What Can You Repurpose as a Bathroom Vanity?
Find fresh inspiration from 13 unconventional bathroom vanities that are as functional as the real deal
Rebecca Gross
13 August 2016
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
A bathroom vanity needn’t be straight out of the shop or supplied by a manufacturer or joiner. Indeed, thinking outside the square can turn up a one-of-a-kind vanity with character and function to boot. Sideboards, desks and cabinets – whether new or pre-loved – can all be repurposed to provide storage and surface space as needed. Here are thirteen pieces of furniture that have been cleaned up and repurposed as stylish bathroom vanities.
1. Blueprint, map or art cabinet
Blueprint, map or art cabinets have very thin drawers stacked for filing papers and documents flat, and this cabinet is wide enough for two sinks to have been installed. When it comes to storage, however, while there are plenty of drawers, they probably would have required customising to increase the depth – and therefore functionality – of each drawer.
Blueprint, map or art cabinets have very thin drawers stacked for filing papers and documents flat, and this cabinet is wide enough for two sinks to have been installed. When it comes to storage, however, while there are plenty of drawers, they probably would have required customising to increase the depth – and therefore functionality – of each drawer.
2. Antique bureau
A old desk is usually reserved for seated work, but adapted as a bathroom vanity, it provides for work of a different kind; i.e. the act of getting ready for the day or freshening up before bed. The solid and sturdy bureau looks right at home in this bathroom, and the drawers to each side leave room for the over-mount sink and necessary plumbing.
A old desk is usually reserved for seated work, but adapted as a bathroom vanity, it provides for work of a different kind; i.e. the act of getting ready for the day or freshening up before bed. The solid and sturdy bureau looks right at home in this bathroom, and the drawers to each side leave room for the over-mount sink and necessary plumbing.
3. Student desk
This simple desk provides all that is needed for a bathroom vanity with three side drawers and bench space. The white under-mount basin does away with the ability to use the single drawer, however, the granite top with ledge provides surface space galore, and protects the timber of the former desk.
This simple desk provides all that is needed for a bathroom vanity with three side drawers and bench space. The white under-mount basin does away with the ability to use the single drawer, however, the granite top with ledge provides surface space galore, and protects the timber of the former desk.
4. Filing cabinet
Filing cabinets are increasingly obsolete as we live more paperless lives. However, those deep drawers can make for plentiful storage. This bathroom vanity is made from an old wooden filing cabinet with metal handles. A white marble top provides ample surface space, in addition to two sinks.
10 forgotten items to repurpose
Filing cabinets are increasingly obsolete as we live more paperless lives. However, those deep drawers can make for plentiful storage. This bathroom vanity is made from an old wooden filing cabinet with metal handles. A white marble top provides ample surface space, in addition to two sinks.
10 forgotten items to repurpose
5. Stylish credenza
A credenza, which may also go by the names of buffet or sideboard, is a long and low piece of furniture most often seen in a dining room or living room. While it’s typically used for storing utensils, table linen, serving dishes and similar, it provides lots of functional storage and surface space when repurposed as a bathroom vanity. This one has circular design details that contrast with the rectangular wall tiles, and its light khaki colour and timber top add warmth to the room.
A credenza, which may also go by the names of buffet or sideboard, is a long and low piece of furniture most often seen in a dining room or living room. While it’s typically used for storing utensils, table linen, serving dishes and similar, it provides lots of functional storage and surface space when repurposed as a bathroom vanity. This one has circular design details that contrast with the rectangular wall tiles, and its light khaki colour and timber top add warmth to the room.
6. Mid-century sideboard
The style of sideboard will strongly influence the final look. This mid-century sideboard is shorter in width with two sliding doors underneath, but it still has plenty of room for the benchtop. The retro vanity complements the colour palette of the bathroom for a soft and modern look.
The style of sideboard will strongly influence the final look. This mid-century sideboard is shorter in width with two sliding doors underneath, but it still has plenty of room for the benchtop. The retro vanity complements the colour palette of the bathroom for a soft and modern look.
7. Buffet
This antique buffet in rich, dark wood with detailed hardware has lots of drawers and doors to hide bathroom bits and pieces. A turquoise enamel sink is embedded in the top of the sideboard and its off-centre positioning places the plumbing behind one door, ensuring the drawers are still functional.
