Bathroom Vanity Makeover

This post contains affiliate links—at no extra cost to you. The paint used in this project was gifted by Velvet Finishes Paint, but all words and opinions are my own.

It is amazing to me how paint can transform just about anything! I have been eyeing the vanity in our guest bathroom for a while, and knew it was ready for a little makeover. I was able to give it a whole new look using Velvet Finishes Paint and some new hardware!

If you have been around here long, you know that I like to use what I have. I find it difficult to get rid of something, or replace something, if there is nothing wrong with it. The vanities in our bathrooms fit into that category. They are functional and in good physical condition. They are not, however, the prettiest things I have ever seen. I think that we will eventually remodel both the main level bathrooms in our house, but that is not going to happen any time soon. That does not mean that I cannot do something now to make them look better and extend their life.

This is the second project on which I have used Velvet Finishes products and I just cannot say enough about it. I really like that they have a good color selection, but it is not overwhelming with so many different choices that it becomes hard to select. Both projects so far have been a mix of Tranquil and Timeless. You can find my approximate paint mixture measurements for the mix in my post from our Mudroom Painted Locker Makeover.

When I first posted that I was painting the vanity, I had a lot of responses to my Instagram story that people were concerned that I was painting over the thermofoil wrap on our cabinets. According to The Spruce, Thermofoil is a deceptive name; it has no metal content. Instead, it is a thin layer of vinyl that is vacuum-pressed onto cabinet doors and drawer fronts that are typically constructed ofmedium-density fiberboard(MDF). The problem with thermofoil is that it does not give paint anything to stick to.

Well, I was hopeful…and a little cocky…because I thought the cabinet doors had enough texture on them that I would not have any issues. It did not really turn out that way, though. I could tell as I started painting them that the paint was not sticking as well as it could. There really was no going back, though, and truthfully, once I got the first coat on, the paint seemed to be doing well.

I did all my normal prep-work of cleaning the entire vanity. I used Velvet Finishes’ Ready Spray, spraying it on, letting it sit for a minute, then wiping clean. Then, I removed the door fronts. (Next time I will remove drawer fronts too.) I do not have a great workshop space by any means, so I just propped them on our bar stools, after covering the stools with garbage bags. I also taped-off where the vanity meets the wall and along the floor. I didn’t want to mess up my Comet Peel & Stick Tiles Floor Decal from Wallpops!

Then, I just started in! I put a first coat on the doors and then went in to work on the rest of the vanity. Since I could not go back and sand or prime, I just kept on keeping on with the painting…even though I knew there might be some issues with wear and tear. (I uses a 2.5” angled brush from Purdy for the entire project. I could have used a small foam roller as well, but didn’t want to mess with it. It took (mostly) two coats to cover the vanity, although a few spots needed a third, thin coat. One other thing I learned from this experience, among many, is that you need to remove a floor register to paint it. I did not even think about it when I started painting, but the register at the foot of the vanity should have been taken off to be properly painted. It was difficult to get into all the nooks and crannies on it, while still installed. It looks ok from afar…I am just hoping no one gets down low enough to get a good look.

Back to the thermofoil…

I knew I was going to have issues with the paint scratching off when my handyman installed the hardware—there were chips in the paint... I felt a little defeated because I had just worked so hard on the vanity, but it was fixable! I went over each of the spots a couple of times with paint, allowed to dry, and then did the step that is going to be the most important in keeping the vanity looking as good as it can. Velvet Finishes’ has a product called Protect. It is a poly coat that goes on super easily to give your project an extra level of protection in a heavily used area. I had not done this step yet when the hardware was installed…I had just run out of time. As soon as the chipped spots were touched up, I put a coat of Protect on immediately. My intention is to do a couple more coats, to really give the vanity the protection it needs, since I did not sand or prime.

I am obsessed with the hardware I used for our vanity—so much so, that I have it in two other places in our home! Goldenwarm Gold Drawer Pulls (10in Brass Hardware for Cabinets) are everything I envisioned for this space and give the vanity a luxe look, along with the custom paint color from Velvet Finishes.

I want to be clear that the chipping issue has nothing to do with Velvet Finishes products. I absolutely love them, trust them, and stand behind them! The issue is that I did not prep the surface well enough, considering what it is made of. I have learned over the years to not take short cuts, but I let my laziness get the better of me on this one.

I am planning to paint our master bathroom vanity, using Velvet Finishes products, in the next week or so, and it is the same cabinetry as the guest bathroom—only double the size! I have already purchased 220 grit sandpaper and Zinsser Bullseye Primer by Rustoleum to use on the whole thing. I will not be skipping any steps this time and cannot wait to see the final product!

DIY projects can be scary and overwhelming when you do not have the right steps to follow. I do not ever want anyone to be too afraid to try something, though, so I always want to make sure that I am open and honest about the projects that I do. If I work on a project in my home and something does not go the way I thought it would, I will always tell you! There is usually something on my end that I have done wrong that made the project end up like that. That is definitely the case with the chipping paint on our bathroom vanity. It was simply laziness on my end for not doing all the pertinent prep-work.

I am happy to have this experience, though, because now I can tell you the steps, so that you will have an amazing experience the first time! My biggest hope for you is that you will be brave and try some projects in your home. Velvet Finishes’ products can transform your spaces, including walls, cabinetry, and décor. You will feel like a professional after using them, especially if you learn from my mistakes!

If you have been considering tackling a painting project, or wanting to use Velvet Finishes Paint, this is the time to do it! Now, through June 1, 2020, you can save 20% on your purchase, when you use code: HILARY20 at checkout! I cannot wait to see what you do!

If you use Velvet Finishes products on a project in your home, I would love you to share in your Instagram stories and tag me so I can see! I’m on Instagram at @hilaryprall.