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How to replace and install a bathroom vanity

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Installing a bathroom vanity and basin may seem challenging, but it can be done in just a few steps! If your bathroom needs a refresh, and you just can’t get stuck into hammering off or painting the tiles, then a vanity replacement is a great option.

This bathroom vanity and basin are simple, yet effective at giving this bathroom a modern re-do, and provides the perfect base for easy styling options. Check out our step-by-step guide below on how you can install a bathroom cabinet. Just look at this amazing before and after!

(Photography: Tim Roberts/Brent Wilson, Styling: Kate Walsh, Projects: John Rae)

Gather your supplies

  • Full-height bathroom vanity and basin
  • Basin mixer tap • Flexible hose connectors
  • Pop-up basin waste with overflow
  • Thread seal tape
  • 40mm P-trap

You’ll also need

  • Wrench
  • Handsaw
  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
  • Drill
  • Hole saw set
  • Level
  • Wall plugs
  • 60mm galvanised screws
  • Cloth
(Photography: Tim Roberts/Brent Wilson, Styling: Kate Walsh, Projects: John Rae)

Before you arrange a council pick-up or a tip trip for your unwanted items (such as old cabinetry and basins), remember the old adage that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and consider giving them away or selling online.

For you to note

Steps to installing a bathroom vanity and basin

Step 1

Locate and close mains water tap, then open and drain all taps in house. 

Step 2

To remove old vanity, remove drawers and doors, then disconnect taps from under the sink with wrench. Dismantle and remove P-trap and then, if required, use handsaw to cut waste pipe flush to vanity base. Unscrew vanity base from wall, then lift and remove basin and vanity.

hand under sink at pipes for replacing and installing bathroom vanity
(Photography: Tim Roberts/Brent Wilson, Styling: Kate Walsh, Projects: John Rae)

Step 3

Assemble new vanity carcass according to the instructions in its packaging, then place in its desired location. Mark vanity position on the floor, then measure and mark the position of the centre of the hot and cold water pipes on back of vanity. Repeat to mark the waste pipe location on the vanity base. Remove vanity, then use drill and hole saw to cut holes for all pipes. Replace vanity flush on the wall with pipes ready for connection.

Step 4

 Use level to check vanity is level and plumb, then drill three equally spaced holes through back of vanity and into wall. Insert wall plugs into holes, then insert 60mm screws and tighten. 

Step 5

Before installing basin, unscrew connection nut from mixer tap, thread through basin tap hole and tighten nut on underside of basin. Attach two flexible hose connectors to mixer tap. Attach overflow and plug to basin, then lower sink into vanity carcass.

Step 6

To complete water connection to basin, wipe down threads on hot and cold spindles (on wall) with cloth, then wrap thread seal tape twice and clockwise around threads of spindles. Attach hose connectors to spindles, then tighten with wrench. 

Step 7

To complete the basin installation, attach P-trap to basin waste and waste pipe. Turn mains water back on, then check mixer tap, basin and waste for leaks. 

man replacing and installing basin drawers
(Photography: Tim Roberts/Brent Wilson, Styling: Kate Walsh, Projects: John Rae)

Step 8

 Attach vanity doors and insert drawers to complete vanity.

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