Stunning DIY Hacks To Give Mirror Closet Doors A Modern Upgrade

There's no doubt about it, mirrored closet doors can easily make your interior look dated. Popularized in the '80s and '90s, these reflective closets were originally intended to replace the need for a full-body mirror. However, they don't add a lot when it comes to aesthetic value, and tend to feel bland and builder-grade. Your closets can easily elevate your room, and mirrored doors might feel like a wasted opportunity to add a splash of style. However, it isn't necessary to purchase new doors to transform the look of your space.

Whether you are looking for a simple hack or a more advanced transformation, there are plenty of DIY solutions to create an eye-catching closet. These hacks are proof that you don't need a big budget to give your mirrored doors a modern upgrade. From changing the color to adding a touch of texture, choose your favorite idea and make your closet look instantly more contemporary. We've rounded up the best DIY ideas to make your dated mirror closet look brand new.

@sandra.maria.home created a dynamic, modern design using wood strips and pole wrap. After cutting plywood into strips and adhering them to the mirror, she painted everything black to ensure that the reflective surface was completely covered. Finally, the creator painted sections of pole wrap and glued them inside the boxes for a textured look. While these dark doors feel trendy, you might want to reconsider painting your furniture black. It can make your space appear smaller and it is difficult to change. If you want a more timeless look, swap the black paint for something brighter like taupe or beige.

If you love the look of a grid-inspired design, @themartinezcasita shared an affordable and easy DIY idea that will update your closet for under $30. All she did to transform her doors was spray paint the frame before using black electrical tape to create a grid-like pattern. As an alternative, you can also use painter's tape to create a stencil and spray paint the grid directly on the mirror. Just make sure you use a paint that will stick to glass, like Krylon COLORmaxx ($6.04 at Lowe's).

@myhomegoals utilized a Cricut machine and transfer paper to add stencils to the mirror. Then, she used a frosted glass spray to cover the closet doors, peeling off the letters to reveal the personalized text. Don't have a Cricut machine? You can also use stickers, like these 6-inch vinyl letters from Amazon for $14.85. Just make sure to use a measuring tape to line up the stickers before applying. Letters that are not in a perfect line will make the end result look less expensive. Tip: When positioning the letters, lay out the first and last ones initially to ensure even spacing.

@angelarosehome gorilla-glued sheets of ultra-thin plywood (⅛-inch is the thinnest) edge-to-edge for an organic look. To avoid any reflection showing through, she used a permanent marker to fill in the gaps between the planks. For an even more seamless effect, try using a dark brown marker rather than black. If you don't have the power tools to cut the plywood, places like The Home Depot will cut them, but cuts might not be 100% precise. Alternatively, you can cut thin plywood by scoring it multiple times (first from the back and then from the front) with a utility knife and straight edge. 

@angelarosehome showcases another attractive way to use plywood by creating a chevron design. The plywood was cut and painted black before it was glued to the closet door in a contemporary pattern. For a glamorous touch, use metallic tape (such as this art tape from Amazon for $12.80) to delineate the lines between planks with gold or silver. You can also bring this farmhouse-chic design into your bathroom with an accent wall DIY. Creating closet doors to match your accent wall is a great way to maintain visual cohesion throughout your home.

For those on a budget or a time crunch, @joselynann1's hack is the perfect solution. The creator used real wallpaper to adhere over the mirrored surface, choosing a modern, geometric pattern with metallic details. However, you can select any look, from subtle patterns like this neutral design from Amazon ($9.99 for a 6.5-foot roll), or whimsical floral motifs like this option from Wayfair ($71.99 per roll). If you opt for peel-and-stick, thoroughly clean the mirrors to ensure good adhesion. For traditional wallpaper, heavy-duty adhesive ($13.49 on Amazon) could achieve a better hold on glass. 

While wainscoting is a traditional concept, it has been making a resurgence in modern interiors. In this classy wainscoting tutorial, the creator glued strips of wood in smaller rectangles directly to her closet doors, then painted over the doors, first using a strong adhesion primer and then enamel paint to make the molding look as if it had always been there. The KILZ adhesion primer ($31.81 on Amazon) should be strong enough for this project. You can get wainscoting in variety of materials including fiberboard and PVC, but wood remains the standard.

For another easy and affordable way to cover your mirrored closet doors, look to @beingtheblooms on TikTok. The creator added a textured, wood-style wallpaper to the surface of each door and covered the borders using black wood embossed tape ($9.98 on Amazon). Peel-and-stick handles (this 2-pack for $6.99 on Amazon has great reviews) complete the project and make the closets look like actual doors. When you place your peel-and-stick handles, make sure they are situated correctly as removing them will likely damage the wallpaper. Typically, door knobs should be installed at a minimum of 34 inches above the floor.

@hotpinkpineapple's TikTok is proof that car wrap is the perfect hack for covering closet doors. The creator smoothed white car wrap over the surface of the closet doors and used heat to level out any bubbles. Similar to the wainscoting look, she ornamented the new doors by creating inner borders with the Art3D flexible trim from Amazon ($9.99 for 10 feet). Vinyl wrap can be used for a variety of DIY budget-friendly design tricks, and can be removed if necessary. This makes the material a potential option if you're renting and need to revert your home back to its original state.

If you don't want to cover your mirrored doors completely, you can still make them look more stylish with a product like Rust-Oleum's frosted glass spray paint ($6.98 at Lowe's). Rather than frosting the doors entirely with spray paint, @myhomegoals on TikTok chose a more playful design. This user covered the doors in three horizontal sections for visual interest. In addition to striped sections, you can also frost the edges to create a decorative frame. This is a great way to keep the light-bouncing, reflective functionality of the mirrored doors while giving them a more modern, bespoke appearance.

One way to get rid of your mirrored closet doors is to do just that — throw them out completely! @s0nj0hn exhibited this simple yet brilliant hack. Open shelving is currently trending, and this video is proof that you don't need to be afraid to explore more exposed storage options. You can recreate the look with the PINNIG coat rack for $139.99 from IKEA, or you can also install your own floating shelves with drawers for some chic organization. When styling open shelving, creating a cohesive color palette and storing items of varying heights for visual interest can keep things aesthetically appealing.