Having a bathroom vanity whose height is lower than you would like it to be can be very uncomfortable to use, especially for taller people.
Let us look into the standard height of a bathroom vanity, how high or low it can get, and a detailed procedure for raising it.
Here’s if you can Raise A Bathroom Vanity?
A bathroom vanity, just like any other piece of furniture, can be readjusted to suit the needs of the intended users. Its legs or scatting can be removed then replaced by taller ones, or the countertop can be fitted with an additional frame to raise it higher.
What Is The Standard Height Of Bathroom Vanity?
Traditionally, the building code recommended a standard height of 30-32 inches when incorporating a vanity into the bathroom. If you aren’t the tallest person in the room, a regular height vanity is the best option.
This is especially because a household then shared a bathroom that serviced both adults and children.
But now, residential units are more spacious, allowing each bedroom to have its bathroom amenities.
Today, the building code has dropped the recommended height standards an inch lower for bathrooms designed for younger or shorter individuals.
Also, they equally raised it four notches higher to accommodate taller guys.
As people grow older, they experience backaches, and bending becomes an unattainable pain stretching activity.
This becomes one of the most important reasons households seek to raise the height of their bathroom vanities to cater to their ailing health.
For this reason, you will find that modern-day era bathroom vanities will have a height of between 29-36 inches in what is called comfort height bathroom vanities.
Can You Make Your Vanity Taller?
It is possible to raise the height of the short bathroom vanity and place it at a comfortable height for the person using it.
However, the most important question is, can it be done to suit the character and design of the bathroom?
It takes time and skills to raise a bathroom vanity, but if you are a hands-on person, you can pull out this project without calling in a professional to do the job.
However, there are factors to consider because they affect the whole project.
Some of these factors include;
- Size of the bathroom vanity
- Type of installation if it’s free-standing or installed on the wall.
- If the vanity is tiled around the base
How Do You Raise The Height Of A Bathroom Vanity?
There are two ways to raise the height of the bathroom vanity.
- The first is to remove its countertop and line the top with a frame of intended measurements to gain a new height.
- And two is to install taller legs or install a new scatting on the vanity base on which it sits.
But first, you have to have the required tools and materials for the job:
Materials;
- Wooden frames 3” thick or more according to your desired measurements.
- Screws
- Caulk adhesive
- Paint
Tools
- Measuring tape
- Putty knife
- Drilling machine for driving in the screws
- Paintbrush
- Sawing saw.
Raising The Height Of The Counter Top
If you choose to employ this method, then the first step is to peel the countertop sitting on the cabinet.
Step One
But before that, switch off the water from the main source and disconnect the pipe inside the vanity.
Step Two
Put the putty knife to work by cutting around the caulking on the edges of the countertop until the top is separated from the bathroom walls.
If you do not have a putty knife, you are free to use any other tool that can separate the two without damaging the countertop, especially if you intend on re-using the countertop.
Step Three
Again, drive the putty knife on edge, separating the top from the counter, and work it all around.
The good thing with dry-out adhesive is that it comes out when cut.
Step Four
Pull the countertop off the cabinet with the help, then place it aside.
Using a measuring tape, measure the top surface of the cabinet to get the exact measurements of the four edges.
Step Five
Cut the frame into a size that will run full length along the back where the cabinet meets the wall.
Screw the wood onto the wall to ensure stability after the end of the project.
Step Six
Depending on how wide your bathroom vanity is, take correct measurements of the two widths and add a centerpiece if needed for reinforcement so that the sink does not seem to curve in.
Align the pieces one at a time to flash with the frame on the wall and screw them into place.
Step Seven
Last but not least, add the last piece of the wooden frame to cover the outside length of the cabinet to create a surface on which the countertop will sit on.
Step Eight
To cover any unevenness, screw a screen-molding along the line left between the cabinet and the new framing to hide the edge and make it look like it is its design.
Step Nine
Mount back the countertop by lacing adhesive along the top of the frame to hold it into place.
Furnish the sink to make it look new, then apply paint to the entire cabinet to ensure that the old cabinet and the new wooden countertop don the same color.
I hope you had a good experience, and your new bathroom vanity has the preferred height and looks classy and in good taste.
Raising The Cabinet From Its Base
Raising the bathroom vanity from the base means you will peel the countertop just like before to raise the cabinet higher.
This is, of course, after you have bought new legs for the cabinet. Adjustable legs are much better because they will leverage you to achieve the height you yearn for.
But not all cabinets don four legs; some were installed with scatting, a piece of wood that runs around the base of the cabinet.
Or the two sides and the front length on which the cabinet sits instead of the legs.
It means that you will install the wooden frame just like before but on the base instead of the top.
How Much Does It Cost To Raise A Vanity?
A contractor or professional carpenter would typically charge between $100 and $300 for labor, varying according to the size of the vanity and the quantity of work required.
This price of the course is not inclusive of materials.
The price of materials depends on the following;
- The size of the cabinet.
- The height the cabinet needs to gain
- Type of wood used
- The state in which one resides because different states have different prices.
Final Thoughts
A bathroom vanity is an important accessory for the bathroom, but once installed or even after a while of use, the users might find that its adjusted height is rather low for their comfort.
Not to worry, though, because this is a situation that can be rectified.
If you are willing, you can take it upon yourself to raise it by following a tutorial. If you can employ the services of a professional, they do the necessary without lifting a finger but will cost you a few dollars.
