How do I remove the top from a dresser to be used as a vanity?

by Margaret E

+20

Answered

The dresser is probably 40s-50s maple, solid as a rock. Everything I've found in a Google search assumes the piece is falling apart; just slip a utility knife in between the top and the frame and cut the finish. NOT my problem! I don't want to butcher this, so I haven't gone for the recip saw yet. I've removed the front screws; trying to find a short-enough screwdriver to get the back ones out. Any suggestions - from someone who's done this, please!

how do i remove the top from a dresser to be used as a vanity, The dresser before sanding and two coats of stain Yes there is a mirror but it s not safe on the job site

The dresser before sanding and two coats of stain. Yes, there is a mirror, but it's not safe on the job site!

9 answers

William on May 07, 2016
Run a utility knife along the perimeter at the underside of the dresser top where it meets the main body of the dresser. This will break the seal created by the finish and make for a nice, clean break once the top is removed. Remove the drawers. Look through the drawer opening and locate the screws that hold the dresser top to the main body of the dresser. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws. Gently tap the underside of the dresser top with a hammer to dislodge it from the main body of the dresser.

1 marked as helpful Reply
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- Margaret E on May 08, 2016
  @William I saw that suggestion, William - the seam where top and base is glued and absolutely solid. How do I keep my hand steady enough not to go off that seam and not scratch up the piece?
  
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- William on May 08, 2016
  @Margaret E In your photo the top extends beyond the case. This creates a 90 degree angle top to case. Use a box knife at a 45 degree angle under the top in the seam and score the finish. You may need to score it a few times. The 45 degree angle should keep the blade in the seam. Just go slow.
  
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- Margaret E on May 09, 2016
  @William I've gone over it several times, but have yet to make much of an indentation. Will keep trying! It has to come off before the granite can be installed. Thanks!
  
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Trisha Hardy-Atkins on May 08, 2016
You could instead set a bowl style sink on top rather than cutting into this piece! Of course I'm assuming this is for use as a bathroom vanity?

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- Margaret E on May 08, 2016
  @Trisha Hardy-Atkins Yes, this will be a bathroom vanity, and I'm using a vessel sink. However, it will be too high if I put the granite slab over the current top. The vessel sink is large so I need the current top removed to accomodate a slightly larger top - it's a very unusual sink and I looked far and wide to find something so beautiful and special for this special bathroom I'm designing. The dresser has to be cut into anyhow for the plumbing. I need to remove the top as carefully as possible so as not to damage the rest of the piece.
  
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Country Design Home on May 08, 2016
OK, so I am reading that you are not trying to remove the veneer, but the actual top of the piece so you can replace it with a stone or granite top? The top would typically be screwed or nailed into place, depending on the age of it. But it might also be glued. You need to get to those back screws and loosen them, but if it is impossible, you could try tipping it sideways and then try to loosen the top screws by lightly hammering from underneath. Sometimes that will be enough to allow the top to break free and expose the screws so you can remove them. Last straw would be to saw it off, but very difficulty to get a clean line when you do this.

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- Margaret E on May 08, 2016
  @Sue@CountryDesignHome Sue, exactly! This piece is rock solid. I've removed the front screws but haven't yet gone to the site with a small-enough screwdriver to get the back ones. (Today I have one of my odd-shaped sewing machine "screwdrivers" - hopefully it will work!) I'm thinking possibly a coping saw - that has a thin-enough blade and unlike a jigsaw, it will fit into that seam between the top and frame. Unfortunately the area where the top drawers is is so narrow I can't get a hammer in to even gently swing the hammer to possibly break the glue seal. Thank you for your input!
  
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- Sandra on May 11, 2016
  If you are getting rid of the top and those back screws give trouble loosening them try a little W-D40. Not a lot because it will run. Besides you can put more on if the first squirt doesn't work. I would put it top down when you do it to let it do ITS WORK. Let it sit for awhile before you try again. If you can't reach the screw, even with a small screw driver, maybe a long handle ratchet wrench might help. Of course that depends on the kind of head the screw has on it. Another thought. This looks like an old chest which means there could be another problem. Have you checked the joints? Are they dove tailed? If they are it seems it might be better to let a pro take the top off. I am sure there is some sort of wood glue solution that desolves glue, but then you have to hope the glue devolves and you can easily pull that top off without harming the base. So, if it's not screwed together then i think it would be best to ask a furniture refinisher to look at it and give you his opinion and possibly, depending what he says, have him remove the top. I think it will be beautiful.
  
