The DIY Sliding Wall Mirror Cabinet For Functionality With A Modern Touch

If you have a small bathroom, you know getting ready in the morning can get tricky. From balancing your morning essentials (including that first cup of coffee) on the rim of a tiny sink to swinging the bathroom cabinet mirror back to see your reflection, your morning prep routine can feel frustrating.

It's time to add some functionality with this DIY sliding wall mirror cabinet, as demonstrated by YouTube DIYer Ana White. Simply slide the full-length mirror to the side and access everything in the wall-mounted cabinet behind it, all while still seeing your reflection. Slide it closed to neatly tuck everything away, keeping your get-ready space neat, tidy, and clutter-free. And, even better, you can whip this DIY mirror cabinet up over the weekend so it's ready to go Monday morning.

Ana makes this DIY with a full-length mirror, like the Framed Door Mirror from Target, but you can use whatever square or rectangular mirror that's the right size for your bathroom space. Bonus points if you can upcycle an old mirror you already own!

Tackling this DIY may feel a little intimidating, but the process is fairly simple. After you measure your mirror, purchase and cut your lumber to size. Ana recommends cutting six 1x2s the width of the mirror, two 1x2s, and two 1x4s the height of the mirror plus 1.5 inches, five 1x4s, and four 1x2s the width of the mirror. Make the mirror frame by gluing two lengthwise 1x2s into an L shape and nail to secure. Glue and nail the two taller 1x2s to the L shapes to create a four-sided frame. Check to make sure it matches the size of your mirror. Then, glue and nail two mirror-width 1x4s one-third and two-thirds up the frame to add extra support for the mirror.

Now, it's time to build your cabinet. Using the mirror-length 1x2s and mirror-length 1x4s, create the cabinet's frame. Glue and nail 1x2s to the inside of the top and bottom 1x4s to have space to attach the unit to the wall and connect the drawer slides. If you like, turn the frame over and nail plywood to the back of the cabinet.

Lay the drawer slides on the top and bottom of the cabinet frame and screw into place, then attach the mirror frame. Glue the mirror into place on top of the frame. Once everything is dry, find the studs in the wall, then nail or use cabinet mounting brackets and screws to secure.

One of the things we love best about this DIY is how many ways you can customize it to fit your day, routine, and lifestyle. Organize your daily essentials by adding a 1x4 along the back of the shelf and attaching a hose clamp or bracket for hair hot tools, brushes, or bottles. Need a new medicine cabinet, but tight on space? Use a smaller mirror and oil-based paint to protect the wood from moisture, and you're all set. Don't need another mirror? Cover a piece of plywood with your favorite wallpaper or printable that makes you smile, and install it instead.

You can also use this cabinet in different rooms in your home. There are many unexpected ways to use Command strip hooks around the house, so consider installing your cabinet by the front door and hanging the hooks along the back to organize keys, pet leashes, and other daily essentials. Or, replace the mirror with a piece of chalkboard-painted plywood and install it in your kids' room to hold art supplies or other bits and bobs.