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Vanity with short/thin drawers

604 views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  ibewjon 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
So I have to build a new bathroom vanity. And what's the main problem with most vanities? You're right, every drawer is at least 5 or 6 inches tall, and there ends up being sedimentary layers of random things in each drawer or wasted space. You wouldn't do this in a shop drawer, so why do it in a vanity? Why not make one or two drawers that are 2" tall? I think I can pull this off and make it look good. Looking for backup before I present this idea to my girlfriend, who is a industrial designer/artist (with actual talent, compared to what I dream up).
 
#3 ·
Drawers that fit the contents are a great idea, though often harder to implement. If aesthetic is in the mix, under mounts are the best answer. If they seem to need too much room, look at dividing the drawers themselves, for ease of use. Boxes, sliding trays, stuff like that.

Right off the top, versus "most" vanities 2" or near to them is going to bring in an office/industrial look. Probably best to ask the GF about likes, then try to figure out implementation once you know what you will be making. That isn't at all about woodworking, it's 40 years of happily married.
 
#4 ·
Keep in mind you're going to loose depth when calculating. 2" would be too shallow if you're building it using standard methods (drawer bottom in a groove).

If you want 2" the drawer sides would have to be 2 1/2" to allow for 1/4" bottom & 1/4" offset from bottom. But you can always attach bottom directly with no groove.
 
#5 ·
Our old vanity had approximately 2" drawers. When I built a new one, we went with 4". 2" just won't accommodate many items, so 4" has worked out much better. I used full extension side mount ballbearing slides because I was limited on counter top depth to 12"" and wanted full access to the space. Overlay fronts.
 
#6 ·
There are other methods besides metal drawer slides. I'm just sayin'....

Funny thing is, my wife and I were discussing rearranging my workshop yesterday. The reason it's funny is because I was deciding I had made most of the drawers too tall. But, it also ties in because I didn't use any metal drawer slides. I just fit the drawers to the openings (not as accurately as fine furniture).

However, when I re-do the drawers, I will probably use the NK Drawer method.

Just thinking about how to maximize space/minimize drawer size.
 
#7 ·
There are other methods besides metal drawer slides. I'm just sayin'....

Funny thing is, my wife and I were discussing rearranging my workshop yesterday. The reason it's funny is because I was deciding I had made most of the drawers too tall. But, it also ties in because I didn't use any metal drawer slides. I just fit the drawers to the openings (not as accurately as fine furniture).

However, when I re-do the drawers, I will probably use the NK Drawer method.

Just thinking about how to maximize space/minimize drawer size.
 
#8 ·
Many don't like the metal slides, BUT I was just really getting into woodworking. I didn't have many tools. And most importantly, you can't see them when the drawers are closed. And when you are in the bathroom, are you really looking at the drawers if you open them? They have served us well through 30 years, five kids and two adults using them. It is a vanity, not fine furniture.
 
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