Does this idea have merit?

19 years ago

I'm planning a re-do of our full bath upstairs. Currently there is a 72" long built in vanity with cultured marble top and two integrated sinks. My thought was to put a granite top on it, new sinks, faucets, etc. I have a quote to do so for about $1000 not including faucets.

Then this weekend I was at IKEA and noticed this very solid, sturdy appearing Hemnes 8 drawer dresser. I was struck by how much more useful it would be to have all these drawers in the bathroom instead of the four cupboard doors we have now. It might make sense to pull out the existing vanity, replace it with this dresser, put a glass top on it, and have two vessel sinks put on it. I'm pretty sure I would lose the use of the top drawers due to working around pipes, but am hopeful I could keep the rest.

Any thoughts? (I tried to link to the dresser but it won't take the URL for some reason...) sorry!

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Comments (4)

User
19 years ago
Sounds like a great idea. You could just modify the drawers to go around pipes, either shorten them or remove a section from the middle.
bestyears
Original Author
19 years ago
Thank you for your support! I'm just wondering if it would make future plumbing repairs extra-complicated, and if we'd lose too many drawers to make it worthwhile... Not even sure what expert to ask!
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brutuses
19 years ago
It won't make plumbing repairs any more difficult because you can always remove the working drawers all the way and access the pipes. I'm converting an antique dresser into a vanity. Won't have photo's of the dresser till they deliver it next week. I'll post them when I get the dresser. You have the right idea. I love dressers/sideboards that have been converted. They look so nice and unique and not the basic cabinet that everyone expects to see in a bath. I would just caution to ensure all the seams around the bowl are sealed very, very well. I'm not sure if the piece you are buying is wood or pressed wood, but you need to be careful if it's pressed because if water gets in there, it's ruined and will have to be torn out. Extra cork and sealent is needed around the opening that is cut where the plumbing fixtures pass through the top. Keep us posted and definitely post some photo's if you go ahead with this.
bestyears
Original Author
19 years ago
Hi Brutuses,
I've looked at "Making vanities out of antique pieces" thread here, and been inspired.... The IKEA piece I'm eyeing does not have the beauty of some of those, but would function better, thanks to the 8 drawers. The drawers on the IKEA piece pull in and out beautifully and would be perfect for two teens with all their clutter. I'm hesitating though, because I'm worried that we'll lose too many drawers in 'fitting' it. I'm intending to use vessel sinks, which will minimize the size of the cuts in the top, and I'm also going to cover the top with glass, which will be templated for the vessel sink as well. I'm not sure how to proceed -I don't really want to buy the piece and put it together only to find out that it won't work the way I envision. But how else can I get a plumber to estimate it for me without the piece here? Here is the link for the piece -I couldn't the link to work before but can now.

Here is a link that might be useful: IKEA Hemnes 8 drawer dresser