How to Repurpose a Vintage Vanity into Beautiful Side Tables

What can you do with a vintage vanity? this dIY tutorial will show you how to split an antique vanity into two pretty side tables.

Vintage furniture is made so much more beautiful than modern furniture. It’s constructed with real wood and can feature amazing details. But sometimes its function has passed and it needs to be repurposed. Today I’m sharing one of my favorite furniture repurposing projects and tips so you could make some for yourself. Enjoy How to Repurpose a Vintage Vanity into Beautiful Side Tables.

How to Repurpose a Vintage Vanity into Beautiful Side Tables

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How to Choose an Old Vanity

Old vanities come in a variety of different styles with various construction and details. They can be found at estate sales, flea markets, thrift stores, and on Facebook marketplace. Often they’re inexpensive, because people think they’re no longer desirable or usable. I’ve found most of mine in curbside piles.

If you’ve never divided a vanity before, there are some that are easier than others.

Here are two that we divided. The style with the lower shelf in the middle is easier to take apart and repurpose. We’ve already taken the mirrors off the back. But make sure both ends of the vanity has 4 legs. Some styles only have 3 on each side, which wouldn’t work.

The version with the solid top is more challenging, because when you cut the top apart, you’ll be missing the coved detail around.

How to Divide the Vanity Sides

There are so many different varieties of vintage vanities, that it’s hard to show you a step-by-step; yours may be put together differently. But I’ll show you what we did for these two versions to guide your repurpose.

The vanity with the lower piece was fairly easy. If you turn the piece upside down, you can see where the middle shelf is attached with screws. Remove the shelf and supports with a rubber mallet. The supporting piece in the back can be cut off to separate the two pieces.

The style with the solid top across is more difficult. Start by removing any detailed pieces that are screwed or glued on. Also remove the support piece across the back, if you have one.

Next, it’s time to cut. Cut through the middle section, leaving several inches from the body piece.

Then, measure your overhang to cut with the correct spacing for the other side. Clamp a guide onto the top to get your cut straight.

Tips and Ideas for Finishing the Vanity Side Tables

The insides of the vanity sides will have marks and voids from where you took the middle piece off. You can use bondo or wood filler to fill the voids, sanding before you paint. Or you can place another texture over the side squares, which makes it easier and more unique.

Cut squares of beadboard or vintage tin and nail to each side. You can do this either before or after you paint.

(if using vintage tin, brush seal THIS on to bring out the patina and seal from harmful lead paint)

On the cut edge of the top you may want to match the other finished edges. You can use a router to closely match the vintage detailing. I’ve also just left the cut edge, since it faces the inside; it’s all personal taste.

If painting, scuff sand entire surface before painting. Mask off areas that you don’t want painted. My favorite paint on these old pieces is Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint (get my discount code below). It’s a powder paint that you add water to. It naturally adds a patinaed, crackly look to the surface. I also like to slightly distress these pieces so all the pretty details show beautifully. I finished the painted surface with Miss Mustard hemp oil and used a water based poly on the wood tops.

Find Miss Mustard Seed Milk Products HERE. Use code 10OFFLB for a 10% discount.

Why I Love Decorating with Repurposed Vintage Vanity Side Tables

These repurposed vintage vanity side tables are wonderful to decorate your home with. They’ve got a tall height, a skinny footprint, wonderful storage and beautiful details. They can be used on either side of a sofa, next to a chair, or on both sides of the bed as nightstands.

I’ve got 2 sets of them in white and aqua and am finishing up the 3rd set in black. Because they’re a pair, you can switch them around into different rooms when you’re craving an inexpensive decor change!

Once you learn how to divide a vanity, you can split apart old desks, too! Same concept, but they usually have a drawer in the middle. They have all the benefits of a divided vanity and can be found when thrifting, too.

For more repurposed & upcycled inspiration, see:

“Best Tips for Using Vintage (and vintage inspired) Hardware”

“Trash to Treasure: Repurposed Vintage Junk Makeovers”

“How to Clean Galvanized Metal and Revive the Vintage Patina”

I hope this How to Repurpose a Vintage Vanity into Beautiful Side Tables was helpful for you!

If you enjoyed your visit, be sure to become an Insider HERE to keep the ideas coming!

I joined a few other thrifty, vintage-loving friends today, too! Check out their inspiration below:

Cottage on Bunker Hill, “Antiquing and Thrifting for Home Decor on the Seacoast”

Jennifer shares a fun antique shopping trip in Maine. Loved what she brought home and how she styled it in her home. You’ll want to examine every pic of this amazing store!

Bricks n’ Blooms, “7 Thrift Store Decorating Ideas for the Bedroom”

It’s been so fun to see how Stacy is transforming her new-to-her home into one that reflects her love of vintage and flowers. She shares their bedroom decor and their recent thrift store finds.

Shiplap and Shells, “Using Architectural Finds to Refresh a Hallway”

Architectural salvage shops are treasure-trove filled adventures! Kim shares one of her favorite places to hunt vintage. See what they brought home and how they updated their home with it.

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Sharing at these lovely parties:

All About Home

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Whimsy Home Wednesday

Tuesday Turn About

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