Another project crossed off the list in our master bath remodel, giving our standard bathroom cabinet the look of a furniture style vanity. We have the typical boring cabinets throughout our home- basic, no frills, and probably not much real wood either.
First, I painted the toe kick black to give the illusion of a shadow under a leggy furniture piece.
My next step to aid in the furniture illusion was to add legs to the cabinet. Because you hafta’ have legs on a leggy furniture-look vanity, right? One of my favorite catalogs is from Van Dyke’s. They have a website, but I love thumbing through a catalog and turning down the corners on pages I want to remember. Old school, that’s me.
Anyway, I measured the height of the toe kick on our cabinet in each spot where I wanted a leg, then looked for legs that would be a little taller than the largest measurement. I also knew I needed the top section of the leg to be straight so that it could be easily cut down to the exact height needed. All 4 legs had to be cut to a little bit different height, primed and painted.
After the legs were attached, before we framed the mirror:
The cabinet stayed in that stage for several weeks months until I decided on a design for the skirt sections. I first cut the design out of cardboard and adjusted as needed for each section. Then I used my rotozip to cut the pieces out of 3/4 inch mdf. I primed then painted with the same semi-gloss latex enamel I used on the legs.
Richard screwed 1×2 cleats on the back of each piece in order to attach them to the vanity. (The cleats were shifted up slightly at each end as needed to account for my less than perfect cutting.)
Richard patiently holds up the process while I snap pictures.
First piece screwed into place.
I caulked the gaps and we’re done with one more master bath project.
With home values continuing to head in the wrong direction, I didn’t want to spend money on a new vanity. This project seemed like a good compromise. Do you think we succeeded in giving our standard cabinet furniture style?
Doodles,
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Imparting Grace, Pretty Handy Girl, West Furniture Revival
Hey, I'm Sheila, and I'm so glad you're here! Stick around for a doodle of fun, faith, and furniture. Want to learn more? 
I love this transformation! It’s amazing! Thanks for sharing the source of the cabinet legs too. I have looked at Home Depot, bu haven’t found these. This looks great and I love the way you painted behind the legs! I’m on my way to Rockler!
Betsy(@coastal-colors) recently posted..Reflections
I love this Shelia! I pinned it for my kichen cabinets!
Thanks for the inspiration!
blessings,
karianne
thistlewoodfarm recently posted..Where Have All the Don Drapers Gone?
That looks wonderful! Impressive.
RHome410 @ Friday is Pizza, Monday is Soup recently posted..A Day in the Sun
The legs were good, but the trim makes it really look like a cabinet. I love it. Now I am itching to do mine!
Once again, I am amazed! Very creative and very classy looking for just a few bucks. You really can add zing to anything.
I am so impressed! I had something like in mind when I did the kitchen, but I couldn’t find any legs. I made some for one section, then gave up on the others. I still have three bath vanities, so I am definitely saving your post. I don’t want to spend the money, either, so I am going to have another go at this. Thanks for the inspiration.
Scribbler recently posted..AQUA
This is terrific!!! I’ve been looking for ways to turn my boring bathroom vanities into something that looks vintage. Y’all did it!
WOW! Gorgeous transformation!!!
Dee
Dee recently posted..Asao Clematis Vines
Looks outstanding…love the feet and the trim!!! I have been thinking about doing this in my kitchen for a few years now…maybe I should just “DO IT”.
Blessings,
Linda
O.My.Goodness! This is an awesome idea! Now I am itching to do the same with my bathroom vanity! I need some powertools, STAT! Wonderful Job, Linda!
That is a great update, Sheila! Just the legs added give it that furniture look, I think, but then the scalloped pieces you added remind me of my French dresser. Nicely done!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions recently posted..An Owl Pillow For You Know Whoooo
Gorgeous transformation! it’s great when we take something and just adding special elements transforms into something unique.
Your bathroom cabinets look wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Donna recently posted..Return to Me
Hi Sheila, this is just an awesome idea! I would definitely not pull it out and replace. This looks like an expensive custom piece. I rent and think this is a great way for me to update my bathroom cabinet without spending alot. Plus if the owner doesn’t like it I could easily remove the additions, caulk the holes, and repaint the piece. And I wouldn’t of even thought to paint the toe kick black. Great illusion. I’m a new follower and saw your link at Feathered Nest Friday and had to check it out. : ) I’d love if you’d link this to my Frugal Treasures Tuesday party going on now through Sunday. This is just the type of thinking my rental renters need to inspire them. Thanks so much for sharing.
Barbe@ Beez Rental Designs recently posted..Frugal Treasures Tuesday #7
Fabulous, now it looks like a french dresser!
Love it! Such great ideas–I can’t wait to copy them! Y’all did a beautiful job
Oh! I really like this! I added legs to our bathroom vanity cabinet also, but I didn’t think about adding a skirt piece to them… I may be making another change our cabinet!!
Loribeth recently posted..Bathroom Reveal!
Wow! what a great idea! i like the creativity here and i think i can transform also in
an elegant look our cabinet. thanks for the share. keep posting DIY
I love this! You actually did what we have been talking about doing to our kitchen cabinets! We have been “talking” about this for almost 8 years now! Maybe if I show someone this, they will be motivated again! Thanks…it’s looks FAB!
That’s a great piece of work. I have a question. Why the legs needed to be cut to different height?
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Our floor isn’t perfectly level, so the height at each spot where I wanted to attach the legs was slightly different. Good question, thanks for asking!
This is wonderful! You’ve made your vanity very lovely, and you had indeed achieved that “furniture” look. Good tip about painting the toekick black. My dad taught me that trick 30+ years ago, but I don’t think a lot of younger people know it. Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you SO MUCH for linking to Grace at Home!
