Download Article
Download Article
An infinity mirror is an optical illusion that you can put up in your home as a fun and interesting décor item. It’s made in a shadowbox frame with a mirror in the back, some LED lights around the middle, and a partially reflective mirror in the front. The light between the two mirrors gives the illusion that the lights trail off to infinity, even though the mirror may not be actually deeper than a couple of inches. Making an infinity mirror is simple, as long as you follow the right steps in order. When you’re finished, you’ll have a cool piece that your guests will admire and envy!
Steps
-
Purchase a wooden shadowbox frame at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in depth. A shadowbox is an enclosed glass front picture frame that is wide enough to hold and display items. You can purchase one at most craft stores, and you can choose any size that you prefer for your space. Make sure the frame you choose should is at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in depth in order to accommodate the LED lights you will use later. [1] X Trustworthy Source Science Buddies Expert-sourced database of science projects, explanations, and educational material Go to source
- Make sure your shadowbox has a removable interior frame. You will use it to insert the LED lights between the glass panel and the mirror.
-
Disassemble the shadowbox and remove the glass. Once you have the shadowbox frame you’re going to use, turn it around so it’s face down. You will see some small metal tabs around the perimeter. Move each one up and out of the way so you can remove the wooden backing of the frame. Then, remove the glass and set it aside. [2] X Research source
- Remove the glass very carefully to avoid breaking it.
Advertisement -
Obtain a sheet of silver 80% reflective film and cut it to fit the glass. For this project, you’ll need a sheet of silver reflective film to make the glass slightly reflective and to get the full effect of the illusion. Place the glass on top of the film, trace the outline with a marker, then cut on the line with a pair of scissors. [3] X Research source
- The purpose of the film over the glass is to create a two-way mirror that is transparent on one side and reflective on the other. Glass is not reflective, so you need to put a reflective film over it so that it is just slightly transparent. When the LED lights bounce back and forth between the two-way mirror and the regular mirror, you get the fascinating infinity effect.
- You can find the reflective film at any craft store or online. You can also use car window tint film from an auto parts store.
-
Clean the glass and wipe it with a microfiber cloth. Before applying the film, make sure your glass is clean. Spray it with glass cleaner and wipe it with a microfiber cloth. Turn it over and clean the other side as well. When you’re finished, check that there is no dust or streaks on the glass. Complete your cleaning on a large flat surface, and rub gently to avoid breaking the glass. [4] X Research source
-
Peel the film and spray it with soapy water. Grab one corner of the film and start to slowly remove the backing. If you do it too quickly, the film might tear. As you peel, wet the film with soapy water from a spray bottle. This will help to prevent the film from sticking to itself as you unpeel it. [5] X Research source
-
Spray the glass with soapy water and apply the film to it. Before placing the film, spray your glass sheet with the soapy water. This will help to ensure a smooth application. Place the film over the glass, making sure it is centered. Then, use a credit card to smooth the film on the glass and squeeze out any creases and air pockets. [6] X Research source
-
Let the film dry for 2 hours, then place the glass back in the frame. After fitting the film to the glass, you’ll need to let it dry completely before putting it in the frame. When it’s finished, put your shadow box frame face down and put the glass back inside. Make sure the tinted side of the glass is facing upwards so it faces the mirror at the back of the frame when you put it in. [7] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Obtain a mirror and polish it with glass cleaner. Purchase a plain mirror tile without a frame at a home furnishing or craft store. Make sure it has the same dimensions as the glass sheet in your shadowbox. Spray the mirror with glass cleaner and wipe it with a paper towel or microfiber cloth so it is streak-free. [8] X Research source
- If you can’t find a mirror that fits your size frame, you can go to a home improvement store and get one cut for you. [9] X Trustworthy Source Science Buddies Expert-sourced database of science projects, explanations, and educational material Go to source
-
Measure the interior frame of the shadow box and cut the LED rope to fit inside. Using a ruler or measuring tape, determine the length of the inner 4 sides of the interior frame. Jot down the dimensions and cut the LED lights to fit. Then, unpeel the backing of the lights and stick it inside the edges of the inner frame where you just measured. [10] X Trustworthy Source Science Buddies Expert-sourced database of science projects, explanations, and educational material Go to source
- There are a variety of LED lights you can choose from. They can be one color, white, or multi-color.
- The LED strip will have black lines that indicate where you can cut it. Make sure you only cut the lights where it is indicated on the strip. If you don’t, the lights may not work when you turn them on. If you have a few extra LEDs that don’t fit inside the frame, you can wrap them around the edge of the mirror and stick them to the back. [11] X Research source
-
Replace the interior frame pieces in the shadowbox. Put the frame pieces back in the shadowbox so they will sit between the glass and the mirror. Be gentle when putting them back in the frame so you don’t mess up the lights you just placed. [12] X Research source
- This positioning between the two mirrors will give the illusion that there are multiple rows of lights instead of just one.
-
Create a gap in the frame for the LED external wire with a saw. Your LED lights are attached to a wire so they can be plugged in and light up your infinity mirror. Find a spot in the bottom corner of the frame and use a saw to make a gap wide enough to fit the wire. This will allow the wire to fit nicely and the frame will sit evenly on the wall. To use the saw, hold it with your dominant hand and use your other hand to hold the frame steady. Then, slowly move it back and forth until you create a gap at least 5 centimetres (2.0 in) wide. [13] X Research source
- Be careful when using the saw. Move it slowly so you do not cut through the frame.
