Building a Bathroom Vanity from SCRAP Wood - DIY Reclaimed Wood Project

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It's time for another scrap wood project - this time a cabinet or vanity for our downstairs bathroom. Many months ago we installed a flushing toilet and did all the first fix plumbing for our downstairs loo. But there's always been something missing: a sink! But we don't have anything to put the sink on, so we'll have to build that first.
Follow along as we attempt to build another piece of scrap "furniture" using old floorboards we ripped out from upstairs and some leftover roofing batten. We were feeling confident after our recent kitchen island build but this project turned out to be quite ambitious with a number of challenges that cropped up along the way.
Join us for a handful of design improvements, glue-ups and the usual shenanigans, innuendos and bad jokes - and, most importantly to see what the final piece ends up looking like.

[@merilynkron8750]

Definitely put panels on both sides. Paint them white

[@user-wv8st1cb2k]

I’d like to vote for painting the panelling white and panelling all three short sides and leaving the central larger front open ❤

[@garykoblitz4932]

yes

[@sallygardiner7150]

I agree. No contest!

[@gloriaparera]

Agree

[@JudyTorres-rn1dv]

I agree also things won't be falling out of the side's

[@robstratton6296]

agree.

[@dianegordon7482]

Kylie & Guy hello from Aussie. I vote to put the panels on and paint them white. Might be a good place to hang a hand towel. I enjoy your videos. Kylie you have a great laugh and Guy a dry sense of humour. Cheers 😊

[@assuncaomeireles198]

Adorei o armário da casa de banho eu acho que talvez o armário tivesse portas para tapar completamente os canos mas nao sei se a Kyly gosta no entanto se ficar como esta fica bem virto que é uma casa rústica. Muito obrigado pelo vidio foi muito bom. Agora que vem aí dias muito quentes tem ar condicionado ? Eu sigo a Kylie e o Guy desde o principio e vi que puseram no chao canalizaçao para manter a casa fresca no verao e quente no inverno já está a funcionar?Espero que sim especialmente nos dias muito quentes que se faz sentir no Centro de Portugal Boa semana meus amigos e se puderem vao até à praia dar um mergulho no mar 😂🤣🤣 Thank you very much 💖💙 God bless you 🙏🙏🇬🇧

[@denisemorrison7616]

Yes to panelling on each sides and white. Looking Great!

[@Kwazulujabul]

My vote is panel it, will look neat, I do not like to the see stuff inside a cupboard.

[@TheArtfulFarmer]

Yes to panelling on each sides and white

[@evamariahuge-ud4zn]

Yes, it will make the room bigger.

[@wendyGteH]

I agree to that as well

[@lorimontcalm9086]

Your prototypes are better than most people can build!! I agree with Kylie, accentuate the beautiful wood by painting the panels white! Hugs from 🇨🇦

[@lieuwina]

I vote put panels and paint white. Guy and Kylie I love your sense of humour. The bathroom cabinet is going to be lovely and I think you both have made a very good job of it. Enjoy your day.

[@vickiturner9392]

My vote is to panel it and put in cupboard doors. I too don’t like seeing what’s in cupboards even if they are tidy.

[@kerynchapman5782]

yes no one really wants to see how much toilet paper you have

[@maeveskelly4686]

I would paint white and panel the section facing the entry ( gives you immediate white/wood contrast as well as allowing you to tuck in supplies you may not want fully on show). I also think you should panel the section facing the toilet as toilets are notorious for creating airborne droplets when flushed (even with the seat closed) and you won’t want to contaminate what’s stored on the shelves.

[@amandamachler2911]

Agree with Kylie, prefer the open look with only panel next to toilet. But if enclosing paint them white. Great show with easy to understand explanations. Love the conversations, ambience, rapport💕

[@KatrinaRatliff]

I agree with the first 3 posts I see to put the panels and paint white on the ends. I love the natural wood top and interior. I am certain some art will go in there and a vanity mirror. It will look fabulous I am sure. Love how you two work together, and Kylie does have a great laugh. Guys dry humor is extremely well timed always. Kudos for making, doing, growing and....laughing.

