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Not to be the bearers of bad news, but renovating a bathroom is not cheap. In fact, you might want to sit down before reading the next sentence: According to Remodeling magazine, the average cost of a midrange bathroom renovation in 2020—including replacing all the fixtures, the tile, the toilet, and the vanity—was $21,377. And that's just the nationwide average. Thankfully, Instagram is rife with DIY ideas to keep costs down, which, as you may have already surmised, brings us to the topic at hand: DIY bathroom vanities.
From low-cost IKEA hacks to full-on DIY projects that require power tools, sandpaper, and paintbrushes, here are 14 bathroom vanities that will have you planning a trip to your local hardware store, stat. Spanning a West Elm dresser that's been converted into a stunning two-sink vanity to a cheap IKEA sink cabinet that's been transformed into a luxe vanity complete with a marble backsplash, we're willing to bet that you'll want to pin each of these DIY vanities to your "Dream Bathroom" Pinterest board.
Use a Rustic Nightstand
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Make like Emily Henderson and repurpose a rustic vintage nightstand as a bathroom vanity. The warm shade of wood paired with the white walls and metallic accents create a laid-back feel. As a bonus, both drawers in the nightstand are still functional, and using a circular sink on top adds additional surface space for storage.
Transform a Charming West Elm Dresser into a Two-Sink Bathroom Vanity
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You'd never guess that this stunning two-sink bathroom vanity is actually a West Elm dresser. Gain inspiration from Chris and Claudia Beiler, the design duo behind The Chris and Claude Co., and scour your favorite home retailer's sale section to find a piece you love at a budget-friendly price. The floral wallpaper that matches the color scheme in the dresser is also a nice touch.
The Spacious Vintage Dresser Turned Bathroom Vanity
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Rather than scrolling through a high-end furniture sale section, let this bathroom by Ashely Montgomery inspire you to hunt for a vintage dresser at your local flea market instead. Look for one that boasts large drawers to ensure you're not sacrificing storage space for style. Also, don't be afraid to mix styles and texture when repurposing—we love the marble countertop used on top of the clean, white dresser here.
Use a Small-Space West Elm Nightstand
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If you're short on bathroom storage space, take a page from Chris and Claudia Beiler and convert a petite nightstand into a bathroom vanity. Here, West Elm's Penelope nightstand acts as a functioning vanity and offers plenty of space for stashing away bathroom essentials with multiple spacious drawers. Keep in mind you may have to restructure drawers to get the plumbing just right, but the results are still worth the extra effort.
Try a Simple DIY Floating Shelf Bathroom Vanity
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Even if you're a DIY novice, this floating shelf bathroom vanity by Erin Williamson is totally doable. All you need to make it is wood for the shelf and supports (opt for reclaimed wood for a rustic aesthetic), a table saw, drill and screws, and polyurethane. Yes, that's it.
Try Refreshing With a Coat of Paint
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If you already love your bathroom's vanity, but it feels outdated or underwhelming, the solution can potentially be as simple as adding a fresh coat of paint. This vanity from Gold a la Mode boasts a new black coat of paint on the vanity itself and a fresh coat of white countertop paint for the counter. Same vanity, but brand new look that definitely saves more money than buying a brand new option.
Try this IKEA Vanity Hack With Walnut Cabinet Fronts
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To avoid the hassle of building a vanity from scratch, make like Rebecca Plumb of Studio Plumb and outfit an otherwise cookie-cutter IKEA sink cabinet with fronts. Here, the designer opted for a four-drawer IKEA Godmorgon vanity and Semihandmade walnut cabinet fronts.
Add a New Counter to an IKEA Floating Vanity
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Everyone loves an IKEA option, but you can opt to spruce things up if it does not fit your vision as is. Hannah Tyler went with a floating IKEA vanity but chose to purchase a quartz remnant locally for the countertop. The pale blue colors work wonderfully with the tile—the result is a win-win.
Add a DIY Touch to an IKEA Vanity
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Believe it or not, this swoony-worthy vanity is the result of yet another IKEA DIY project. Marisa and Chris of Oak Apple Décor topped a four-drawer IKEA Godmorgon vanity with a luxe marble top and backsplash, brass fixtures, and custom Superfront cabinet doors. The colors paired with the marble are an absolute dream.
Add Unique Features
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This gorgeous vanity from Emily Henderson Design takes a simple white cabinet style and adds refreshing touches. Removing the panel and replacing it with a grate, and then a curtain behind for privacy, adds a vintage feeling that is distinct and unique.
Transform a Vintage Desk
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You already know we are big fans of thrifting and repurposing items, and this vanity is no different. This vanity from Erin Williamson Design boasts a rustic desk, marble counter, and gold faucet that transport you back in time without losing modern touches. The smaller square sink allows the marble to be admired and leaves plenty of surface area for necessary items.
Don't Neglect the Hardware
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As this simple vanity demonstrates, the proper hardware can make all the difference. In this bathroom designed by Tracy Cole of Hello Flora, copper half-moon drawer pulls by Superfront instantly make a simple white IKEA sink cabinet look more expensive than it is. Mounting the faucets into the wall rather than the counter gives the space a fancy, almost resort-style feel.
Add Matte Cabinet Fronts to an IKEA Staple
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Even small-space dwellers can hack an IKEA bathroom vanity, as demonstrated by this bathroom designed by the real estate developers behind Blu and White Homes. Here, an IKEA Godmorgon vanity is outfitted with supermatte cabinet fronts that correspond with the patterned navy and white floor tiles.
Add Some Flair to an IKEA Vanity
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This colorful bathroom design by Studio Plumb is a delight to behold. After fully removing her previous vanity, she replaced it with an IKEA version but added her own spin by adding a kind of walnut wrap to the piece. The result is a stunning addition to the rest of the whimsical atmosphere.
Go With The Pipes
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Not every vanity structure is a dresser or cabinet option—just look at this golden masterpiece from Becca Interiors. The pipe structures painted gold make the plumbing look like art itself and give a somewhat minimalist yet elegant vibe. If you need extra storage, you can always keep a small basket underneath the sink for items or keep your must-haves on the sink.
Keep Things Simple and Rustic
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This small wooden accent table with multiple shelves turned out to be the perfect basis for a bathroom vanity in this space designed by D Burns Interior. The raised bowl style of the sink is a perfect fit on top of the table—it's an ideal option for a half bathroom that is unique and holds a delightful charm.
Use a Small Dresser for Something New
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Taking a simple, modern dresser and converting it into a vanity can be well worth the DIY effort. The one pictured here boasts two spacious drawers and metallic accents, giving it a contemporary, sophisticated look. Additionally, a shelf at the bottom is the perfect space to hold a basket of towels, so they don't take up valuable drawers space.