If you’re renovating your bathroom, you’re more than likely upgrading your bathroom vanity. After all, why not? 

The bathroom vanity is one of the bigger focal points in your bathroom which can really create a “wow” factor. It’s also a really easy DIY project you and your partner, or even your kids, can do yourself over the summer break!

You might be thinking that removing the current vanity is too hard, or you don’t want to mess and damage the rest of your bathroom. This is a common misconception and fear people have. Removing your bathroom vanity is actually really easy! Here is our guide on how you can easily remove your bathroom vanity without all the mess and damage to your bathroom.  

What You Need to Get Started 

Before you start throwing the tools around like you’re an olympic shot-putter in an attempt to rip out the old vanity, there are a few things you need to get ready. Good preparation will make the removal; stress and mess free.

Tools 

• Pliers 
• Bucket
• Wrench
• Razor blade/utility knife
• Screwdriver set
• Putty knife 
• Hammer 
• Pry bar
• Drill 
• Rag

Material 

• Glue 
• Caulk 
• The vanity itself 
• Wooden blocks for potential supporting 

Things For The Hard Jobs 

In some cases, your pre-existing vanity will be built in place or installed before the other fixtures. This will make things a bit more difficult, but should never be impossible. If this is you, you will need one more tool:

• A Reciprocating saw

You will need to use the saw to cut the cabinet into sections, in order to remove it. When this is the case, you should probably separate the sink from the countertop before cutting the vanity into pieces.

The Process: How Do You Remove A Bathroom Cabinet?

Step 1: Turn the Water OFF

We mentioned before that the hard job was removing a vanity by cutting it into pieces. We lied. The hard job is removing a vanity without turning the water mains off. 

The absolute last thing you want to happen is remove the vanity to then have gallons upon gallons of water blasting at you and across your bathroom floor. This will ruin your entire week.

The good thing is, it is not hard in the slightest to turn the water off. Just please promise us that you’ll remember to do it. 

Step 2: Prepare the Cabinet 

Get everything out of the cabinet, and if you can, take all the drawers and doors out and off their hinges. This will make it easier to work on because it will be more open, as well as make it lighter for when you need to carry it out of the bathroom.

Step 3: Disconnect the Water Supply Tubes 

Start disconnecting any and all pipes and tubings you have connected. But only if you have made sure the water mains are completely off first. When you’re taking off these pipes, it’s a good idea to use your bucket underneath them to catch any water stagnant in them. 

Step 4: Remove the Drain P-Trap

The P-trap is the curved pipe underneath your bathroom vanity. Remove this just like the water supply tubes, but really make sure you have a bucket underneath it. This section, because of the curve, is full of water.

Step 5: Remove the Wall Mirror 

The next step is to remove your wall mirror. Removing the mirror will mean you won’t risk damaging it while removing the vanity. This is an easy job if it is hanging by a hook. However, if it’s glued to the backsplash of the wall and hard to remove, you might want to assess the risk vs reward of removing your mirror. If it’s going to be hard to remove, and you think you can remove your vanity cabinet without damaging the mirror, just leave it.

Step 5: Remove the Vanity Top 

If the countertop is glued/caulked in, use your blade to cut around the caulk. Next, check to see if the vanity top is held in with brackets underneath. If so, start unscrewing everything so you can lift it off.

Step 6: Remove the Vanity Cabinet 

Just like removing the vanity top, cut around the caulk joints connecting the vanity to the wall, if it has any. Also, check to see if the cabinet is connected to the wall using any brackets or screws. Once they are undone, use the prybar and hammer to disconnectt the vanity from its place.

Step 7: Complete the Project 

The final step is to clean up the area, removing any mess and using your putty knife to remove the last bits of remaining caulk. 

Then you can get to installing your new bathroom vanity unit, replace the bathroom sink and replace the vanity top. 

New Style Options For Your Vanity 

If you haven’t picked a new vanity unit for your renovation and are finding it a bit hard to decide, don’t worry. We have a few vanity styles to choose from, and their names, which you can use! Some of the vanity ideas we suggest are: 

Pedestal Vanity Units 

The pedestal vanity is the most classic unit on the list. It features no bench or lower storage. It is a sink and that’s it. It is perfect for smaller bathrooms and nooks.

Floating Bathroom Vanity 

Sometimes called freestanding vanity, this style has nothing connected to the floor, and instead has cabinetry coming out of the wall with a sink on top, giving its floating aesthetic. It provides storage and hides your plumbing. 

Larger than the pedestal vanity, the floating style typically comes in 1200 bathroom vanity or 1500 bathroom vanity. This style is great for contemporary, hamptons style homes. The Britney Vanity series is a great example. 

Cabinet Style 

As the name may suggest, this style is essentially a cabinet with a place to run and drain on top of it. Think pull out draws, cupboards and shelves, giving you space to store your bathroom items and accessories. 

They can either be complete to floor cabinets, which come out of the floor, or open bottom, which stands on four legs. 

This is an excellent solution for larger, 1800 bathroom vanity and double sink vanity. They suit retro, vintage and farmhouse style bathrooms. They work especially well with families because they can store so much! 

Bathroom Mirror Cabinets 

This style/furniture are essentially small bathroom cabinets that act like a sort of medicine cabinet. By doubling as a mirror they save space and allow you to store more.

Are You Legally Required To Hire A Plumber?

The short answer, no. In Australia, you typically only need to hire a plumber when dealing with sewer/wastewater and drinking water supplies. Bathroom vanity does not come into this. You also need a registered builder if your building work is more than $20k. Your bathroom vanity will not cost this much. So no, you will not need a plumber. 

However, you might indeed want a plumber. If you are short on time, or aren’t feeling confident with installing the vanity yourself, there’s no point trying to do a rushed job and failing. It will waste time and money.

Do You Need A Hand Selecting A New Vanity?

When it comes to bathroom vanity in Perth, VBathroom will have you covered. Our bathroom showrooms in Perth will present you with all the options you need to complete your bathroom. Our series such as the Britney Vanity and Hamptons will sure to satisfy. 

We will put you in touch with the best Perth based professionals to deal with all of your plumbing and installation needs. We make delivery easy by delivering your order ourselves throughout the Perth Metro region. For orders beyond the Perth Metro, we can arrange a pick-up at your convenience, or organise shipping with your selected freight company. As an incentive, we also offer package deals when you shop at VBathroom and purchase multiple products. 

For bathroom vanity units in Perth, come and check out our bathroom vanity showroom. Contact us today!