Make your own furniture-style bathroom vanity.
Custom-built furniture-style bathroom vanities with vessel sinks have become common additions to new or remodeled high-end homes. You can enjoy the same unique look without paying a custom cabinetmaker, however, if you have an old dresser on hand and some rudimentary woodworking and plumbing skills. Scour estate sales and flea markets for a dresser that will fit your style and your bathroom. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Determine the area of the dresser where you want to install the vessel sink. Some homeowners install the sink directly in the center of the dresser, while others move it to one side. Using the manufacturer's measurements and spacing recommendations, mark the placement of the holes you'll need to cut out for the faucets and the vessel sink's drain. Mark the area on the back of the dresser that you will need to cut out for the water lines and drain line.
2. Remove all the drawers from the dresser. Determine which drawers will interfere with the water and drain line placement. Cut the fronts off of those drawers and put all drawers and drawer fronts aside.
3. Find the screws that secure the top of the dresser and unscrew them. Remove the top of the dresser and measure the area where you will be installing the sink and faucets. Cut a piece of plywood to reinforce this area, and attach it to the underside of the dresser top with wood glue and wood screws. Allow the wood to dry and place the top back on the dresser.
4. Bore holes in the top of the dresser and the plywood reinforcement for the fixtures using the paddle bit. Drill a hole large enough to allow you to insert the jigsaw blade and cut out the drain opening. Cut the opening for the plumbing in the back of the dresser with the jigsaw.
5. Move the vanity into its final position. Install the faucets and hook up the hot and cold water lines, following the manufacturer's recommendations for tightening and caulking.
6. Place the mounting ring and washer that came with the vessel sink in the drain hole. Apply clear silicone adhesive to every part of the bottom of the sink that will touch the drain opening or countertop. Set the sink into place, and attach the drain mechanism, tightening and caulking underneath the counter to the manufacturer's specifications.
7. Replace the drawers in the vanity. Attach the drawer fronts that you cut off onto the front of the vanity with wood glue.
8. Apply several coats of polyurethane finish to the vanity countertop with a paintbrush to protect it from moisture.
Tags: back dresser, that will, vessel sink, drain line, drain opening