Turn an old cabinet into a vanity unit

Add vintage chic with an upcycled bathroom vanity unit

A vintage sideboard, cabinet or dresser base can easily be repurposed as a bathroom vanity unit, providing it is the right height to use for a sink – or even two. The simplest way to do this is to go for a countertop basin and this is ideal too if the sink is a feature in itself, such as a Belfast sink or a beautiful copper basin.

You will need

• Sideboard or cabinet
• Countertop sink and taps
• Pipes/plumbing fittings
• Drill
• Jigsaw
• Paint and paintbrush (if required)
• Waterproofing product

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1 Cut a hole for plumbing

Place the washbasin on top of the cabinet to get it in the right position, and mark where you’ll need to cut a hole in the unit for plumbing and drainage. Use a drill to make a hole in the wood large enough to insert a jigsaw blade, then cut out the hole in the top and back of the cabinet for the required pipes.

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2 Paint and/or varnish your unit

If you are planning to paint your cabinet, this is a good time to do it. Any chalk or eggshell paint will work beautifully on the front and sides, but for the top you’ll need to choose a product that will protect the wood from water spills, such as waterproofing varnish, water-resistant paint or a plastic-based coating like epoxy. Alternatively, add a marble, stone or cement countertop.

3 Install the taps and plumbing

Once your paint and any varnish or coating are dry, place the basin on top of the unit and install the taps. Finally, connect the plumbing – you may need a plumber for this bit, unless you are confident. If you’ve had to get rid of any drawers to make space for the pipes, you can remove the fronts and glue them back into position as faux drawers to finish the piece.

Sourcebook

• Sites such as Vinterior offer a wide range of cabinets, dresser bases and sideboards that could be transformed, or keep an eye out for tired old cupboards on eBay and at reclamation yards
• Mongers stocks a range of antique and reclaimed bathroom sinks, or go to Authentic Reclamation for original taps and accessories

WORDS: LINDSEY HARRAD