Bathroom Vanity Cabinets

By Tim Carter
©1993-2012 Tim Carter

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Summary: Selecting a bathroom vanity is a major decision. Bathroom vanity cabinets come in a variety of styles, sizes, options and more. Installing a bathroom sink vanity is easier if you follow these installation tips.

DEAR TIM: I thought the process of selecting and installing bathroom vanity cabinets for a remodeling project would be simple. It turns out bath vanities come in many different sizes with all sorts of different options. I cringe at having to install all of these things, and worry I will ruin any bath vanity cabinets I will buy. My wife wants all of the options, but I would prefer to buy one simple box I can nail to the wall. How do I solve this conundrum? Bob F., Norfolk, VA

DEAR BOB: The first thing you are going to do is tell your wife to pick out whatever vanities your budget will allow. The second thing is you are going to do some deep-breathing exercises and relax. Installing bathroom vanity cabinets is not as hard as it may seem. I feel you are suffering from a significant case of anxiety because you either lack the tools, skills or a combination of the two.

There are many different methods to properly install bath vanities, but I am going to share some of the tips that have served me well over the years. There is no doubt other carpenters may have techniques that will work faster and better. Perhaps you know a handy person in your neighborhood or at your place of work that can help you if you get into a bind.

This bathroom vanity cabinet is really three separate cabinets and two accessory pieces of trim. It took less than an hour to completely install them. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

One of the reasons you want to consider bathroom vanities that are made from multiple cabinets and parts is the finished look. By combining cabinets that have different depths to them, you can create a stunning bump-out look where the center sink-base cabinet projects just 4 inches or so into the room. Adding trim accessories creates the look and feel of true custom cabinetry.

When the countertop is formed to follow an extended profile, it looks rich and elegant. These small features make your home really stand out if and when you decide to sell. Think about it, anyone can get a straight countertop out of a box from a home center.

One trick, when working with different cabinets that need to be screwed together, is to remove all drawers and cabinet doors. This can be done easily with a screwdriver. Some cabinets have quick-release levers that allow you to pop a door off its hinges with no tools. Removing the doors and drawers prevents scratches and allows you to work on the cabinets with nothing in your way. The cabinet boxes are also much lighter.

I prefer to use squeeze clamps that have rubber tips to hold cabinets together in the exact alignment as I screw them together. Sometimes you can screw through the sides of the cabinets to draw them together. Other times you have to carefully install screws through the finished frames. If you need to do this, take your time and be sure the length of the screw is not too long to where it passes through the finished side or front of a cabinet frame.

It is extremely important that the finished bathroom vanity cabinets are level side to side and front to back. This can be a significant challenge as floors are frequently out of level and walls are not plumb or square. Use tapered shims under the cabinets to get them level. You may have to install shims between the back of the cabinets and the finished wall to keep the cabinets level as you screw them to the wall. Yes, screws not nails.

Some bath vanity cabinets come with fancy trim that can be added on the face of the cabinet frames. This trim can sometimes be attached to the cabinets with screws from behind. Once again, be careful about the length of the screw. Always clamp the piece in position and slowly install the screw. You can rent nail guns to attach the trim, but be sure you use a pin nailer that shoots nails that are not much thicker than the shaft of a needle.

If the total width of the assembled bath vanity cabinets is 5 feet or less, I would screw them together and install the system as if it were one box as you originally wanted to do. The trick is to install no less than six screws through the sides of the cabinets where two cabinets touch one another. This way, when you start to move the cabinets around, they are very sturdy, and they should not pull apart.

If you have an accident and crack a cabinet frame, ruin the finish of a cabinet side, frame, door or drawer, do not panic. If you live in a mid-sized or large city, there are any number of wizards who can come to your home and repair this damage with little effort. These furniture repair masters come with a small box loaded with sticks of colored lacquer and an alcohol-fueled lamp that they use to match the color and wood grain of your cabinets.

They can repair holes, scratches, dings and splits making the cabinet appear as if it is in perfect condition. This safety net should give you the confidence to move ahead on this project.

Bathroom Cabinets

By Tim Carter
©1993-2012 Tim Carter

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Summary: Bathroom cabinets are not the simple boxes you may have seen years ago. Bathroom vanity cabinets can be purchased in any size and style that you can dream of. Don't hesitate to use bathroom wall cabinets if you need extra bathroom storage cabinets. If you need to save money, painting your existing bathroom cabinets may be a smart move.

DEAR TIM: The bathroom cabinets I saw at the home center are not going to work for me. I have dreamed up a clever L-shaped design for my new bathroom, and I need bathroom vanity cabinets that are crazy sizes. Is it possible to buy these as well as bathroom wall cabinets? What else can I do to make my bathroom appear as it is indeed one-of-a-kind? I want to splurge, so don't hold back on any of your ideas. Connie B., West Salem, WI

DEAR CONNIE: I get really frustrated when people ask for me to do a brain dump of all of my ideas, but am only given precious few words to do so. Books have been written about bathroom remodeling, cabinets and design possibilities, so I have my work cut out for me.

