How To Install a Bathroom Vanity

If you think it's time for a bathroom refresh, one of the more impactful home improvement projects you can embark on is installing a new bathroom vanity! This is a relatively simple way to upgrade your room, but it can considerably enhance core elements like countertops or the bathroom sink. And since it's DIY-friendly, it's significantly easier on your wallet than doing a total overhaul.

Here's what you should know about how to install a new bathroom vanity.

Install Your Bathroom Vanity in 7 Steps

There are so many reasons why a homeowner might want to invest in installing a new vanity. The most notable benefit is that it will improve a bathroom’s appearance without breaking the bank. How much does it cost to install a bathroom vanity? The price varies based on how much equipment you already have, but you can do these installations for significantly less than any other bathroom update.

You’ll also have added storage and more functionality — two things crucial for a great bathroom. New vanities can introduce elements like a double sink or a chic bathroom faucet, which can increase the value of your home and make using your bathroom more comfortable than ever.

Because of these benefits, hot searches like "how to install bathroom vanity," "how to replace bathroom vanity," and "how much to install bathroom vanity" are constantly lighting up the internet. Even with all the helpful information out there, this approachable DIY project still requires some pre-planning and know-how, so let's start by breaking down each step to ensure you have the most successful bathroom remodel possible!

Preparation

Before you start hammering away, make sure you have everything you need in front of you, including the instruction manual. While these tips are excellent as general guidance for nearly any vanity installation, you should still familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's instructions for each step of your installation before you start.

If you haven't spent much time with your plumbing, now's an excellent time to see what kind of state it's in. Plumbing lines, pipes, and the P-trap should still be in relatively good working order before you begin the installation.

It's also good to decide whether you'll be working on any plumbing projects. Rerouting plumbing isn't as cut-and-dry as installing a bathroom vanity, so you can always get assistance from a licensed plumber if necessary.

Most of the connecting and disconnecting is relatively simple and doesn't require much effort. But if your vision involves something grander, consider whether calling a professional would be worth it.

Equipment & Tools

Step 1: Disconnect the Sink

Open up the bottom of your vanity. You should see water valves underneath your existing sink. Turn these off and open the faucet to help relieve any pressure. You'll also see a curved drainpipe called the P-trap. You'll start by disconnecting this first, but grab a bucket or multiple towels, as water will likely spill out from the trap.

To remove it, you can loosen the nut toward the top of the P-trap and pull it downward. It should lift off if done correctly. If the connections are too tight, you can use a pair of pliers to loosen them.

Step 2: Disconnect the Water Lines

Look at your water shut-off valves. Those are going, too; disconnect the water supply lines from their respective valves. Like with the P-trap, water could go all over the place, so be prepared with something to catch or soak up the water. An adjustable wrench could be helpful if the water lines are stubborn.

Once they're disconnected, you'll likely see caulk or sealant connecting your old sink's backsplash to the wall. You can easily scrape this off with a utility knife before moving forward.

Step 3: Remove the Vanity and Repair the Wall

It's time to say goodbye to your old vanity. Start by removing the drywall screws that secure the vanity to your wall with a screwdriver. Once everything is disconnected, you can remove the vanity and expose the wall behind it.

If you notice any damage or chipped paint hiding back there, this would be the ideal moment to grab some plumber's putty or paint to touch up any unsightly wall marks. You won't have another chance to access this area anytime soon, so take advantage of this moment and fix up the wall as much as possible.

Step 4: Measure and Mark the Wall for the New Vanity

Your new bathroom vanity will probably have a different width and height than your old one, so you'll want to take some measurements to ensure you're working in the right spot. First, find the wall studs using an electronic stud finder. Aim to locate at least one stud, but search for a second one (they’re usually around 16 inches apart). Mark where you'll be placing the vanity lightly with a pencil.

If you're purchasing a vanity with a solid back, take some extra time to measure and locate where the pipes will go on the back of the wall and vanity. You can then use a hole saw to cut holes for the pipes to fit through.

Step 5: Install the New Vanity

It's time for the main event — your new vanity installation! Place your vanity cabinet into position, lining up the vanity base with the marks you made while measuring.

Sometimes, the vanity doors can get in the way during this step; feel free to remove them for now and reattach them when you finish. Check to see if your vanity is level. If not, use shims and adjust the height. Then, you can drill holes into the studs and attach the vanity with screws.

If you don't have studs, you can use wall anchors instead. You'll probably have to buy these; make sure you pick the right ones, as wall anchors are specifically designed for different materials like drywall or tile.

Some homeowners will need to fasten their vanity to a sidewall. For this, you should anchor one side of the vanity cabinet to the sidewall in addition to securing it to the back wall. You should see a gap between the cabinet's side and the wall. This gap is intentional to give space for the countertop, but you'll still need to add blocks into the gap before you start attaching it with screws.

You can cut wood spacer blocks and place shims between them and the wall. Screw them in through the side of your vanity cabinet; the screw needs to extend at least 1 inch into the wall stud. The manufacturer may have also provided filler strips that will give the side of the vanity a more seamless look. If these weren’t included, you can purchase wood or another material that matches the cabinet.

Step 6: Install the Vanity Top

Many homeowners ask a similar question: Can you replace just the top of a bathroom vanity? You can, but the common searches for "how to install a bathroom vanity top" and "how to replace bathroom vanity top" don't always yield clear answers. If you're replacing the top only, as long as you've cut through the caulk fastening it to the wall, you can likely lift the top and replace it with a new countertop.

Since not all bathroom vanities will have an attached counter, you may need to do the installation yourself, even if you have a new vanity. You can use a small bead of caulk to secure the vanity top to the rest of the unit.

Alternatively, you may see some brackets that came with your vanity. These can screw into the vanity countertop to secure it even more tightly; use them with adhesive for a better seal. This is a great time to put the doors back on if you removed them earlier.

Some vanities also come with backsplashes. If you're the lucky owner of a new backsplash, apply a bead of silicone caulk with a caulk gun to secure it to the wall on top of the new vanity. You should allow your caulk to cure for at least 24 hours before you use the vanity. If you aren't used to working with caulk, review some guides to ensure you're applying it correctly, as it's not always easy to adjust once you've committed.

Step 7: Install the Faucet and Connect the Plumbing 

There's still the matter of setting up your sink vanity. Installing your faucet is still a DIY project, but you should consult your faucet manufacturer's instructions. Reattach your P-trap or drain trap to the new vanity's sink drain line and connect the hot and cold water valve lines. Ensure every connection is tight before you test your faucet for leaks.

After the caulk has cured, you're free to test-run the faucet. If your new sink is operating as intended, you're all set!

Upgrade Your New Bathroom Vanity Further

Does your new bathroom vanity have room for even more improvements? Fortunately, your DIY approach has probably left you with some extra cash to update your bathroom with a new mirror, lighting, or other decor that can pull the look together.

If you're still asking yourself, "How much to install a new bathroom vanity?" you might be surprised to learn that a DIY installation can cost less than $1,000. That will likely leave you with a lot of flexibility to transform your bathroom into something extraordinary!

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