A DIY Bathroom Vanity can make a bathroom look more modern and save money, as opposed to the pricier vanities you’d buy at a store. Learn how to make your own vanity here.
I am so excited to FINALLY have this project complete! I decided to build my boys a new double bathroom vanity about one year ago. Their toilet tank leaked and warped the side of their existing vanity, so this was what initially led to the new build. The original vanity had the entire cabinet touching the bathroom floor so to avoid this problem happening again, I decided to design a vanity with legs (and fix the leaking tank). I purchased the countertop and began building the cabinet.
While I was building the vanity, it occurred to me that there may not be tile under the existing cabinet. So, I pulled the warped cabinet away from the floor and realized that the bathroom floor tile stopped where the cabinet began. This created a new issue. I didn’t have any leftover tile. So, before I installed the new vanity, I had to have the bathroom retiled.
We’ve all heard the saying “if you give a mouse a cookie”… I wanted to pick a more modern tile but the tile selections that I liked went with white, not the beige colors that existed in the shower surround. To top that off, the toilet and tub were biscuit color and not white. So, I was left with the options to either find a floor tile that matched the existing tub surround and biscuit colored finishes or completely gut the bathroom and start fresh. I had already invested so much into the new countertop and I wanted the finished vanity to have a very modern farmhouse feel. So, I opted to gut the entire thing.
I put the vanity build on hold because I wasn’t ready to begin remodeling their entire bathroom. I got side-tracked doing other projects and how-to videos and the unfinished vanity sat at the back of my shop collecting sawdust and spider webs, along with the countertop. This year, I made the commitment to get this bathroom reno and vanity build done as my first project of the year and I am happy to report that it is done and only took about 2 weeks from demo to finish!
I am absolutely THRILLED with the new double vanity and their new modern farmhouse bathroom! I can’t wait to do the same for my master bathroom! This vanity was actually a very easy build and I found a beautiful quartz countertop that I was able to order and install myself, sinks included! So, let’s get to building, just follow the tutorial below!
CLICK HERE TO JUMP TO THE FREE PRINTABLE DIY Bathroom Vanity PlansTable of Contents
The Supplies
- 2 – 3/4″x48″x96″ Birch Plywood
- 1 – 1/4″x48″x96″ Hardwood Birch Plywood (optional)
- 1 – 2x6x8
- 3 – 2x4x8
- 1 – 2x2x8
- 1 – 1x8x8
- 4 – 1x6x8
- 4 – 1x4x8
- 1 – 1x3x8
- 4 – 1x2x8
- 1/4″x2x48″ Craft Boards
- 2 1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
- 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
- 1 1/4″ Brad Nails
- 3/4″ Pin Nails
- Sliding Barn Door Hardware
- Extra Set of Barn Door Hangers
- 3 – Pulls
- Countertop
- 2 – Faucets
- Wood Glue
- Barn Door Guides (optional)
- Adhesive
- Silicone
The Tools
- Miter Saw
- Drill
- Kreg Jig
- 18 gauge Nailer
- Table Saw (optional)
- Pin Nailer (optional)
- Kreg Drawer Slide Jig (optional)
How to Build a DIY Bathroom Vanity
Note: I ripped the round edges off of some of the 2x boards. The width of the boards is noted in the cut list. This is not a necessary step but if you choose not to rip your boards, adjust the plans accordingly.
Step 1: Build the DIY Vanity Cabinet
Attach the Vanity Side Panels
I cut the cabinet sides and bottom to size. Then, I used my Kreg Jig to drill 3/4″ pocket holes on all sides of the bottom pieces and both edges of the side panels.
I attached the bottom piece to the side panels with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue. The panels should extend 2 1/4″ from the bottom of the bottom piece.
This is what the cabinet base should look like at this point.
Attach the Middle Panels
Next, I cut the middle cabinet pieces to size and drilled 3/4″ pocket holes on the front and bottom edges. I attached them to the bottom of the cabinet with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.
This is what the cabinet base should look like at this point.
