How to Make Bathroom Vanity: 7 Creative and Budget-Friendly Ideas

Are you looking for a way to update your bathroom without spending a fortune? Do you want to add some personality and style to your space? If so, consider making your bathroom vanity.

A bathroom vanity is a piece of furniture that holds the sink and provides storage and counter space. It can also significantly impact the look and feel of your bathroom. However, buying a new vanity can be expensive and not always fit your needs or preferences.

That’s why making your bathroom vanity can be a great option. You can customize it to suit your space, style, and budget. You can also use recycled materials, repurpose old furniture, or build it from scratch.

In this article, we will show you how to make bathroom vanity with 7 creative and budget-friendly ideas. You will learn how to:

• Turn an old dresser into a charming vanity
• Build a rustic vanity from salvaged wood
• Make a modern vanity from plywood and metal pipes
• Use stone or marble for a sleek and elegant vanity
• Create a floating vanity for a minimalist look
• Use open shelves for a simple and airy vanity
• Add some color and flair with paint or wallpaper

By the end of this article, you will have plenty of inspiration and tips to make your bathroom vanity. Whether you want a farmhouse, vintage, contemporary, or eclectic style, you will find something that suits your taste.

Key Takeaways

• Making your bathroom vanity can save you money and give you more control over the design and functionality of your piece.
• You can use recycled materials, repurpose old furniture, or build it from scratch using essential tools and supplies.
• You can choose from different styles, shapes, sizes, and materials to create a unique and personalized vanity.
• To complete your look, you can also add finishing touches like hardware, faucets, sinks, mirrors, lighting, and accessories.

How to Turn an Old Dresser into a Charming Vanity

One of the easiest and most popular ways to make your bathroom vanity is to use an old dresser. A dresser can provide ample storage space, counter space, and character to your bathroom. You can find one at a flea market, thrift store, garage sale, or online.

To turn an old dresser into a vanity, you will need to:

• Measure the space where you want to place the vanity and find a dresser that fits.
• Choose a sink that matches the style and size of the dresser. You can use an undermount sink, a drop-in sink, or a vessel sink.
• Cut out a hole in the top of the dresser for the sink using a jigsaw or a hole saw.
• Cut out holes in the back of the dresser for the plumbing using a drill or a hole saw.
• Remove any drawers or shelves that interfere with the plumbing or the sink installation.
• Attach false drawer fronts or doors to hide the plumbing and create a seamless look.
• Paint or stain the dresser in your desired color and finish.
• Install the sink, faucet, drain, and water supply lines according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Secure the dresser to the wall using screws and anchors.

How to Build a Rustic Vanity from Salvaged Wood

Consider building a rustic vanity from salvaged wood to add warmth and texture to your bathroom. Salvaged wood has been reclaimed from old buildings, barns, fences, or pallets. It has a weathered and distressed look that adds charm and character to any space.

To build a rustic vanity from salvaged wood, you will need to:

• Gather enough wood boards of different sizes and shapes. You can find them at salvage yards, lumber yards, or online.
• Clean the wood boards with soap and water and let them dry completely.
• Sand the wood boards lightly with sandpaper to remove dirt, nails, or splinters.
• Cut the wood boards using a circular or table saw to fit your space and design.
• Assemble the wood boards into a box shape using wood glue and nails or screws. You can also use metal brackets or corner braces for extra support.
• Attach legs or feet to the bottom of the box using wood glue and nails or screws. You can use wooden posts, metal pipes, hairpin legs, or furniture legs.
• Cut out a hole in the top of the box for the sink using a jigsaw or a hole saw.
• Cut out holes in the back of the box for the plumbing using a drill or a hole saw.
• Seal the wood with a matte or satin polyurethane to protect it from water and stains.
• Install the sink, faucet, drain, and water supply lines according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Secure the box to the wall using screws and anchors.

Add shelves, drawers, or doors to the box for more storage and style.

How to Make a Modern Vanity from Plywood and Metal Pipes

If you prefer a more contemporary and industrial look, make a modern vanity from plywood and metal pipes. Plywood is a strong, versatile material that can easily be cut and shaped. Metal pipes are cheap and durable and can be used as legs, supports, or handles.

To make a modern vanity from plywood and metal pipes, you will need to:

• Measure the space where you want to place the vanity and decide on the size and shape of your piece.
• Buy enough plywood sheets and metal pipes of your desired thickness and diameter. You can find them at hardware stores or online.
• Cut the plywood sheets into the pieces you need using a circular or table saw. You will need a top, a bottom, two sides, a back, and a front for the vanity. Cut out some pieces for shelves or drawers.
• Drill holes in the plywood pieces where you want to attach the metal pipes using a drill or a hole saw.
• Assemble the plywood pieces into a box shape using wood glue and nails or screws. Use metal brackets or corner braces for extra support.
• Attach the metal pipes to the plywood pieces using pipe fittings, nuts, and bolts. To create different shapes and angles, you can use T-shaped, L-shaped, or flange fittings. Use metal pipes as leg supports or handles for your vanity.
• Cut out a hole in the top of the box for the sink using a jigsaw or a hole saw.
• Cut out holes in the back of the box for the plumbing using a drill or a hole saw.
• Paint or stain the plywood and metal pipes in your desired color and finish. Leave them natural for a more raw and rustic look.
• Install the sink, faucet, drain, and water supply lines according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Secure the box to the wall using screws and anchors.

