Making a DIY vanity is a great way to organize your makeup, and hair stuff and give you the space you need to create the perfect look. It instantly saves you time when it comes to your morning routine. On top of that, DIY vanities can be customized to be exactly what you both want and need. In this article, we’ll review everything you need to know before making your DIY vanity and the best ideas on everything from vanities to seating and vanity lighting.
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What To Consider When Designing A DIY Vanity
Before jumping at the first excellent idea on Pinterest, you must design your DIY vanity. At the very least, you must visualize what you want to create. Keep these things in mind as you develop your DIY vanity ideas.
Budget
Before deciding on what will become your future vanity, you need a budget. You can find glass top desks for hundreds of dollars or thrift shop dressers for ten bucks. What your budget is will help you determine what type of DIY vanity idea is right for you.
Space Available
Find a spot for your DIY vanity before you design it. Do you want it to take up an entire wall, or would you rather have a small vanity in the corner? Determining how much space you have available for your future vanity will also affect your choice of vanity.
The Size Of Your Makeup Collection
Your makeup collection’s size can also determine what you need in a vanity. If you have more eyeshadow palettes than Sephora, you’ll need shelves or vanity space to store them. Carefully consider how much space you need for your makeup collection. Then, decide how you would like to organize your makeup on your vanity or shelves.
My DIY Vanity
I used to have a standard vanity with an adorable stool, but space was seriously limited. I needed something bigger and wanted something that suited my makeup collection. I couldn’t find a vanity large enough. Hence, what started my DIY vanity journey?
Floating Glass Shelves
First, I used floating glass shelves instead of a vanity table. I put two four-foot-long shelves on the wall instead of one eight-foot shelf. The modern look of floating shelves coordinates perfectly with the rest of my house, and I could pick up additional floating shelves to store my lotions, etc., so my entire wall coordinates well together.
Our Picks
Spancraft Clear Floating Glass Shelf 8″ X 42″ in Chrome
Wall Mirror
There are vanity mirrors available both online and in stores. I couldn’t find one that went with the glass shelves or was affordable. I spent a few hundred dollars on the shelves alone, and I was trying to be budget-friendly. To create a vanity mirror that coordinated well with my DIY vanity, I simply purchased a full-length mirror and turned it sideways on my wall.
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Hasipu Full Length Mirror with Lights, 56″ x 16″
Using An Office Chair As A Vanity Chair
For my vanity, I wanted to be able to roll down the length of my vanity, which required a chair with wheels. Because of that, my vanity chair is an office chair. Office chairs are a great option if you want a chair with wheels or an adjustable height.
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Vanity Ideas
There are tons of DIY vanity ideas that you can use to create your perfect DIY vanity. Floating desks and shelves are a great option. Using a standard desk will provide plenty of space for your makeup, and this option is typically cheaper than a vanity. (I initially considered a large L-shaped glass desk before deciding on floating glass shelves.)
Cheap DIY Vanity Ideas
If you’re on a budget, you can use many cheap DIY vanity ideas to create a stylish vanity without breaking the bank.
If you already have an old desk or some floating shelves, consider repurposing them to create a vanity. Pick up some paint or wood stain to make wooden furniture and shelves look new again.
Consider shopping at thrift stores to find a cheap desk or old vanity that you can clean up to make your own. Use wood stain, paint, and contact paper to make an old vanity look brand new.
Purchase a small office desk online to get a cheap vanity. Desks at Walmart are under $50. After purchasing one, check out sales to find the ideal vanity chair.
You can turn dressers into vanities, too. If you already have a dresser, that will make the perfect DIY vanity. You can add a cheap circular mirror to the top of it for makeup application. The drawers can be organized to hold all of your makeup, skincare, brushes, etc. Picking up some shelves to attach to the side will provide more storage space.
In a Montessori-themed bedroom, opt for a minimalist look by using a wall mirror and a floor pillow. Bookshelves can be purchased on either side of the mirror to provide additional storage.
Small Bedroom Vanity Ideas
If you have limited space, it’s important to consider that. These small bedroom vanity ideas will help you find the perfect vanity for your bedroom.
First, you want to consider using vertical storage ideas. Vertical storage consists of shelves and ideas typically on the wall to avoid wasting valuable floor space.
If you are searching for small bedroom ideas, floating shelves for additional storage are necessary. Floating shelves can store anything you cannot fit on your vanity. Not only do these save space, but they also keep all of your products within easy reach.
Floating shelves are among the most popular DIY vanity ideas for small bedrooms. They can be purchased in every size imaginable. To complete your vanity, simply hang a mirror above the shelf or sit a circular makeup mirror on top.
Small furniture is another excellent idea. Instead of a large, solid wood desk, opt for smaller items with less floor space. Ensure you can slide your seating underneath your vanity to save space.
Vanity Seating
A vanity is not a vanity without the perfect vanity seating. You can use almost anything you would like as a vanity seat. Some vanities come with seating, but that doesn’t mean those are your only options.