Step 2: Build the Vanity Face Frame
Attach the Legs to the Aprons
Once the cabinet base was finished, I cut the legs and front, top and bottom aprons to size. Then, I drilled 1 1/2″ pocket holes into both ends of the apron pieces. I attached the apron pieces to the legs with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue. The top apron should be flush with the top of the legs. The bottom apron should be attached 2 1/2″ from the bottom of the legs.
Attach the Middle Frame Pieces
I cut the middle face frame pieces to size and drilled 1 1/2″ pocket holes at the ends.
Then, I attached the vertical pieces to the top, bottom and the horizontal pieces to the vertical pieces with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.
Attach the Face Frame
Once the face frame was assembled, I attached it to the cabinet with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue, from the cabinet bottom, side and middle panels and into the face frame. The cabinet bottom should be flush with the bottom apron. The side panels should be flush with the top of the legs and inset 3/4″.
Step 3: Build the Back Frame
Attach the Legs to the Aprons
I cut the back apron pieces to size. Then, I drilled 3/4″ pocket holes into the ends of both apron pieces. I attached them to the two remaining legs with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue. The top apron should be flush with the top and front of the legs. The bottom apron should be flush with the front of the legs and 2 1/2″ from the bottom of the legs.
Attach the Middle Frame Pieces
Next, I cut the middle frame pieces to size and drilled 3/4″ pocket holes at both ends. I attached them to the top and bottom apron pieces with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.
Attach the Back Frame
I attached the back frame to the cabinet with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue, from the cabinet bottom, side and middle panels and into the back frame.
The bottom apron should be flush with the front of the legs and the cabinet bottom. The top apron should be flush with the top and front of the legs.
Step 4: Assemble the Cabinet Drawers
Attach the Sides to the Drawer Bottom
I cut the drawer bottoms and side pieces to size. Then, I drilled 3/4″ pocket holes around the edges of the bottom pieces and 3/4″ holes at both ends of the side pieces. I attached the side pieces to the drawer bottom with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue. I used my Kreg Right Angle Clamp to hold the pieces together while I attached them.
This is what the drawer should look like at this point.
Attach the Front and Back to the Drawer
I cut the front and back pieces to size and attached them to the bottom and side pieces with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.
This is what the drawer should look like when it is assembled. Build three drawers.
Install the Drawers
I used a spacer to mark where I wanted the front of my drawers to be on the inside of the cabinet. (Note: I had not purchased my drawer pulls when I did this. If you use the same drawer pulls as I did, use a spacer that is the same thickness as your drawer face to accommodate for how far the pulls wills stick out).
Then, I used the Kreg Drawer Slide Jig to install the drawer slides to the inside of the cabinet. This tool makes it super easy and fool-proof to install drawer slides! Once I marked where I wanted the front of my drawers, I used a Kreg Face Clamp to hold the drawer slide jig in place. Then, I added one drawer slide screw at the front of the slide. I used a level to make sure the slide was level, then added a second screw at the end.
Once I finished on one side, I followed the same steps to attach the drawer slide on the other side.
Once both sides were attached to the inside of the cabinet, I flipped the drawer side jig around and attached it to the face frame with the Kreg Face Clamp. I set the drawer on top of the drawer slide jig, extended the slides and attached them to the drawer with screws. I did the same for the 2 remaining drawers.
Attach the Drawer Faces
I cut the drawer faces to size. Then I used index cards to create a gap around the perimeter of the drawer faces.
Next, I attached the drawer faces to the to the front of the drawers with wood glue and 1 1/4″ brad nails.
To avoid nail holes, I shot the brad nails from the inside of the drawer and into the back of the drawer face.
This is what the vanity looks like with the drawer faces attached.
Step 5: Attach the Side Panel Trim
Attach the Trim to the Side Panels
I cut the side trim pieces to size and attached them to the sides of the vanity with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue, from the inside of the cabinet and into he back of the side panel trim. The top and bottoms of the the side trim pieces should be flush with the top and bottom of the vanity.
