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Stunning Bathroom Tour + Dresser into Double Vanity

October 23, 2015 Rachel 33 Comments

Several months ago a friend of mine reached out to me, requesting a dresser that she needed converted into a double sink vanity. She explained her master bathroom was getting a makeover while she was out of the country, and needed me to find, refinish, and convert a dresser to fit two vessel sinks, with cut-outs for plumbing. Fortunately she knew exactly what she wanted, communicated very well for being long-distance, and she also trusted me to make some decisions along the way. The end result? Exactly what she wanted.

How to turn a vintage french dresser into a double sink vanity. Includes tips, paint color used, and best non-yellowing, waterproof top coat for a bathroom.

This vanity was the first thing finished for the bathroom, so I’ve waited awhile to get these shots of the whole bathroom makeover. She has really good taste in fixtures and finishes, so all credit goes to her for that. I simply brought in some pretty things to stage it, and captured all this loveliness.

How to turn a vintage french dresser into a double sink vanity. Includes tips, paint color used, and best non-yellowing, waterproof top coat for a bathroom.

How to turn a vintage french dresser into a double sink vanity. Includes tips, paint color used, and best non-yellowing, waterproof top coat for a bathroom.

I think most people worry about a topcoat for a painted vanity, and I will explain that further down, but before I took all the pictures, I put the same top coat on this custom woodwork that was built around the tub and painted with the same color as the vanity. Each panel pops out from brackets so work on the plumbing can be done if needed.

Custom tub surround

So here was the ‘before’ of the dresser-turned-vanity:

VanityBefore

It was in beautiful shape and solid wood– a Thomasville. A perfect candidate!

So I’m going to explain the steps I took for this 9 drawer dresser (67″ long and 21″ deep), but the basic concept can be adapted to other size dressers.

How to Turn a Dresser into a Double Vanity

You will need:

Measuring tape

Jig saw

Square

1/2″ plywood– a 2′ x 4′ piece should be more than enough (exact amount varies based how many drawers you need to re-build)

Nail gun

1″ nails

1- 1×2 @ 8′ (if replacing center glide with side wood glide/supports) OR metal side glides for as many drawers as you need

1″ forstner bit

 

Step 1- Mark Plumbing Measurements on Drawers

Determine height that plumbing leaves the wall, width of plumbing, and distance it extends from the wall. If the vanity will butt up against a wall on either side, measure how far the plumbing is from that wall.  Remove plywood back of dresser. Determine which drawers will need cut-outs and mark according to the measurements. For me, I needed to cut out the top 2 drawers on either side. The middle row I left untouched.  The plumbing was done after I finished the vanity, so I used standard measurements. For the width of the pipes, standard is about 10 inches, so I allowed 10 1/2 inches (between hot and cold pipes), the height was 12 inches from the ground (the bottom of the U-trap) so I allowed 11 1/2 inches, and it extended out about 11 inches from the wall, so I allowed 11 1/2 inches. This extra 1/2″ for each measurement makes sure if something needs to be moved around or adjusted a bit, that you don’t have to worry about re-building again. If you have a baseboard that the dresser will go up against on the wall, then subtract the thickness of the baseboard (about 3/4″) from the measurement of how far the pipes extend from the wall. Make sure when you mark the cut-outs on the drawers, that they are completely centered, so when you mark the sink cut-out on top later, it lines up.

Step 2- Cut Out Drawers

Using a square, draw the exact lines where you will cut out on the bottom of each drawer that needs to be cut, and the back. Work slowly and cut along the lines with a jig saw. On my dresser was a piece of plywood seperating each level of drawers, that held a center glide that was supported by a wooden “frame” that went along the perimeter of each drawer shelf and attached to the frame of the dresser. I removed the center glide and converted the drawers to side glides, just gluing/nailing a piece of wood  either side of the dresser frame (on each level or shelf), so that the drawer wouldn’t have any ‘play’ or move from side to side. It is the same method that is used on most antique dressers that I repair. You can also install metal side drawer glides if you prefer, that would pretty well and are simple to install.

Step 3- Rebuild Drawers

Using 1/2″ plywood, cut out 3 pieces per drawer that are the same height as the walls of the drawer, and are the same length as what was cut out of each drawer bottom. Nail them together first, then place in the drawer and nail from the bottom, using 1″ nails. Also, nail from the back of the drawer to the cut-out walls.

VanityDrawer

Step 4- Mark Cut-Out For Sinks

Most new vessel sinks comes with a template which is super helpful, but THE MOST IMPORTANT PART is to mark the center of the where you will cut out the hole with the center of the face of the drawer. So, you want each sink centered over the drawer it will sit over, when you look at it from the front.  You also want it far enough back from the front of the dresser, so that the faucet you choose will be centered over the drain. Then draw your circumference from that center mark. There should be at least 1″ lip from the outer edge of the base of the sink (if it is a vessel), to the circumference of the cut-out that was drawn.