Create an eye-catching display.
"Following the steps here, I put together an infinity mirror for my daughter's room. The diagrams made it super easy to position the lights and mirrors. Now, it's the coolest thing in her room that amazes all her friends."
- Timothy W.
Make an intriguing science fair project.
"Our class had to create an electronics project for the fair. I built an infinity mirror using the clear instructions here. It helped me learn about the optical effects while making an interactive showcase that really impressed."
- Rosa S.
Learn the science behind the spectacle.
"I did not understand how infinity mirrors work before reading this. The straightforward explanations allowed me to grasp the physics. Now I can discuss that while captivating guests with a mirror tunneling endlessly into itself!"
- Shailendra S.
Build a customized mirror.
"Carefully planning the layout first let me make an infinity mirror tailored for my retro gaming theme. The guide overall made it achievable to adapt this optical illusion to my needs!"
- Shreya A.
We want to hear from you! Advice from our readers makes our articles better. If you have a story you’d like to share, tell us here
.
-
Place the mirror in the shadowbox frame. You’re almost finished! Grab your mirror and place it in the shadowbox frame. Make sure the solid side is facing upwards and the reflective side is facing downwards toward the LED lights and glass.
-
Fold the metal tabs to close the shadowbox. Once your glass and mirror are in place, make sure to close the back of the shadowbox. Most frames have small metal tabs that can be pushed in to secure the back of the interior pieces. Replace those tabs that you moved previously to disassemble the shadow box by folding them down over the back of the mirror. When you hang your shadowbox up, the contents will stay in place. Then turn on the LED lights and enjoy your infinity mirror! [14] X Research source
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionCan I add an item inside to make it appear 3D?Community AnswerYes, you can. A cirlcle, square or rectangle with LED lights around it would work.
-
QuestionIs it possible to make an infinity mirror without a light source between the glass and the mirror, and with only sunlight from the outside of the mirror?Community AnswerNo. You need some type of light source inside. Because what an infinity mirror is, is two mirrors facing and reflecting on each other. This way, the light source inside keeps reflecting on both mirrors creating the illusion that it goes on and on.
-
QuestionWhat is the specific type of mirror that I should use?Community AnswerThe rear can be any glass mirror you'd buy just about anywhere. You're basically making the special "one-way" mirror yourself by using the window tint. That's the "magic" part of it. If you want the "infinite" effect to go deeper, use brighter lights inside, and turn off the lights outside the room so that each progressively dimmer layer is still visible.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Things You'll Need
- 1 shadowbox frame
- Glass cleaner
- Paper towels or microfiber cloth
- 80% reflective film
- Marker
- Scissors
- Spray bottle filled with soapy water
- Saw
- 1 Mirror (same size as the shadow box)
- 1 reel of 12 volts LED rope
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about installing lights, check out our in-depth interview with Ricardo Mitchell .
References
- ↑ https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Elec_p080/electricity-electronics/build-an-infinity-mirror
- ↑ https://youtu.be/b2bvWArORSc?t=20
- ↑ https://youtu.be/b2bvWArORSc?t=96
- ↑ https://youtu.be/BAQ8FBBmeU8?t=609
- ↑ https://youtu.be/b2bvWArORSc?t=129
- ↑ https://youtu.be/b2bvWArORSc?t=137
- ↑ https://youtu.be/b2bvWArORSc?t=160
- ↑ https://youtu.be/b2bvWArORSc?t=20
- ↑ https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Elec_p080/electricity-electronics/build-an-infinity-mirror
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To make an infinity mirror, start by buying a shadowbox and removing the glass. Clean the glass with a microfiber cloth, spray it with soapy water, and apply a sheet of 80% reflective film to the surface. After the glass dries for 2 hours, put it back into the shadowbox frame so the tinted side is facing upwards. Next, cut a strand of LED lights and position them around the inner frame of the shadowbox. Then, glue a mirror that's the same size as the glass to the back of the frame so the reflective side is facing downward toward the LED lights and glass. Finally, close the back of the shadowbox and fold the metal tabs to hold everything in place. To learn more about adding LED lights to your mirror, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 664,901 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I did not understand how infinity mirrors work before reading this. The straightforward explanations allowed me to grasp the physics. Now I can discuss that while captivating guests with a mirror tunneling endlessly into itself!" ..." more
Advertisement
100%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I did not understand how infinity mirrors work before reading this. The straightforward explanations allowed me to grasp the physics. Now I can discuss that while captivating guests with a mirror tunneling endlessly into itself!"
..."
more
"Our class had to create an electronics project for the fair. I built an infinity mirror using the clear instructions here. It helped me learn about the optical effects while making an interactive showcase that really impressed."
..."
more
"Following the steps here, I put together an infinity mirror for my daughter's room. The diagrams made it super easy to position the lights and mirrors. Now, it's the coolest thing in her room that amazes all her friends."
..."
more
"Carefully planning the layout first let me make an infinity mirror tailored for my retro gaming theme. The guide overall made it achievable to adapt this optical illusion to my needs!"
..."
more
"Thanks for the how-to. Very clear instructions and explanation of how the infinity mirror works."