Step 6: Build the Doors
Attach the Front Trim
To build the doors, I cut the door panels to size, first. Then, I measured and cut the front trim to size. I cut the 45° angle off of the first piece of trim, marked for the second cut and then cut the other end at 45°. I used the first piece to mark for the opposite side piece (because they should be the same measurement) and cut the opposite piece to size. I attached the two door trim pieces with 3/4″ pin nails and wood glue.
For the two remaining trim pieces, I cut a 45° angle off of one end, held the piece upside down against the door and marked for the second cut. I cut the last trim piece the same way and attached them both with 3/4″ pin nails and wood glue.
This is what the door looks like after the front trim is attached.
Attach the Decorative Trim
I cut the decorative door trim to size. Then, I centered the vertical piece and attached it to the door panel with 3/4″ pin nails and wood glue. Next, I centered the two horizontal pieces and attached them the same way.
Attach the Side Door Trim
For the side door trim, I cut a 45° bevel off of one end. I held it up to the door and marked for the second 45° cut. I attached it to the door with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue.
I followed the same steps with the other three sides. Build two doors.
Step 7: Paint the Vanity
Add a Finish
I gave the entire vanity a good sanding and filled all visible nail holes with wood filler. (I had to try the countertop on for size 😉 ) If you choose to add a back to your vanity, this is the time to do it. I opted for no back to make it easier to install around the sink pipes.
Step 8: Installing the Sinks to the Counter
If you don’t want to use a quartz countertop, you can make a planked countertop with wood! I’m sharing how I attached the quartz countertop below!
Rather than hiring a countertop company, I opted to purchase this DIY friendly quartz countertop. It was VERY easy to install, it’s absolutely beautiful and it was less expensive and less of a hassle than hiring it out. The first step is to flip the countertop upside down and wipe the area where the sink will be with a damp cloth. Note: I assembled the countertop on top of the vanity and used a few beach towels underneath to protect the quartz.
Do the same thing with the outer edge of the sink that will touch the countertop.
To adhere the sink to the countertop I ran a bead of clear, waterproof sealant along the bottom of the countertop where the sink would attach.
I laid the sink upside down over the sink opening on the bottom of the countertop.
I made sure that the drain hole was centered on the sink opening from underneath.
I secured the sink in place with the hardware provided.
Once the hardware was attached, I ran another bead of silicone around the edges of the sink.
Then, I smoothed the silicone out with my finger. This will make sure there are not gaps between the silicone and the sink and will remove any excess silicone.
Once the sinks were installed, I let the silicone dry for 24 hours.
Step 9: Installing the Vanity on the Bathroom Wall
While the silicone was drying, I brought the vanity into the bathroom and used a level to make sure it was sitting level. Mine was level but if yours isn’t, you can use some shims under the legs to level it out.
I decided to attach the vanity to the studs behind the wall to keep it secure. This is not a necessary step but highly recommended! Because of the 3/4″ inset on the back apron, I used three 3/4″ shims to attach the apron to the wall. I marked for the studs behind the wall to know where to put the shims. I put wood glue on each shim.
Then, I slid a shim behind the apron and attached it to the apron with 1 1/4″ brad nails, from the apron and into the shim. I put a shim at the middle and both ends of the vanity.
Once the shims were attached, I used 3″ wood screws to attach the vanity to the wall, through the apron and into the wall.
Here is what the vanity looks like installed in the bathroom. Next it was time to bring in the countertop!
Step 10: Installing the Countertop
I put a glob of adhesive on top of each vanity leg.
I laid the countertop on top of the vanity and let the adhesive dry for 24 hours.
Step 11: Installing the Hardware
Installing the Drawer Pulls
The drawer pulls that I bought came with 1 1/2″ screws. You can watch the video below to see how I avoid a trip to the hardware store to buy longer screws! It’s an easy tip and it works every time!
Success!
Well, almost 😉 Check out the video below to see how I made a pretty big mistake that ended up being for the better!
Success! I love the contrast between the white paint and the barn wood!
