I want to update our bathroom vanity with a new countertop and updated drawers and facing but I'm not sure where to start. It seems like the vanity may be built into the wall but I'm not sure. Because of this I have no clue where to start. I was thinking about taking the countertop off and just getting a new one and with the drawers maybe try to install some new soft close rails or something. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

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Is the vanity in good shape ?

Personally I'd start by measuring its size and try locating a new one. It's hard to recondition a vanity when you need to be using it. There should be a few screws from the back of the vanity into the wall.

 

Normally there is a filler piece on the sides that allows a slightly smaller cabinet to 'tightly' fit the space. If the cabinet is in good shape I'd consider sanding it down and painting it, maybe add new hardware and replace the top.

 

Thanks for the replies. What I'm really worried about is trying to upgrade the drawers. They are old and would love to put soft close in. Anyone have ideas on how to do that with these. The pic is the back and center rail of the drawers.

 

The cabinet is surely an old carpenter-built built in... not a modern modular cabinet that just screws to the wall. Any attempt to remove the cabinet and you would likely have a dozen separate pieces.

The drawers aren't too horrible of a job but you need to know what you are doing as far as measuring and ordering. Each drawer, drawer face and the hardware to mount it will run you about $75 per drawer. You would likely need something rear and face frame mounted. Undermount soft/self closing would be good.

You can find many videos on how to install these. For example, on YouTube you could search for: How to Install an Under Mount Slide (CSH 39.3300 Series) for Face Frame and Frameless Cabinets

 

I dont see any screws securing the countertop to the counters. So how do I remove the countertop to replace it with a new one?

 

Sometimes the tops are glued on with liquid nail or silicone caulk. If that is the case you need to cut the seal and pry it off BUT make sure there aren't any screws first! The can be hard to spot. I'd inspect the underside with a good light first.

 

It was probably laminated in place. You might need to remove the laminate from the top to reveal the screws that they put down through the top.

If the laminate wont come off, cut it into 3 pieces by making 2nd cuts through the countertop on either side of the sink. Then pry the section with the sink out first. If it still doesn't come out you will need to look inside for where the center dividers are (where they screwed) and Sawzall down both sides of the divider to leave that section of countertop for last. Use a skilsaw, sawzall, multitool, whatever it takes to cut it up into smaller pieces. Just try not to cut into the substructure.

Like I said previously, this is surely an old carpenter made built-in and you practically have to destroy it to get any one piece of it out.

 

Wow that's involved. So if I didnt want to do that what are my options? Is there a countertop I can place over the existing one?

 

Everything is involved.

You could do it the old fashioned way.... laminate it in place. You would have to remove the sink, scarrify the top and front edge with a grinder get a sheet of laminate, cut it to fit (oversized in front) and then put laminate over it with contact cement. (Both sides get glued) The front edge gets done first, then the top last.

You would need a laminate trimmer and router bit along with all the supplies needed to glue it.

You should probably go to YouTube and watch a few videos on it before you think seriously about it.