DIY Floating Bathroom Vanity Bathroom Remodel Plywood Cabinet + Poplar Top & Vessel Sink | #51
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We gutted the master bathroom. I refused to put a particle-board vanity from Home Depot in there. I wanted a Solid Walnut Floating Vanity.
Floating vanities make a small bathroom look huge because you can see the floor underneath.
The Structural Challenge
A vanity holds a Sink (Heavy) and a Countertop (Stone, very heavy). Hanging 300lbs off the wall requires serious engineering.
The Beefy Cleat
I didn't use a French Cleat. I used a massive ledger board lag-bolted into 4 studs. The cabinet hooks onto this and is screwed from the inside.
The Plumbing Puzzle
Drawers are great, but the P-Trap (S-Bend pipe) is in the way. Solution: U-Shaped Drawers. I built the drawers with a customized notch cut out of the middle to wrap around the plumbing pipe.
- Pro: You gain storage space around the pipe that is usually wasted in a cabinet.
- Con: Building U-shaped drawers is a geometry test.
Drawer Slides
I used Blum Undermount Soft-Close Slides.
- Undermount: You don't see the metal slides on the side. The drawer box looks like it floats.
- Soft Close: Essential for a "luxury" feel.
Conclusion
I purchased a Quartz remnant for the top ($150). The combination of the dark Walnut and the white Quartz is stunning. It feels rock solid. Total cost: $400 (Materials). Retail price for a similar vanity: $2,500.