Small Bathroom Vanity: Cane Cabinet

Directions

• Cutting Cabinet Carcass Pieces

  The cabinet carcass is the bare box that makes up a cabinet before trim is added.

  -Cut 2 pieces of plywood 30.5" x 20" (Side Pieces)
  -Cut 1 piece of plywood 18.5" x 20" (Bottom Piece)
  -Cut 2 pieces of plywood 18.5" x 2.5" (Top Pieces)
  

• Building Cabinet Carcass

  -Drill 5 pocket holes on each side of the bottom piece (20" sides)
  -Use pocket holes with pocket hole screws and wood glue to attach the side pieces
  -Drill 2 pocket holes on each end of the top pieces
  -Use those pocket holes with pocket hole screws and wood glue to attach the pieces to the sides
  

• Building Base

  -Use 1x4 and cut 2 pieces at 20"
  -Use 1x4 and cut 2 pieces at 13"
  -Drill 2 pockets holes on each end of the 13" pieces
  -Use pocket holes with pocket hole screws and glue to put frame together
  -Use 2 1/2" screws to attach 4 decorative legs to base
  -Use 1 1/4" screws to attach base to cabinet carcass

  Tip: Making sure legs show

  Put the front legs slightly off base so they don't get covered up after adding trim pieces

  

• Cutting Down Face Framing Pieces

  -Use table saw to rip 1x4 into 1 1/2" thick pieces for face framing pieces
  -Take the new 1 1/2" thick pieces and use miter saw to cut down face framing pieces
  -2 pieces at 20"
  -2 pieces at 28 1/4"
  -1 piece at 17"
  

• Adding Face Framing Pieces

  These pieces cover up the plywood edge and give the cabinet a finished look.

  -Use a nail gun to attached face framing pieces to outer edge of cabinet carcass.
  

• Adding Middle Trim Piece

  This piece breaks up the cabinet space for a faux drawer and cabinet door

  - Drill one pocket hole on each end of the 17" long piece
  -Measure 7 1/2" down from top and use pocket holes with pocket hole screws and wood glue to attach piece to side face framing pieces
  

• Adding Decorative Trim

  This decorative trim adds a beautiful detail and also covers up the gap on the side between the cabinet carcass and base. I used a 1" piece of trim for this decorative detail.

  -Use miter saw to cut 1 piece of trim at 21 1/2" (45 degree angle cut on both sides)
  -Use miter saw to cut 2 pieces of trim at 21 1/2" (45 degree cut on one side, straight cut on other)
  

• Cutting Vanity Top

  I used a Red Oak "Edge Glued Board" to make this step faster instead of laminating boards together myself.

  -Cut the board down to 21 1/2" x 22 1/4"
  -Use a drill to make a hole in the top
  -Then used that drilled hole with a jig saw and cut out hole for drip sink
  -Attach top using 1 1/4" screws from the inside of cabinet carcass
  

• Attaching Faux Drawer Front

  I used a 1x8 piece that I cut down to 6" wide and 17" long for the drawer front

  -Use wood glue and brad nails to attach a scrap piece of ply wood to the side trim pieces on the inside of the cabinet
  -Then use that same scrap plywood to attach the faux drawer front using brad nails and wood glue
  

• Building Door

  -Get a 1"x3" or rip down a board to 2.5" thick
  -Cut 2 pieces at 20 3/4"
  -Cut 2 pieces at 12"

  -drill two pocket holes on each end of the 12 inch pieces
  -use pocket holes with pocket hole screws and wood glue to attach all 4 pieces together
  

• Staining and Top Coat

  I used 3 stains to achieve a slightly distressed look and light color. I used Special Walnut, Early American and Hazel Wood (Varathane)

  -Stain vanity and door with the stain of your choice
  - Apply 7 coats of top coat to make it fully waterproof
  

• Attaching the Door

  -Use Kreg conceal hinge jig to drill out cups for conceal hinges.
  -Use the Blum mount conceal hinges for framed cabinet with an inset door.
  

• Cabinet Shelf (Optional)

  -Cut a piece of plywood 20" x 18.5"
  - Use jig saw to cut out notch to work around "P" trap
  - Use trim tape add to front of shelf
  - Use small "L" shaped brackets to hold shelf up on the side
  

• Finish Door

  -Soak a piece of cane webbing for 20 to 30 minutes
  - Use staples/staple gun to attach cane to the door on the inside
  -Pop door back on cabinet
  -Finish the vanity by adding a handle to the door and faux drawer
  

• Final Step (Optional)

  This backsplash piece creates a nice seal between the wall and the vanity.

  Add a 2.5" x 21 1/2" wood piece behind the sink against the wall. Use silicone to attach the piece to the countertop and wall.
  and enjoy all your hard work!