Steps
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
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Overview Dresser to Vanity
Step One
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Overview Dresser to Vanity
Illustration by Gregory Nemec
Project timeline:
Day 1: Modify the drawers (Steps 2–8).
Day 2: Complete the vanity (Steps 9–18).
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Cut the Drawer Bottom
Step Three
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Cut the Drawer Bottom
Flip the drawer upside down and fit the oscillating multitool with a flush-cutting blade or grab a handheld flush-cutting saw. Cut along the back side of the drawer front, where the bottom meets it, keeping the blade snug against it. Set aside the drawer front as well as the parts of the drawer frame—you'll use them in Step 5 to modify the lower drawer. Use the drill/driver to unscrew the dresser top.
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Mark the Lower Drawer
Step Four
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Mark the Lower Drawer
To make room for the plumbing, you'll need to build a cutout into at least one of the drawers—in this case, the lower one. Rest the drawer upside down on your work surface, and measure and mark spots 4 inches to the right and left of the drawer's centerline. Use the straightedge, as shown, to draw cutlines on the bottom of the drawer. Transfer your marks to the back of the drawer.
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Cut the Internal Sides
Step Six
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Cut the Internal Sides
Take the upper drawer's back and use the sliding T-bevel to find the angle where one end meets the front, then transfer the angle and cut the end. Hold the piece upright in the cutout, and mark it where the back of the lower drawer intersects it. The new piece will be sandwiched between the drawer front and the drawer back. Cut the piece on the miter saw. Measure, mark, and cut the opposite piece.
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Attach the Internal Sides
Step Seven
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Attach the Internal Sides
Dry-fit the newly cut pieces. One at a time, remove them and run a bead of wood glue along the edges where they attach; fit them in place, and secure them with the pneumatic nail gun and 1¼-inch 18-gauge brads, as shown. Wipe away any excess wood glue with a damp cloth.
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Add the Corner Blocking
Step Eight
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Add the Corner Blocking
Rip angled blocking from 1 stock on the table saw. Brush the right-angle edges of the blocking with wood glue, position them between the drawer sides and face, and tack them in place.
Tip: If you don't have a table saw, make corner blocking from cove or quarter-round molding.
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Cut the Slide Blocking
Step Nine
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Cut the Slide Blocking
The grooved dresser drawers slid on wood guide rails. To update the dresser drawers with optional heavy-duty slides, install blocking flush between the leg framing. First, measure between the front and back of the dresser frame just above the wooden guide, as shown. Cut a 1x4 to that length. Make 1x4 blocking for the other side the same way.
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Install the Slide Blocking
Step Ten
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Install the Slide Blocking
Add spacers to fill the gap between the blocking and the dresser, securing them with glue and brads. Wedge a cut 1x4 between the leg framing just above the wooden guide on each side, and toenail the ends into the framing. Use the hammer and pry bar to remove the old wooden drawer guides.
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Secure the Slide to the Dresser
Step Twelve
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Secure the Slide to the Dresser
Measure below the dresser's crosspiece according to the slide's installation instructions, and mark that spot on the blocking. Extend the slide rail from the track to access the screw holes, and hold the track in place, with its top edge at your mark. Fasten one side of the track to the support with an included screw. Square up the track before driving a second screw, then drive screws through the remaining holes. Install the slide on the other side in the same way.
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Add the Drawer Supports
Step Thirteen
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Add the Drawer Supports
Use the hammer and pry bar to remove the center drawer guide from the bottom of the dresser frame. Measure and cut two pieces of ½-inch-thick scrap to connect the front and back of the dresser frame. The supports should rest on the back of the frame and be flush with the front edge of the dresser. Space them under the new drawer sides, glue down the supports, and tack them in place with 1¼-inch brads.
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Make the Face Braces
Step Fourteen
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How to Turn a Dresser into a Bath Vanity
Make the Face Braces
To attach the face of the upper drawer, make L-shaped braces. First, cut 3-inch pieces of 1x2 and glue them together, edge to face, in an L-shape, as shown. Tack the pieces together with 1-inch brads. Make four braces, two for each side of the drawer face.