This antique buffet in rich, dark wood with detailed hardware has lots of drawers and doors to hide bathroom bits and pieces. A turquoise enamel sink is embedded in the top of the sideboard and its off-centre positioning places the plumbing behind one door, ensuring the drawers are still functional.
8. Console
The console harks back to 18th-century France, and was designed to be placed against a wall. It was often narrow so as not to obstruct passage around it, which also makes it a great choice for bathrooms in which space may be at a premium.
This one has Jacobean-style spiral-column supports, and has been transformed into a double vanity with a full benchtop that suits its more traditional style.
The console harks back to 18th-century France, and was designed to be placed against a wall. It was often narrow so as not to obstruct passage around it, which also makes it a great choice for bathrooms in which space may be at a premium.
This one has Jacobean-style spiral-column supports, and has been transformed into a double vanity with a full benchtop that suits its more traditional style.
9. Altar or hall table
This table from China was repurposed into a very simple bathroom vanity. It has a square sink that sits atop the surface, which suits the rectangular and geometric forms of the woodwork details.
This table from China was repurposed into a very simple bathroom vanity. It has a square sink that sits atop the surface, which suits the rectangular and geometric forms of the woodwork details.
10. Sewing table
Sewing tables originated in the late 1700s, and were originally used for needlework before the advent of the sewing machine. Now serving as a bathroom vanity, this sewing table continues its original purpose by holding an antique machine as a decorative touch. A Murano vessel sink and long-neck tap add height to the vanity, while two drop-leafs add extra surface space as needed.
Sewing tables originated in the late 1700s, and were originally used for needlework before the advent of the sewing machine. Now serving as a bathroom vanity, this sewing table continues its original purpose by holding an antique machine as a decorative touch. A Murano vessel sink and long-neck tap add height to the vanity, while two drop-leafs add extra surface space as needed.
11. Chest of drawers
Take an old chest of drawers, add a sink, tapware and plumbing, and hey presto, you have a bathroom vanity. This antique pine bureau is now living a second life, and its curved over-mount bowl complements the soft lines of the chest.
Take an old chest of drawers, add a sink, tapware and plumbing, and hey presto, you have a bathroom vanity. This antique pine bureau is now living a second life, and its curved over-mount bowl complements the soft lines of the chest.
12. Cabinet
A cabinet is any box-shaped piece of furniture with doors or drawers – in this case just the one door. This little rough-and-ready cabinet-turned-vanity adds a rustic touch to a soft and sweet country-style bathroom.
A cabinet is any box-shaped piece of furniture with doors or drawers – in this case just the one door. This little rough-and-ready cabinet-turned-vanity adds a rustic touch to a soft and sweet country-style bathroom.
13. Butcher’s block
Once used to butcher meat on, the butcher’s block is a durable wooden table that has become a sought-after domestic addition. While it’s most often seen in kitchens, here it has been transformed into a bathroom vanity, fitting neatly into a narrow and compact space. The sink is installed on top of the table, and the plumbing is visible below. While there are no drawers or cupboards, there is still enough space for bathroom essentials.
TELL US
Have you repurposed a pre-loved piece of furniture as a bathroom vanity? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
Once used to butcher meat on, the butcher’s block is a durable wooden table that has become a sought-after domestic addition. While it’s most often seen in kitchens, here it has been transformed into a bathroom vanity, fitting neatly into a narrow and compact space. The sink is installed on top of the table, and the plumbing is visible below. While there are no drawers or cupboards, there is still enough space for bathroom essentials.
TELL US
Have you repurposed a pre-loved piece of furniture as a bathroom vanity? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
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Wow! Beautiful!
@Shelley Davis -
You nailed it! Good for you for seeing its potential - worth all the time you put into it! Good on you!
@Mel Webb
Thank you. I was rather proud of it. It was a tremendously long process that took over a year to finally complete. I debated over keeping the wood slab on top, but I had my heart set on a marble top, backsplash, corbels and shelf. Besides, I couldn’t make myself cut a hole in that thick slab of oak and came up with using it as a shelf..