Dreaming of a stylish, custom bathroom vanity without breaking the bank? This post is for you! After trying (and failing) to use a vintage nightstand as a vanity, I quickly realized it wasn’t practical for everyday use—the drawer started coming apart, and it simply couldn’t handle the wear and tear of daily life. So instead, let’s do an Ikea hack bathroom vanity.
We decided to pivot to an Ikea Enhet vanity. I love Ikea vanities because they are affordable, easy to customize, and designed with storage in mind. Their plumbing setup takes up minimal space, which leaves more room for drawers—a must-have for a small bathroom like ours. Today, I’ll walk you through how we transformed this basic piece into a charming, functional centerpiece for our bathroom.
ikea hack bathroom vanity
Let’s start with the video tutorial so you get an overview on what I did. Then, I’ll dive in with more details below:
SUPPLIES
- Ikea Enhet vanity
- Runskar Faucet
- Maximera Drawer with a Utrusta Drawer Front
- Trim (2 pieces)
- Wood Onlays
- Brass Knobs
- Finger Edge Pull
- Paint- Tinted Ice (Behr)
- Primer
- Caulk and Caulk Gun
- Wood Filler
- Plywood Sheet
- 4×4 Lumber
- 2×4 Lumber
- 1×4 Lumber
- 1/2×4 Lumber
step 1- Choose Your Base Vanity
To start, Choose Your Base Vanity.
When selecting a vanity, it’s all about finding the right size for your space. Our bathroom is tiny, so we needed a piece that would fit perfectly in a narrow spot. The Ikea Enhet vanity was the ideal choice because of its compact dimensions and versatility.
This vanity provides a solid foundation, and its clean lines make it a blank canvas for customization. However, I don’t like that it doesn’t have a base. Let’s create one and add some decorative elements to the vanity to make it prettier and more interesting.
step 2- Prep and Assemble
Next, Prep and Assemble
Before diving into the customization process, we’ll assemble the Enhet vanity according to Ikea’s instructions. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Test fit the vanity in its designated spot to confirm the placement and make adjustments if needed.
- Decide what height do you want the vanity top? We choose to have it mounted 8″ from the ground. That measurement will be important for the next step.
- Choose a color for the vanity. My husband requested a light blue so I painted a sample for him to approve.
step 3- build the base
To give the vanity a seamless, built-in look, we extended the base to the floor by creating a custom platform. Here’s how we did it:
- Cut the wood pieces:
- Cut two plywood pieces to 18-3/4″ long by 8″ tall for the sides.
- Then cut two 4x4s to 16-1/2″ long for the back supports.
- Cut one 2×4 to 16-1/2″ long for the top of the base.
- Next, cut one 1×4 to 16-1/2″ long for additional support.
- Cut one 1/2×4 to 16-1/2″ long for a top spacer.
- Next, Assemble the base:
- Screw the two 4x4s together to create the back support. Make sure they fit inside the vanity.
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- Attach the plywood sheets to the sides by drilling pilot holes and inserting screws. Repeat this step for both sides.
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- Use screws to attach the 2×4 to the tops of the 4x4s, forming the top support of the base.
- Add drawer glides:
- Attach the drawer glides from the Maximera Drawer to the plywood sides. Drill pilot holes and secure with screws.
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- Test the drawer to ensure it glides smoothly and fits properly.
- Create the decorative toe kick:
- To make the bottom drawer look like part of the cabinet base, let’s add a decorative toe kick to the drawer front. This detail adds a polished and seamless aesthetic.
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- Typically, you would create this by drawing the design of cabinet legs on a piece of plywood and cutting it out with a jigsaw. However, we repurposed a decorative piece from our old vanity, cutting it down to size and gluing it onto the front of the drawer.
- Since the decorative piece didn’t cover the entire height of the faux legs, we cut additional wood pieces to complete the design. Use wood glue to attach these pieces and secure them with a nail gun for extra stability.
- Add drawer spacers:
- Screw the 1×4 into the plywood sides above the drawer. This acts as a spacer for the top of the drawer and firms up the base to make it more secure.
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- Screw the 1/2×4 into the plywood sides below the drawer. This acts as a spacer under the drawer and firms up the base to make it more secure
This sturdy base not only provides additional support but also makes room for a third drawer to maximize storage—a game-changer for small bathrooms!
step 4- customize the design
Here’s where the fun begins! We’re transforming the basic Enhet vanity into a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects the bathroom’s aesthetic. Here’s how:
- Attach the vanity to the base: Place the vanity on top of the custom base. Use screws to secure the two pieces together:
- First, screw through the bottom of the drawer into the top of the base.
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- Then, add screws through the back 2×4 into the sides of the vanity.
- Prime the laminate areas: Before painting, apply two coats of primer to all laminate surfaces, waiting one hour between coats. This step ensures the paint adheres properly and provides a smooth finish.
- Paint the vanity: Once the primer is dry, paint the entire vanity. I’m using Tinted Ice by Behr, a beautiful latex paint that coordinates perfectly with our bathroom tile.
- Add decorative elements:
- Cut trim to cover the gap where the new base meets the existing vanity on the sides. Attach the trim using wood glue and finish nails for a seamless, elevated look.
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- Attach the trim around each drawer front. Use wood glue and finish nails for a secure hold.
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- For the center, add a wood onlay for decoration. Attach with finish nails.
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- Fill any nail holes with wood filler and sand them smooth once dry.
- Caulk around the trim to fill any gaps and create a flawless, professional finish.
- When all the finish work is completed, paint the trim to match the rest of the vanity for a cohesive look.
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- Attach a drawer knob to the center of the top two drawers once the paint is dry (to avoid smudging or scratches). This adds style and functionality.
These changes will give the Enhet vanity a high-end, custom appearance while still keeping it functional and practical for everyday use.
step 5- install the vanity
Finally, with everything customized and painted, it’s time for the final steps:
- Put the vanity in place in its designated spot.
- Set up the plumbing to connect the sink and faucets.
- Attach the vanity to the wall securely to ensure stability.
- Insert the drawers into the vanity and make sure they glide smoothly.
- Enjoy your beautiful new vanity!
These steps complete the transformation and make your bathroom feel polished and functional.
after
One of my favorite things is having a colorful vanity—the blue hue adds so much personality and makes the space feel bright and fun.
The details on the drawers, like the trim and wood onlays, elevate the overall look and give it a more refined and character-filled design.
Plus, the vanity itself is much more practical. The hidden bottom drawer has been a storage lifesaver, and the countertop is another win.
With the old vessel sink, we didn’t have any usable counter space, but now there’s room for all the little necessities.
price breakdown
One of the best parts about this project is the price! Here’s a quick breakdown of our expenses:
- Ikea Enhet vanity $197
- Runskar Faucet $80
- Maximera Drawer with a Utrusta Drawer Front $49
- Trim (2 pieces) $21
- Wood Onlays $14
- Paint- Tinted Ice (Behr) $7
I had the rest of the supplies on hand.
Total cost: $368
Compared to a custom-built vanity, this Ikea hack is a budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t skimp on style.
We couldn’t be happier with how this project turned out! The Enhet vanity now looks completely custom, and the additional storage is a game-changer in our small bathroom. This hack proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to achieve a high-end look.
What do you think of our Ikea hack bathroom vanity? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to check out my other DIY projects for more inspiration!
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