How to build your own DIY smart mirror

Smart home technology is evolving rapidly, and one of the most eye-catching trends to emerge in recent years is the DIY smart mirror. What looks like an ordinary mirror at first glance can actually function as a dynamic information hub—capable of showing real-time weather conditions, daily schedules, traffic alerts, health metrics, fitness data, reminders, news headlines, and countless other useful widgets. It’s a striking combination of home décor and functional tech, turning a simple mirror into a personalized digital dashboard.

For many homeowners and tech enthusiasts, a smart mirror is more than a cool gadget—it’s a practical way to centralize the information you check every morning. Instead of unlocking your phone or scrolling through apps, the mirror can automatically display exactly what you need the moment you step in front of it. That’s why DIY smart mirrors have become one of the most popular smart home weekend projects across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

In this in-depth guide, you’ll learn everything required to build a high-quality smart mirror from scratch. We’ll cover recommended hardware components such as two-way glass, displays, frames, and Raspberry Pi boards; essential software like MagicMirror² and modular extensions; customization options for layout, colors, animations, and plugins; and practical advice on mounting, power management, and long-term maintenance.

You’ll also discover why smart mirrors are becoming increasingly popular in modern households, how they can streamline your morning routine, and which advanced features you can add—like voice control, smart-home integrations, motion detection, or AI-powered widgets.

Whether you’re a DIY beginner or an experienced maker, this guide will give you clear, step-by-step instructions and inspiration to build a smart mirror that fits your home, your lifestyle, and your personal taste.

Let’s get started!

What is a smart mirror?

A smart mirror is a special type of mirror that has a display (usually a monitor) and a computer (such as a Raspberry Pi or mini PC) hidden behind it. The display projects information behind the mirror so that the basic mirror function (reflection) remains intact.

The result is a “magical” surface that can display your daily schedule, news, weather, and more — all in an elegant way, for example, in your bathroom, bedroom, or hallway.

A brief history of smart mirrors

The concept of smart mirrors gained momentum over the past decade, especially within maker and DIY communities.

A major breakthrough came with the open-source project MagicMirror², created by Dutch developer Michael Teeuw in 2014.
MagicMirror² allowed anyone to build a customizable smart mirror fairly cheaply, with plugins and widgets.

Since then, the community has developed numerous modules, design ideas, and implementations, and smart mirror technology continues to evolve.

Why build a smart mirror?

Here are some great reasons:

• Personalized information while getting ready in the morning

• Real-time weather updates

• Calendar and task list display

• News, RSS feeds, stock prices

• Fitness and health data from smart devices

• Voice control and smart home integration

• Aesthetic experience and high-tech home décor

Additionally, this project is an excellent learning opportunity in areas such as:

• hardware assembly

• software development

• web development (HTML/CSS/JavaScript)

• Linux systems

• IoT and smart home integration

What do you need? Hardware components

Let’s look at the hardware you’ll need to build a basic DIY smart mirror:

One-way (two-way) mirror glass

This is one of the most important components. You’ll need one-way or two-way mirror glass, through which the display’s light can pass while maintaining a reflective surface.

Common materials:

• Acrylic-based mirrors – lightweight but prone to scratching.

• Glass-based mirrors – more expensive but more durable and offers better reflection.

Recommended: Spy Mirror Glass or Pilkington MirroView.

Monitor or display

The display size depends on your mirror’s size. Options include:

• Old laptop screen

• Used 24-27” monitor

• New IPS panel monitor

It’s important that the screen is bright enough to shine through the mirror.

Computer or controller

The display is driven by a mini computer. Popular options:

• Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (very popular)

• Raspberry Pi 5 (newer and more powerful)

• Intel NUC or mini PC (for heavier applications)

• Old laptop or mini PC also works

Power supply

• 5V 3A power supply (for Raspberry Pi)

• Monitor power supply

• Cable management: important for a clean look.

Frame and back panel

The frame can be:

• Wood (DIY carpentry)

• Repurposed IKEA picture frame

• Metal frame

• 3D printed elements

The back panel should be securely fastened, cables managed, and ventilation ensured.

Optional accessories

• USB microphone – for voice control

• Camera – for facial recognition

• Motion sensor – for automatic activation

• LED lighting – for ambiance

The software

The brain of the smart mirror is the software. The most popular solution is:

MagicMirror²

• Free, open-source

• Community-supported

• Modular architecture

• Web-based technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)

It can be easily installed on a Raspberry Pi.

Alternative software:

• MirrorMirror (Android-based)

• Dakboard (cloud-based, subscription)

• HomeAssistant Lovelace + Kiosk Mode – as a smart home controller

Core MagicMirror² modules:

• Clock

• Weather widget

• Calendar sync (e.g. Google Calendar)

• News (RSS feeds)

• To-do lists

• Smart home control (Home Assistant integration)

• Fitness data (Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Health integration)

Custom modules

The community has created hundreds of modules, such as:

• Spotify control

• Alexa integration

• Google Assistant integration

• YouTube player

• Facial recognition

• Voice recognition

• Bitcoin price ticker

How to get started: step-by-step guide

Planning

• Determine the size

• Choose the location (bathroom, hallway, bedroom, living room)

Hardware sourcing

• Order online (eBay, Aliexpress, Amazon)

• Have one-way glass cut to size at a local glazier

Preparing the monitor

• Remove the monitor housing to save space

• Mount the display behind the mirror

Installing Raspberry Pi

1. Install Raspberry Pi OS

2. Install MagicMirror²

3. Configure modules

4. Set up auto-start

Building the frame

• Mount the mirror into the frame

• Secure the display behind it

• Manage cables neatly

First boot

• Connect the power

• Launch MagicMirror² software

• Fine-tune your modules

Pro tips for a polished result

• Use a bright monitor – better contrast behind the mirror

• Color calibration – dark-themed modules look better

• Add LED lighting to the frame

• Don’t forget ventilation – important for longevity

Common issues and solutions

Advanced features and extensions

• Facial recognition → personalized display

• Voice control (Google Assistant, Alexa)

• Motion sensing → automatic on/off

• Smart home sync (Home Assistant)

• Timed scenes and themes

• Night mode

Future trends

Smart mirror technology continues to advance:

• Touch-enabled smart mirrors

• OLED displays behind mirrors

• Integration with artificial intelligence (AI assistants)

• Central display for smart home systems

• Health mirror features (body temperature, pulse, stress level)

A DIY smart mirror project is not only visually impressive and useful, but also a great learning experience.
You can build a fairly advanced smart mirror for as little as 100–150 euros or a few tens of thousands of forints.

Plus, the MagicMirror² community is very active, so you’ll find lots of inspiration, modules, and support online.
Whether as your first smart home project or part of a larger high-tech home setup, it’s well worth diving in.

If you’re inspired, go ahead — and you’re sure to see amazed reactions from your friends when they see your finished smart mirror!

Image(s) used in this article are either AI-generated or sourced from royalty-free platforms like Pixabay or Pexels.

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