DIY A Stylish Secret Mirror To Store Your Valuables In Plain Sight

Mirrors are a staple in any well-designed entryway. Not only do they serve as a stylish decor item, but they are also super handy for checking your appearance before you head out the door. Plus, they also happen to work wonders for making small spaces look bigger and brighter.  But what if there was a way to take your mirror's function to the next level? One that created extra storage to keep some of your frequently-used belongings within close reach, and even better, did so in a highly-aesthetic way that kept visual clutter at bay? Well, it turns out that it's entirely possible to do just that. All you have to do is convert a regular item into a secret shelf and attach a mirror to it. 

From the front, it will just look like a regular mirror, but when you open it up, it will reveal a shallow shelf that is handy for hiding any number of valuables in plain sight, like your cash, keys, or jewelry. Swiveling cheese boards that hold knives underneath like the RoyalHouse Bamboo Round Cheese Board work great for this because they already have a built-in hidden compartment, but you could also convert picture frames, spice racks, or miniature display cases. This piece could be hung anywhere in your home, but if you're storing things you need before leaving the house, the entryway may be the best location. We are digging into all the DIY details below so you can create extra storage disguised as stunning decor, and we're offering up a few ways you can give your secret mirror shelf a personalized twist.

Turning a cheese board into a mirror is as easy as gluing an unframed mirror, like the Better Crafts 9-inch Small Mirror for Crafts, to the top of the board. Be sure to use a strong, permanent adhesive like E6000. While the glue dries, remove the knives from inside and attach small picture hooks (available in the Romeda Picture Hanging Kit) inside the hollow areas where the knives were stored. Attach a sawtooth picture hanger to the back of your piece as well. Alternatively, you could build a shallow shelf out of wood and attach a picture frame to the front of it with hinges. Instead of framing a print, simply place an unframed mirror inside the frame. Another idea is to cut a piece of wood to the same dimensions as a spice shelf or mini display case, glue a mirror to the front, and attach it with hinges.  

Now that the project is complete, add some style. If you like coastal decor, you could glue cotton rope around the edge of the mirror. Prefer a more ornate look? Attach flexible trim molding around the mirror's edge (if not using a frame), and then gild it with either Rub 'n Buff or gold paint. Love a sleek and modern style? Leave the mirror frameless and paint the inside of the shelf all black. For a rustic look, you could stain the wood with a wood stain. Or, give it a pop of color by painting the shelf portion a bright hue. Now, hang your mirror, add your items, close the top, and enjoy your secret storage!