How To Update Your Outdated Sink And Vanity Combo Like A Pro

Replacing an old sink and vanity combo is a great way to give your dated bathroom a facelift. It's a relatively easy swap, with simple tools like a razor blade, screwdriver, a wrench or pliers, caulk, and an oscillating multi-tool or hole saw. Once you unhook your plumbing and separate the cabinet from the wall, all you need is a couple of people to carry it out to the curb.

Perhaps it goes without saying, but you will also need a replacement vanity that fits into the space the old one leaves behind. However, the state of that space will determine how much extra work will be involved in this project. For example, depending on the condition of your walls you may need drywall and painting supplies to repair them. If your flooring does not run under the cabinets, and your new vanity does not cover the hole that's left behind, you will also have to deal with replacing or repairing the floor. Keep this all in mind when shopping, because picking the right replacement could save you time and money.

If you want to avoid those issues entirely, consider reusing your vanity cabinet and simply replacing the top with a new countertop and sink. You can paint the base cabinet, or even build new cabinet doors to give it a brand new look. If you're a more advanced weekend warrior, consider DIYing a bathroom vanity on a budget. Otherwise, let's start from scratch.

There are many things that can date your bathroom, and a worn-out vanity is among them. To give the room a refresh, you'll have to start by removing cabinet doors and drawers and turning off the water before disconnecting the supply lines. Use a screwdriver to remove doors and hinges, and pliers or a wrench will disconnect the water supplies and P-trap. You will also want a bowl and towel handy to catch leftover water.

Now that you've cleared the way under the sink, look for the connection points between the counter and the cabinet. You'll likely find that it's screwed in, and you will need to remove these so you can separate the countertop from the cabinet. You can also use a razor blade to score the edges where your countertop — or perhaps the built-in backsplash and sidesplash — meet the wall. This will all make it easier to remove the counter, which you are now ready to do.

Removing the cabinet itself is not complicated. Keep an eye out to ensure you don't damage any water supply lines, and look for anywhere it might be connected to the walls or floor either with screws or adhesive. A hammer and pry bar may come in handy when removing the cabinet from the wall. To be extra careful, widen the holes around your water lines. Once these details are taken care of, it's all about brute strength. Simply lift and remove.

Now is the time to replace floors or fix drywall if needed. Here's how to know if the drywall needs to be repaired or replaced. Once these larger projects are done, it's time to put your new vanity in. Measure out where your new vanity will go, and where you will need to make cuts for the water lines and pipes. Even if some cabinets already have openings for these, they don't always fit with the plumbing in your house.

You may also need to notch out baseboards to accommodate your new cabinet. Again, this all depends on your situation, but an oscillating multi-tool can make these cuts. If you don't need to cut baseboards, you can use a hole saw to cut plumbing holes in the cabinet. Once you have moved the cabinet into place, level it using shims if necessary, and secure the cabinet to the walls. Drilling pilot holes through your cabinet and into the studs before securing the cabinet with screws can help prevent damage to the new cabinet.

Many vanities will have the countertop and sink already attached. If yours does not, place the countertop and sink on top and secure it using caulk. A silicone caulk is typically best for bathroom applications. Use the same product where the counter meets the walls to keep water from dripping behind the counter. Now, just replace your bathroom sink faucet and you're done.