First Things First: Find a Dresser
If you want to turn a dresser into a vanity, you need to find the dresser. You can search thrift stores, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and consignment shops. Measure the area you have for your vanity, then find something to fit that distance. You might want two sinks in long dressers or sideboards with two drawers.
Steps to Make a Dresser Into a Vanity
1. First, buy the sink, and match it to your dresser top measurements. Measure the correct cabinet and not just the top piece of the wood dresser that had an overhang of over 1 inch. So I measured the inside of the dresser table by taking the top drawer out to get the measurement for the sink
We found the smallest, most basic sink we could find for a dresser. We found that most models were too large, so we examined their dimensions carefully. Being that a vessel sink was seriously considered, it would have cost more than double when the new faucet was required.
2. Look for the sinkhole. Remove the top drawer and place the template you received with the sink on the dresser top. You'll trace it around with a Sharpie-like marker.
3. Cut the lines along the lines. Take a deep breath and cut it open with a jigsaw.
4. The sink can be placed in the opening, and you can breathe a sigh of relief when it fits into the hole.
5. Finish the dresser. Remove the sink and sand the top - you can paint the top alternately if necessary. Also, paint the dresser body and drawers if necessary at this time.
6. Cover your dresser top with a coat. Apply four to five coats of polyurethane by using a water-based polyurethane. Since this top had a short back piece, I made sure the joint between them was properly covered so that no water from the sink could enter them.
7. Add the sink to the top. Run a bead of clear caulking around the opening's rim when it is dry. Place the sink right on top, pressing lightly down.
8. Organize the plumbing in the back by cutting the opening. Measure the location of the plumbing on the back of the cabinet and set the vanity near its eventual spot. Make a square from the back piece of wood large enough for all the plumbing to fit. Invest the vanity in its permanent spot.
9. The wall is securely secured. To protect the bathroom from the plumbing only, we found the studs and screwed a couple of screws in for this step. Because this dresser had an overhang at the back, we had to add a piece of wood to it to allow it to touch the wall before screwing it in, but not all dressers would need this.
10. Attach the faucet and the plumbing. Connect all the plumbing with no drawers after the dresser is secured. Make sure there are no leaks, and everything is connected correctly.
To make small sections on each side of the drawer, we took wood glue and nails to make the bottom and back of what was needed around the sink.
Middle drawer cutout:
I had to fabricate the box to fit around the plumbing, but we managed to get it as simple as possible. This leaves plenty of room for toiletries. It was constructed from scrap lumber, wood glue, and small nails.
Bottom drawer cutout:
With a square cut out of the back of the drawer, we could fit around the drain pipe.
Take a moment to insert all your drawers, turn on the water, and enjoy your new vanity.
It's no longer possible to turn a dresser into vanity and add a pretty and unique appearance to your bathroom. I hope you were able to see how you can do this yourself!