[@mariaarlen956]

Closed will be better. Hi from Spain🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

[@sgrvtl7183]

At Least You Two are having some fun.....might be tricky, but I have seen & heard more smiles and laughter from You Two❗The sink corner is beautiful and nice work💚

[@katebygrave]

I am loving that you are using dowels again. We have had the equipment for a while, but not yet had the opportunity to use them.

[@belladonna6624]

We never throw anything anyway either! It may come in handy one day is our regular catch phrase! My dad was the same too so its in my DNA.

[@kerrylynnparsons7879]

I have been following you since the BEGINNING. You have accomplished SO MUCH!!! 🥰🎶❤️🎶🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@sherry2836]

I vote to enclose the entire cabinet in paneling, with doors of course, and paint white. Install a toilet tissue holder on the small panel facing the toilet or on the wall next to the toilet, and hang a hand towel ring on the left wall by the sink (towel should definitely be far away from the toilet)

[@rosbeaton637]

I agree. Put in the panels and paint them white. The vanity looks very good. It certainly pays off making a prototype first❤❤❤

[@pwebb1847]

Tip regarding dust extraction and your vacuum cleaner. Use a dust cyclone to save the filters and motor on Henry from burning out. You'll need a dust cyclone, an extra vacuum hose and a lidded plastic barrel. Very cheap and effective.

[@Neilhuny]

Wow, that's new to me - but very impressive, thank-you

[@wrenwest4887]

Well, I'm impressed that you got all those bits of wood to hold together to look like a countertop especially will all those odd angles. Makes it more intriguing to see how it turns out. Good use of space in a small space!!

[@AlyenasKitchen]

Love the new piece in the bathroom! As you asked, I like that you are putting paneling on it. At least by the toilet. Painted white would be my choice. So impressive to see you cutting the wood so nicely! 😊🌺🌸

[@laurareiner]

My new motto: "Rustic build, doesn't matter!"

[@user-yc3os8hx2j]

Cabinet top :aced, panels :yes and white.Towel rail/hook: yes. Project magnificent.

[@beatieswanepoel3004]

Yes, paint it white with just the wood colored top. My son made me a vanity in January, and it is white with wood on top. It looks great!!

[@louiseupton3363]

I'd cover the sides and paint it white, with the beautiful butcher block top. It's a lovely little unit. 👏 😊

[@MaurieDeaton]

Yes for white panelling by the bidet pipes, maybe leave the open ends until you’ve lived with it for a few weeks. I would suggest a back splash (or splash back as you call them). That will help your front over hang issue and protect the wall and wood from too much water damage. Also, figure out your tap placement before you cut the hole for the sink. Make sure you have enough space for the tap and your hands to work it. Best of luck!

[@mariadange06]

Another intricate assemble build. Love shape of the top. Defo paint the side panels white.

[@acworthgirl1]

white paneling as you have shown leaving the front open. If you toiletries get a bit messy on the shelving, then I would consider putting a small, pretty curtain on a small curtain rod that can hide your stuff instead of leaving the open shelving. That way it looks neater and gets the space a pop of color.

[@simonlewis6276]

Set honey coloured panels slightly back into the white framing rather than covering the framing up .Do this by gluing and pining a rebate batten around the voids to be panelled ,thus creating a rebate for the panels to be set into .

[@hwinny2]

I think it looks great either way. Unless you paint something white and put it in the places-or even a white cardboard cut to size, you won’t know what will look better. Both will look awesome either way. You can probably put some wood blocks on the walll and drill the back paneling on the blocks making it easy to pull off for access if needed. I love everything you are all doing. If you ever have an open house to show it when you’re done, I would love to come. You can even have it themed where guest would bring bushes, trees, or plants you want for your garden, orchards, and landscaping .

[@SweetieQing]

I vote for panelling and have it painted white ♥️ Great design.

[@michaellinahan7740]

the liner from a cereal box is a great 'non stick' material to have between clamps and workpiece.

