We created an inexpensive, one-of-a-kind bathroom vanity by converting an old sideboard found at a resale shop. To save even more money, we used a secondhand sink and reclaimed marble tile to cover the vanity top.

Tools and Materials

jigsaw
level
drill with bits
tape measure
palm sander and sandpaper
wet saw (if you have to cut tile or stone)
hammer and small nails
screwdriver
recycled dresser (wide enough to fit sink)
sink and faucet
4 to 5 pieces of recycled tile (18" to 24" wide)
paint, shallac and paintbrushes
clear adhesive (for tile)
wood glue
(2) L-brackets (optional for half drawer)

Find the Materials

Scour secondhand stores and estate sales to find an old dresser or sideboard that will fit your bathroom. Take into consideration the width, height and length of the piece. If it is too tall, you may be able to shorten it. Usually a minimum width of 18 inches is needed to fit a standard bathroom sink, but you're better off if your dresser is 20 to 22 inches deep.

Here's what our sideboard looked like before (image 1) and what the bathroom looked like before (image 2):

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    Image 1

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    Image 2

Clean the Piece

Clean the dresser. Remove the top, the doors, drawers and hardware, sand all the wood carefully.