Set the tone for your bathroom design with a distinctive vanity. The vanity is often a focal point in the bathroom; highlight yours with colored glass, tile or Old World charm. Whether your style is traditional, eclectic, contemporary, rustic or modern, you can alter an existing vanity or piece of furniture to suit the aesthetic.
Dresser
Repurpose an antique dresser as a decorative bathroom vanity by removing the center drawers and cutting holes in the backside for the plumbing fixtures. Cut a hole in the top center of the dresser to fit a sink, or install a bowl-style sink that sits on top of the dresser. If you prefer a more water-resistant surface for the vanity than old wood, remove the top and replace it with marble or granite. Replace the drawer fronts on the dresser, but save the actual drawers in case you decide to convert the vanity back to a dresser. Hang a mirror to complete the vanity design.
Sea Glass
Cover an existing or unfinished vanity with a sea glass mosaic to create a light and airy design for the bathroom. Remove an installed vanity and paint the doors, drawer fronts and sides white or another light color. Let the paint dry. Position the vanity so that one side is facing up. Glue sea glass onto the painted areas using one-part epoxy adhesive. Spread the adhesive onto the back of the sea glass and onto one small section of the vanity. Wait 60 seconds for the glue to activate before pressing the glue-covered surfaces together; hold the glass in place for a minute. Repeat the process to cover the sides and front of the vanity cabinet, door faces and drawer fronts. Reinstall the vanity cabinet, and add a light-colored marble top and sink.
Tiles
Decorate a vanity cabinet with ceramic, glass or river-rock tiles to coordinate with the design of your bathroom. Install 4-inch-square or smaller tiles over a painted or stained surface using waterproof adhesive. Space the glass or ceramic tiles with spacers to create a uniform pattern. River rock tiles are available in interlocking sheets so that the finished design appears more natural. After the adhesive dries, grout the spaces between the tiles in a color that suits your design.
Beadboard
Complement a traditional or beach-themed bathroom with a beadboard vanity. Cut a sheet or two of beadboard paneling to fit over the existing vanity cabinet, doors and drawer fronts. Glue the beadboard to the vanity with waterproof construction adhesive and secure the perimeter with finishing nails. Install decorative trim around the edges of the paneling using the same process. Beadboard is often sold pre-primed in white. After the vanity cabinet is covered, paint the beadboard with latex paint designed for high-humidity areas.
Tags: vanity cabinet, drawer fronts, beadboard vanity, doors drawer, doors drawer fronts, existing vanity