Wood vanities are a great way to add warmth and charm to any style bathroom, but changes in humidity, age, and normal wear and tear can take a toll on even the most maintained wood vanity. Fortunately, you don’t have to rip out your old wood vanities and replace them with new ones – restaining bathroom cabinets is a relatively simple DIY project. Giving your vanity a new coat of stain or a fresh coat of paint can transform its look, add years to its life, and save you money. Learn how to restain a bathroom vanity here.
Preparation
Before you get started, make sure you have all the items you’ll need to refinish the bathroom vanity. Since the project is relatively simple, you probably have most of these items available in your toolshed. If you don’t already own them, they can be purchased or rented from a local home improvement store.
- Cleaning product
- Sponge/soft cloths
- Screwdriver
- Painter’s tape
- Sandpaper
- Hand sander
- Shop vacuum
- Stain or primer and paint
- Paintbrush
- Polyurethane finish
Once you have all the items to restain the bathroom vanity, go over the bathroom vanity with a cleaning product to remove all signs of hairspray, makeup, soap scum, deodorant, and other products that may have accumulated over time. Next, remove the drawers, handles, and knobs from your vanity. Place the handles and knobs in a plastic bag so you can easily put them back on once you’re finished.
Strip the Paint
Place the doors and drawers on drop cloths on a flat surface. Make sure the area you’re working in is well-ventilated, as some strippers, stains, and paints have strong fumes. Apply a chemical stripper to the doors and drawers with a paintbrush; once the stripper has been left standing for the recommended amount of time, scrape away the old finish. Wipe down the wood with a clean cloth. Use the hand sander and 180-grit sandpaper to remove any traces of the old finish. Be sure to work with the grain of the wood, and avoid applying too much pressure.
Before stripping and sanding the rest of the vanity, place painter’s tape on the wall around the vanity — this will prevent any paint from getting on the surrounding surfaces.
Prime, Paint, Stain
Once the paint has been stripped, it’s time to prime, paint, or stain the wood. Before getting started, use the shop vacuum to remove any excess dust from the vanity. If primer isn’t included in your paint, you’ll have to prime the wood before painting — it will help the top coat adhere to the wood and will help the paint last longer. Let the primer dry completely, which can take anywhere from one to ten hours. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for recommended drying times. Once the primer is dry, apply either the stain or paint. Once the paint is dry, apply a polyurethane finish designed for the bathroom. Let the polyurethane dry completely before reattaching the cabinets, drawers, and hardware. Learning how to restain bathroom cabinets is easy.
Bathroom Vanity Widths and Types
Knowing how to refinish a wood vanity may save you from purchasing a new one. However, there are times when cabinetry is beyond repair, and your home will benefit from a new and improved version. Modern Bathroom offers a full selection of vanities in all designs, including single vanities, double vanities, wall-mounted vanities, and free-standing vanities. The type of vanity doesn’t matter when it comes to restaining. You can refinish any size or style of vanity you please.
In fact, vanities can vary greatly in size. The smallest sizes are generally ideal for compact bathrooms or small spaces where a sink and limited cabinetry are desired. Larger vanities may include dual sinks for multiple family members and numerous cabinets and drawers. The vanity you choose depends on the size of your space, your storage requirements, and the design you desire. Modern Bathroom vanities are available in 24”, 30”, 36”, 42”, 60”, and 72” sizing.
Shop our entire selection of vanity designs and sizes to upgrade your bathroom with your dream vanity today.