How to Make a Trestle Vanity

Position a 2-by-18-by-36 inch vanity top made from wood or a composite material with its best side down on a work surface. Set two 1-by-3-by-36 inch boards evenly spaced against one of the long sides of the vanity top and upright on their small ends so that they extend 3 feet into the air. Have an assistant hold these vertical boards in place.

Place a 1-inch metal L-bracket between the vanity top and each of the 36-inch boards, which are the legs of the vanity. Mark the screw hole positions for the brackets and remove them from the assembly. Drill out each marked hole. Attach the brackets in place with 1-inch wood screws in the legs and 2-inch wood screws in the vanity top. Repeat with two additional legs on the other side of the vanity top.

Align a 1-by-18-by-36 inch plywood board between the four legs, parallel to the vanity top and 1 foot down from the top of the legs. Set a level on top of the board to make sure its position is straight. Have your assistant hold the plywood board, which is the vanity shelf, then mount 1-inch metal L-brackets between the legs and the shelf. Set these brackets on the top side of the shelf, which will be the underside once the vanity is turned right side up.

Mark the screw hole positions for each shelf bracket then remove the brackets. Drill out the holes and attach the brackets in place with 1-inch wood screws. Flip the vanity right side up.

Hold the vanity against its wall position. Mark the locations where the vanity top will need to be cut for the sink. Cut out the area with a saw. Sand down the edges and make any adjustments until the sink fits perfectly. Apply caulking on the area under the sink rim then lower the sink in place.