DIY IKEA Farmhouse Sink Vanity: Budget Bathroom Remodel

When my parents decided to add a bathroom to their basement, they faced the classic homeowner’s dilemma: how to create a beautiful, functional space without breaking the bank. Custom bathroom vanities with farmhouse sinks can easily cost $1,400 or more, so this is where a little creative thinking and an IKEA hack saved the day! In this post, I’ll walk you through how we transformed two IKEA kitchen cabinets into a stunning custom bathroom vanity with a farmhouse sink as part of a complete cottage-inspired bathroom DIY remodel. This project came in at under C$700 (approximately half the cost of a comparable pre-made vanity) while creating a truly custom look.

Starting Point: The Empty Canvas

Our starting point was about as basic as it gets: an empty corner of the basement with concrete floors and unfinished walls. The space had plumbing rough-ins but was otherwise a blank slate. The goal was to create a beautiful, functional bathroom with a cottage-inspired aesthetic without breaking the bank.

When planning any bathroom DIY remodel, starting with a clear vision helps guide your decisions. For this space, we wanted a warm, cottage-inspired look with character and charm. The farmhouse sink vanity would be the centerpiece of this small bathroom, so getting it right was essential. Here’s the mood board we came up with:

Why Choose an IKEA Kitchen Cabinet for a Bathroom Vanity?

There are three compelling reasons to consider IKEA kitchen cabinets for a bathroom DIY remodel:

1. Cost Savings: Two IKEA SEKTION base cabinets cost us C$345 total (we lucked out and hit a kitchen sale!), compared to $1,400+ for a comparable 42″ farmhouse sink vanity.
2. Customization Options: Kitchen cabinets offer more size options and interior configurations than bathroom-specific vanities.
3. Storage Capacity: Kitchen cabinets typically provide more storage space, which is always at a premium in bathrooms.

For our project, we selected a 24″ wide IKEA SEKTION base cabinet for the sink area and an 18″ wide cabinet for additional storage. Together, they created the perfect width for our farmhouse sink vanity.

This isn’t the first time my parents have hacked IKEA kitchen cabinets into a bathroom vanity! They also did it here in their gorgeous primary ensuite bathroom renovation.

Watch the Makeover Video

Watch my YouTube video to see the entire transformation:

The Transformation Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Cabinet Selection and Preparation

When selecting cabinets for a bathroom DIY remodel, consider:

• Width appropriate for your space and plumbing
• Depth that works for your bathroom (kitchen cabinets are deeper than bathroom vanities)
• Interior configuration that maximizes storage

We chose two cabinets – a 24″ sink cabinet and an 18″ drawer cabinet – to create a 42″ vanity with ample storage. Before beginning modifications, we removed all hardware, doors, and drawers to work with just the cabinet boxes. We chose the ENKOPING drawer & drawer front style for a classic shaker look.

Step 2: Modifying the Cabinet Depth

Standard kitchen cabinets are 24″ deep, but we wanted ours slightly shallower at 21½” to better match bathroom vanity proportions. The most nerve-wracking part was cutting the back of the sides and bottom of both cabinets using a table saw (a track saw would also work).

After cutting, we used the cutoffs from the side pieces as templates to recreate the holes for the back corner angle braces that mount the cabinets to the wall, using a 7/32″ drill bit.

Pro tip: When assembling the modified cabinets, you’ll notice that the hole toward the back was removed. The middle and front holes with their hardware are sufficient to hold the cabinet together.

Step 3: Creating Support for the Farmhouse Sink

The key to successfully using a farmhouse sink with IKEA cabinets:

1. Purchase a sink that’s smaller than the inside dimension of the base cabinet (our 24″ cabinet had an inside dimension of 22.5″, and our sink was 21″ wide)
2. Using dimensional lumber, create a support frame for the farmhouse sink that fits inside the base cabinet
3. Install the frame at the exact height needed for proper countertop mounting

For perfect alignment, we turned the sink upside down on a level surface, turned the base cabinet upside down over the sink, and rested the support frame upside down on top of the sink in the cabinet. We installed heavy-duty screws from the outside of the cabinet, and when turned right side up, the sink lined up perfectly with the underside of the future countertop.

