Turning a Dresser Into a Bathroom Sink & Vanity

Place a vessel sink and faucet on top of the dressing table, in the position you want them to be. A vessel sink is designed to sit on top of the vanity like a large bowl rather than recessed into the vanity counter.

Pencil in the position of the drain of the sink and faucet where they will be attached to the dresser and remove them for the time being.

Measure the diameter of the sink’s drain. Attach a hole saw bit the size of the drain to a drill and drill a hole in the top of the dressing table at the place you marked with pencil. If the dresser has a drawer directly under where the sink goes, remove it before drilling. Repeat with the faucet, so you have the drain hole and faucet hole in the dressing table top.

Measure the position where the plumbing pipes will attach to the sink and faucet at the back of the dresser and cut holes in the back the appropriate size, as you did for the drain and faucet holes. If the dresser doesn’t have a back and is more like a table or has drawers on the side with the middle section free, this is unnecessary.

Sand the dressing table lightly with 220-grit sandpaper and wipe over with a rag. Apply a coat of lacquer to the dressing table and let dry. Apply a further two coats of lacquer after waiting the drying time specified by the manufacturer. This will waterproof the dresser.

Position the sink over the drain hole, ensuring the drain and the drain hole match up. Pencil in around the base of the sink so the area between the pencil line and the drain hole will be the adhesive contact area.

Spread silicone adhesive on the dressing table inside the pencil lines around the drain hole. Carefully lower the sink onto the dresser, matching up the drain with the drain hole. Press down lightly on the sink to ensure maximum contact with the adhesive.

Install the faucet into the faucet holes. This typically requires fitting the faucet into the hole cut for it. Use silicone adhesive or plumber’s putty to seal it in place, tightening the faucet washers and nuts on the underside of the dresser top. Read the faucet instructions carefully for detailed information on installing your particular model. The dressing table vanity is now ready for installation in the bathroom.