How to Make Your Own Decorative Bathroom Vanity

If the video player is not working, you can click on this alternative video link.

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. 

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

Tools and equipment needed

• Hardwood planks
• Table saw
• Jigsaw
• 3/4 inch (1.905cm) plywood
• ACS Track Saw
• Kreg foreman
• Wood glue
• Clamps
• Iron-on edge banding
• Wood sealant
• Clear wood finish
• Table brackets
• Door hinges
• Telescopic draw slides
• Various nuts and bolts
• Epoxy resin
• Plastic polish
• Silicon sealant

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

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.