[@marieratcliffe4804]

love it, definitely paint the panels and cover all the sides with panelling and just leave that 1 section open. before you screw it to the wall can you add the back to it and cut out for the connections you need to access and again id paint that back white. also kylie to help you with the plainer, my hubby used to start on a higher setting then he would set on a lower setting as he found it worked better for him. like you he was a big fan of dewalt for his business , or as i used to call it mr dewalt, i still have a lot of his tools and use them myself which makes me feel connected to him since loosing him 9.1.2021

[@SAtoUSAgirl]

Yes to the paneling for visual neatness once you use the shelves and paint it.

[@ruthkerr3666]

Panels on both sides, painted white. Looks great.

[@thebermudaangle9958]

Yellow sure is your colour! I love yellow but can't bring it near me...I look like I have jaundice...thnks for great entertaining videos!🎉🎉🎉

[@Aidan-tu4un]

@@thebermudaangle9958 I thought it was in honour of the Tour de France🤣😂🤣

[@carolbulmer8253]

Hi, Kylie and Guy. Excellent prototype vanity! It’s fun to watch you two building. I think that it doesn’t need panels on the left side. However, panels painted white might look good on the bit near the toilet to hide the plumbing.

[@JMeixsell]

I would put the sides on your wonderful design for the WC. There is always something you need on a bathroom shelf that you might be more comfortable hiding. A front side wall would permit whatever you put there to set unseen until you sit down on the toilet. And I'd leave them natural as they give a natural feel to the area with all the porcelain.

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

You might consider looking for attachable DeWalt sawdust bags to collect all that lovely sawdust. Not only does it make cleanup easier but sawdust makes excellent biodegradable mulch for the garden. Much less water loss with a light-colored mulch to reflect the sunlight. Win/win! And less cleavage debris...

[@TheSharrone]

Yes, panelling.😊

[@rhondadorey1723]

Kylie & Guy, you're the most entertaining, informative, creative duo on YT. I love watching each video you put out! And appreciate all the explaining you do while working. 👍😊🇨🇦

[@rebeccaberkman1537]

My vote is leave it open and just panel the back! However, I think it would also force you to have a more organized and pleasing look. But I like that! To me it makes the space more intentional. But I also think panels painted white would look good. I'm sure whatever you do will look great. 😊

[@user-it2jo8bx4n]

I like the design looks good I wouldn’t worry about the shelves showing but I’d cover the pipe work etc with something that I don’t like is seeing all that on show

[@lenneam3745]

When gluing the cabinet top, I thought of a KZbinr called Ryan Hawkins from west coast boards. He makes cool cutting boards, and in addition to having cool videos there might be some tips on planing, sanding, gluing of said boards to give you a some ideas. Great video as always, love the banter and explanations - something soothing about them. Thank you

[@gaynor3976]

I agree put panelling on and paint white. Looks good xxx

[@diannedaisley3444]

Hi my name is Dianne and I live in Canada 🇨🇦 and I watch all the time I think it looks nice with out the panels 😅

[@colly1952]

I purchased a bidet seat for my toilet from Amazon. I could not do without it. I got the kind with no elextricity so no warm water. It's quite cold, especially during Winter, but you get used to it. It was really easy to install and the seat is more stable than the regular toilet seats we have around here. I'm overweight, so that's important.

[@Jana-yg5zm]

I vote for the open look with only panel next to toilet.

[@Pipscape]

Yes, panel the short sides and inside back, painted white, leave the wider center open for baskets/cute storage. The contrast of the top and shelves is nice, not too sauna-like.

[@beckytalhelm6415]

Definitely paneled and white. Nice build! Beautiful wood grained top!

[@gracealonso275]

Excellent job. I like white with paneling on 3 sides. Don't forget you need to add in the holes for the faucet and the drain, that can be very tricky.

[@nancibishof6462]

I think it very wise to learn using scrap materials in the making the maquette. I wish I had on more than one project to work out the proverbial bumps in the road to the desired results.

[@eugenebaryngton3057]

I like panelling on all three sides painted white, keep up the great job that you are doing.

[@ianhardy1998]

I also vote for keeping to your plan of closing off and painting the sides.

