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Convert the dead toekick space under a vanity into a pull-out drawer that doubles as a sturdy step stool for kids — hidden when closed.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drawer back Cut to the width of the toekick opening — 22-3/4" shown. | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 22 3/4" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Drawer sides | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 15 1/4" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Drawer platform Sized to the drawer box; the surface you stand on. | 1 | 3/4" × 16" × 21 3/4" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy-duty 16" drawer slides, side-mount Rated over 100 lbs — this drawer is a step, not a junk tray. | 1 pair | ☐ |
| 1x3 board, 8 ft (Pine) | 1 each | ☐ |
| 3/4" plywood, 16" x drawer width The platform you stand on. 3/4" for stiffness underfoot. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 2" | 20 each | ☐ |
| Finish nails, 2" To hold the toekick face for marking before final fastening. | 8 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 2 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Hammer
Remove any doors from the vanity to give yourself room to work. Then carefully pry off the toekick — most are held with stapled plastic corner blocks and no glue, so they come off intact if you're patient. Keep it undamaged; it becomes the drawer face.
Tools: Pencil, Tape Measure
Measure the width of the opening the toekick left — 22-3/4" in the example. Confirm the opening is at least 16" deep so full-length slides fit; if it's shallower, plan on shorter slides and a shallower drawer. A quick height check confirms 1x3 stock will clear.
Tools: Circular Saw, Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x3 board, 8 ft, 3/4" plywood, 16" x drawer width, Wood screws, 2", Wood glue
Cut a 1x3 back to the opening width and two 1x3 sides at 15-1/4". Assemble a shallow box and cap it with the 3/4" plywood platform — that thickness is what keeps it from flexing when someone stands on it. If your toekick wasn't a cut-out face, add a 1x3 front (opening width minus 1") too.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set. Materials: Heavy-duty 16" drawer slides, side-mount
Attach the slides per the manufacturer's directions, side-mounted, using the 100-lb-plus rated pair. Install the drawer at the tallest position the opening allows so the step sits as high as possible. If your vanity has inset drawers above, you may need to set the depth back to match.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: Wood screws, 2", Finish nails, 2", Wood glue
Hold the old toekick over the closed drawer with a couple of 2" finish nails and mark its exact position. Pull the drawer, then fasten the face permanently from behind — a pocket-hole jig gives the cleanest result. Test the swing: closed, it should read as the original toekick; open, it's a solid step.