Make Any Mirror Stand Out With This Pool Noodle DIY

If you're growing weary of glancing into your plain old mirror, then splashing the cash on a fancier alternative may feel rather enticing. However, it turns out you don't have to stretch your purse strings to achieve a high-end look thanks to one nifty pool noodle DIY by @noragsnook on TikTok, which shows how you can transform your simple mirror into one that screams, "Look at me!" by adhering slices of a pool noodle around the outside of it and painting it to match your aesthetic. Of course, it's not only the look that counts — you'll be able to do this hack no matter your budget, making it perfect if you want something low-cost yet eye-catching.

As this hack works on any mirror, you'll also have the choice of either upcycling a mirror you already have or purchasing a new one, giving you plenty of flexibility in terms of how you want the end result to look. All you'll need on hand is a pool noodle, which you can pick up from Dollar Tree for $1.25, a knife, strong adhesive or a hot glue gun, Mod Podge sealer, and spray paint in the color of your choice. For a classy finish, try this beautiful Rust-Oleum rose gold spray paint from Amazon for about $8.

When it comes to mirrors, you can either reuse one that you have already, which will make this hack considerably cheaper, or purchase a new one, such as this circular one for $75.00 from Target or this square one from IKEA for $39.99. To begin the preparation for your DIY craft, simply take your pool noodles and slice them into small sections, as though you're cutting a carrot or cucumber. You'll want to make the depth of each slice around the same as your chosen mirror to ensure everything aligns correctly. The next part is the most fun: gluing your pool noodle slices in a pattern you choose. To do so, glue the side of one slice of pool noodle at a time around the edge of your mirror before slowly building them out from one another until you achieve your desired look. 

You can organize your pattern however you want. For example, stack one, two, or three different circular layers on top of each other, or create triangle spikes, ensuring you use plenty of glue so that they stay in place. Once it's dry, cover the reflective part of your mirror with some leftover paper, which will prevent the glass from getting dirty as you apply sealer and spray paint to the pool noodle slices and mirror border. Ensure you paint every nook for an even coating to help you achieve the perfect finish.

If you don't want to use spray paint, you have plenty of other options. Coat your pool noodles in materials like glitter, buttons, or other easily gluable crafting items that you have in your arsenal to adapt to your interior design. You could even add different colors of twine, available on Etsy for $2.95, in a swirl pattern to create a rainbow effect on your pool noodles. This is perfect if you really want your mirror to stand out. After adding your final touches, hang your new mirror wherever you see fit, whether that is in your lounge, hallway, or bedroom.  

This hack works well because the pool noodle slices help to create a unique pattern that easily captures your attention, making a statement on any wall no matter what color or size you opt for. However, it's important that you glue each piece together as firmly as possible; otherwise, you could end up with bits of your new decor dropping to the floor and coming apart, ruining all your hard work. For this reason, it's best to be patient and wait until the glue has fully cured before you begin decorating. If any do happen to fall off, you can always reattach them with a strong adhesive.