How to Make Your Own Decorative Bathroom Vanity

Wait! Don't buy another flatpack, make your own bathoom vanity instead.
Christopher McFadden

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If you are looking to replace that old tired vanity in your bathroom, you might want to consider making your own rather than buying another flatpack.

The process isn't too tiresome, and you might actually enjoy it. Read on to find out more. 

diy vanity complete
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

But, before you begin, you'll need some gear to get you started.

Tools and equipment needed

Step 1: Measure and cut the timber

The first step is to grab your planks, measure to size, and cut as needed. No dimensions are provided, so you'll have to play this by ear. 

diy vanity cut wood
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Sand down the cut the planks as needed. These parts will form the main faceplates to the drawers, hidden step, door, and vanity top. 

Next grab your plywood, measure, and cut down to size. 

This will form the main inner carcass of the vanity. Cut the pieces needed for the main assembly from the plywood as shown. It is much easier to work with plywood rather than hardwood when building the main body, but you can make from hardwood too if you are brave enough.

Step 2: Begin to assemble the main body

With that complete, start to glue the wooden pieces together to form the main body of the vanity. 

diy vanity begin assembly
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Where required, screw the wooden lengths into place as well. You will likely need a pocket hole jig to assist you here. 

Use wood clamps to assist you as well when assembling the main body of the vanity. 

diy vanity main assembly
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

This particular vanity includes a hidden step stool, so if you want the same, be sure to include that in the design. 

diy vanity hidden step
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Step 3: Build the face frames

Measure and cut small, thin, lengths of the hardwood to build the face frame for the vanity. Be careful during this phase, as the hardwood can be difficult to screw together. 

Use a mixture of wood glue, and clamps, to do so. You may need to screw first, then remove, add glue, and then screw again to ensure a tight joint.

diy vanity face frame
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

With that complete, clamp to the plywood main assembly, and screw it into place. 

diy vanity face frame in place
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Step 4: Build the invisible stool (if wanted) and drawers

Next, and if required, you can now cut out the pieces for, and assemble the main hidden stool element of the vanity. Use a mixture of wood glue, nails, or screws as needed. 

diy vanity hidden stool
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

You can now also build the main drawers too. Add iron-on edge banding as needed. 

diy vanity drawers
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Buff and sand the main assembly as needed. 

Step 5: Add sealant

As this vanity will be used in a bathroom, the wood will also need to be treated for longevity. Paint by hand, or by using an airbrush. 

diy vanity seal
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

As always, be sure to do this in a well-ventilated space or using the right respiratory protective equipment. 

Also, add some clear wood finish once the sealant has fully dried. 

diy vanity clear finish
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Step 6: Add draw rails

Next site and install your telescopic draw rails. You will need a pair per draw, and another for the hidden stool.

diy vanity draw rails
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Be sure they are level, and then screw them into place on the main plywood body. With the rails in place maneuver the drawers, and hidden stool, into place and secure the rails to them too. 

diy vanity draw rails
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Step 7: Add the front faceplates

With the drawers and stool in place, you can now begin to add the hardwood faceplates. Secure into place using clamps, and then screw into place as needed. 

diy vanity faceplates
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

For best results and aesthetics, be sure to screw the faceplates into place from the inside, not outside, faces of the drawers. 

With that complete, you can now prepare, and hang the door to the vanity too. You may need to cut small recesses for the hinges, but this will depend on the type you have chosen or have to hand. 

diy vanity hand doors
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

With that, the main front of the assembly is basically complete. Now it is time to turn our attention to the vanity top. 

diy vanity front
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Step 8: Complete the vanity top

Take the pieces you cut earlier for the top (4 equal lengths in this case), glue, and clamp together to form one large piece. 

You may want to play around with the pieces first to get the grain aesthetic you want. Allow drying fully and then remove from the clamps.

diy vanity top
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Cut down the dimensions required for the vanity, if needed. Next, create some templates for things like the sink and faucets, and place them on to the top. 

diy vanity bowl
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Cut out the shapes you marked out using a jigsaw. Tidy up the cut edges as needed, and sand down. 

diy vanity sink and faucets
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Once complete, take the vanity top and seal all sides with high-performance epoxy resin. This is to make it as waterproof as is reasonably practicable. 

diy vanity epoxy resin
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Cure using a hairdryer. Once done, buff and polish the vanity top using power tools with polishing heads and plastic polish.

This will give the top a lovely sheen, and make it much easier to clean and maintain over the long haul. 

diy vanity polish
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Step 9: Install the sink bowl and faucets

With the top basically complete, you can now add install the sink unit. Bracket to the underside of the vanity top, and seal the edges between the bowl and the wooden top with silicon. 

diy vanity sink bowl
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

With that done, you can now install the main vanity unit in place in your bathroom. Once happy, also add the vanity top -- its own weight will hold it in place, but you can also secure it to the main assembly using brackets. 

diy vanity top in place
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Next secure the faucets into place, and seal the edge of the vanity unit where it meets the wall with silicone sealant as well. 

diy vanity sealant
Source: DIYTyler/YouTube

Plumb in the bowl and the faucets. 

With that, your DIY vanity is complete. Now you can begin to enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

If you like the look of the floor in the video, you can also have a go at laying that yourself too

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