Adding baskets, bins, or boxes to the shelves or drawers for more storage and organization.

How to Use Stone or Marble for a Sleek and Elegant Vanity

If you want to create a sleek and elegant vanity that looks like a single large block of stone mounted to the wall, use stone or marble for your piece. Stone and marble are natural materials that have beautiful patterns and colors. They are also durable and easy to clean.

To use stone or marble for your vanity, you will need to:

• Measure the space where you want to place the vanity and find a stone or marble slab that fits. You can find them at stone yards, tile stores, or online.
• Choose a sink that matches the style and size of the slab. You can use an undermount sink, a drop-in sink, or a vessel sink.
• Cut out a hole in the slab for the sink using a diamond blade saw or a hole saw. You should hire a professional for this step, as cutting stone or marble can be difficult and dangerous.
• Cut out holes in the slab for the faucet and drain using a diamond blade saw or a hole saw.
• Polish the slab’s edges with sandpaper or an angle grinder to smooth them out.
• Apply a sealer to the slab to protect it from water and stains.
• Install the sink, faucet, drain, and water supply lines according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Mount the slab to the wall using brackets, screws, and anchors. You might need a professional for this step, as mounting stone or marble can be heavy and tricky.

How to Create a Floating Vanity for a Minimalist Look

If you want a minimalist look that makes your bathroom appear more spacious and airy, you should create a floating vanity. A floating vanity is attached to the wall without any legs or supports. It creates an illusion of weightlessness and adds some visual interest.

To create a floating vanity, you will need to:

• Measure the space where you want to place the vanity and decide on the size and shape of your piece.
• Buy enough wood boards of your desired thickness and width. You can find them at lumber yards or online.
• Cut the wood boards into the pieces you need using a circular or table saw. You will need a top, a bottom, two sides, a back, and a front for the vanity. You can also cut out some pieces for shelves or drawers.
• Drill holes in the wood boards where you want to attach screws or hinges using a drill or a hole saw.
• Assemble the wood boards into a box shape using wood glue and screws. You can also use metal brackets or corner braces for extra support.
• Cut out a hole in the top of the box for the sink using a jigsaw or a hole saw.
• Cut out holes in the back of the box for the plumbing using a drill or a hole saw.
• Paint or stain the wood boards in your desired color and finish.
• Install the sink, faucet, drain, and water supply lines according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Mount the box to the wall using heavy-duty brackets, screws, and anchors. You should hire a professional for this step, as mounting a floating vanity can be challenging and risky.

How to Use Open Shelves for a Simple and Airy Vanity

If you want to use open shelves for your vanity, you will need to:

• Measure the space where you want to place the vanity and decide on the size and number of shelves you want.
• Buy enough wood boards of your desired thickness and width. You can find them at lumber yards or online.
• Cut the wood boards into the pieces you need using a circular or table saw. You will need one piece for each shelf and two for each side support.
• Drill holes in the wood boards where you want to attach screws or brackets using a drill or a hole saw.
• Attach the side supports to the wall using screws and anchors. Make sure they are level and aligned with each other.
• Attach the shelves to the side supports using screws or brackets. Make sure they are evenly spaced and secure.
• Paint or stain the wood boards in your desired color and finish.
• Install a sink, faucet, drain, and water supply lines on one of the shelves according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You can use an undermount sink, a drop-in sink, or a vessel sink.

Adding some baskets, bins, or boxes to the shelves for more storage and organization.

How to Add Some Color and Flair with Paint or Wallpaper

If you want to add color and flair to your vanity, you can use paint or wallpaper to transform it. Paint or wallpaper can change the mood and style of your bathroom without much effort or cost.

To add some color and flair with paint or wallpaper, you will need to:

• Choose a paint or wallpaper that matches your bathroom theme and color scheme. You can use bold colors, patterns, textures, or prints to create contrast and interest.
• Prepare your vanity by cleaning, sanding, and applying primer if needed.
• Apply paint or wallpaper to your vanity according to the product instructions. For this step, you might need brushes, rollers, scissors, tape, glue, or spray.
• Let the paint or wallpaper dry completely before using your vanity.

Conclusion

Making your bathroom vanity can be a fun and rewarding project that can save you money and give you more control over the design and functionality of your piece. You can use different materials, styles, shapes, sizes, and techniques to create a unique and personalized vanity that suits your space, style, and budget.

In this article, we showed you how to make bathroom vanity with 7 creative and budget-friendly ideas. We hope you found them helpful and inspiring. Whether you want a farmhouse, vintage, contemporary, or eclectic style, you can find something that suits your taste.

Now that you know how to make bathroom vanity, why not give it a try? You might be surprised by what you can create with imagination and creativity.