What To Consider When Picking Out Vanity Seating
What type of seating you have for your DIY vanity will determine how much you love your vanity. You will need something comfortable if you spend hours doing glam makeup for Youtube tutorials. Likewise, if you sit in the chair for a quick five-minute mom makeup routine, it doesn’t matter how comfortable the chair is because you barely use it. Keep these things in mind when picking out your vanity seating.
Budget
Budget will play a role in your vanity seating just like it does in the rest of your DIY vanity. However, seating is generally going to be cheaper than the vanity is. You can find vanity benches and seats specifically created to look glam. On the other hand, you can also repurpose a kitchen chair and plop it in front of your floating shelf.
Storage Options
If you need more storage because your bedroom is small, opting for seating designed for additional storage is ideal. Consider using storage ottomans and benches to guarantee ample space to store extra makeup, accessories, and other things not used daily. I picked up a cheap storage bench from Walmart for my daughter’s room that would make an excellent vanity bench!
Size
The size of the chair is essential. There are online chairs that are more suited for someone the size of a child. Make sure you read reviews and check the measurements on chairs before ordering one.
Do You Need A Vanity Chair With Wheels?
A chair with wheels is critical if you need it to move to reach products. However, it is unnecessary if you have a small vanity or space.
Does Your Vanity Seating Need To Have An Adjustable Height?
Depending on the height of your vanity and yourself, you may need an adjustable-height chair. I think it’s a great idea to order one so that you can rest assured that you will be able to see yourself in the mirror.
Remember that I’m 5’1” and did not consider that when picking the height of my vanity shelves, so it’s a must for me. Taller people might find that it’s not necessary.
Types Of Vanity Seating
Now that you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to consider the various types of vanity seating available to pick the perfect chair for your needs.
Bench Seating For Vanity
Bench seating for vanity is a wonderful option. If you need seating for a vanity for a small bedroom, consider picking up a storage bench. Benches come in various shapes and sizes, making it possible to find one that fits perfectly underneath your vanity.
Vanity Chair With Wheels
A vanity chair with wheels can be ideal if you need to move to reach your products. However, there are not many vanity chairs with wheels on the market. It can be easier to browse products labeled as office chairs.
Vanity Chair
Vanity chairs are designed to be stationary. They often have a shorter back and more comfortable seating than office chairs. You can find them in a variety of fabrics and colors.
When picking out a vanity chair, it’s essential to ensure the color coordinates well with your vanity.
Vanity Stool
For smaller vanities, consider a vanity stool. Some are round, but they also make small vanity stools that look like benches. Most are more feminine and smaller than a standard chair. They are also more likely to be cheap compared to other options.
Makeup Vanity Lighting Ideas
Every vanity needs a little bit of extra light to see how your smokey eye will look in natural light and get that perfect cut crease. These things will help you determine the perfect makeup vanity lighting for your vanity setup.
What To Consider When Choosing Makeup Vanity Lighting
Several factors will influence the lighting for your vanity. Decide on these things to ensure you pick the perfect lighting the first time.
Budget
As always, budget will play a factor in which lighting you choose. If most of your budget is spent on the vanity and a vanity chair, you must find cheap vanity lighting options. However, if the lighting is more important to you, consider spending a larger budget on the perfect lighting setup instead.
Wall Space Available
Certain vanity lights will go on your wall. If limited wall space is available due to using vertical storage options for makeup products, another form of lighting will be best for your particular vanity setup.
Vanity Space Available
Vanity space will be a factor if you want a light-up makeup mirror on your vanity. Magnifying mirrors are wonderful, so this is worth considering.
Location Of The Nearest Outlet
There are chargeable vanity lights and ones that plug into the wall. The latter are typically a bit more cost-effective. Check if you have an outlet near your vanity to determine if these lights are an option.
Types Of Vanity Lights
There are so many wonderful options for lighting your vanity. Take your time and explore each one to make your dream vanity a reality.
Lighted Makeup Mirror
Lighted makeup mirrors are ideal for vanity lighting. You can purchase makeup mirrors hanging on the wall or magnifying mirrors on top of your vanity. I have a Hibella smart sensor mirror with LED lights. It has eliminated the need for me to have additional vanity lighting.
Plug In Vanity Lights
Plug-in vanity lights are an option as well. They aren’t aesthetically appealing for vanities, including floating shelves, because you have a cord running down the wall. However, they do offer key benefits. You’ll never have to bother recharging them; they provide the exact brightness of classic Hollywood lights.
Other Vanity Light Options
There are also several other lighting options you can choose from. Large round lights that stick to the wall and are powered by batteries are a great option. Installing lighting with a light switch is a beautiful idea for homeowners. Picking up a brighter lamp to illuminate the entire area is an affordable and effective solution that requires almost no effort. Regardless of what you’re looking for in vanity lighting, one of these options will work for you.
In Conclusion
Making your DIY vanity requires some thought and planning. However, these incredible solutions will help you craft the perfect vanity for your space. Check out the rest of the site for more amazing tips and tricks!
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