Can You Use an Old Desk as a Vanity?

Advantages

• By using an old desk as a vanity, you have the satisfaction of making an environmentally-conscious design choice for your home. Rather than the old desk headed for the landfill, it now has a practical purpose and you have a piece that no one else has.

Locating the Piece

• If you do not already own an old desk to convert into a vanity, a number of places like flea markets, antique stores, salvage stores, estate sales or community outlets like the Goodwill are ideal places to look. By purchasing at an outlet like this, you can strike a good deal. Don't overlook online stores, too. Carefully weigh the advantages or disadvantages of not seeing the piece in person.

Alterations

• After finding a piece, the next assessments to make are where to place the repurposed vanity and whether the desk legs need to be cut for the best height. The average height for conventional recessed bathroom sinks is 32 to 36 inches, which is a good height for adults to wash their hands and brush their teeth. To install a vessel sink instead of a recessed sink, the counter height will need to be lower. The dimensions of the vessel determine how much lower.

Plumbing

• If the repurposed vanity is in the same or very close proximity to the old vanity, the existing plumbing fittings should fit adequately. Consult a plumber if the piece is being placed in a new location. If the desk has been altered in height, most supply lines are flexible and long enough to accommodate the changes, but purchasing new fittings may be necessary. Aesthetically, be prepared for the plumbing to be exposed as most desks are open at the bottom whereas a traditional vanity encloses hardware behind doors.