Sometimes the best projects come about by accident. That was the case for Aeschinoer, who stumbled upon this clever backlit mirror idea while working on a completely different IKEA hack — a project called “back-lit lunar landscape.”
One idea led to another, and the result is a wall-mounted mirror with soft, flattering backlighting that the whole family has come to love.
The best part? The build takes roughly two hours from start to finish. A quick, easy DIY project you can complete in an afternoon.
What You’ll Need
- 1 IKEA SKALA tray (17”)
- 1 IKEA BARLAST LED ceiling lamp (10”)
- 1 IKEA BLÅSER mirror (14”)
- Saw
- Adhesive
- Black paint or in your chosen color
- Small pieces of wood (for spacers/mounting)
- Screws and nails
- Double-sided adhesive tape (included with the BLÅSER mirror)
Make a Backlit Mirror Using Three IKEA Products
Step 1: Cut Off the Tray Handles
The SKALA tray‘s handles need to go. Using a table saw, carefully cut them off so you’re left with a clean, flat-edged frame shape.
“Cutting with the table saw needs proper handling,” Aeschinoer notes. If you’re not confident using a table saw, ask someone experienced to help, or take the tray to a local woodworking shop.
Step 2: Paint the Tray
Once the handles are removed and any rough edges are sanded smooth, paint the tray in your chosen color. This is where you can make the project your own — a matte black finish would give a sleek, contemporary look, while a soft white or natural tone keeps things light and minimal. Let the paint dry fully before moving on.
Step 3: Attach Wood Spacers
Glue small pieces of wood onto the back of the tray. These act as spacers, creating a gap between the tray and the wall. That gap is what allows the light to radiate outward from behind, creating the backlit effect.
Step 4: Mount the LED Lamp
Using four screws, attach the BARLAST LED lamp to the wood spacers on the back of the tray. The lamp sits tucked behind the tray, hidden from view, and it will cast a warm glow around the mirror when turned on.
Step 5: Attach the Mirror
Position the BLÅSER mirror on the front of the tray and fix it in place using the double-sided adhesive tape that comes with the mirror. Press it firmly and allow it to set.
Step 6: Admire Your DIY Backlit Mirror
Using two nails, hang the finished piece on the wall. Make sure the nails are level so the mirror sits straight.
How much does this hack cost? Approximately $55 to $60
- BARLAST LED ceiling lamp– $8.99
- BLÅSER mirror — $13
- SKALA tray — $26
- plus paint and additional supplies
How long did it take? About 2 hours
Aeschinoer said this project was another hit with his family, and he wouldn’t change anything. He cautions to be careful when cutting the handles off (he used a table saw), not just for safety, but to get a nice, clean cut without damaging the tray.
He also said that figuring out where to mount everything was the most challenging, but now that he’s done it, replication is a breeze.
Have you tried a similar IKEA hack? Share your version in the comments below or send it in for a chance to be the next featured project.