Step 5- Cut Out Drain Holes for Sinks

Using a 1″ forstner bit, drill a center hole close to the edge of the circumference line. This will be where you can insert your jig saw blade. Use the jig saw to cut along the circumference line for each vessel sink cut-out. This wood is quite thick, so work slowly.  Step 4 and 5 has to be done with the sink in-hand and faucet in-hand, so my friend ordered what she wanted online and had them shipped to my house, so I would make sure and get the measurements right.

Step 6- Paint or Finish

Before I painted, I sanded the entire dresser with 150 grit sandpaper, not to completely remove all the current finish, but to rough it up, so the paint would have some ‘tooth’ to adhere to. This is not necessary, but I feel adds extra durability. Then I painted using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen. I did not use any wax. I lightly sanded the painted surface, once dry, with a 220 grit sanding sponge, just to make it super smooth and free from any texture.

If you aren’t going to paint, I suggest sealing the top with a high performance clear top coat, like Waterlox. If you ARE going to paint, the best clear top coat that will protect against pretty much anything is Modern Masters MasterClear Supreme. It is spendy, at about $45 a quart, but it is water-based, non-yellowing, and it is completely waterproof. According to their website it “protects Interior Surfaces against abrasion, scuffing, chipping, water, alcohol, household chemicals, plus it protects Exterior Surfaces from oxidation, salt air, chlorine, acid rain, bird droppings, mildew, etc”. I was told about this product from Nicole with Rescued Furnishings and have found it holds up amazing, just as she assured me it would. It works on both stained and painted surfaces, and is an acrylic/poly resin that dries very fast. I brushed it on, but Nicole swears by applying it on with a foam roller. I applied 3-4 coats to the top and two on the rest of the body.

So here is more of the final result and a tour around the rest of the bathroom:

How to turn a vintage french dresser into a double sink vanity. Includes tips, paint color used, and best non-yellowing, waterproof top coat for a bathroom.

How to turn a vintage french dresser into a double sink vanity. Includes tips, paint color used, and best non-yellowing, waterproof top coat for a bathroom.

Custom tub surround

Delta Cassidy Roman Tub Faucet with Cross Handles

Bath tub tray

Italian soaps

That built-in medicine cabinet on the wall next to the shower was custom-made by my husband’s uncle, Luciano, to mimic the Restoration Hardware ones that were all sold out, that my friend fell in love with.

How to turn a vintage french dresser into a double sink vanity. Includes tips, paint color used, and best non-yellowing, waterproof top coat for a bathroom.

How to turn a vintage french dresser into a double sink vanity. Includes tips, paint color used, and best non-yellowing, waterproof top coat for a bathroom. How to turn a vintage french dresser into a double sink vanity. Includes tips, paint color used, and best non-yellowing, waterproof top coat for a bathroom.

Kingston Brass Victorian Wall Mounted faucet with cross handles

How to turn a vintage french dresser into a double sink vanity. Includes tips, paint color used, and best non-yellowing, waterproof top coat for a bathroom.

All items used to stage the bathroom were found at HomeGoods.

Except for the flowers! 😉

How to Turn a Dresser into a Double Vanity

So what do you think? Beautiful bathroom, right?

Vessel sinks: Decolav Round Tapered Vessel found HERE

Sink faucets: Kingston Brass Victorian Wall-Mounted found HERE

Bath faucet: Delta  Cassidy Roman Tub with Cross Handles found HERE

Tile: Metro Lantern Glossy White Porcelain found HERE

Shower Kit: Delta Cassidy MultiChoice 14 Series Shower Trim with Cross Handle Valve found HERE

Bathrooms, Design, Gallery, Master Bathroom, Photography and Staging, Tutorials

Comments

  1. Leia @ Eat It & Say Yum says

    October 23, 2015 at 10:24 am

    It’s beautiful, Rachel! April has such a treat to come home to!

    Reply
  2. Alma says

    October 24, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    You are all kinds of amazing and this is fabulous Rachel! Great job, I’m inspired?

    Alma

    Reply
  3. Gavin Scherr says

    October 25, 2015 at 11:35 am

    Hi Rachel, this is amazing! Your furniture transformations are so inspiring . Thanks for the great “how to”.

    Gavin

    Reply
  4. Danielle says

    October 28, 2015 at 7:10 am

    This is so beautiful, Rachel x

    Reply
  5. Josie says

    November 7, 2015 at 1:32 am

    Love it! the top clear coat that you used was it matte or satin?

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      November 10, 2015 at 9:09 am

      It was satin! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Robin says

    November 20, 2015 at 9:50 pm

    You rocked this one, Rachel! The dresser reminds me of one HGTV used on Fixer Upper last season…although yours is much prettier! Your friend picked out lovely fixtures and designed a gorgeous bathroom! Hats off to both of you!

