Revamp Reveal: Transforming a Dull Cabinet into a Stylish Bathroom Storage Solution

Our bathroom vanity is only 30″ wide, so we’ve always had to get a bit inventive with storage solutions. Until recently, we were using a tall bathroom cabinet to store many of our daily toiletries. However, over time, that cabinet started to fall apart. First, the bottom drawer front came off, so I swapped it out with a tall basket. Not long ago, all the drawer fronts had fallen off, the sliding hardware broke, and the cabinet was barely standing. It was clear that it was time to part ways with it and find something new.

Our bathroom hasn’t been updated in around 15 years, and we’re hoping to tackle a renovation in the next couple of years. But in the meantime, I needed a quick fix to keep the clutter off our limited counter space and replace the three drawers and shelves we’d lost. I wasn’t looking to spend too much since we’re so close to making more permanent changes.

With that in mind, I turned to Facebook Marketplace to find an affordable solution. I was looking for a piece of furniture that wasn’t too deep (I didn’t want it to crowd our small bathroom) and preferably had doors. I prefer closed storage in the bathroom for hygiene reasons, plus doors reduce the amount of cleaning I have to do. Initially, I thought a lawyer-style bookcase might be an interesting idea, but after considering the space, I decided to look for something with glass instead. I began searching for curio cabinets under 14” deep.

I thought it would be an easy find, but after several weeks of checking different listings, I finally came across something within my budget. It was close, but I knew it would need some customization to be perfect.

The picture above shows the original listing, and my husband wasn’t exactly sold on my idea when I told him I wanted to go pick it up. The wood was in rough shape, but the price was low, and I saw the potential.

The part that drew me in was the top half of the cabinet. The glass was just the right size, and I loved the decorative molding that gave it a more traditional feel. The bottom part of the cabinet, however, was too bulky for my taste, but I thought we could create a more streamlined look. Once we got the cabinet home, we started carefully taking it apart to separate the top from the bottom.

For the new base, we used 1″ x 2″ poplar hardwood boards.

The Kreg Jig was a game-changer for this project, helping us create clean, concealed pocket holes for a smooth, professional look.

The base we designed was 12” deep by 24” wide. We added two levels of support to create room for a bottom shelf. The legs were made using 2” x 2” boards.

We attached the 1” x 2” side pieces to the 2” x 2” legs (twice), then attached the front and back pieces.

Almost there!

Next, we cut a ½” piece of birch plywood to create the bottom shelf.

I always get a little nervous at this point, worried the simple, modern bottom won’t match the more traditional top. But before making any judgments, I decided to prime and paint the entire piece.

Before painting, I did some prep work on the cabinet. We used a brad nailer to secure the shelf to the base, caulked the cracks around the legs, and sanded everything down. I used a liquid deglosser on the top half of the cabinet since the wood had a chipped finish, and I wanted to ensure the paint would adhere properly. After filling in any cracks, dents, or scratches with wood filler, I taped off the glass and applied primer.

Once the primer dried, I sanded everything again and applied two coats of Benjamin Moore’s Westcott Navy.

When it was all done, the cabinet looked beautiful. The entire project cost under $75 for the cabinet, wood, and paint. Given that I’d been considering new options priced between $250 and $1200, I was beyond happy with the result.

Now, I use the cabinet to store everything I use daily. The top shelf holds a divided basket with face cloths, washcloths, and an extra roll of toilet paper.

An acrylic tray keeps my lotions and facial creams organized.

A small handled basket helps corral my makeup clutter, and I use a drinking glass for cotton pads and a clear jar for cotton swabs.

The bottom shelf holds extra clean towels, bath salts, and a spa brush.

Thanks to the extra shelf we added, I was able to fit two tall baskets to hide less-than-pretty items like grooming tools and a manicure kit.

Check out the before-and-after photos to see how a little creativity can transform a piece of furniture!

The original base was still in good enough condition to donate, so I’m glad someone else can put it to use.

Isn’t it amazing how “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure”? The cabinet is only 12” deep, so it fits perfectly in our small bathroom and provides a lot of storage without taking up much space. And it looks so nice that I hope it stays, even after we update the bathroom.

I’d love to hear about your own Facebook Marketplace finds or how you’ve gotten creative with storage in your home! Feel free to share in the comments below!