Step 4: Finishing the Cabinet Construction

To complete the cabinet construction:

1. We positioned and nailed the cabinet back panels on (the routed groove that insets the back panel will have been cut off)
2. Nailing the back panel to the outside back added 1/8″ to the depth of each cabinet
3. We installed the top metal cross brace by drilling new pilot holes
4. We mounted the cabinets to the bathroom wall following IKEA instructions

Step 5: Creating the Countertop

For our cottage-inspired countertop:

1. We used a project board from the local Co-op as our countertop material
2. Applied a custom stain combining weathered gray, weathered oak, and provincial for the perfect tone
3. Sealed all surfaces of the countertop three times before installation for moisture protection

Pro tip: For bathroom DIY remodel projects, always use multiple coats of sealer on wooden countertops to protect against moisture damage.

Step 6: Priming and Painting

To give our IKEA cabinets a custom, high-end look:

1. We lightly sanded all surfaces to create a good bonding surface
2. Applied a high-quality bonding primer (critical for IKEA cabinets)
3. Added two coats of paint in “Jungle Camouflage” by Behr
4. Used a high-quality brush and mini roller for a smooth finish

For bathroom DIY remodel projects, always use a bonding primer and let it dry completely before painting to avoid chips or scratches in the finish. We installed the doors and drawers onto the cabinets after painting, completing the transformation.

Step 7: Installing Statement Wallpaper

To make this small bathroom feel special:

1. We selected a gorgeous floral wallpaper from Artza & Co, a Canadian company that creates high-quality peel & stick wallpapers. They gifted us this gorgeous product!
2. The pattern (called “AVIA”) features a beautiful combination of pink, gold, blue, and green that perfectly complemented our paint color
3. We appreciated the textured finish which gives it a higher-end feel
4. Installation was quick and easy: we worked slowly and used a smooth plastic tool to press out any air bubbles

Pro tip: For wallpaper installation, remove a few inches of the backing, adhere the top of your paper, then slowly remove the rest of the backing as you smooth the wallpaper down the wall.

Step 8: Additional Bathroom Elements

While our family tackled the vanity transformation, my parents also:

• Installed board and batten with MDF trim for a cottage feel
• Laid subway tile in shower area
• Handled all plumbing connections
• Installed vinyl plank flooring over the concrete
• Added vintage-inspired hardware and fixtures

Step 9: Finishing Touches

To complete our bathroom DIY remodel:

1. We installed vintage-inspired hardware that elevated the entire vanity
2. Added final trim pieces around the perimeter
3. Caulked all seams for a waterproof finish
4. Styled the space with cottage-inspired accessories

The Budget Breakdown

Our stunning IKEA hack vanity came in under C$700, including the farmhouse sink. Compare this to the $1,400+ we would have spent on a comparable 42″ farmhouse sink vanity if purchased pre-made!

What makes this bathroom DIY remodel even more impressive is that our custom vanity is sturdier and perfectly tailored to the space compared to pre-made options.

What We Learned from Our Bathroom DIY Remodel

If you’re planning your own bathroom transformation, consider these lessons from our project:

1. Think beyond conventional solutions – Kitchen cabinets, with modifications, can make excellent bathroom vanities, even for farmhouse sinks.
2. Adjust dimensions thoughtfully – Reducing the depth of kitchen cabinets creates better proportions for bathroom use.
3. Invest time in preparation – Proper priming and painting transforms budget materials into custom-looking elements.
4. Create a cohesive style – Our cottage-inspired mood board guided all decisions, from the farmhouse sink to the floral wallpaper.
5. Plan for moisture – Every material and finish in a bathroom needs proper sealing and protection.

Sources for our Cozy Cottage Inspired Bathroom DIY Remodel

• SEKTION IKEA Kitchen Base Cabinets with ENKOPING doors
• Green paint: Behr Jungle Camouflage
• AVIA Peel & Stick Wallpaper (gifted)
• 21″ Wide Farmhouse Sink
• Vintage Look Faucet

This bathroom DIY remodel proves you don’t need a massive budget or professional contractors to create a beautiful, functional space with cottage charm. With some creative thinking, basic DIY skills, and an IKEA hack, we transformed an empty basement corner into a gorgeous bathroom with a custom farmhouse sink vanity for less than half the retail cost.

What I love most about this project is how it proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to create a custom, high-end looking space. By thinking creatively about IKEA products, you can achieve a look that appears completely custom while saving significant money. The cottage-inspired aesthetic gives the space warmth and character that you simply can’t get from off-the-shelf bathroom packages.

Have you completed a bathroom DIY remodel using unconventional materials or methods? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!