DIY Plans to Build a Printmakers Vanity

Build A Beautiful Vanity in a Printmaker Style

I am adding a new plan category to the plan catalog for vanities. A nice vanity is really expensive so why not build your own? A custom built vanity is inexpensive, plus it can be customized to suit your needs! The DIY plans to build a Printmakers vanity are easy to construct and can be finished in a variety of ways – painted, stained, rustic… It is all up to you!

This vanity style will accommodate a 36″ wide x 24″ deep x 1″ thick top. The vanity has an open back to allow room for the plumbing. The upper drawers are “false” and non-working but the lower drawer is a functional drawer.

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws
• 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws
• 1 set of 20″ drawer slides
• Cabinet pulls
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

Lumber:

• 2 – 1×3 at 8′
• 2 – 1×6 at 4′
• 5 – 2×2 at 8′
• 1 – 2′ x 4′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
• 1 – 2′ x 4′  sheet of 1/2″ plywood
• 1 – 4′ x 4′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×2 at 35-1/2″ – Legs
• 6 – 2×2 at 20-3/4″ – Side Framing
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 15″ x 20-3/4″ – Side Panels
• 7 – 2×2 at 29-1/2″ – Back & Front Stretchers
• 8 – 1×3 at 20-3/4″ – Lower Slats
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 4″ x 29-1/2″ – False Drawer Fronts
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 18-1/2″ x 27″ – Drawer Box Bottom
• 2 – 1×6 (ripped to 4″ wide) at 18-1/2″ – Drawer Box Sides
• 2 – 1×6 (ripped to 4″ wide) at 28-1/2″ – Drawer Box Front & Back
• 1 – 1/2″ plywood at 5-1/4″ x 29-1/4″ – Drawer Front Base
• 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 1-3/8″ x 29-1/4 – Drawer Front
• 1- 1/4″ plywood at 3-3/4″ – x 29-1/4″ Drawer Front

Click on the drawings for a larger view!

Step One

Cut the pieces for the legs, side framing, and the side panels. With the pocket hole jig set for 1-1/2″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the framing pieces. Secure the framing pieces to the legs as shown using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in all four edges of the side panels. Secure to the legs and framing using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The back face of the panels will be flush with the inside face of the legs.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the back and front stretchers. Set the pocket hole jig for 1-1/2″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the stretchers to the legs as shown using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the slats. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of the slat pieces. Space the slats as shown securing them to the lower front and back stretchers using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the false drawer fronts. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of one pieces, and the sides and upper edge of the other piece. Secure the pieces to the front stretchers using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front face will be flush with the front face of the stretchers.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the bottom as well as each end of the sides. Assemble the drawer box as shown using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions, locating them ¾” back from the front edge of the sides. Take a look at this easy tutorial on installing drawer slides. Make any necessary adjustments.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the drawer front. The base is cut from 1/2″ material, and the “fronts” are cut from 1/4″ material that is glued and clamped into place until dry. There is 1/8″ gap between the 1/4″ pieces on the base.

Mark the position for the drawer pulls and drill the holes. Shim the drawer front in the opening – there will be a 1/8” gap around all sides – then drive screws through the holes for the drawer pulls into the drawer box. Open the drawer, and secure the drawer front using countersunk 1-1/4” screws from the inside. Remove the screws from the holes for the drawer pull then finish drilling the holes. Install the drawer pull. This easy tutorial on installing drawer fronts will be helpful.

Drill holes in the false drawer fronts for the cabinet pulls, and install the pulls.

Finish as desired.

The DIY plans to build a Printmakers vanity would also be a great base for a kitchen island or a craft table. Just add a top, and a back – plus, three functioning drawers can be added with a few minor alterations to the plan. Have any questions? Leave a comment below or contact me at cher {at} designsbystudioc.com!

Originally posted 2014-07-14 08:00:48.