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A child's play vanity built from two little 1x12 nightstand boxes joined by a bench top — quick enough to build, prime, and paint in an afternoon.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet sides | 4 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 10" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Cabinet tops | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 11 1/2" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Cabinet shelves | 4 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 19 3/4" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Front base molding | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/4" × 11 1/2" | base molding | ☐ |
| Bench top | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 16 1/2" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Front trim molding (long) | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 18" | 1-1/2 in molding | ☐ |
| Front trim molding (short) | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 11 1/2" | 1-1/2 in molding | ☐ |
| Bench cleats | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 11 1/2" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1x12, 8 ft Both cabinet boxes and the bench top. | 2 each | ☐ |
| Base molding, 3-1/4 in (24 in) Buy a short length at the home center. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Molding, 1-1/2 in (48 in) Front trim. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x2 (24 in) Bench-top cleats. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Plywood or beadboard, 1/4 in (scraps) Backs, at least 11-1/2" x 20-1/2". | 1 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 2 in | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 1-1/4 in | 1 box | ☐ |
| Finish nails, 1-1/4 in | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood glue and filler | 1 each | ☐ |
| Primer and child-safe paint | 1 quart | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Circular Saw, Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set, Speed Square. Materials: 1x12, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2 in, Wood glue and filler
You're building two small open cabinets. Mark the sides inside and out where the shelves land, so you know where to place them and where to drive screws. Predrill, glue, and screw the shelves to the sides with 2" screws, keeping everything square.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set. Materials: 1x12, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2 in, Wood glue and filler
Predrill along the sides, apply glue to the top edges of the sides, and screw the top down with 2" screws, keeping the outside edges flush. Do both cabinets.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Circular Saw. Materials: Plywood or beadboard, 1/4 in (scraps), Finish nails, 1-1/4 in, Wood glue and filler
Cut the angled-top back panels — cut one side, then flip the board and cut the other so the two sides match. Attach the backs to the cabinets.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Base molding, 3-1/4 in (24 in), Finish nails, 1-1/4 in, Wood glue and filler
Glue and nail the 3-1/4" base molding across the front feet of each cabinet. This gives the little boxes a finished, furniture-like base.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set. Materials: 1x12, 8 ft, 1x2 (24 in), Wood screws, 2 in, Wood glue and filler
Predrill and screw the 1x2 cleats to the sides of the 1x12 bench top with 2" screws and glue, keeping the top flush. The cleats are how the bench spans and attaches to the two cabinets.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Molding, 1-1/2 in (48 in), Finish nails, 1-1/4 in, Wood glue and filler
Nail the 1-1/2" molding onto the front edges with glue and 1-1/4" finish nails. This delicate trim is what dresses the fronts and reads as detailing.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Wood screws, 1-1/4 in, Wood glue and filler, Primer and child-safe paint
Join the bench top to the two cabinets to complete the vanity — predrill the 1x2 cleats first so screws start easily, and get a second pair of hands or assemble it upside down on the floor. Fill holes, sand, prime, and paint in a child-safe finish. Add a mirror above between the two boxes.