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Shaila, I shared your post on the Hometalk facebook page just now: http://www.facebook.com/Hometalk/posts/210425932394216?comment_id=635737
Thanks you for sharing your fabulous idea!
Miriam @Hometalk recently posted..Concrete is COOL!
That is awesome! I would not have even thought that that was the step painted black. Brilliant! And the end product is beautiful. Congrats!
Erica {let why lead} recently posted..Teaching (One Escalator Ride at a Time)
Beautiful. That was so smart to paint the toekick black! Love the furniture “legs” and aprons. Seriously smartest thing I’ve seen in a while!!!
What a LOVELY job! I love the update – the detail is perfect! This seems like it was a very time consuming project but it was absolutely worth it. Great job!
Sheila, ingenious! I love how you transformed your bathroom vanity. This gives me some great ideas for my boys’ bathroom. Thanks for joining the DIY Talent Parade
Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl recently posted..Winner of the $100 American Express Gift Card from Pennington Seed
Very clever!
I would have never thought to paint the toe kick black. I’ve seen posts on how to remove the toe kick and actually use the legs for support, but I like the idea of painting it black better!!
Beautiful upgrade to your vanity!!
A
What a wonderful project! Just curious, where did you find the legs?
Great transformation!!!
Thanks so much for linking up and for linking back! Good luck and make sure and keep checking our FB page for updates on weekly winners.
Jocie@TheBetterHalf recently posted..How to Pour Concrete Stairs
That looks beautiful! I’m inspired to do the same in our master bathroom.
Jessica recently posted..Happy 4th of July!
Brilliant idea! Way to think outside the box!
I think you did a fantastic job! Love, love, love how it turned out!
Heidi in Hawaii recently posted..My Library – Books I have and those I plan on buying
WOW!!! This turned out AMAZING! I so want to do this to my ugly fake wood cabinets now, thanks for the inspiration! Found you via Thrifty Decor Chic.
Oh my goodness! I love this! And may just have to do this in my kitchen!!!
Sheila, this is such a great idea and it turned out lovely on your bathroom vanity! I may need to do this to ours!!
popping over from House of Hepworths.
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I absolutely LOVE this!! What a wonderful idea! We rent, but I bet I can figure out a way to do something similar so this house can look like mine now, but still be removable later. Thanks SO MUCH for the inspiration!!
I love your bathroom update and the legs and trim are beautiful! How did you attach the legs though? Also, did you put them on while the cabinet was still attached to the wall or did you take it down first? Thanks again for your great idea!
Thank you, Karen! We opened the cabinet doors and screwed the legs into place through the shelf, much like attaching the “skirt” trim. The legs and trim were attached while the cabinet was in place. The floor isn’t perfectly level, so all the legs had to be cut a slightly different height. Hope that helps.
What a smart idea! Great job! Thanks again for getting back to me on this!
I would have never thought to do this! It really adds to the vanity!!! Great Job!
Beckie recently posted..Operation Restoration: Life Edition Part 4
yay, just saw this featured on facebook, via infarrently creative!
Mel recently posted..Rack ‘Em Up!
Absolutely wonderful, looks like a custom cabinet. Can’t wait to do this. Painting the area behind the legs black is ingenious. Thank you for a fabulous idea. Laura
Amazing transformation!
Monica Livas recently posted..Vintage Inspiration
This looks fantastic! What a great idea for a simple, yet beautiful, upgrade!
Jessica recently posted..Pumpkin Frappaccino
One more thing on my hubby’s to-do list. I have wanted to do this to all our cabinets since we had our home built, 11 years ago. Thank you so much for making it so easy. I can’t wait to get started!
This looks so beautiful! Great job!
xx
Anne
love it
I have been looking for so long for something like this to do up some bedroom furniture cabinets. Thanks so much for sharing. You are definately inspiring. Love it!!!!!
So in love with this idea! So many legs to choose from though is causing me stress trying to find just the right fit. May I ask how high your cabinet bottoms were from the floor? These legs in their original form, if I’m correct ,were 8″ tall. I like the square part you have at the top of the legs you chose because it gives your decorative curves a nice ending point. Also, my cabinets have a corner (they make an”L” shape) I’m trying to find a solution to:( Im hoping mine will turn out as beautifully as yours!
Thanks for your fabulous ideas!
Carla, our toe kick is about 7 1/2 inches high. You’re right- there are so many options to choose from! I specifically chose these legs because I knew it would be easier to trim a little off the square section without losing any of the design. Good luck with your project- I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!
I WOULD LOVE TO FEATURE YOUR VANITY MAKE OVER, IT TURNED OUT BEAUTIFUL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF IT WOULD BE OK WITH YOU
Do you have a template that you used for the skirt?
Ann Marie, I just freehand drew half the design, then cut it out and flipped it over to trace the other half, so that it was symmetrical.
Not sure if you caught the feature , you can see it here, thanks again for letting me show it,
lauren
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com/2013/02/revival-monday-99.html#comment-form
Thanks so much for the feature, Lauren!
I’ve been meaning to do something similar for years and years and years and ………
Great tutorial!
Thanks so much, Betsy- it’s quite an honor to have you visit! Love your blog and wicked sense of humor.
Hello Shelia!!
I am trying to figure out how to follow your blog! I am now following you on Hometalk but would like to see what ‘goodies’ you re-do!! Your bathroom cabinet is awesome and need to have my fill of more of your work!! LOL
Pam, I’m so glad you came over from Hometalk! If you look in the side column, under Let’s Stay in Touch, clicking the middle button will give you options for following. You can sign up to get email updates which will be sent whenever I post something new. Or, here is the direct link if you’d rather just click here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/PlumDoodles
Welcome!