Repurposed Dresser Converted to Bathroom Vanity
The drill bit has center with a pointed end. That end goes in the center of the area that was marked for the drain and the faucet. This helps to line up the large drill bit with the marked hole.
The center part of the bit also helps to steady the spinning drill bit as it enters the wood. Hubby used an electric-powered drill, not a cordless one. The extra power from the electricity comes in handy 😉
I stood and watched (and snapped a few photos!) and let me tell you, burning wood from a power drill/bit set has a weird smell!
Burning you ask??
Yes! That drill bit is spinning so fast on that oak wood that it creates friction and begins to burn! It doesn’t actually reach a flaming point but I do think I saw a little smoke!
The bit itself is very hot when the drilling is finished – be careful if you use this tool!
how to modify a drawer for plumbing
The other part of the project hubby completed was modifying the drawer for the plumbing down below. He did this part after work in his workshop and I’m not allowed in there.
Haha! Just kidding! It was just too dark in his shop to set up my camera and get good shots so hubby grabbed a couple of images on his iPhone! Thanks, my sweetie!
Basically, he used the existing drawer to measure for the opened section of the drawer. He used scrap luan lumber that he keeps on hand for this kind of work. He also used scraps of 1×1 as corner supports.
The existing bottom was removed and cut. New pieces for the new interior sides were cut from luan lumber. And 1″x1″ board pieces were used to secure the luan. He used wood glue and screws to hold everything together. You can see in the image on the right that he added wood pieces on the bottom as additional support.
Each dresser will be a bit different but the techniques are the same.
Here is the outcome of the top drawer.
You can’t see in the images, but the center section is completely open to allow room for the under-counter plumbing.
Our client has hired a plumber to install this repurposed dresser / bathroom vanity in her guest bathroom so we did not attach the drain, sink or the faucet.
If you know how to install your own plumbing, then you understand about caulking, sealing and attaching the plumbing parts of this project!
repurposed dresser / bathroom vanity
You might be wondering where the drawer pulls are. Our client is searching for just the right ones!
You also might notice the mirror on top of the repurposed dresser and bathroom vanity. It is from another client. She offered this vintage oak mirror to us and we said yes very quickly!
I’ve not seen another like it in our travels.
antique dresser mirror
This gorgeous mirror hasn’t been touched yet. I only cleaned it so that I could stage it for this post. Isn’t it gorgeous??
Our client is deciding if she wants it for this repurposed dresser / bathroom vanity.
What do you think? Should she have us finish the mirror in the same way we finished the top of the oak dresser?
restored wood finish
Here is a close look at the restored top. All we did was completely remove the old finish and then applied four coats of General Finishes High-Performance Top Coat in Flat. I did a light sanding between coats and allowed plenty of drying time between coats.
It looks like a buffed wax finish, doesn’t it? And it’s as smooth as butter!
You cannot replicate the look of old oak. The wood ages so beautifully. All it needed was protection. General Finishes High Performance will protect this piece or years.
the perfect sink and faucet
I haven’t even mentioned the gorgeous vessel sink and pump style faucet our client selected! It looks like an old-fashioned ironstone bowl and water pump!
Our next bathroom is going to have something similar, that if a definite!
Even without all the hardware, this gem is a beauty! Our client’s guests will make excuses just to go see it in their guest bath!
what are your thoughts?
Let me know your thoughts about this makeover! Also, what do you think our client should do about the mirror? Should she use this one or look for another?
Comment below and tell me your thoughts about this repurposed dresser!
Join me over on my blog for links to the products used in this project!
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Feel free to pin any of the images you see in this post to show your friends and as a reference for your own repurposed dresser / bathroom vanity project!
Thanks for joining us today for this repurposed dresser converted to a bathroom vanity tutorial! We appreciate you stopping by and hope you are inspired to repurpose something for your home!
Until next time…