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How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Sharing a small space can be difficult - avoid conflicts by identifying storage compartments with these clever plywood shapes - customize to suit your needs.

Materials and tools

Flat panel cabinet, cupboard or chest of drawers.
1x3 trim to skirt cabinet doors
3/4" painting plywood
spray paint with a spray can handle
Semi-gloss latex and paint tray.
Paint roller and a roller sleeve.
paint grade plywood
electric sander with additional sanding pads
sanding block
drill with wood screws
caulking gun with liquid bonding adhesive
puzzle
damp cloth
Safety glasses and a dusk mask.
miter saw

Choose the piece

When choosing the right piece, focus on cabinets, chests of drawers, and dressers with flat-panel doors.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Remove existing finish

If necessary, use a power sander to remove existing finish. When smooth, wipe off dust and debris with a damp cloth.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Apply a primer coat

Using the paint roller and roller sleeve, add a coat of primer to block stains on the inside and outside of the cabinet. Tinted stain-blocking primer (which often comes in shades of gray or brown) will ensure that any wood blemishes or knots don't show through the freshly painted finish.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Paint background color

Using the roller and roller sleeve, apply the background color to the interior and exterior of the cabinet. Two coats is often the perfect amount to ensure a great finish.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Measure for finishing pieces

Using a tape measure, determine the proper dimensions needed for the cutouts that will go around the edges of the door fronts.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Mitre cut edge

Using a hacksaw, cut 45 degree angles on the top and bottom edges of the trim. Sand any rough edges, then clean up any residue.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Spray-Paint the Trim

Install a can of spray paint on the spray paint can, then apply an even coat of paint moving back and forth in a slow, controlled manner.

Tips: By spray painting the trim before attaching it to the front of the door, you make a perfectly clean trim where the bottom of the trim will meet the door fronts.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Draw the silhouette pattern

Find an inspirational image, or print something on your computer, that you can trace onto the plywood. Draw the cutout pattern directly on the plywood with a pencil.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Trim the silhouette

Use a hacksaw to cut the shapes along the outlined lines of the silhouette. Remember to wear safety glasses. Use a power sander or sanding block to smooth the edges of the silhouettes.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Paint the silhouettes

Spray and paint the silhouettes the same color, and in the same way as the cutout pieces. Apply two coats.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Stick the border

Using a caulking gun, add a bead of liquid adhesive to the back of the trim, then apply directly to the front of the door. Repeat this step for all trim pieces, aligning each corner with a miter.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets

Silhouettes adhere

Add liquid bonding adhesive to the silhouettes, then press them into place. Allow the adhesive to set for at least six hours before setting the cabinet upright.

How to Make His-and-Hers Vanity Cabinets