How to Paint a Bathroom Vanity in 10 Steps

Remove Doors and Hardware

Photo: Brittany Bailey / Pretty Handy Girl

There are a few steps worth taking before painting to ensure the final product looks the best it can.

Use a screwdriver to remove all the different parts of your vanity—cabinet doors, hinges, and knobs. Then, pull out the drawers by hand and lay everything spaced apart on a drop cloth. Working on each individual piece will make it easier to reach all the nooks and crannies that might be difficult to get to otherwise. Keep smaller parts, like the hinges and knobs, in a sealed plastic bag to prevent anything from disappearing. Finally, label each door and cabinet with a pencil or marker so that you know where everything is supposed to go when it’s time to reassemble.

Clean the Vanity

Put on your goggles and gloves, then grab a bucket and prepare your trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaning solution according to the manufacturer’s directions. Use a sponge to scrub all of the vanity’s surfaces with TSP, which will effectively remove dirt and grime from your drawers and cabinets.

When you finish, rinse everything with water to remove all of the product.

Patch Holes

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Once you’ve removed all the parts, examine your bathroom cabinets for any holes or scratches and patch them up with putty or another filler. If you plan to swap out your old hardware and need to drill new holes, you’ll want to fill the old cabinet holes at this point, too.

Before moving on to the next step, let the putty dry completely. You can check out the directions on the package if you aren’t sure how long to leave it.

Sand to Remove Old Gloss and Paint

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Sanding away the original layer of gloss and paint will make it easier for the new coats of primer and paint to stick and help them last longer. It’s not necessary to remove absolutely everything. Simply sanding until you achieve a rough surface will be more than enough to guarantee the new coat takes.

Wipe Down Your Vanity

When you’re done sanding, clean the vanity with a damp sponge or microfiber cloth to collect any dust that’s sticking to the surface. Then, use a vacuum to suck up any other debris around it.

Your vanity shouldn’t be too wet after you wipe it down, but you should still let it dry for about an hour before applying anything else (including primer or paint) to the surface.

Prep Your Workspace

If you’ve decided to paint only the front-facing parts of your bathroom vanity, line the inside with newspaper or plastic to keep it clean. Otherwise, feel free to paint the entire thing, but just be sure to sand accordingly.

Some countertops for bathroom vanities are removable. In this case, removing it before getting started is the best way to prevent unwanted smudges. If this isn’t an option for you, coating the counter’s outer edges in painter’s tape will keep it safe from splashes. From there, lay down a drop cloth and affix it to the floor with additional tape to maintain the rest of your bathroom while you work.

Prime Your Vanity

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Coating your bathroom vanity in a layer of shellac- or oil-based primer will blot out blemishes and create a smooth surface to paint on. Use a brush or roller to apply a layer of primer. Let it dry, then apply one more layer of primer.

After applying the primer, it’s best to wait overnight before beginning to paint to guarantee your cabinets have had enough time to dry. When they’re completely dry to the touch, lightly sand the surfaces one more time and remove the dust with a damp sponge. (The last thing you want is dust trapped beneath your new coat of paint.)

Choose Your Paint

Oil, latex, and chalk-based are the best paint choices for bathroom vanities. Oil paint has a hard finish that protects against scratching and chipping, but it has a strong odor that can be difficult to work with. Latex paints are water-based, which means they’re less smelly and much easier to clean. A lot of DIYers favor chalk paint because it doesn’t require a coat of primer, but it won’t last as long as other options.

Start Painting

Photo: Brittany Bailey / Pretty Handy Girl

Once your cabinet doors are completely prepped and primed, you’re ready to start painting. Painting can also help repair a water-damaged bathroom vanity. Paint two to three coats, letting the paint dry before beginning each new coat, and keep going until the surfaces are fully and evenly covered. You should need a max of three coats to accomplish this.

Reassemble the Bathroom Vanity

Photo: Brittany Bailey / Pretty Handy Girl

After another night, your cabinets will be fully dried and ready to put back together. Remove any labels you might have used as well as plastic or newspaper lining and painter’s tape before reassembling.