Why the IKEA Malm Dresser Works for a Budget Bathroom Vanity
I have built quite a few small bathroom vanity setups, and this one using the IKEA Malm dresser is hands down the most cost effective. Honestly, I stumbled into the idea after staring at a gross builder-grade pedestal sink and realizing I had zero budget for a real vanity. Ok so the Malm dresser costs around $100, comes in a few sizes, and the two-drawer version gives you hidden storage without looking like a cheap cabinet. The biggest win? You get a full depth countertop surface and drawer space for under $200 total if you source sinks and faucets smartly. Not bad for a small bathroom that needed a serious upgrade.
Here is the thing: this hack works because the Malm is essentially a box with a thin top. You remove the top, cut holes for plumbing, and drop in sinks. The drawers still work, though you lose the top one if you put in a vessel sink. I went with a drop-in sink instead to keep the top drawer functional. Little decision like that makes a real difference in a tiny bathroom.
Materials List and Total Cost for a Small Bathroom Vanity DIY
I am all about real numbers. No fluff. So here is exactly what I bought and what I paid. Prices might vary by location but these are close to current averages.
- IKEA Malm dresser (2-drawer, 31 1/2 inch width) – $99. I got the white one because it was cheapest and I planned to paint it anyway. If you find one used on Facebook Marketplace, you can cut this to $40 or $50.
- Countertop – I used a butcher block slab from IKEA, the KARLBY in walnut, $159. That was the biggest splurge. But you can also buy a remnant of solid surface from a countertop shop for under $50 if you are patient. I am not patient.
- Drop-in sink – $38 from a local home improvement store. Nothing fancy, a white rectangular ceramic one. It fits the Malm width perfectly.
- Faucet – $45 on clearance at IKEA (the LILLVIKEN). It is basic but works fine. Honestly, go cheap on the faucet if you are on a tight budget; you can always upgrade later.
- Plumbing supplies – P-trap, supply lines, shutoff valves, silicone caulk, about $25 total. I already had a drill and hole saw bit. If you don’t, borrow one, seriously, it will save you $40.
- Paint and primer – I used one quart of Behr premium plus in Navy Blue, $20 plus a small can of primer for $12. Total under $400 for everything. That includes the countertop, sinks, and faucet. I dare you to find a comparable pre-built vanity for that price that does not look like plastic.
One weird little aside: I spent an extra $6 on a tube of clear silicone sealant because the first one I bought was white and I hated how it looked against the butcher block. Little things. You will mess up too. That is fine.
Step by Step: Preparing the IKEA Malm Dresser for a Vanity
Start by removing the top panel. The Malm top is just a thin fiberboard piece glued on. A putty knife and some light hammer taps will pop it loose. Be gentle because you might reuse it as a template for cutting sink holes (I did not reuse mine because I wanted the butcher block to sit flush).
Next, mark where your sink will go. If you use a drop-in sink like I did, trace the template onto the countertop. Then drill a starter hole inside the line and use a jigsaw to cut it out. This is where I made my first mistake: I cut too tight to the line and had to sand the edge back. Leave an extra 1/8 inch for wiggle room. It is better to shim later than to have a gap you cannot fill.
Now, cut the hole for the drain and faucet holes in the countertop. I used a 1 1/4 inch hole saw for the faucet and a 1 3/4 inch for the drain. Measure twice, cut once, then measure a third time because you will still be nervous. Look, a jigsaw is fine for the sink cutout but for the faucet holes a hole saw is non-negotiable unless you enjoy chipped edges.
Reinforce the inside of the dresser: the Malm is not built to hold a heavy sink and water weight. I added two 2×2 wooden supports running front to back under the countertop. Just screw them into the sides. Cheap and necessary. If you skip this, the top will sag over time. Not a fun surprise when the sink cracks.
Choosing an Affordable Countertop for Your Budget Bathroom Vanity
Butcher block, laminate, or a slab remnant. Those are your realistic options. I went with butcher block because it is warm, looks expensive, and you can cut it with normal woodworking tools. The downside is you have to seal it thoroughly or water will stain. I used four coats of water-based polyurethane. It took a weekend but worth it.