Attaching the Barn Door Hardware
This barn door hardware kit is inexpensive and it’s so easy to install! The instructions are the best so I made a quick video to show you how I install my hardware! Watch how to install the barn door track in the video below!
Watch the video below to see how I installed the barn door hangers!
Because this vanity has two barn doors, you will need to purchase an extra set of barn door hangers.
Plumbing
I hired a plumber to install the pipes to the sinks and install my faucets and that was it!
I am so in love with my boys new DIY Bathroom Vanity! It has a ton of storage and it’s so unique with the sliding barn doors!
To keep the doors from swinging, I purchased these Barn Door Guides separately. The Barn Door Kit includes guides but they are floor mount
I love this gray quartz countertop!
These matte black faucets match the barn door and pulls perfectly!
I am so happy with the way my boys bathroom turned out! The DIY Bathroom Vanity really takes it to the next level and looks like a custom piece of furniture. I searched online for vanities and couldn’t find anything that I loved as much as the vision I had for one in my head. It was a very easy build and I can’t wait to tackle the other bathrooms in my home – starting with my master bathroom 😉
Sources for Items in this Bathroom
Like something else that you see in this space? Check out the links below for the sources!
I’ll be sharing the rest of their bathroom renovation soon!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Happy Building!
You can find more of our DIY Bathroom Vanity Free Plans Below
DIY Bathroom Vanity
Tools
- Miter Saw
- Kreg Jig
- Drill
- Nailer
- Pin Nailer (optional)
- Table Saw (optional)
- Kreg Drawer Slide Jig (optional)
Supply List
- 2 3/4"x48"x96" Hardwood Plywood (Birch)
- 1 1/4"x48"x96" Hardwood Plywood (Birch)
- 1 2x6x8 Framing Lumber
- 3 2x4x8 Framing Lumber
- 1 2x2x8 Pine or Ripped from a 2×4
- 1 1x8x8 Whitewood or Common Boards
- 4 1x6x8 Whitewood or Common Boards
- 4 1x4x8 Whitewood or Common Boards
- 1 1x3x8 Whitewood or Common Boards
- 4 1x2x8 Whitewood or Common Boards
- 4 1/4"x2"x48" Craft Boards
- 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws
- 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
- 1 1/4" Brad Nails
- 3/4" Pin Nails
- Sliding Barn Door Hardware
- 3 Pulls
- 1 Countertop
- 2 Faucets
- Wood Glue
Instructions
Cut Lists – Note: I ripped the round edges off of some of the 2x boards. The width of the boards is noted in the cut list. This is not a necessary step but if you choose not to rip your boards, adjust the plans accordingly.
- Cut List 1
- Cut List 2
- Cut List 3
Cabinet
- Cut the cabinet sides and bottom to size and drill 3/4" pocket holes on all sides of the bottom and piece and both edges of the side panels. Attach the bottom piece to the side panels with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue. The panels should extend 2 1/4" from the bottom of the bottom piece.
- Cut the middle cabinet pieces to size and drill 3/4" pocket holes on the front and bottom edges. Attach them to the bottom of the cabinet with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
Face Frame
- Cut the legs and front, top and bottom aprons to size. Drill 1 1/2" pocket holes into both endds of the apron pieces. Attach the apron pieces to the egs with 2 1/2" pocket hole screws and wood glue. The top apron should be flush with the top of the legs. The bottom apron should be attached 2 1/2" from the botto of the legs.
- Cut the middle face frame pieces to size and drill 1 1/2" pocket holes at the ends. Attach the vertical pieces to the top, bottom and the horizontal pieces to the vertial pieces with 2 1/2" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
- Attach the front face frame to the cabinet with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue, from the cabinet bottom, side and middle panels and into the face frame. The cabinet bottom should be flush with the bottom apron. The side panels should be flush with the top of the legs and inset 3/4".
Back Frame
- Cut the back apron pieces to size. Drill 3/4" pocket holes into the ends of both apron pieces. Attch them to the 2 remaining legs with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue. The top apron should be flush with the top and front of the legs. The bottom apron should be flush with the front of the legs and 2 1/2" from the bottom of the legs.
