A BESPOKE VANITY UNIT

Give an old piece of furniture a new lease of life with some clever upcycling

Turn old furniture into a statement piece

Swapping a pedestal basin for a vanity unit will add unique style as well as handy extra counter space to a bathroom. Plus, if you go for one with storage underneath, you’ll have somewhere to stash toiletries and cleaning kit, too. But if you can’t find a design that suits your style, why not consider repurposing a piece of furniture you already own?

Can I use any unit?

The first rule is to choose something solid and sturdy that will support the weight of the basin – remember that it’ll be heavier once it’s filled with water. Consoles, dressing tables and desks all make great bases – or consider a sideboard, cupboard or chest of drawers if you could use the extra storage. Just make sure the dimensions of your chosen piece work with the size of your bathroom and that you’ll have adequate countertop space.

Which style of basin should I go for?

The easiest option if you’re adapting your own piece of furniture is to go for a countertop basin or bowl (like Lu has done) which simply sits on top of the vanity unit. You’ll just need to make some cut outs in the countertop to allow for the waste and taps.

What about the plumbing work?

If you’re using a table for your vanity base, meaning the pipework will be exposed, it’s worth choosing a more decorative option for the pipes. Think chrome or copper, rather than standard white plastic tubing. This won’t matter if the pipework is going to be hidden away in a cupboard, but bear in mind that you will have to sacrifice some of your storage space to allow for the plumbing work and, if your unit has drawers, you may have to rework the drawer sizes.

What kind of tap will I need?

Countertop basins are best paired with either wall-mounted taps (positioned on the wall just above the basin) or tall basin taps (extra high to allow for the height of the bowl and positioned centrally or to the side). However, some designs do incorporate taps or tap holes into the basin itself.

What height should the vanity unit be?

As a general rule, the top of the basin should sit around 30-36in from the floor, so you may need to make some height adjustments if you’re adapting your own piece – or maybe consider wall mounting it instead.

How should I protect the countertop?

Water will damage wooden surfaces, however careful you are, so apply several coats of marine-grade varnish to give wood an extra-protective seal. Alternatively, consider tiling the surface or replacing the countertop altogether with a chic slab of marble, like Lu has.

‘DOING YOUR BIT FOR THE PLANET AS WELL AS CREATING A UNIQUE, ONE-OFF PI ECE IS WHAT UPCYCLING IS ALL ABOUT’ RUTH CORBETT HOUSES EDITOR