    Reply
  7. Jeanine says

    April 2, 2016 at 9:42 pm

    Stunning transformation! What paint color did you use?

    Reply
  8. Lynn says

    May 26, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    Would love to know the paint color you used on the walls.

    Reply
  9. Rebecca says

    August 22, 2016 at 1:27 pm

    Hey, This is so beautiful! I have a dresser that I am going to convert to a vanity, but I worried it will be too high with the vessel sink on top. My dresser is 35 inches tall and the vessel sink is 6 inches tall, so the total would be 40 inches. Can you tell me how tall this dresser is?

    Reply
  10. Bethany says

    August 28, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    Hi Rachel!
    Where did you purchase the mirrors?

    Reply
  11. Paula Roveda says

    December 31, 2016 at 9:48 am

    This is a keeper! Learned about this thru Prodigal Pieces. Just have to find the right dresser, cause I have stuff, and lots of it, I want to hide in the drawers. I want that type of faucet too but for the kitchen and later for the bathroom.

    Reply
  12. Nancy says

    May 6, 2017 at 10:01 am

    Rachel,
    Thank you you for the tutorial, I have been wanting to do this for a few years. You make it sound so simple.
    Thanks again

    Reply
  13. Jose Rodriguez says

    May 25, 2017 at 11:15 am

    I am interested in the mirror.. Please let me know where to purchase the mirrors. Thanks

    Reply
  14. Jane says

    June 6, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    Thank you SO MUCH for listing your resources!!!!

    Reply
  15. Emily says

    September 21, 2017 at 1:32 pm

    Wondering what sheen of Modern Masters Clear Supreme you used? I’m assuming gloss? It comes in gloss, semi-gloss and satin.

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      September 21, 2017 at 1:45 pm

      I used Satin!

      Reply
  16. Kayla Ross says

    October 10, 2017 at 4:06 pm

    I have a dresser just almost exactly like this but it has a top on it that’s not wood. How would I finish that?

    Reply
  17. Dinorah Juarez says

    January 17, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    Hola, acabo de encontrar un mueble identico, lo compre y voy a hacer el mismo trabajo que usted hizo, es hermoso, simplemente encantador. Saludos desde Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

    Reply
  18. Mary Morris says

    April 8, 2018 at 8:56 am

    Could you tell me where you bought the mirrors and what the paint was called?

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      April 10, 2018 at 10:33 am

      The mirrors I didn’t buy— if you read the post you will find this bathroom belongs to a client so she gave me the info as best she could remember but it’s now been a couple years. Also the paint info for the dresser is in the post but the wall color I don’t have that info, sorry.

      Reply
  19. Mary Morris says

    April 8, 2018 at 8:57 am

    Could you tell me where did you buy the mirrors?

    Reply
  20. Coffy says

    April 10, 2018 at 2:54 pm

    I would like to panel the front of my tub the way you did just in a different color. Can you advise where I can purchase a panel like that?

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      April 13, 2018 at 12:06 am

      It was custom made around the tub by a carpenter.

      Reply
  21. Denise says

    May 20, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    It’s so beautiful! What would you do if the night of the dresser was not enough? What is the height of this one you used?

    Reply
  22. Twyla Courreges says

    February 11, 2019 at 10:52 am

    what color grout was used for the tile on the floor?

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      February 11, 2019 at 12:38 pm

      I’m not sure… since I wasn’t doing the entire remodel, just the vanity, I don’t have all the details of everything, sorry!

      Reply
  23. Jessica Herald says

    July 7, 2020 at 12:43 pm

    What finish did you use on your clear top coat?

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      July 9, 2020 at 10:05 am

      I said it in the post, but its Modern Masters MasterClear Supreme

      Reply
  24. Shelley says

    August 13, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    Hello. I’m doing the same thing. Dresser is ready. Have my bowl vessel sink. I’m wondering if it’s going to be too high?! How high is this dresser and the sink used? Is it comfortable to use?

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      August 18, 2020 at 8:22 pm

      This was for a client, but the height was great, not uncomfortable at all. I don’t have the exact measurements tho.

      Reply
  25. NICOLA A BLACKMAN says

    December 21, 2020 at 1:14 pm

    Hello,
    Outstanding! Curious was the vanity anchored to the wall? I want to do this with a sideboard but with an undermount sink, but I’m thinking the vanity should be anchored to the wall for stability. Any advice you can provide will be appreciated.

    Again outstanding.

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      January 16, 2021 at 1:14 pm

      It is not anchored. It’s a very heavy vanity and we didn’t feel it was necessary. Haven’t had any issues of being unstable since it was originally installed!

      Reply

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