Laminate countertops are cheaper. You can get a 4-foot piece at a home store for $30. But they feel cheap to me. They chip around sink cutouts, especially if you are not careful with the jigsaw. Honestly, if your budget is under $50 total, go with laminate and accept it as a temporary solution. In a few years you can swap it for something nicer. I did that in my first apartment bathroom and it worked fine for three years.
Another option: check local stone yards for remnants. I called three places and found a piece of quartz that would have fit for $60. The catch was the remnant was shaped oddly and I would have needed a wet saw to cut it. I do not have a wet saw. So I passed. But if you do, that is a dirt cheap high-end look.
Selecting Sinks and Faucets on a Budget for Your IKEA Hack Bathroom
Vessel sinks look cool but they take up counter space and hide the top drawer. I do not recommend them for a small bathroom unless you really enjoy bending down to reach things. Drop-in sinks are the way to go. They sit flush and let you keep the Malm drawers. I found mine for $38 at a discount store, and it came with a chrome drain.
- Check Amazon for unbranded drop-in rectangular sinks. I have seen prices as low as $28 but they are porcelain over steel, not ceramic. Fine for a guest bath.
- IKEA sells their own drop-in sink for $39 called the STIGSJÖ. I almost bought that one but it was out of stock. Annoying.
- For faucets, do not worry about brand names. A $40 faucet from the local big box store works better than a $100 designer one if you just need water to come out. I prefer a single-handle for small spaces because it takes up less footprint.
One tip: buy a faucet with a metal base plate, not plastic. The plastic ones crack when you tighten them. I speak from experience. My first faucet had a plastic escutcheon that snapped during installation. I returned it the same day.
Before and After: How the Malm Dresser Transformed Our Tiny Bathroom
The before was sad. A pedestal sink with a corroded faucet, no storage, and a weird gap behind the toilet where nothing fit. The after, honestly, looks like a completely different room. The navy blue paint on the Malm dresser gives it a furniture feel instead of a cheap dorm room dresser. I stained the butcher block countertop to match the navy tone with a dark walnut oil, and the contrast is sharp.
What really changed the vibe was the countertop surface. Suddenly there is room for a soap dispenser, a toothbrush holder, and a small plant. The drawers hold toiletries. No more cluttered countertop. It is not a huge bathroom, maybe 5 by 7 feet, but it feels twice as big now. Funny how clearing off a sink does that. I have had friends ask if I bought a custom vanity. I just smile and say nope, it is a $99 dresser with a lot of sanding.
One weird detail: I added a small scalloped shelf above the toilet using a reclaimed board from a fence. Totally unrelated to the dresser but it ties the whole budget theme together. Anyway, the point is that a small bathroom vanity on a budget does not have to look cheap if you take the time to finish it right.
Final Tips for Installing a DIY Bathroom Vanity Without Overthinking It
Seal everything. I cannot stress this enough. The Malm dresser is raw MDF inside and one water leak will turn it into oatmeal. I brushed on a coat of waterproof primer inside the drawer cavities, especially around the cut holes. It takes 10 minutes and saves you a replacement.
Plumbing wise: make sure your drain tailpiece extends into the p-trap. I forgot to check this on my first attempt and had to buy an extension tube. That is a $3 fix, but annoying when you already have the sink installed. Measure before you tighten anything.
Caulk around the sink edge and the back of the countertop against the wall. Use clear silicone for a clean look. And let it cure for 24 hours before you run water. I know it is tempting to test it immediately but patience pays off here. I learned that lesson after my first DIY vanity caulk cracked because I turned on the faucet too soon.
Do not skip the support blocks inside the dresser. Seriously. I added two horizontal 2x2s under the countertop, sized to fit snug. If you have a heavy stone countertop, add a third in the middle. Overengineering is free peace of mind.
Take a Moment to Save This Project
This is one of those rare small bathroom projects that actually saves money without looking like a compromise. The IKEA Malm dresser hack gives you storage, a custom look, and a real countertop for under $400. That is less than half what a comparable vanity would cost, especially if you want solid wood or quartz. And you get the satisfaction of saying I built that. Save this for your next DIY adventure, and if you try it, I would love to hear how it turns out. Drop a comment below or tag me on Pinterest, I always follow budget bathroom builds. 🛠️
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