How to Build a Kitchen Island From a Bathroom Vanity

With the proliferation of small appliances designed to make cooking chores faster and easier, you may covet more food preparation space. Few serious cooks would turn down extra storage space, too, but kitchen renovations are often expensive, messy and inconvenient. Kitchen islands provide a decorative and useful alternative, but they're still pricey. When you get a little help by using a bathroom vanity for the base and a prefabricated countertop, your island can be ready to use in a matter of a few minutes. Whether you “upcycle” a salvaged vanity or start with a new one from the home improvement store, the process is uncomplicated and relatively inexpensive.

Things You'll Need

• Ceramic, metal or laminate tiles
• Thinset mortar or adhesive
• Bathroom vanity
• Grout compound
• Double-sided carpet tape (optional)
• Finished countertop

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Lay out the tiles in a pattern to complement the rest of your kitchen décor.

   • 2

     Attach the tiles to the unfinished side of the vanity, using thinset mortar or the adhesive recommended by the tile manufacturer. You may want to use tiles already attached to a fabric mesh, especially if your design involves small tiles.

   • 3

     Apply grout between the tiles, removing the excess as you work. Allow the grout to cure according to the manufacturer's directions before cleaning the tiles with a damp sponge and clear water.

   • 4

     Place the countertop on the vanity. The weight of a typical top will hold it in place with no adhesives. However, for added security, apply double-sided carpet tape to the top of the vanity before laying the countertop in place.