Can You Use Kitchen Cabinets for a Bathroom Vanity?

Are you trying to design or update the perfect bathroom – but struggling to find the perfect vanity? Most of the bathroom vanities you find are too short, don’t have adequate storage space, or just don’t fit your space, right?

But as you’re strolling through your local home improvement store, the perfect vanity catches your eye. As you take a closer look – it’s a kitchen cabinet!

Could this work?

It may sound kind of silly, but it has been done before. Let’s look at what makes each distinct, the biggest pros and cons, and how to convert a kitchen cabinet into a vanity cabinet. 

What are the Biggest Differences Between Kitchen Cabinets and Bathroom Vanities?

Let’s start with what makes kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities unique. 

The biggest difference lies in their height and depth. Kitchen cabinets typically measure around 35 inches (without the top), whereas vanity cabinets measure around 29-30 inches (without the top). When it comes to depth, kitchen cabinets are usually around 23 inches and vanity cabinets around 21 inches. 

So kitchen cabinets are taller and deeper, which could make things too tight if you’re working with a smaller half-bath. 

It’s also unlikely that vanity cabinets will have drawers – as more space is needed for plumbing and the sink. 

Pros of Using a Kitchen Cabinet

• Taller measurements may benefit a taller family

• More space underneath the sink for toiletries and laundry

• A little extra counter space if you have lots of items to display

• It may be the perfect fit for your needs and preferences

Cons of Using a Kitchen Cabinet

• There will be some work involved to convert it, involving removing the drawers and potentially trimming it down for a full conversion

• If you have a shorter family, kitchen cabinets could be just a bit tall for hand washing

• There’s a good chance you’ll have to seal the wood before using it in the bathroom

Other Considerations

If you’ve found the perfect kitchen cabinet to be used in your bathroom – it can work, just know that it will take some time and effort.

When it comes to cost, some will tell you that a kitchen cabinet may be cheaper than a bathroom vanity, but there are too many factors that could impact price. Depending on the material and where you’re buying, a bathroom vanity may very well be the cheaper option in some instances.

The bigger concern should be the time (or money) that goes into converting the kitchen cabinet into a vanity.

How to Make a Vanity Out of a Kitchen Cabinet

Let’s say you’ve picked out your kitchen cabinet and are dead set on using it in your bathroom. There are a few things you’ll have to do to make it work, and then a few steps that may or may not be necessary depending on your situation.

1. Remove the top. If your kitchen cabinet has a top on it, you’ll likely need to remove it to hit the fascia board on the front of the cabinets with a rubber mallet or something similar. Insert the end of a pry bar under the top and finish prying it off.

2. Remove the drawers. As mentioned, there’s not enough space inside a bathroom cabinet for drawers – we’ll need to remove them to make room for plumbing. Remove the drawer guides by removing the screws, as well as any stretchers or braces used for drawers by tapping them out with a mallet or something similar. If you want to keep the “look” of having drawers, you can glue the faces back onto the cabinet structure. Just make sure you measure appropriately.

3. Install a stretcher. You need a stretcher to secure the vanity to the wall once finished. Measure the inside width of the cabinet in back. Use a miter saw to cut a piece of 3/4-by-3-inch pine to the measurement. Place the pine between the two sides, flush at the back and the top. Screw the pine to both sides with a drill/driver using two, evenly-spaced, 2-inch screws penetrating through the sides, into the ends of the pine.

4. Place the top. Measure and cut a piece of 3/4-inch particleboard using the circular saw. Cut it the same width as the cabinet; add 3/4-inch to the depth so that it overhangs the front edge of the cabinet by 3/4 inch. Use 1 1/4-inch nails and nail the particleboard to the top of the cabinet, spacing the nails 4 inches apart around the perimeter.

5. Install the sink. Once you’ve picked out a sink, center it upside down on the cabinet. Trace around it, and sketch another circle about ⅜ inch smaller on the inside of your sink tracing. Drill a ½ inch hole through the particleboard inside the tracing. Insert the blade of a jigsaw and cut the inside perimeter. Drill ¾ inch holes through the pre-drilled holes in the sink for the faucets.

Now, you can install laminate, tile, or a countertop. You may also be able to find a ready-to-install top complete with sink and faucet. Lastly, you’ll just have to pick out a faucet.

Depending on the cabinet, you may have to do a little more work to make room for plumbing. If you’re having any trouble at all with plumbing, consult a plumber.

And if you want to fully convert your kitchen cabinet into a bathroom vanity, you’ll need to trim down the height and depth. This home guide will be helpful. 

Chat with a Cabinet Expert

As mentioned, converting a cabinet is a lot of work. If any of the above seems complex, consult an expert. 

If you’re local to New Hampshire, our cabinet specialists at Silver Lake Cabinetry would love to discuss the bathroom of your dreams and assist you in bringing it to life. With our selection of bathroom cabinets, you may not need to convert a kitchen cabinet at all.