Small Bathroom Vanity

Isn’t she pretty!?!

Ahhhh, I love creating with wood!  It puts me in a happy place.

I designed this vanity with small powder rooms or guest bathrooms in mind, so it is a simple build, yet full of character and charm!

This is what I started with, minus a scrap piece of mdf/plywood that is not pictured.  The cost of lumber for me (not counting the scrap plywood) was under $35.  That is a smoking deal!

I started out by building two-2×3 frames.  I cut the ends at 45 degrees and used my Kreg K5 Pocket-Hole Jig to drill pocket holes into each side of the short boards of the frame.  I made sure to adjust my Kreg jig for the 1 1/2” thick wood, setting it at 2 1/2”.

Then I glued the ends and used my awesome Kreg Automaxx Clamps to hold my frame in place while I nailed some 2” finish nails into the sides and screwed in my 2 1/2” pocket hole screws.

For the top I also built a 1×3 frame.  This time I used 45 degree bevel cuts (where you tilt the miter saw blade on it’s side).  Then I glued, clamped, and nailed the frame together.

I forgot to drill 3/4” pocket holes into the boards before I built the frame, so I had do do it afterwards. They are for attaching this frame to the 2×3 frame.  So learn from my mistake and drill your pocket holes before you build, it just makes it easier!

Once my frames were built I cut my top plywood insert piece, which will go inside of the top 2×3 frame.  In the top left photo I first designed it with straight boards, and while I loved it I was feeling a little adventurous…

I had some scrap boards left over from my How to make a Rustic Wheelbarrow post that I had built a few weeks ago, and they were calling to me…”use me, use me!”  So I did.  I am so nice. 😉

I set them at a diagonal and glued on my cut plywood piece, then I nailed through the back of the plywood into the 1×4 boards to secure them.

I marked where to cut by using my 2×3 top frame as guide.  Then used my Ryobi Jig Sawto follow the cut lines.

I proceeded to drill 2 1/2” pocket holes into the back, and attached them with 2 1/2” screws into the frame!  Ta-da!  My spontaneous moment for the day, and it was perfect.  When your wood speaks to you…listen.

Next, I was ready to build the top.  I marked on the 2×3 frames 1/2” inset on all four sides, for easy placement of the 1×3 frame.  Then with the top flipped upside down, drilled on my 1×3 frame with my 1 1/4” pocket hole screws (top photos).

Then I added my bottom 2×3 frame, this time pre drilling and screwing in 3” screws through the 2×3 frame into the 1×3 frame.

Now to build the base, which you could build first, it doesn’t matter.  I used my combination square to mark all the legs for where my rails needed to be placed.

Then I used wood glue to attach them with my pocket hole screws.  I found it easier to use bar clamps  to secure my boards.

After I attached all the rails to one leg I then added them to the other leg.  I used a C clamp to hold my middle boards in the right place while screwing in the pocket hole screws, and it worked great!

The top rails were attached to the legs,and I used my handy Kreg Right Angle Clamps to hold them in place.

In the top left photo I am nailing on the bottom shelf boards with 2” finish nails.  Then I flipped over the top and placed the base on it and attached them with 3” screws (top right).

I used the bottom of my sink as a guide of where to place my holes, and cut them out with a jigsaw.  Then I used a new product I got recently got it is Vintage wood Better with Age by Amy Howard.  I found it’s effects very similar to my homemade steel wood and vinegar solution (used on my camping crate here), but without the bad smell, so I would totally use it again! 🙂

The results were so naturally pretty.   I sealed it with 4 coats of Helmsman Spar Urethane Satin, sanding between coats with fine grit sandpaper.  It is a good finish for protecting against moisture and temperature changes…aka-the bathroom.

This type of stain will affect different pieces of wood in different ways which gives color variation in one quick easy step!

With life crazy like it is, I didn’t have a chance to actually install it in the bathroom, so I staged it by my front door.  Nice.

But I am sure you get the idea…

And how fun is this sink?!  I actually got it off of craig’s list (surprise surprise) for super cheap and had to remove it from it’s old vanity, and trust me, it looks soooo much better on it’s new home.

I really love the shape of the bowl, and how it is not tapered like a lot of other vessel sinks.

The open shelf on the bottom is perfect for simple bathroom storage and home decor.

Now, to just get it in the bathroom…that is the hard part!  Ha ha!  Too much work to be done!

So do you want to build your own?!

I am sure you remember some of my plans I have shared at Build Something, which is a new site by Kreg.  I have shared my Hanging Storage Shelf, X Arbor with Bench, and Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table.  It is a great place to be a part of a building community and find amazing free plans!

Remember if you are on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and you have been inspired by one of my projects, please share a photo and tag #MyLove2Create, I would love to see what you are doing and share it with everyone!!

Disclaimer:  I have partnered with Build Something to bring you these plans, all opinions, thoughts and design ideas are my own.  #sponsored

I will be linking to these parties, Savvy Southern Style, and Bloom Designs