Jane Jacobs, the famous urban design theorist, said that buildings should be made for many uses; when one occupant leaves another can slip in and do something entirely different with the space. Take this attitude with you when looking over your old bathroom sink and vanity. These objects won't dispense water, but they will still serve a purpose.
Gardening Options
Sinks work perfectly well as plant pots. They have a drain, so that water won't rot out the roots of the plant. Since most sinks are ceramic, they're quite weather resistant, too. You'll want to put a plant in your sink that has a shallow root system, such as petunias, morning glories, and lilies of the valley. Check with your local nursery about what plants they have for a shallow-based pot.
If the sink is part of a vanity, meaning there's wood involved, stain or seal the wood. A good stain, which you should buy at your local hardware store, won't cost you more than $15 and will last five to seven years in the sun.
a chest of drawers and counter
To use the vanity for storage, rip out the piping. These guts only get in the way. Once you've taken out the pipes, you'll want to seal up the holes in the wood of the vanity, as well as the hole in the sink to prevent your clothes, or whatever you're storing, from a moth attack. Seal the wooden holes with either a thin small slab of balsa wood nailed over the hole; plaster; or tape. Since the holes are behind the vanity where no one sees them, what you seal the hole with doesn't matter so long as it prevents bugs and humidity from getting inside the vanity.
The vanity also works as a kitchen counter space. Just because the sink won't pass water doesn't mean it's not useful. Use the counter of the vanity to chop food and the sink to hold vegetables or fruits. Keeping healthy foods out encourages you to eat them.
Redecorating the Sink and Vanity
Whether you've decided to use the vanity indoors or out, redecorate it with a paint job. Match the colors to its new room. To paint wood, first clean it thoroughly. Water works fine. Next, coat the wood with primer. Two coats might be necessary depending on the original paint job. When the primer dries, paint over it with the color of your choice.
As for the sink, do not paint that. Instead, fill it with something pretty. Stones or pebbles work well and contrast nicely with the smooth sheen of the ceramic sink. Or use the sink for a kind of piggy bank, dropping your lose change in it so long as the stopper is firmly sealing the hole.
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