DIY Mirrored Side Table | High-End Secret Storage Transformation
Turn an ordinary 2.5-foot shipping box and a cookie tin into a professional-grade mirrored furniture piece with hidden storage.
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I’ve always been obsessed with mirrored furniture, but buying it from a high-end boutique can be incredibly expensive—and honestly, quite stressful to move around because of the weight. Today, I’m going to show you how I rescued a large cardboard box and an empty cookie tin and create a stunning, multi-functional side table. This piece doesn't just look like a luxury import; it actually features two secret storage compartments that are perfect for hiding away umbrellas, slippers, or living room clutter!
📺 WATCH: See the cardboard box transformation here.
Materials
Browse my curated list of Favorite Craft Supplies, Tools & Embellishments.
Large cardboard box (approx. 2.5 feet tall)
Round cookie tin (with lid)
Large framed mirrors (Dollar Tree)
Frameless mirror tiles (candle holders)
Mini mirror tiles (self-adhesive)
Clear flatback gems
Silver glitter contact paper and silver glitter faux leather fabric
Four clear glass tealight holders (Dollar Tree)
12-inch round wood board and wood plank (Dollar Tree)
Large round silver platter (Dollar Tree)
Jenga blocks (Tumbling Tower blocks)
Silver fabric trim, beaded necklace, and rhinestone trim
White paint (household or thick acrylic)
Silver liquid chrome marker
Tools
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Fix-All or E6000 adhesive
Tacky glue and Weld Bond
Box cutter and scissors
Dry paintbrush (for glue string removal)
💡 Sandy’s Favorite Crafting Tips & Hacks
The Tacky Glue Advantage: When I’m laying down gems or large mirrors, I prefer tacky glue over hot glue. Hot glue dries way too fast, and tacky glue gives me that essential “grace period” to adjust the pieces into a perfectly straight line.
Mixed Adhesive for Glass-on-Tin: To bond glass tealight holders to a metal tin, always use a strong adhesive like Fix-All or E6000 for the long-term bond. I use a tiny bit of hot glue as a “temporary clamp” just to keep the legs from sliding while the permanent glue cures.
The “No-Measure” Liner Hack: When lining the inside of a box with fabric, skip the ruler! I place the whole roll of fabric inside, glue it directly to the walls, and then trim the excess at the opening. This guarantees a perfect fit with zero awkward gaps or short edges.
Chrome Platter Upgrade: You can make a plastic platter look like heavy metal by using U-shaped chrome car trim. It’s self-adhesive and snaps right over the edge for a flawless reflective finish.
Glue String Removal: Since this project is covered in mirrors, keep your surfaces sparkling by taking a dry, soft-bristled paintbrush and twirling those pesky “spiderwebs” away once the glue is cool.
Instructions
Build the Foundation: Use a box cutter to remove the top flaps of your large cardboard box. Seal and reinforce the bottom base with hot glue. This will be the main storage body of your table.
Embellish with Mirrors: Remove the plastic frames from your large Dollar Tree mirrors. Bond the mirrors to the center of the box sides using Fix-All and tacky glue. Fill in the remaining cardboard surface with frameless mirror tiles, glitter contact paper, and rows of flatback gems.
Construct the Pedestal Base: Cover the sides of an empty cookie tin and its lid with self-adhesive mini mirror tiles. Turn the tin upside down and adhere four glass tealight holders to the corners to serve as elegant “crystal” feet.
Join the Table Units: Glue a wood plank to the bottom of the mirrored box for stability. Apply a generous amount of Weld Bond to the plank and center the box vertically onto the cookie tin lid. Let this cure fully so the bond is rock-solid.
Line the Interior: Create a floor for the storage area using foam board covered in silver glitter fabric. Line the interior walls using my “no-measure” fabric method and finish the top rim with a silver fabric trim to hide any raw cardboard edges.
Build the Tabletop: Bond a 12-inch wood board to the back of a large silver platter using Weld Bond. To keep the top from sliding, glue L-shaped Jenga block brackets to the four corners of the board so they “hug” the mirrored box frame.
Refinish a Matching Tray: Upscale an old round tray by covering the exterior in mini mirror tiles. Paint the interior white, use a liquid chrome marker on the rims, and apply a flexible silver trim to the inner sides for a cohesive, showroom-ready look.
Related Content & Resources
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Disclaimer: I’m not a professional. All my DIY’s are for entertainment purposes.