- Cut the middle pieces to size and drill 3/4" pocket holes at both ends. Attach them to the top and bottom apron pieces with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
Drawers
- Cut the drawer bottoms and side pieces to size. Drill 3/4" pocket holes around the edges of the bottom pieces and 3/4" holes at both ends of the side pieces. Attach the side pieces to the drawer bottom with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
- Cut the front and back pieces to size and attach them to the bottom and side pieces with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
- Install the drawers inside the cabinet with drawer slides. You can refer to the tutorial in this post for more detailed instructions on how we installed our drawers.
- Cut the drawer faces to size and attach them to the drawers with wood glue and 1 1/4" brad nails from the inside of the drawer and into the back of the drawer faces.
Side Panel Trim
- Cut the side trim pieces to size and attach them to the sides of the vanity with 1 1/4" brad nails and wood glue. The top and bottoms of the side trim pieces should be flush with the top and bottom of the vanity.
Doors
- Cut the door panels to size. The, measure and cut the front trim to size. Attach the front trim to the door panels with 3/4" pin nails and wood glue.
- Cut the decorative door trim to size. Center the vertical piece and attach it to the door panel with 3/4" pin nails and wood glue. Center the two horizontal pieces and attach them the same way.
- Cut the door trim pieces to size and attach them to the sides of the doors with 1 1/4" brad nails and wood glue. Measure and cut the top and bottom door trim pieces to size and attach them the same way.
The Finish
- Now, you can add a finish! Once the finish dries, you can attach the countertop, sinks, faucets and hardware! We share more detail on how we attached all of these pieces in the post! If you plan to have a back on the vanity, now is the time to attach it!
I’m having a problem finding the tutorial for this project and I feel that I may have missed a better description as to what boards are for what. Please help me. Thank you.
where did you get the shower curtain
Where did you get the shower curtain?
Hi! We have a very heavy countertop with 2 sinks that is also against one wall. How exactly did you lift the countertop onto the vanity?
Thanks!
Hi. So what is the measurement of the 6 drawer sides?
Love the shower curtain….where did you get that???
This is stunning and I love the two tone look! Great job!!! We didn’t build our vanity, but we DIY’d the upgrade with a new built in countertop cabinet.
What color paint and stain did you use? Love it.
Hi girls
Loved this vanity. Attempted to make it but adapted to my smaller space . Loved how it came out . Wanted to post a pic for you but can’t. Thanks for the plans
Lori how hard was it to make smaller? I need one about 48”, but I’m scared I’ll mess up the measurements.
Not too bad, only issue we had was keeping all 3 sections even – the drawers still being in the middle, made each ~15”
But we went with a Lowe’s 48” granite with sink – 170 opposed to custom 800..
we had to make the drawers shallow due to drain, & notch out the side walls for sink to fit. But still love it, just keep in mind as the shanty girls put the double sinks into the open shelve area which was smarter! But I could fit that size vanity in my kids bathroom.
Love! This is just what I was looking for but need smaller. Will make adjustments! Thanks so much!
Do you happen to have the measurements you used to make it smaller? I have figured some out but I wanted to see different options possibly.
How much did this cost you to make?
What size drawer rails do you need for this?
What brand/color is the paint on the cabinet?
Why did you choose birch plywood? Would oak plywood work?
I would love to know where you got the black shower curtain rod. I am having a hard time finding on that is affordable. Thanks!
where do you get the barn wood drawers? and how are they installed?
HI There. Can you please share the stain color you used? Thanks so very much!! I have learned so much from you ladies.
Looks great. One question; on your cut list 3 the first set of 1x4x8 (they are deep orange in the plans) you have five cuts but I don’t see a length for the cuts. Can you provide that length? Thanks.
Actually 6 cuts on the 1x4x8 boards
Yeah…I hate they never reply to the questions …
Would you mind sharing what stain you used for the drawers? Love the look of this, great job!
Beautiful!!
Did you put down the floor tiles yourself?
Keep up the good work!
Blessings