Bath Vanity Cabinets

Hello again my DIY explorers!  Deciding to change your bathroom vanity, and improve the room that almost all of us the world over begin and end our day, is sure to dramatically enhance the elegance of your home.

Regardless of the style you select, the process of installing your new bathroom vanity remains the same. Bear in mind that usually a new vanity does NOT come with a counter or sink included in the price, nor a faucet.  The line I’ve used to illustrate those that do is available in Home Depot stores, but most cabinet retailers will have an in stock line that may include the top/sink.. You will certainly want to include them in your change, as the existing items simply will not be easily unattached from the old, and undoubtedly look worn and unacceptable. Kits do not normally have the quality of construction I like, but if you are looking for the MOST cost effective refresh, make sure to check them out first hand.

Ok, lets get started. Here is another little grid for you. One of the details of quality cabinetry is judged on is the connection used to join pieces of wood together. Dovetailing is a method similar to interlocking puzzle pieces, and where you find  it, you find cabinetry that takes time to produce fine quality wood products.  I have indicated also where designer services are available for no charge at the retailers. The two big home improvement retailers, Home Depot and Lowes,  both include this enticement.

Brand	Available online and in stores? Design service available? Website address?	Prefab in stores? Off the shelf?	grade	cost level
Masterbath RSI	You can sit with a cabinetry designer at the store to designyour vanity and storage solutions at most Lowes stores.  http://www.lowes.com/pl_Bathroom+Vanities+Vanity+Tops_	No-order at store and online	Good-drawers have dovetailed joints	Mid
American Classics	Home Depot offers several models in their stores, visit their  website for availability, always call before going to the store however!http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search ?keyword=in+store+bathroom+vanities&selectedCatgry=SEARCH+ALL&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&Ntpc=1&Ntpr=1	In stock available, call first	Decent, many are complete kits with sinks and tops included	low
Kraftmaid	Semi customer, need to be selected and ordered at both Lowes and Home Depot, design service available at both retailers. View lines at, their website is delightful, and a good place to get ideas.http://www.kraftmaid.com/imagine/photo-gallery/#/ds:/rt:Bathroom/rft:/rsh:/rch:/dst:/p:2	Semi custom, special order only	Good-dovetail construction many door styles	high

So, after you have done the hard part, which is to select your new furniture, the second hardest looms! Remove the existing vanity top, sink, and cabinet. And discard.

Since I like a nice bulleted list when working on a project, here we stand for this one.

1)      View options on line, narrow down your tastes. Visit a retailer, inspect construction

• of the in stock items, and also of the semi customer displays. Remember to check drawer joins, and make sure that hinges are adjustable after installation (there is not now, or has there ever been, a perfectly plumb house. If the hinges do not adjust and you like the unit, change them. Doors need to hang straight relative to the lines of your bath vanity cabinet while it is in place, not in place at the factory)

2)      After ordering and getting a delivery date on semi customs, remove your old materials, and discard. Hopefully you have an alternative bathroom to use while the work is in process, however, if not, remember you can use the kitchen sink to wash your face and brush your teeth for a little bit. (don’t laugh, I have had customers who needed this piece of wisdom. Both can also be done in the tub)

3)      Leaving ½ inch clearance at any wall, to accommodate the vanity top, place your bath vanity cabinet against the wall where you want it. Trace its outline against the wall and move out of your way for a moment.

4)      Using a studfinder, locate studs within the area the vanity will go and mark the locations.

Drill holes into the studs, where you will use screws to connect vanity to the wall.

5)      If the cabinet has a back, position again to the wall, so you can mark where the water and drainage pipes need to go into the base, and then cut out holes for them in the back of the vanity.

6)      Position the unit where it will be, and secure it firmly into the stud holes you placed in step 4.

7)      If there are gaps or spaces, for example the ½ inch clearance you left for top clearance, use matching quarter round trim to conceal it.

8)      Attach the toe kick, a piece of matching wood, placed where the cabinet “cuts in” at the bottom to accommodate your toes, to give a finished appearance.

9)      Add top.

10)  Add faucet.

11)  Admire and show off your beautiful New Bathroom Vanity!

vanity cabinets for bathrooms

White Bathroom Cabinet