How to Build a Sitting Vanity

Assembling the Cabinets

• 1

  Set two, 3/4-by-22-by-36-inch MDF boards next to each other, up on their long, thin sides. Get an assistant to hold them in place, parallel and about 2 feet apart. Slide two 3/4-by-22-by-24-inch MDF boards up against their ends.

• 2

  Position 2-inch metal L-brackets on the inside of the frame between each pair of boards. Space the brackets every 6 inches. Drill into each bracket hole. Attach the brackets with 3/4-inch wood screws.

• 3

  Set the frame on top of a 3/4-by-24-by-37.5-inch MDF board. Set 2-inch metal L-brackets all around the inside of the frame, spaced every 12 inches and installed in the same manner as before.

• 4

  Set a 3/4-by-24-by-26.75-inch MDF board on the top of the frame, evenly spaced. Position two side-mount cabinet hinges between the door and one of the 22-by-36-inch boards, which is a side board of the cabinet. Drill into each hinge hole and attach the hinges with 3/4-inch wood screws.

• 5

  Set a magnetic 2-part latch against the opposite side board and the door, drill into each latch attachment hole. Attach both sections of the latch to the door and side board with 3/4-inch wood screws.

• 6

  Install shelves as needed by placing 3/4-by-22-by-22.5-inch MDF boards within the frame. Space 2-inch metal brackets every 6 inches against the frame and the shelf. Drill into each bracket and attach the brackets with 3/4-inch screws. Add as many shelves as desired.

• 7

  Repeat the process to create a second cabinet.

Attaching the Vanity Top

• 8

  Position the two cabinets about two feet apart. Set a 3/4-by-22-by-72-inch MDF board on top of the cabinets. Adjust the cabinet spacing so that the outside of the cabinets is even with the top board.

• 9

  Drill four holes up through the inside of the cabinet and into the top board, being very careful not to drill all the way through the vanity top to avoid blemishes on the vanity top.

• 10

  Set a 1.25-inch wood screw in each drilled hole and tighten the screws in place completely until the tabletop is completely attached to the cabinets.

Attaching a Mirror

• 11

  Set a 1-by-36-by-36-inch framed mirror face down on the working surface. Position two 36-inch two-by-fours on top of the mirror with their large surfaces running along the back of the side frame boards, parallel to each other. Space the two-by-fours so that 30 inches of the board is on the frame and 6 inches sticks off.

• 12

  Drill six holes through the two-by-fours and into the mirror frame. Set 2.25-inch wood screws in each hole and tighten them securely.

• 13

  Hold the mirror up against the rear of the vanity so that the mirror frame rests on the top of the vanity and the two-by-fours are flush with the rear of the cabinets.

• 14

  Drill four holes through the inside of the vanity, into each two-by-four. Attach them together with 2.25-inch wood screws. Position two metal L-brackets against each two-by-four and the rear of the cabinet. Drill 3/4-inch screws into the holes over the cabinet, and 2.25-inch screws into the holes over the two-by-four.