[@SusanZiegler]

I love watching the two of you work together. What a pleasure!

[@joyceb5864]

Put paneling on both sides & paint them white. I suggest you put hinges on the side covering the pipes in case you need to open later for plumbing problems.

[@themightyquinn1960]

Hi Both, love the build it looks great and I would paint the infils white as you say to highlight the stained shelves / countertop without making it too "woody"

[@kaymccurry3431]

Definitely needs the paneling! Also like the idea of doors. Love the top….well done!

[@cferguson3368]

A few small tips...You can make a jig (or jigs) to clamp to the glued joints to insure joints stay square. Important to note, some jigs are specific to a job; some can be used over & over. As you observed, clamp a board, or 2 if bigger piece, running perpendicular to the clamped top boards to ensure none of your clamped pieces buckle. If the boards are the same depth, you'll only need to sand, no planing. Put blue tape or packing tape on surfaces to keep glue from sticking to clamps or other things. Or use wax paper between them. On some woods even though you are using padded clamps, clamps will still leave a mark on the wood. Have some small pieces of smooth wood to place between the clamp and your piece. Before you throw out your handplane, research it. There are old planes that rival the quality of, if not eclipse, newer planes. Assuming you keep your old plane...When you reshape and sharpenen the iron (blade) on your hand plane, so you can use it on the next "furniture" project, there will be a learning curve again between KZbin & successful sharpening! When you have light colored, almost white, walls, painting all your cabinets white creates an image with almost no color value. If you want no drama coloring, you can enhance the color visually with low contrast colors that are not in the white family...i.e., very pale tones. It adds so much more character to a room. Obviously, I'm not a big fan of the white on white on white on white trend.

[@annievlachos7880]

Yes ,sides painted white , nice furniture, it will be really useful.

[@cathybrewer8958]

Loved this video. If you paint the back under the cover it will be brighter. Putting the paneling pieces in front will accentuate the panel and not be drowned with all the white. Make them more prominent.

[@carolvanrooyen4929]

My vote... White and wood contrast very nice! Cover back inside with white. Leave small areas open. Panel bidet cupboard with white panelling. 😊

[@d.j.robinson9424]

Only panel the back. It leaves the front and sides airy and flowing. Less is more.💛👍👍🍻

[@ellentaylor4351]

Trusting all the spare wood was of the same type rather than random sheets, that said it works together, looks professional, and if just stained has a beauty of its own. From the results Of say a pretty good job overall. All for closed cupboards just because it has the items on display. 👀🇬🇧

[@lynnelewis9605]

Hi there I think have the back to the back of the cabinet in white to cover the pipes and just have panels on the straight piece nearest to the toilet and paint that white but what ever do will great well done on the work.x

[@warwickkeene363]

J bave such fond memories of the day we bolted down the lavvie. Now a vanity, pleasure overload... Great to see the place coming together in your two pairs of hands.

[@silvi9094]

The paneling is a way to give the eye a calm view. If you just have towels in those shelves, then there is no paneling needed, but if you have cleaner, bottles and so on there, then paneling could make it look clean and sorted.

[@darabell9193]

I am a retired cabinet maker and builder living in Victoria Australia in joy watching your show. Just one suggestion if you’re gonna to keep building cabinet,s . I suggest you buy a small thickness in Australia there about $1000. It will save you 90% of your sanding and you will have perfect, sizing ,

[@KarenWood-cj4xi]

Just beautiful. Lovely job.😊

[@slunalang]

To prevent bowing when making panels you have to use the top clamp to “push down” onto your lamination when gluing up. If I remember my class, you have to start clamping the top clamp first. Not to hard. Also, use a spare baton between the clamp and your wood to prevent damaging your piece (it has to be a bit slimmer than your panel so the top clamp can touch the panel).

[@colsi7228]

Congratulations on the cabinet. A good job well done...well leaving aside the first go at planing; always plane with the grain. Ps. Always keep everything because if you don't the day after you've thrown it away, you'll need it (Murphy's First Law of Hoarding)

[@chadelaeva]

With each day your house looks more and more like home 🥰 great work ones again 🥳 Definitely paneling in white 🙏

[@TheZsuZsa123]

Small side pieces painted white paneling. We always need doors because you know cats will adopt those cabinets as alternate nap nooks. Looks great love the wood countertop.

