I decided to build my own bathroom vanity because I wanted a custom, one-of-a-kind piece that would fit my style and not look like every other bathroom vanity.
I also wanted something that would be made to last, instead of looking outdated in a few years.
(Check out some of my favorite master bathroom decor ideas!)
I was really worried about the huge cost of hiring someone to build it for me, but after some research online I found out that building my own vanity wouldn’t be too difficult, especially when following instructions from YouTube videos.
Building your own vanity can get expensive than buying one already built because you need to buy materials and pay for professional installation services in order for it to be installed correctly in the wall- if you screw up your DIY project. But the total cost ended up being worth it for me because it saved me time and hassle in the long run.
Check out some of my favorite bathroom vanity plans below and a step-by-step guide to creating your own rustic option at the bottom.
15 Free DIY Bathroom Vanity Plans & Ideas
1. DIY Rustic Bathroom Vanity
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3. Simple Bathroom Vanity With Vessel Sink
4. How to Build a 48” Vintage Bathroom Vanity
5. Easy Modern DIY Floating Vanity
6. Make a Cool Custom Bathroom Vanity Out of an Old Dresser
7. How to Install a Toilet & Vanity
8. Built In DIY Vanity Unit- IKEA Base
9. Small DIY Bathroom Vanity with Repurposed Custom Drawers
10. Budget Friendly DIY Bathroom Vanity | How to Build a Bathroom Vanity
11. DIY Bathroom Vanity
12. Building a Bathroom Vanity {DIY Plans}
13. DIY Bathroom Vanity
14. Cheap DIY Bathroom Vanity
15. How to Build a DIY Bathroom Vanity
How to build your own unique DIY bathroom vanity
Step 1: Gather the Tools and Materials
What materials do you need?
This rustic DIY bathroom vanity is relatively inexpensive in supplies since it uses plywood instead of solid hardwoods. You’ll have to buy:
- Four eight-foot long one by fours
- Eight eight-foot long ones by threes
- Two sheets of three quarter inch plywood
- Two sheets of a quarter-inch plywood
- Wood Glue, Dominos, and Pocket Hole Screws are also needed.
You can find these supplies at your local hardware store or online. Make sure to buy water-based polyurethane since oil base products will ruin the wood over time. If you’re going for an aged finish, then opt for boiled linseed oil instead.
What tools do you need?
Tools needed for this pdf project are simple tools you probably already have in your garage or toolbox essential to doing this project with just a few additions. Here are the tools needed for the DIY bathroom vanity:
- A table saw, and a cabinet saw
- A Drill and drill bits
- Parallelogram Jointer with Helical Cutterhead
- A Wood Planer
- Pocket hole jig with driver bit, screws, and plugs (optional)
- Compound Sliding Miter Saw
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Sander
- A spray system
Step 2: Break Down All the Parts
Now that you have your supplies and tools, it’s time to break down the parts.
- Cut one center face frame – 21-inch long, 2-inch wide, and 3/4-inch thick
- Cut four-door frames (top and bottom) – 14-inch long, 3-inch wide, and 3/4-inch thick
- Cut four-door frame sides – 18-inch long, 3-inch wide, and 3/4-inch thick
- Cut eight door panels – 20-inch long, 3-inch wide, and 3/4-inch thick
- Cut four front/back frames – 28.5-inch long, 3-inch wide, and 3/4-inch thick
- Cut eight legs – 30-inch long, 3-inch wide, and 3/4-inch thick
- Cut four side frames – 15-inch long, 3-inch wide, and 3/4-inch thick
- Cut side panels – 25-inch long, 4-inch wide, and 3/4-inch thick
Step 3: Assemble the Vanity Legs
Use the pocket hole jig to drill two holes in each leg. Stand aside frame upright with the long edge of its bottom rail flush against one end of a leg. Adjust it so that both ends are flush and clamp them together using C-clamps.
Drill pilot holes through both legs at once, centering them on the thickness of the rails and making sure they’re perpendicular to their faces, then fasten with screws from below or an air nailer for a speedier assembly where you want only your hardware supplies – not your display – to be visible.
In most cases, this is beneath shelf edges, but if yours will sit directly on plywood, there’s no sense concealing those holes.
Step 4: Assemble the Side Assemblies
Assemble a center face frame with pocket screws and glue, then apply wood adhesive to the outside of one side assembly. Center it atop the panel on one end of the vanity top, clamping until set.
Drill pilot holes from below through both boards and those in their neighboring legs for more accuracy, again centering them along with leg thicknesses but this time taking care not to drill through any rails or stiles since these will be visible beneath door frames later on.
If you hit solid material here, your best bet is going back up with a slightly larger bit before finishing off with screws driven into place from underneath where they’ll remain unseen at first glance by visitors who may never notice that second look if you see what we mean.
Step 5: Assemble the Face Frame
Assemble a center face frame with pocket screws and glue, then apply wood adhesive to the outside of one side assembly. Center it atop the panel on one end of the vanity top, clamping until set.
Step 6: Assemble the Vanity Carcass
Take the face frame and attach it to the side assemblies you put together in the previous step. While at it, attach the back rails. Complete this step by attaching the other side assembly. Clamp the entire carcass.
Step 7: Assemble All the Door Frames
Use pocket holes to attach the door frame stiles and rails as you assembled face frames earlier. Please make sure they’re flush with each other, then clamp them together until dry.
Step 8: Assemble the Door Panel and Attach It to the Door Frame
Layout the door panels, recessing them one half-inch from each edge and using a router to make grooves in which you’ll install weatherstripping against drafts.
