Turn an Old Dresser into a Bath Vanity Cabinet

Not all dressers can be transformed into a new bath vanity cabinet. Before you fall in love with the "perfect" piece of furniture, there are several factors to consider:

Size of the dresser: Standard sized of bathroom cabinets run in increments of 6-inches with the most popular sizes being 30-inches, 36-inches, 48-inches and 54-inches. It's almost impossible to "reduce" an existing dresser to the right size opening. Take away here: measure your space and your dresser to avoid headaches and heartaches.

Height of the dresser: Stooping over for too long to wash your hands or brush your teeth is a sure way to a backache. The standard height for a bathroom vanity cabinet is 30-inches, but depends on personal preferences. If your dresser is shorter - or taller - than what's comfortable for you and your family, then the dresser may need modification. The question is: will it look right it it's legs are cut off or it needs additional blocks under it to raise it to the proper height.

Front of the dresser: The most important part of finding a worthy bathroom vanity cabinet is whether the front can be modified to easily accommodate the plumbing. The best solution would to find a piece of furniture, like a buffet, that already has the doors on the front. Second best solution is to add a new door using the drawer fronts to simulate the look of an intact dresser.

Image: Ramsey Everydaypants @ Flickr under a Creative Commons license

There are several choices of bathroom countertops for your new (old) bath vanity. Granite, tile, solid services. The choices are endless. So are the choices for sinks. My personal favorite now is the vessel sink. These sinks set on top for the counter rather than inset within the cabinet. They can be made from granite, marble and other stone, as well as porcelain, glass and copper. With so many designs available, it's easy to find one that will go with your bathroom vanity cabinet , whether you going for a traditional or country cottage look.

After the countertop and sink, don't forget the faucets. If you decide on a vessel-style sink, then you'll need a faucet that matches the height of the sink or will have to be wall mounted. Whatever finish you decide for your faucet (and there are a lot, from chrome, to brushed nickel to oil rubbed bronze), make sure to carry through the style and color in the rest of your bathroom hardware.

The bathroom vanity cabinet is the focal point of the room. To get exactly what you want, then you just might have to design it yourself. Re-purpose an old piece of furniture is a sure way to get a one-of-a-kind piece that that will set off your bathroom decor .

But if you don't have time to turn an old dresser into a new bathroom vanity cabinet, don't despair. You can still get the look with a new piece of furniture. Just look what you can find at Amazon.