[@jdkerk]

Great learning experience! Soon you will be pros!! Here's a pro tip when glueing boards to make a panel - use small clamps to clamp each end of the seam between each board. This keeps them even with one another. Also, don't squeeze too hard with the long clamps. That tends to warp the finished product slightly. I've been in your place! I started woodworking 8 years ago and have learned most of what I know from KZbin. I've made some beautiful furniture. You've got this!!!

[@user-yx7wk8ds3w]

I love all your episodes. Always fun, interesting and entertaining. You two are great people.

[@katemark4413]

All in for white painted paneling, it looks more finished/clean!

[@janlafournaise6505]

Looking forward to round two.

[@feddealkema7881]

Hi you two, always love to see your videos. I have an alternative option for you to think about, and that is to mount the panels not in front but inside the open rectangular spaces and paint them white. I hope you know what I mean. Best regards from Holland 🇳🇱. Tip #2: try to use a bandgrinder like the DCW220N next time you make larger panels out of scrap

[@deborahblair3672]

Maybe a plain linen over the inside rectangle board would look cute.

[@sonyagair1219]

I would say panel everything and paint in white 🤍

[@nickfosterxx]

16:11 is that the sound of a few Portuguese sparrows? Reminds me of childhood in the sixties when they flocked in suburban hedges to yell at each other for hours on end. Fond memories, much less often heard, and much missed tbh.

[@debreid3366]

My vote is white first! Also only panel the door facing pieces. It gives easy access to items if sitting. I don’t think it will engine to feel heavy and blocky not spa like if front and angle is covered on the right, like a homemade cabinet without a door instead of open access intentional spa like shelving. However you said it I agree! Next to toilet on wall and front by door my vote! lol!

[@maggiefriedrichs777]

Love the work and skills you share. I admire what you both have accomplished and look forward to future projects.

[@ianmaccormac]

Nice use of the scrap wood! Lovely. Cheers, Ian in Blackpool

[@user-fv4uy4kx6g]

I think 💭 for a first go at making furniture is pretty good . Love what you have done.

[@poodlegirl55]

Panelling on both sides and painted white. That top is freaking awesome!!!

[@debragonser745]

I love your designs! I would put the slats of wood on the sides! Makes it look so much more finished

[@sarino8554]

Wow the top on that vanity is super nice, greetings from South Africa

[@huwtindall7096]

Leave open - white paint for the bidet bit. The feature colour is the nice wood top, the paneling will steal from this impact.

[@avivat3010]

Another great video. Thank you. I guess this is why professional woodworkers have those gigantic planing units! 😂 The cabinet design is beautiful. It looks like white with wood accents will be the theme for your furniture design, which is a great idea. It suits your home. I agree; close the cabinet in and paint the slats white. Have a great week! Xo

[@angelahare8402]

I think painting the bottom white and fill in the sides and have one large open shelf. Looks really nice btw.

[@LL-lq7ei]

Yes, to paneling on each side, and painted white. 🙂

[@lisa-ul4vi]

Paneling? Yes all three sides, and yes to white paint.😊

[@margaretlovelock7031]

So enjoyable to watch, love the sense of humour. Spot on‼️

[@user-lj4dk5ps3z]

I love it! The grain of the wood's unique..well done! I like it without the panels, Cheers 🌻

[@alisondoughty2194]

Painting the areas white would as you say show the wood at its best.looking forward to seeing the next vlog.Thinking your both needing after sun moisturiser.🌞😄⛱️

[@itziaralkain6193]

Hi!! I like the way toy work as a couple!! Good team!!

[@lynh8378]

It's turned out lovely! White panels nice.

[@stephnwolf7319]

It might be helpful to have the vanity side open. You can then reach in and grab things from back. I vote for natural wood panels over white though either will look lovely!

[@user-xj5ys3fb6r]

I agree with white around the sink Looking good❤