How To Wire A Backlit Led Mirror

Part 1 Choose a Mirror and LED Strip Lights

① Buy a floating mirror. There needs to be space between the mirror and the wall so that the light can shine from behind the mirror. Floating mirrors require proper space for installation; you can buy floating mirrors at department stores or online.

② If you want to use a non-floating mirror, buy spacers. If you choose to use an existing mirror and it is not a floating mirror, make space behind the mirror by installing spacers or mounting rods. To use mounting rods, measure the size of the mirror and buy mounting rods that fit behind the mirror at your local hardware store. Alternatively, make your own spacers using small pieces of wood with uniform widths.

③ Measure the perimeter of the mirror. Use a tape measure or ruler to measure the perimeter of the mirror about 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the edge of the mirror. The measurement point should be away from the edge so that the back of the mirror is not easily visible after the light is installed.

④ Choose warm white 12V LED lights for a subtle effect. Warm white 12V LED lights are popular backlights with a wide range of uses. The light behind the mirror is nice, but not too bright. ⑤ Choose super bright or colorful LED light strips for a modern look. If your backlit mirror is primarily for decoration, you may want to purchase super bright LED light strips or color-changing light strips. Try matching the color strips with the room decor for a chic look.
⑥ Get a power cord that's compatible with your LED light strip. Some LED light strips may come with a plug, but if not, you'll need to connect the light strip to an outlet. [7] Ask the home improvement store where you purchased the LED light strip for a power cord that's appropriate for your lamp's voltage.

Part 2 Attaching Lights to the Mirror

① Turn the mirror over and place one end of the LED strip at the starting point. Turn the mirror over so the back is facing up. Without removing the sticky backing of the LED strip, place one end of the strip 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the edge, just as you measured.

② If the mirror is rectangular, pinch the corners of the LED strip into spikes. There is a gap between the actual light of the LED strip and the connectors for each component. For a rectangular mirror, choose the open space closest to where you made the first mark, and pinch the strip into diagonal spikes so that the strip forms a 90-degree turn.

③ If the mirror is round, you can fold the strip into an accordion shape to create a gentle curve. There is a gap between each lighting component on the strip. Choose a gap and fold 2 times in a row, once forward and once backward, so that the strip begins to curve toward the mirror.

④ Glue the folds in place with super glue. Whether you fold the mirror into a rectangle or a circle, you will need to use super glue to secure the folds. Put a small dot of super glue on each fold and press the fold firmly for about 10 seconds or until the fold secures itself.
⑤
Remove the sticky backing from the light strip and apply it to the mirror. Once you have adjusted the light strip to fit behind the mirror, remove the sticky backing on the back and begin pressing it into place. For the folds, simply use scissors to cut off the sticky backing on both sides of the fold.

Part 3 Installing the mirror

① Connect the light to the power cord. If there is any length left on the end of the LED light strip, use scissors to cut it to a point where you can connect the power cord while still hiding it behind the mirror. [14] Connect the LED light strip's wires to the plug's wires using crimp-type wire connectors, available at most hardware stores.

② Hang the mirror near an outlet so you can manually plug it in. Once the light is hooked up and connected to the plug, you can hang the mirror as close to the outlet as possible. Use the same hardware to rehang a previously used mirror, or use the hardware that came with the mirror to hang a new mirror.

③ Consult an electrician to find out how to control the light with a wall switch. If you want to be able to turn other lights in the room on and off at the same time, you'll need to consult an electrician. They can instruct you to drill a hole in the wall behind the mirror to connect the transformer to the existing electrical circuit in the room, or they can do it for you.