-
Step 1
Unless you are very tall or very short, the normal height of a vanity is 30 inches from floor top. With this in mind, you will be building a basic 3 sided box.
First choose your sink after determining the size you need in your bathroom. For this example, we will say it will be a 24 inch wide vanity. This is a normal stock size. Choose a one piece sink and counter. For clarification, this is just about how to build the vanity; and has nothing to do with the plumbing. That can be left for another time.
To build a perfectly ordinary vanity, you have the option of using plywood or pressed wood. Either will work, but plywood has a smoother appearance when painted. So lets say it's plywood this time. -
Step 2
You will need two piece of plywood as wide as the sink top, less about 2 inches; and the height of 28 inches. This is allowing for the thickness of the sink top, which would bring the height to 30 inches.
Next, you have a couple more options for the door. Buy stock size 24 inch doors (there will be two doors, approximately 12 inches wide for each door. Buy the hinges and the door latch.
With help, hold the doors to the front of the sink, to determine the measurements for the plywood that needs to encompass the doors. In other words, there will be a piece of plywood at the top, directly under the sink; 2 pieces of plywood on either side of the doors; and a thin strip of plywood in the very center. This will be where the door latch will be placed.
Now, I promised options.
1. Find a solid old door, the kind that shuts off a room. It needs to have several raised panels. It has to be a solid wood door, not a hollow core door or a steel door. You can find these usually at a salvage yard. Cut the most attractive panel to the width and height that you need; cut two. Or if there is room for one door to swing out in the room, just cut for one door. And if you did this you would not need the piece of plywood in the center of your vanity frame.
Sand the raw edges
2. This is the easiest and quickest option. Buy the doors already made. -
Step 3
Now you have all of your elements, and let's say you chose the ready made doors. With help, attach the front sections to the 2 sides; drilling a small hole, and screws slightly larger than the hole.
When completed forming the vanity shell, attach the door hinges to the vanity and then to the door. You will need at least two hinges per side.
Shut the doors, and mark where they join. This is where you will be attaching the door latch.
Put the vanity against the wall over the sink drains, and lay the sink/counter on top. When all the plumbing is complete, use a heavy duty glue and glue the sink/counter to the plywood.
Paint the plywood. -
Step 4
Another option is to use a beautiful dresser for the vanity. Just remove the top, set the sink/counter on top, and put in place. You will need to cut holes in the back of the dresser to fit around the pipes.
So if you have a beautiful piece of furniture, like the one at left, this is by far, the easiest method, and the most attractive. -
Step 5
There is another option, and this too, would be easy to do. If your sink area has a wall on either side, you would only need to build the front frame for the doors, and drop in the sink/counter to size. Like the example in the picture on the left.
Comments
FrazzledNanny said
on 3/8/2009 Great pictures. Thanks for the article. I'm going to pass this onto my husband. 5*
NuttyMomma said
on 3/7/2009 really informative. i like the option of using furniture. you're so creative! 5*