Build Your Own Small Bathroom Vanity with Cane Door: A Detailed Guide

By Michael Brown

Transform your bathroom with this elegant and functional small bathroom vanity, featuring a charming cane door. This woodworking project will add a touch of sophistication and organization to your space.

small-bathroom-vanity-cane-cabinet

Tools Required

  • Drill
  • Table Saw
  • Miter Saw
  • Jig Saw
  • Sander
  • Nail Gun
  • Staple Gun
  • Clamps

Materials List:

Wood Products:

  • 1 – Plywood, 3/4″ Thick, 4′ x 8′ Sheet
  • 2 – Maple Boards, 1″x4″, 8′
  • 1- Maple Board, 1″x8″, 2′
  • 1 – Red Oak Glue Up Board, 3/4″ Thick, 2′ x 3′
  • 1 – Decorative Trim, 1″, 8′
  • 4 – Wood Decorative Legs, 3″  

Hardware & Supplies:

  • 1 – Roll of Cane
  • 2 – Handles for Faux Drawer and Door
  • 1 – Blum Clip Top 110 Degree Face Frame, Inset Hinge
  • 2 – 1/2″ Screws
  • 1 – 1/4″ Screws
  • 1 – 1/2″ Brad Nails
  • Wood Glue
  • Stain/Finish of Choice
  • 1 – Drop-in Sink 18″
  • 4 – Small “L” Shaped Brackets (Optional for Cabinet Shelf)
  • Trim Tape (Optional for Cabinet Shelf)
  • Staples
  • Silicone  

Cut List & Parts:

  • 2 – Plywood Cabinet Carcass Side Pieces: 20″ x 30.5″
  • 1 – Plywood Cabinet Carcass Bottom: 18.5″ x 20″
  • 2 – Plywood Cabinet Carcass Top Pieces: 18.5″ x 2.5″  
  • 2 – Base Pieces Frame: 1″x4″x20″
  • 2 – Base Pieces Frame: 1″x4″x13″
  • 2 – Face Frame Top and Bottom Pieces: 1.5″ x 20″
  • 2 – Face Frame Side Pieces: 1.5″ x 28 1/4″
  • 1 – Face Frame Middle Piece: 1.5″ x 17″
  • 2 – Trim Pieces on Bottom (45-degree cuts on one side): 21 1/2″
  • 1 – Trim Piece on Bottom (45-degree cuts on both sides): 21 1/2″
  • 1 – Oak Wood Vanity Top: 21 1/2″ x 21 1/2″
  • 1 – Faux Drawer Front: 17″ x 6″  
  • 2 – Door Stiles (Side Pieces): 2 1/2″ x 20 3/4″
  • 2 – Door Rails (Top and Bottom Pieces): 2 1/2″ x 12″
  • 1 – Plywood Cabinet Shelf (Optional): 18.5″x20″
  • 1 – Wood Back Splash Piece (Optional): 2.5″ x 21 1/2″ 

Step-by-Step Assembly Directions:

1. Cutting cabinet carcass pieces:

  • Cut 2 pieces of plywood 30.5″ x 20″ (Side Pieces).
  • Cut 1 piece of plywood 18.5″ x 20″ (Bottom Piece).
  • Cut 2 pieces of plywood 18.5″ x 2.5″ (Top Pieces).

2. Building cabinet carcass:

  • Drill 5 pocket holes on each of the 20″ sides of the bottom piece.
  • Use pocket holes with pocket hole screws and wood glue to attach the side pieces to the bottom piece.
  • Drill 2 pocket holes on each end of the top pieces.

3. Building base:

  • From 1×4 lumber, cut 2 pieces at 20″ and 2 pieces at 13″.
  • Drill 2 pocket holes on each end of the 13″ pieces.
  • Assemble the frame using pocket holes with pocket hole screws and glue.
  • Attach the 4 decorative legs to the base using 2 1/2″ screws.
  • Attach the base to the cabinet carcass using 1 1/4″ screws, ensuring the legs are visible.

 

      • Tip: Position the front legs slightly inward from the base so they don’t get covered up after adding trim pieces.

4. Cutting face framing pieces:

  • Use a table saw to rip 1×4 lumber into 1 1/2″ wide pieces for the face frame.
  • Take these 1 1/2″ wide pieces and use a miter saw to cut the face framing components:
    • 2 pieces at 20″
    • 2 pieces at 28 1/4″
    • 1 piece at 17″

5. Adding face framing pieces:

  • Use a nail gun to attach the face framing pieces to the outer edge of the cabinet carcass.

6. Adding middle trim piece:

  • Drill one pocket hole on each end of the 17″ long face frame middle piece.
  • Measure 7 1/2″ down from the top and use pocket holes with pocket hole screws and wood glue to attach this piece to the side face framing pieces.

7. Adding decorative trim:

  • Use a miter saw to cut 1 piece of trim at 21 1/2″ with a 45-degree angle cut on both sides.
  • Use a miter saw to cut 2 pieces of trim at 21 1/2″ with a 45-degree cut on one side and a straight cut on the other. Attach these around the bottom of the vanity.

8. Cutting and attaching vanity top:

  • Cut the oak board down to 21 1/2″ x 22 1/4″.
  • Drill a starting hole in the top.
  • Use that drilled hole with a jigsaw to cut out the opening for the drop-in sink.
  • Attach the top using 1 1/4″ screws from the inside of the cabinet carcass.

9. Attaching faux drawer front:

  • Use wood glue and brad nails to attach a scrap piece of plywood to the side trim pieces on the inside of the cabinet (this acts as a nailer).
  • Then, use this same scrap plywood piece to attach the 17″ x 6″ faux drawer front using brad nails and wood glue.
  •  

10. Building door:

  • Use a 1″x3″ board or rip down a wider board to 2.5″ wide.
  • Cut 2 pieces at 20 3/4″ (Stiles – side pieces).
  • Cut 2 pieces at 12″ (Rails – top and bottom pieces).
  • Drill two pocket holes on each end of the 12-inch rail pieces.
  • Use pocket holes with pocket hole screws and wood glue to assemble the door frame.
  •  

11. Staining and top coat:

  • Stain the vanity and door with your chosen stain.
  • Apply approximately 7 coats of topcoat to make it fully waterproof, especially important for a bathroom environment.

12. Attaching the door:

  • Use a jig to drill out cups for the concealed hinges on the door.
  • Use the Blum clip top 110-degree face frame, inset hinges for framed cabinets with an inset door. Mount the hinges to the door and the face frame.

13. Cabinet shelf (optional):

  • Cut a piece of plywood 18.5″ x 20″.
  • Use a jigsaw to cut out a notch to work around the “P” trap (sink plumbing).
  • Apply trim tape to the front edge of the shelf for a finished look (optional).
  • Use small “L” shaped brackets to hold the shelf up on the sides.

 

      • Tip: Using “L” shaped brackets allows the shelf to be easily removed if you need to access plumbing.

14. Finish door:

  • Soak a piece of cane webbing in water for 20 to 30 minutes to make it pliable.
  • Use a staple gun to attach the cane webbing to the inside of the door frame, pulling it taut.
  • Re-install the door on the cabinet.
  • Finish the vanity by adding a handle to the door and the faux drawer front. 

 

    • Tip: Add the handle to the faux drawer front before getting the sink installed and siliconed down.

15. Final step (optional backsplash):

  • Add a 2.5″ x 21 1/2″ wood piece behind the sink against the wall as a backsplash.
  • Use silicone to attach this piece to the countertop and the wall.

 

 

Enjoy your new, handcrafted small bathroom vanity!