Bathroom vanity cabinets are surprisingly simple to build and represent excellent value — a comparable purchased vanity costs 3–5x more than building your own. Here is everything you need for both a floor vanity and a wall-mounted medicine cabinet.
Floor Vanity (36″ single sink)
Build a plywood box: 35.5″ wide x 21″ deep x 32″ tall (to accommodate a standard 33″ drop-in sink with a stone top). Face frame in poplar. Two doors with soft-close hinges. One drawer above.
Key Considerations
- Use moisture-resistant plywood (PureBond or similar) — bathrooms are humid
- Seal all interior surfaces with two coats of water-based poly before assembly
- Plan your plumbing cutout before building — measure your P-trap depth
- Paint with a semi-gloss or satin finish — easier to wipe clean
Medicine Cabinet (wall-mounted)
A simple box with a mirrored door: 24″ wide x 30″ tall x 4″ deep. Frame from 1×4 pine with a 1/4″ plywood back. Purchase a standard mirror (20″ x 26″) and frame it in the door. Mount between studs or with heavy-duty toggle bolts.
