Vintage Vanities Bring Bygone Style to Baths

Designers and homeowners are, more than ever, looking to the past to use interesting pieces in their homes. A perfect example: the bathroom vanity. Long the standard-issue element in a bath remodel, utilizing stock cabinetry and hardware, the vanity is taking a step into the future with blasts from the past. Old and antique furniture pieces are being fitted with new sinks and faucets, summoning the ambience and feel of the washbasins of yore.

Each piece is unique, making it worlds away from the ones found at the big-box stores. One note of caution, however: Please do not use an authentic antique! If George Washington reportedly used your nightstand to clean his wooden teeth, cutting a hole in it to add plumbing would greatly diminish its value. But as you’ll see in the following photos, there are lots of other alternatives to choose from.

Prior to the introduction of running water and indoor plumbing, vanities were simply a washbasin and a pitcher set atop a wooden dresser or washstand.

Conjure that same feeling using a vintage washstand that’s been fitted with a sink. The type of sink you choose will dictate the style of faucet available to you. A wall-mounted or tall arc faucet is required for a vessel sink. Any type of faucet can be used for a drop-in or undermounted sink, since no additional clearance is needed.


The depth of a standard vanity ranges from 18 to 24 inches. While you may find an old dresser that is that deep, any size piece can actually be used, within the confines of your space.

If you are repurposing a larger and deeper dresser or vintage desk, like the one pictured here, make sure that you place the sink close enough to the front edge to avoid excessive reaching. Setting the sink 3 to 4 inches from the front edge will prevent splashes onto the floor and allow easy access to the water.


Nowadays bathroom vanities can range anywhere from 29 to 36 inches in height. The standard is typically 30 inches, which was the height of a typical wooden dresser being used with a washbasin back in the day.

Repurposing vintage furniture can be an economical way to customize the vanity height for your bath: simply add feet or cut away a portion of the base. Unless it’s a true antique, there is no need to fear altering an aged piece — that’s the beauty, and the enjoyment, of upcycling old furniture.


When choosing your furniture, remember that bathrooms require storage. Once you install your sink and plumbing, you’ll lose the middle drawer or compartment because of the pipes.

With an open base, such as a washstand with legs and an open shelf, the plumbing will be exposed. With a dresser or buffet, the middle section will be fixed, but at least the plumbing will be hidden.


This vintage vanity was fitted with a customized granite top to protect the wood beneath. Paired with a tartan plaid rug, it offers a masculine contrast to the crystal chandeliers and mosaic mirror. The faucet was elevated on the granite backsplash to accommodate the vessel sink.


The type of furniture you choose for your vanity will dictate the style of the space. For instance, repurpose an old painted washbasin or pine commode for a country look, versus an elaborate carved mahogany piece for a more sophisticated approach.

This buffet was purchased on Craigslist and fitted with a travertine top and a pair of white porcelain sinks. The original curved backplate now serves as a decorative backsplash. The double plumbing is consolidated behind the middle panel, so there’s still ample storage.


This vanity was created from an intricate antique dresser that was professionally customized by a cabinetmaker. The black granite countertop provides a waterproof surface and a dark contrast to the otherwise all-white woodwork and wainscoting. Storage is provided in the side drawers, as well as in the matched pair of upper cabinets and drawers.

The vanity mirror would have typically been nestled lower, between the matching side cupboards. In this case it was raised to accommodate the faucets and soap holder.


If you are planning to keep the furniture’s wood top, you must waterproof the surrounding wood to ensure its lasting beauty. Modern plumbing is powerful and splashy — in more than just style! Whether you mount your fixtures on the wall or on the deck, any surrounding porous surfaces must be protected by polyurethane or a similar waterproofing product.

This scrubbed-pine commode became a rustic vanity with the addition of a copper vessel sink and oil-rubbed-bronze fixtures. Plumbing is hidden behind the doors, as is extra storage.


This elaborately detailed vintage buffet was painted white and retrofitted with a marble top and matching sinks. In their original brown wood finishes, carved pieces like these can often be found inexpensively at garage sales and secondhand shops, because the look is no longer in fashion. But if the basic design and proportions are appealing, go for it — a coat of white paint will totally transform them. Here again a top was added (this time marble) to protect the wood.


The homeowners requested vintage Western style, and this bath delivers with its aged, country-style vanity and warm wood floor. The tapered vessel sink is reminiscent of an old washbasin, and the wall-mounted faucet in oil-rubbed bronze evokes a lasso.


This perfectly blue, beachy bathroom is from a summer home on Nantucket, Massachusetts. The painted antique commode features a porcelain drop-in sink and low-arc chrome faucets. It contrasts nicely with the antique beveled mirror and modern glass shelf. The door conceals cleaning supplies and plumbing.


This vintage dresser was painted and distressed in a deep green finish. Although most wood surfaces must have water protection applied, this top was simply varnished. (This bath is rarely used, so the designer wasn’t worried about water damage.) The tall arc faucet clears the porcelain vessel bowl, which resembles an old washbasin.

More: Get It Done: Organize the Bathroom for Well-Earned Bliss

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