Creating a slim smart mirror at home is a fun and practical project. Using a Raspberry Pi and a thin display behind a two-way acrylic mirror, you can build a sleek device that shows time, weather, news, and more. Follow these steps to make your own smart mirror.
Materials and Tools You’ll Need
- Two-way acrylic mirror (around 3mm thick)
- Ultra-slim monitor or display (such as a 15.6-inch 1080p USB-C powered screen)
- Raspberry Pi 3A+ (compact and powerful)
- Black card with a cutout matching the display size
- Clear acrylic back plate (about 2mm thick)
- Nylon nuts, bolts, and spacers for assembly
- Drill and drill bits
- Basic tools like screwdriver and file
- Optional: keyboard and mouse for setup
Step 1: Disassemble and Prepare the Display
Carefully remove the bulky casing and speakers from your slim monitor. This reduces thickness and weight, giving your mirror a sleek, frameless look.
- Unscrew and detach speakers and cables.
- Remove any tape holding cables in place.
- Keep the display panel and control boards intact for mounting later.
This step is key to achieving a slim design.
Step 2: Prepare the Acrylic Mirror Layers
You will work with three acrylic layers:
- Front: 3mm thick two-way acrylic mirror (reflective but allows light through)
- Middle: Black card with a cutout the size of the display (blocks light bleed)
- Back: 2mm thick clear acrylic plate (adds structural support)
Drill eight holes evenly spaced around the edges of all three layers. These holes will line up for bolts and spacers to hold everything tightly together.
Step 3: Mount the Display and Raspberry Pi
Attach the Raspberry Pi and display controller boards to the back of the disassembled monitor.
- Use bolts, spacers, and nuts to secure the display and Pi onto the clear acrylic back plate.
- Place the black card between the mirror and display to improve contrast.
- Make sure cables are neatly arranged and accessible for power and HDMI connections.
Step 4: Assemble the Smart Mirror
Stack the layers from front to back in this order:
- Two-way acrylic mirror (reflective side facing out)
- Black card with display cutout
- Display and Raspberry Pi mounted on clear acrylic back plate
Insert bolts through the drilled holes from the front, add spacers, and secure with nuts at the back. Tighten carefully to avoid cracking the acrylic or mirror.
Step 5: Set Up Software on Raspberry Pi
- Flash Raspberry Pi OS onto a microSD card.
- Connect a keyboard, mouse, and power to the Pi.
- Boot up and configure Wi-Fi, timezone, and locale.
- Install Magic Mirror software, which lets you customize the display with clock, weather, calendar, news, and more.
- Set Magic Mirror to launch automatically on startup for a seamless experience.
Optional Enhancements
- Add a PIR motion sensor to turn the display on and off when you approach or leave.
- Install LED backlighting for a stylish glow.
- Customize the frame or backing with paint or stain to match your decor.
Summary Table
| Step | Action | Materials/Tools Needed |
| Disassemble Display | Remove casing and speakers | Screwdriver, file |
| Prepare Acrylic Layers | Drill holes in mirror, black card, back | Drill, two-way acrylic, black card |
| Mount Components | Attach Pi and display to back plate | Bolts, spacers, nuts, Raspberry Pi |
| Assemble Mirror | Stack layers and secure with bolts | Nuts, bolts, spacers |
| Software Setup | Install OS, Magic Mirror, configure | Raspberry Pi, microSD, keyboard, mouse |
| Optional Features | Add sensors, lighting, frame finish | PIR sensor, LEDs, paint |
Key Points to Remember
- The two-way acrylic mirror lets the screen shine through while reflecting like a mirror.
- The black card layer blocks unwanted light and improves screen visibility.
- Bolts and spacers create a sturdy, slim assembly without a bulky frame.
- Raspberry Pi and Magic Mirror software provide easy customization.
- Handle acrylic and mirror carefully to avoid cracks.
FAQs
Q: What is a two-way acrylic mirror?
- A: It reflects light on one side but lets light from the display pass through.
Q: Can I use a regular monitor?
- A: Slim, USB-C powered monitors work best for a thin design.
Q: Do I need programming skills?
- A: Basic command-line skills help, but many guides simplify the process.
Q: How do I power the mirror?
- A: Use separate power supplies for the Pi and monitor or a combined supply if compatible.
Q: Can I add voice control?
- A: Yes, with extra hardware and software modules.
Building a slim DIY smart mirror with acrylic and Raspberry Pi is a great way to bring technology and style into your home. The project is manageable and results in a sleek, modern device that shows useful information at a glance. Ready to start building?
