case there are no holes, they are drilled with a diamond drill in the corners. To prevent the glass from cracking, the mirror surface must be wetted all the time or a side made of plasticine must be made and water poured into it. The mirror should lie on cardboard or fabric. Plastic washers must be inserted under the screw heads.
Before you begin, you need to prepare your materials.
As a result, the interior of the room will be greatly transformed.
Gluing a mirror to a cabinet door is not that difficult; all the work must be done very carefully. As a result, the interior of the room will be greatly transformed. It is not necessary for the mirror to be rectangular or square. It can be of any original shape. It is important that it fits the overall situation.
The main thing is not to rush, do all the work scrupulously, approach the matter responsibly, then the mirror will be attached firmly enough and will last a long time.
It is not necessary for the mirror to be rectangular or square.
It is important that it fits the overall situation.
VIDEO: How to glue a mirror. Mirror swing door for furniture.
On April 1, 1969, traveling salesman Robert Spoof was looking for orders for one of the New York furniture workshops. Spoof's usual tactic was to visit a potential client and draw the owner's attention to the imperfections of their furniture ensemble. But that day this technique did not work. The lady whom Robert managed to visit undoubtedly had a sense of beauty. Interior decoration the house was spotless. Even the disproportion of one of the rooms was concealed by a very wide wardrobe, apparently made specifically for this purpose. The hostess, as if reading Spoof’s thoughts, said that if he found any flaw in the interior, it would be a reproach to her taste. Seeing that the guest was embarrassed, she skillfully removed the awkwardness, saying that on this day they were not offended by jokes, and offered to drink tea. The table was set with Chinese service, and during the conversation Robert learned that the woman was interested in the culture of this country. As he later wrote, wounded pride seemed to prompt the idea of vengeance. “Now it’s the turn for my April Fool’s joke,” thought Spoof and asked the hostess if she knew that according to one ancient Chinese science, the closet should not have such a location in the room (a hint was made to that same wide closet). He immediately came up with the idea that a Chinese man had told him about this science and Robert remembered something. The joke worked. The woman believed and immediately lost peace of mind. After all, this cabinet didn’t look good in any other position. Robert left, holding an order for a set of furniture in his hands and realizing that he would no longer be able to admit to his prank. On the contrary, in the evening he sketched out a small set of rules for the arrangement of pieces of furniture, adding a few new ones to those invented today. Spoof began using the unexpected trick he had discovered with other clients, and sales increased sharply. And the deceived admirer of Chinese culture began to look for information about an unknown science. And one day I met the writer Wang Shi, who emigrated from China. He turned out to be even more resourceful than Spoof. Having written down the lady’s story about the rules for arranging furniture, he promised that he would learn everything about this science and write a book about it. And he really wrote, adding many more rules to the furniture dealer’s list and enriching it with Chinese terms and references to teachings about energies. The ancient Chinese wrote so many different treatises that any esoteric teaching can be tied to at least one of them. There was also one there that could be called the source of Feng Shui. The treatise “The Book of Burials”, which sets out the rules of burial, including the rules for the location of both the grave itself and the objects in it. From the text ancient book The beautiful sounding words “Feng” (wind) and “Shui” (water) were taken. This is how the book “Feng Shui. Ancient wisdom for modern well-being." And “a science with a 6,000-year history” was born. The idea worked out even better than expected. The book was a great success, and moreover, the works of other authors began to be published, quickly assessing the commercial potential of the topic. Today, books and magazines on Feng Shui are published all over the world. The teaching covered almost all areas of consumption and even describes what the ancient Chinese had no idea about. It is noteworthy that the Chinese themselves, who 30 years ago arranged their furniture as they pleased, also became interested in Feng Shui.