First, you absolutely can purchase any custom-sized cabinet you need. You can get special widths as well as depths. The depth of the cabinet is very important, especially in an L-shaped design. Smaller bathrooms don't always have the width to allow standard-sized cabinets to be used in this configuration. You will probably discover you need to use a cabinet or several cabinets that are only 15 inches deep.

These semi-custom bathroom cabinets were ordered to fit precisely into the tight space. The upper cubby shelves were made on-site from stained wood provided by the cabinet company. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

Be aware that bathroom cabinets are also available in kitchen-cabinet heights. A 34.5-inch-tall cabinet allows you to have a 36-inch-high finished counter height if you use granite or some other material that is 1.5 inches thick. Many people have come to appreciate higher bathroom cabinets and tops.

Several high-end cabinet manufacturers produce a wide variety of accent trim pieces that allow you to make the cabinets look like furniture. Imagine an accent piece of wood that resembles a twisted rope. You can have that trim piece applied to the cabinets to hide the seams between two separate cabinets. This look can be stunning.

Consider custom shelving that rests on the countertop on either side of the sink. This shelving can act as a giant frame around a tall mirror that makes the bathroom seem 30% larger than it actually is. Some bathroom cabinet manufacturers will make this shelving for you, while others will supply you with the needed material that has been stained and finished to match the cabinetry. A good finish carpenter should be able to assemble simple shelves in one day or less.

Consider natural stone for the countertop and the floor. You can buy granite tile squares that compliment the color and texture of the cabinets you select. Don't hesitate to look at painted cabinets as well as natural wood cabinets. Painted cabinets that have a slight accent glaze can really go a long way to help you achieve your ultra-custom look.

This deluxe faucet is from the ShowHouse series by Moen. Its polished-nickel finish is stunning. The faucet actually swivels to make cleaning the sink easy. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

Pay attention to detail when it comes to your bathroom plumbing fixtures. There are high-quality faucets available in traditional or sleek contemporary designs. I personally love the new polished nickel finishes. The color of the polished nickel finish is regal. I think you should also be aware that certain faucet manufactures offer a complete line of trim fixtures that match the faucets. You can get towel bars, toilet-paper holders, shelves, etc. all in the exact same design and finish.

Don't forget about your walls and ceiling. All too often people seem to overlook wallpaper. Wallpaper, in my opinion, can create a mood and feeling that adds to the elegance created with the cabinets, countertops and flooring. Be sure to use a new non-woven wallpaper. These wallpapers do not expand when the adhesive contacts the paper. This feature allows you to easily remove the wallpaper from the wall and reattach it if there is ever a need to do a plumbing or electrical repair behind the wall.

Consider a wallpaper mural for the ceiling, if it fits into your overall look. Modern adhesives will allow the mural to stay attached to the ceiling, especially if you use the proper-sized ventilation fan to remove moist air created during bathing or showering.

I love the bathroom exhaust fans that are located in the attic space away from the bathroom. They are extremely quiet and vacuum copious amounts of air from the bathroom through insulated flexible piping. This air must be piped through the roof or sidewall of your home. Do not allow it to escape into the attic space.

Create a unique design using different-colored granite or tile on the floor or even the shower wall. Use these wide-open spaces as a place to express the look and feel you want. Modern ceramic-tile wet saws allow a craftsman to easily cut pieces of tile or natural stone into any number of sizes and shapes. If you do not have a creative bent, think about hiring a designer to transform the floor or wall into a masterpiece. I guarantee you it will get compliments from anyone who sees it. But if no one does, you get to enjoy it all by yourself!

Bathroom Vanities

By Tim Carter
©1993-2012 Tim Carter

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Summary: Bathroom vanities are important fixtures in bathrooms. It pays to buy a quality vanity, especially one that has a timeless design. You can make a bathroom vanity from other pieces of furniture.

Bathroom vanities are a core fixture found in just about every bathroom. The bathroom sink is supported by the vanity, and the cabinet conceals the plumbing water supply lines as well as the drain line. The bathroom vanity cabinet plays a big roll when it comes to the overall design of a bathroom. Pick the right vanity and it can make a dramatic statement if you have both good taste and a generous budget.

Many consumers are unaware there is a vast difference in quality when looking at bathroom vanities. Mass-produced vanities are often very inexpensive, and can be found at home centers. Semi-custom bathroom vanities can be ordered at kitchen and bath showrooms that represent various cabinet manufacturers. You will pay more for these, but the higher quality is noticeable. You can also find cabinetmakers that will build you anything you can dream in your head. What's more, they can build the vanity from just about any material. A custom bathroom vanity can become a permanent fixture in a bathroom if it is built well and has a classic design.

Don't think that you must use a standard vanity cabinet when it comes time to furnish your bathroom. You can use just about any box to create the needed support for the countertop that sits on top of the vanity. I have even used a gorgeous chest of drawers to make a vanity cabinet.

If you use a vanity in a bathroom, you will want drawers with it if you have the room. But a powder room or hallway bath for guests might not need a vanity with pullout drawers. Keep this in mind as you look at different vanities.

Trends change as people grow tired of a look. Bathroom vanities that resemble furniture, instead of just a traditional box cabinet, often are timeless. These stylish vanities never seem to go out of style, and people who see them often comment on their beauty and functionality.