DIY Bathroom Vanity Makeover: Making Painted Cabinets Look Like Stained Wood
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We’re continuing our series of bathroom updates, and this time it’s all about the vanity.
Before we dive in, let’s get a few things out of the way regarding this vanity: yes, the toilet paper holder built into the cabinet is a little odd, and yes, having the vanity cabinets run right up next to the toilet is also odd—mostly because the lower drawers are very difficult to even access. As someone who cares deeply about good design, I recognize all of that, but sometimes you just have to play the hand you’re dealt. Here’s what I mean.
Originally, I wanted to rip out our vanity and start fresh with something new. But because of the size of the piece and where the plumbing is located, that just wasn’t realistic. Our vanity is a large custom-built piece—almost nine feet long, though custom might be a generous word—and the sink sits all the way to the right, just a few inches from the tub.
In a perfect world, I’d shift the sink down to give the layout a little more breathing room, and the vanity wouldn’t extend all the way along the side of the toilet. But since this home is built on a slab with no basement, we’re a bit limited on what can realistically be changed without a full renovation.
Swapping out the vanity for something smaller—which would probably fit the space better—would mean moving plumbing and possibly having to do some work on the flooring, since we wouldn’t know whether the original white tile continues underneath without tearing everything out first. So, a DIY makeover it was!
From Dated to Sophisticated: Our Bathroom Vanity Refresh
The vanity itself has definitely seen better days. The wood isn’t great, and after being painted over countless times, the drawers now stick and chip every time you open them.
To top it off, it still had those straight silver-tone, pocket grabbing handles I’ve never liked, and since most of the screws were completely stripped, swapping them out has been an ongoing challenge over the years.
Needless to say, this vanity was more than ready for a glow up.
With the addition of our new gray and white harlequin pattern floors, this space was craving some warmth.
Because the wood on the vanity was in less than ideal shape, stripping it down and staining wasn’t an option. Instead, I decided to try creating a faux wood look using the popular Retique It product, which is designed to make painted surfaces look like real wood.
I’ve seen this method used in plenty of DIY projects, and I was so excited to finally give it a try myself. Read through to the end to see my honest thoughts on whether I’d recommend it and how it’s held up.
Materials And Tools Used:
Step-by-Step Process:
Remove all hardware: Take off all the handles, knobs, and hinges from the vanity.
Remove drawers and sand: Take the drawers outside and give everything a light sanding with an orbital sander so the paint has something to stick to. If you notice any old paint chunks or uneven spots, take a little extra time to smooth those out (this makes a big difference in the finish!). Once everything is sanded, wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
Apply Retique It: Brush on thin, even coats of Retique It, keeping your strokes in the direction of the wood grain. Let each coat dry before adding the next layer. Continue layering until the surface is fully covered.
Apply stain: Once the surface is dry, brush on the stain and wipe away the excess. Repeat for a second coat if you desire a richer color.
Let it dry completely: Let the stain dry completely before sliding the drawers back in and reattaching the doors.
Install hardware: Add your favorite handles to complete the look.
Is This DIY Worth It? My Honest Take.
I absolutely love how this project turned out.
When the stain dried, I couldn’t believe how realistic it looked. The depth and warmth really mimic that of real wood!
This project was simple, affordable, and delivered results far beyond my expectations. For that reason, it gets my full recommendation.
The rich, dark wood tones look stunning against the gray and white harlequin floors, and the antique brass hardware adds just the right touch of warmth to balance it all.
I truly couldn’t be happier with how it came together.
Update (November 2025):
It’s been about five months since I painted our cabinets, and I’m happy to report that the finish has held up really well.
There are a few small chips and nicks here and there, mainly in areas where I didn’t completely sand down the thicker layers of old paint, but overall, the finish still looks smooth and beautifully rich.
For a high-traffic space, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how durable it’s been.
More Bathroom Updates in This Series:
MORE DIY PROJECTS →
Hi, I’m Casey, founder of Refuge Interiors, where I combine my lifelong love of decorating and design with a passion for sourcing vintage and antique treasures to create classic, collected interiors that feel warm, inviting, and beautifully lived in.
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