Again, pocket holes can come in handy here; we recommend installing them at least every six inches along with stiles and rails for added strength before attaching hinges with screws driven through pilot holes made beforehand, just like when assembling face frames earlier on.
Step 9: Install the Door Hardware
Mount the doors to their face frames with hinges, making sure they’re flush with one another. Counter-bore holes on the inside of door stiles and rails then drive screws into the place where they can’t be seen from outside through recessed pilot holes made beforehand, just like when assembling face frames earlier on.
Step 10: Glue the Side Panel and Attach It to the Carcass
Take the two remaining side panels and lay them out within the carcass, with one flush against its top end and the other at the bottom.
Apply wood adhesive to their outside faces, then clamp them in place until dry while ensuring they’re even with each other by measuring along their lengths for accuracy.
Clamp both seams together before driving screws down through pilot holes made beforehand, just like when assembling face frames earlier on, which should make these joints stronger than if you were merely applying glue alone.
Step 11: Cut and Mount the Plywood Bottom
Using a table saw, cut the plywood bottom to fit snugly within your new bathroom vanity. Make sure it’s even with each other by measuring their length for accuracy before applying wood adhesive to outside edges then driving screws into place.
The height should be slightly smaller than the top, about an inch in from each side and front edge. Once it’s appropriately sized, make adjustments by sanding with fine-grit sandpaper until everything lines up perfectly on all four sides.
Then, fasten down using screws driven through the plywood bottom and into the cabinet. Insert screws through holes in the back of each shelf, if applicable.
Step 12: Cut Back Panels and Attach to Vanity
You are using the same method you used to cut plywood for your bottom, measure and cut panels that fit within the carcass of your vanity on all sides except for the back.
If you hit solid material here, it’s best to go back up with a slightly larger bit before finishing off with screws driven into place from underneath.
They’ll remain unseen at first glance by visitors who may never even notice if you see what I mean.
Step 13: Apply the Finishing
If you’re not going with a natural wood finish, your vanity can be painted or stained using any one of several methods. It would be best if you allowed the cabinets to dry for at least 24 hours before applying polyurethane as a top coat which will both protect and beautify them while also making everything look even more professional than it already is.
Let dry thoroughly before applying any sealant, just like earlier mentioned, to protect things against water damage etc. Have fun decorating your brand new DIY bathroom vanity! You can also use scrap pieces from another project if tiles aren’t available, along with an old drawer which will give it a rustic farm.
Step 14: Enjoy Your New Rustic Vanity
Congratulations on completing the project. Please feel free to decorate with items of your choosing, such as towels and other bathroom necessities or keepsakes you may want to show off for others.
These rustic DIY bathroom vanities are sure to be a hit in any space they’re placed within, including homes, offices, and more, where people will appreciate them for years to come, no matter how simple they might look at first glance.
Why we like rustic options
- Rustic bathroom vanities can be made to fit with any style of decor.
- You don’t need to spend thousands for a quality rustic vanity.
- Build your vanity, and you’ll save even more money.
- There are many different styles to choose from.
- You can build one that fits your space perfectly.
How much work is involved?
This project can be completed in a weekend or less if you have everything ready to go and don’t run into any snags along the way.
The first step should take about 30 minutes as you lay out all of your components on top of one another for sizing purposes.
After that, it’s simple enough to cut wood pieces down accordingly and screw them together. You’ll spend more time waiting for glue and paint to dry than actually putting anything together.
Please note: If you’re new at using tools like a saw or drill, this might not be the project for you. The wood pieces are fragile and require some nimble hands to guide them into place without getting hurt or damaging your work area!
What do I need to watch out for?
If this isn’t your first woodworking project or you’re not very experienced with power tools, be careful to make cuts so they don’t go wrong. The thin plywood pieces can easily crack or break off unless cut correctly by following instructions carefully with all safety equipment (gloves, dust mask, etc.)
Most accidents happen during the gluing process because too much glue or not enough clamps will cause the wood to warp and ruin your entire project.
Be sure to read all the instructions and build at your own risk. What’s more, take time to read up on woodworking and give yourself a full day or two for this project, so you don’t feel rushed and everything goes smoothly.
Be sure to use the right tools and follow instructions carefully. While doing so, use your woodworking skills to the best of your ability, and you will end up with a beautiful rustic DIY bathroom vanity.
How long does it take?
This rustic DIY bathroom vanity takes about a weekend or less if you’re familiar with cutting down pieces of plywood using a saw and have all the other tools on hand that we’ve listed above.
You can quickly speed up this process by pre-cutting all of your materials before beginning, but always read through instructions carefully first.
In Summary
What are you looking for in a bathroom? Your first thought might be the shower, bathtub, and sink. But what about the vanity itself?
Maybe it’s time to think outside of those other three fixtures. DIY bathroom vanity plans can be a place to store your things, but it also adds style and functionality. And if you build one yourself, the price will likely stay low as well.
This guide will walk through making rustic DIY bathroom vanity from scratch with some inexpensive supplies from the hardware store.
Having this rustic DIY bathroom vanity in just about anywhere would look beautiful because of its simplicity and charm. And the best part is, this rustic DIY bathroom vanity guide is super easy to make and looks great in any space where you want modern farmhouse style without the hefty price tag.
The materials are simple enough, but cutting them down can be a little tricky if it’s your first time using power tools like saws or drills. Taking your time will get things done quickly while also ensuring that everything goes smoothly throughout construction, so there aren’t any mistakes along the way.
