You don’t need to sink a ton of time into this high-impact bathroom update
A new bathroom vanity can instantly transform the look of your bathroom while adding much-needed storage and counter space. Luckily, learning how to install a bathroom cabinet isn’t too overwhelming or time-consuming—you’ll only need a helper and a few tools to get it done. Whether you’re replacing your old vanity or installing a brand-new one in your newly built bathroom, here’s what to do.
Take a hard look at the swing distances of your bathroom entrance door, shower surround, and any other cabinetry to make sure you have room for an additional cabinet. Designers who work in small spaces—think: European or Scandinavian style—are used to creatively adapting cabinet bathroom storage. So, it might be helpful to do some research or schedule a consultation with an interior designer before committing to the project if you have a challenging bathroom space.
It’s pretty much a given that you’ll need an extra pair of hands to install a bathroom cabinet, so call in a friend's favor or use your significant other as an assistant when doing this DIY remodel project.
Measure the width and depth of the space where you plan to install the bathroom cabinet. Ensure your desired cabinet size will fit without hindering the door clearance or colliding with other fixtures. There’s nothing worse than getting a new cabinet in your bathroom only to find when you open it that it doesn’t clear the door or slams into the shower as you reach for a fresh bar of soap.
There are bathroom vanities to suit any space, so be sure to shop around until you find one you love. You’ll have to decide between a raw, customizable cabinet or a premade, painted bathroom vanity. If you’re upcycling an existing cabinet, sand the cabinet and allow time for the paint to dry before installation.
Locate the drainpipe under the sink, which has a curved section known as the P-trap. Position a towel or bucket beneath the P-trap to catch any water that leaks from the trap. Loosen the nut at the top of the P-trap and gently pull the trap down from the sink drainpipe. You may need to completely remove the trap.
Using an adjustable wrench, disconnect the water lines from the valves. Be prepared to catch any water spillage during this process with a bucket. Cut through the caulk or sealant that binds the sink backsplash to the wall with a utility knife.
Next, you’ll need to remove the existing cabinet or vanity to make room for the new model. You can unsecure standalone cabinets that can be removed like furniture, but those with straps or safety screws require a screw gun. For DIY bathroom remodels, you may want to invest in the cost of renting a dumpster since you’ll be disposing of cabinetry pieces.
Once the old bathroom cabinet is removed, you may need to repair parts of the drywall. If you’re new to the process, learn how to repair drywall based on the size of the hole—applying spackle or filling in the hole with a patch kit are a couple of good options. If there’s major damage to the drywall in your bathroom, consider hiring a drywall repair professional to evaluate the best course of action for the issue.
Next, measure and mark an outline of where the sink will be on the wall. Use a stud finder to find and mark the studs within the outlined space. Using a tape measure, determine the position of pipes on the bathroom wall.
If the back of your new vanity is solid, measure the location of the pipes and mark these pipe positions on the back of the vanity. Use an appropriately sized hole saw to cut holes for the pipes.
Place a level on the top of the cabinet and have an assistant ensure the cabinet is straight as you screw it into the studs. For floor-sitting cabinets, secure with straps or screws for stability. Test the new bathroom cabinet for stability by pressing down on it and adding items to ensure it doesn’t tilt or slip.
Learning how to install a bathroom cabinet is a relatively DIY-friendly project that you can accomplish with a few basic tools and an extra set of hands. If you already have the cabinet, or if you are purchasing a prefab model, a handyperson is the ideal pro to hire to install a bathroom cabinet. However, if you want a custom build that perfectly fits your space, consider contacting a local cabinet contractor to help bring your vision to life.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriorsMy kitchen cabinets look brand new thanks to Custom Paint Jobs LLC. Their refinishing is exceptional.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCIf I could give 10 stars for Kitchen Tune Up, I would. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Kitchen Tune Up and the entire team involved in the process of my kitchen project. They went above and beyond as far as service and quality with my cabinets, paint, countertops, and...
We live in a condo and had space to add a tall cabinet. The problem was the space was already occupied by our catsâ litter box. We needed to still keep the litter box in that same corner. Beiler Custom Cabinets was able to work with our need and design request. What was created was an...
Beiler Custom Cabinets, LTDAbsolutely amazing, Rob and his team are extremely efficient and professional. Pink Dumpster Rentals, Demolition, And Hauling is a go to for getting my property cleared up so we can pursue the upgrades we want to make on our home.
Pink Dumpster Rentals, Demolition, And HaulingThey work that 360 did on my kitchen cabinets is nothing short of amazing. I still cannot believe the difference from before and after. Jon and Jeff were both so incredibly professional throughout the whole process and their communications with me were constant and consistent. These guys...
360 Painting ColumbusI had a variety of projects around my house. The work was done quickly and correctly. I was kept informed of every step during the projects and they followed up with me to make sure it was all good.
House DoctorsPhil understood the style I wanted and suggested options for materials (unlike the standard kitchen folks who kept pushing the same cabinets everyone buys). He stepped through all the decisions about the details with me, using his computer program to show the differences between the choices....
Baker Group RemodelingI had a great experience with this company. They installed a small TV on the wall of my kitchen between two cabinets. Team came out and did a very thorough inspection and quote. The rep who installed the TV had to do some extra work to snake the cords behind the wall from the top cabinets...
The Theater PeopleI couldn't be more pleased with the job Ryan and his team did! My old oak kitchen cabinets now look like brand new white ones. They were able to provide an estimate based on my photos that was far below other companies I checked with, and that was the final price too. They were able to come...
Rhino Painting & Color Consulting LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Bathroom cabinet costs can easily skyrocket. Take a look at these important cost factors and considerations to help you stay within your budget.
If your bathroom needs sprucing up, a new vanity will make a big difference. Vanity installation costs depend on the size and type of the countertops and fixtures you choose.
The cost to add a bathroom takes into account whether it’s a half or full bath, square footage, plumbing, electrical, and more. Read on for a cost breakdown.
Installing new cabinets? Use this checklist to get your project started.
Need to hire someone for bathroom vanity installation? Learn how to find qualified pros, questions to ask, and what to expect from the hiring process.
Here’s everything you need to know to add a medicine cabinet to your bathroom with this step-by-step guide to success.
