Bathroom vanities are so often incredibly boring—vast (or too-tiny) plastic surfaces that are hard to make work with other types of creative decor.
But you’re not stuck with what’s available in stores or online for vanities (especially if you are on a budget): DIY vanity projects are not as difficult as they seem. Even if you’re not handy, you can find someone who is—which will still be less expensive than a blah new vanity would be. The possibilities are quite inspiring.
Upcycle to Dazzle!
Why not use a cool vintage desk to make a vanity for your sink? As Bob Vila writes of the project below, “Cut away the back portion of the desk, including the back legs, to make a two-legged vanity table that can be secured to the wall.”
The beautiful metal supports for a Singer sewing machine, paired with an antique wooden top, make a perfect frame for a small bathroom sink.
This antique sideboard is rich in texture and detail (and has plenty of room for ready-to-go storage underneath as well) and is probably more useful in a modern home as a sink vanity than dining room storage.
This might be an extreme version of upcycling, but it totally works in this black-and-white bathroom!
Affordable Alternatives
Can you believe this floating vanity is made from plywood? It is (and certainly its been well-waterproofed), but all this project needed is some basic carpentry skills and some serious guts—not crazy cash.
Glass is a simple vanity material that has the added advantage of giving more visual space to smaller bathroom areas. You could buy pre-cut glass or have it cut for you to fit your space, then simply add brackets and a sink bowl.
Stone is a versatile and easily found material that works beautifully in the bathroom (wet stones always look pretty!). This example is a simple conversion of a boring sink to a gorgeous one just by changing the top and bowl.
Exclusive Vintage Pieces
This vanity is made from a set of antique hairpin legs and a thick piece of wood similar to the kind found in barns or teardowns.
A barrel is the perfect DIY vanity in this San Francisco home, as it doesn’t need the addition of legs—just a classy top.
A combination of a vintage desk, an old piece of cut stone, old-school lamps and a wire basket are a complementary combination of found items for a bathroom vanity in London.
Exciting, Unexpected Elements
A tree trunk makes a perfect vanity support structure in this tall sink:
A disused horse trough makes a wonderful large and deep sink and vanity space—this design could be imitated by working with any large animal trough.
A galvanized tub and local wood make this bathroom inexpensive and functional for plenty of use.
