Powder Bathroom Antique Vanity Mirror

Repurposing old antiques is a great way to add character to your home while giving that item a second chance to shine! In this post, I’ll show you how I transformed a repurposed antique bathroom vanity mirror to create a stunning focal point in my powder room.

How I Found The Perfect Antique Vanity Mirror

Now that we own an 1886 Victorian, I find myself spending waaaaay too much time scouring the internet for old antique finds. I really have nothing specific in mind that I am looking for…just everything and anything and then I will find a way to use it.

On the list of current finds was this beautiful antique quarter sawn oak built-in medicine cabinet with a mirror…minus the built-in part! This antique wooden bathroom mirror had so much charm, and I knew it would be the perfect statement piece.

The shelves and backing (that would have been recessed into the wall) had been taken off and all that was left was the front face. Which was totally fine with me because it was absolutely gorgeous! The beautiful scroll work, the glass knob, the brass key hole and the delicate trim work totally stopped me in my scroll on Craigslist and I knew I needed it, stat!

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Before I hang anything, I always take pictures of the item “pretending” to hang on the wall. I don’t want more holes in my wall than necessary…and even more so now that we have a lot of plaster walls in this house – I don’t want to be drilling holes in the lath behind the plaster. So once I took my photos in various bathrooms throughout my house, I sent it to my favorite friends for their opinions. Collectively, the 1st floor powder bathroom was chosen.

How to Decorate with an Antique Vanity Mirror

If you’re wondering how to decorate a powder room with vintage decor, choosing unique antique mirrors and accents can instantly add warmth and character!

I just absolutely love the way it adds character to my powder bathroom! The texture of the wood adds such a warm and inviting feel (totally what you want in a bathroom..hahaha! ?‍♀️?) As you can see in the mirror, there are small wooden plantation shutters covering the bottom half of the window in the powder bathroom. So the wood actually is all tied in perfectly!

Restoring and Upgrading the Mirror

It’s not perfect by any means – and I think that’s why I love it even more! The beveled mirror is not in the greatest of shape…if you are actually intending on looking in it to do makeup, etc so I may have my favorite local glass cutter cut me a new mirror, like he did for my daughter’s dresser mirror.

It could stand a new coat of poly especially towards the bottom – so I’ll probably do that in the near future (just was too anxious to get it hung!)

Edited to add: Since this was an antique bathroom mirror, I wanted to keep its charm but improve its functionality. I took it to a local glass cutting shop to replace the glass, giving my antique vanity with mirror a fresh, polished look while preserving its vintage character.

Hanging above the mirror is a pretty stained glass pendant light – not everyone’s cup of tea, but it adds some really nice character to the bathroom and goes with the house being a Victorian! *Do you recall those DIY stained glass windows I did in our two upstairs bathrooms?

A Modern Upgrade for a Vintage Bathroom

Edited to add: I swapped out the original light fixture for a more farmhouse-style two-shade vanity light to better complement the updated design. After adding wallpaper with a subtle vintage-inspired pattern and installing board and batten on the walls, I felt the space needed a lighting fixture that balanced the rustic charm of the antique vanity mirror with the fresh, updated aesthetic. The new light brings in warm, inviting illumination while enhancing the farmhouse feel, creating a cohesive and timeless look in the powder bathroom.

So there you have it! A beautiful old antique piece that has been sitting collecting dust in a storage unit that is getting a second chance on life!

Do you love repurposing antiques? I hope my DIY antique mirror makeover has inspired you to give an old mirror new life! I’d love to see what you are working on!