A Vanity Project

Painting

• Several painting option are available for a wooden vanity. First, strip off any varnish or glossy paint from the surface of the vanity. Products that produce a shiny surface tend to repel any paint. Spray several coats of metallic paint such as silver, chrome or gold onto the vanity. Cover the paint with antiquing paint, which cracks to reveal a peek of the metallic paint underneath. More ambitious projects include stripping and sanding off all previous paint and varnish. Afterward, stain the vanity with a natural wood color.

Remodeling

• Remove the drawers and doors from the vanity if they tend to get in the way. Measure the space under the drawers. Cut out thin wooden boards and use wood glue to secure the wood inside the vanity. This creates little shelves for storing small items like cosmetics, combs and brushes. Pick out a piece of pleated, hemmed material split down the center and trimmed with lace. Use decorative thumb tacks to hang the material around the vanity table like a curtain. Hammer the tacks in place 1 to 2 inches apart.

Lighting

• Lighted vanities are commonly left on as a night light or just because some forgot to turn off the lights. According to the California Lighting Technology Center, bathroom lights in dormitories and hotels are left on five to 12 hours each day. To prevent unnecessary energy use, install a light switch that shuts off the vanity lights when not in use. This switch, called a vacancy switch, is equipped with a small motion sensor. Save even more energy by using low wattage light bulbs.

Decorating

• Create a themed mirror by gluing favorite items, pictures or seashells on the frame. Use good quality craft glue or a hot-temperature glue gun to attach the items. Let the glue dry completely before cleaning up any glue strings or excess along the edges. Next, mix together equal parts of water and white glue. Use a large paintbrush to coat the items and the frame with two or three layers of the glue mixture to protect the items from moisture and give the project a shiny finish.