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- Margaret E on May 12, 2016
  @Sandra Thank you for your suggestions. The drawers are dove-tailed but not the top - it's been glued and screwed -and probably clamped, made back when furniture making was an art. I'll take another go at the back screws - I need to get an idea where the plumbing will be coming through the back - possibly cutting a hole for that will open up enough space for me to access those screws. Here's hoping!
  
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Pri4759878 on May 08, 2016
I used glass tiles on my up cycled vanities. Just make sure that you seal the grout to waterproof it.

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Marie on May 08, 2016
I used an old wash stand for a vanity, having the opposite problem...to low. So I added legs, stained to match, for the right height, had a marble top put on and a copper vessel!! Love it. Why don't you lower it by cutting the legs down enough or even replacing the legs if necessary. Actually, the wash stand I used did not have legs originally...... sat flat on the floor! It is a beautiful piece you have and would be a shame to think it could be damaged.

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Freida on May 11, 2016
I did a vanity from a buffet and it looks great. I never removed the top. My husband removed the top drawer and cut the whole for the sink. A skilled carpenter cut a square U shaped part out of the bottom of the drawer and stabilized it with 3/4 inch pieces of wood around the square U, so the drawer would slide around the sink drain. I had someone that cleans furniture to refinish the buffet and he used an oil base finish. It looks fantastic!

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- Margaret E on May 11, 2016
  @Thank You Freida I'm using a vessel sink, so won't need more than plumbing access, so I'm hoping to just shorten up the two top drawers to still be able to use part of them. But the top needs to come off. My brother, a woodworker, might have given me enough info to coax the top off without too much damage to the frame.
  
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- Marie on May 13, 2016
  @Margaret E I thought I'd shorten the drawer on the old wash stand also but the plumbing actually takes up a lot of the room because it is pretty much in the middle. It would have to be a very short drawer, so not so sure it's worth it. Good luck and I love that 'repurposed' furniture is so popular....it has so much character!
  
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- Margaret E on May 13, 2016
  @Marie If I can stash my toothbrush and toothpaste in one skinny drawer and my hair weaponry in another - and get them off the top of the vanity - I'd be a happy camper! I have pretty vintage serving pieces I've adapted to hold makeup, etc., but these not-so-attractive but necessary items live on top of my (current) vanity. Ugh. That's why I'm looking to be able to shorten the drawers, not just make non-functioning "drawer fronts."
  
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- Sally on Dec 30, 2016
  
  Can you post what your brother suggested. I'm in the same boat, needing to remove the tops from two buffets that I have making them into bathroom vanities. I am even cutting down the legs on one of them as much as I can but not ruin the look of it but it would still be to high once we add the granite top. I am putting in drop in sinks not vessels since my husband hates the vessel style. The one buffet is very old with Skelton key locks on the doors and drawers.
  
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- Pam Johnston on Sep 14, 2022
  
  I would love to see the finished product of any vanity projects. I am planning to make this into my bathroom vanity and can’t decide to remove the wood top and replace with granite or leave wood and apply marine varnish. Any suggestions would be welcome.
  
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Marie on May 13, 2016
Thats actually smart. I still haven't given up that idea. I'm at 'the older end' of things/ have downsized!!! Hard to do after a lifetime of 'keeping' things!! Good luck with all you take on. Love the chats here!

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- Margaret E on May 14, 2016
  @Marie I'm on the "older end of things" too - cancelled retirement to get the little bungalow I'm renovating, so I'm splitting time between where I live (and the house is) and Atlanta, where I still work. Yes, bad as it sounds. But the house is in a prime location and will be income property for my son when I'm no longer able to care for it. It's just getting it to the point where I can move in that has been a drain. One day at a time!
  
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Margaret E on May 18, 2016
The top still hasn't come off the dresser, but I'm closer. All screws holding it on have been removed and I can slide a putty knife under each corner. Not all the way to the other side of the frame yet, but I'm going to try my brother's suggestion of using a heat source (such as a hair dryer or heat gun) to blow on the underside and possibly warm the glue enough to loosen the top from the frame. Thanks to those who took the time to respond.

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Annette on Feb 28, 2017

Well what finally worked?

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- Margaret E on Feb 28, 2017
  
  I started sawing at the corners till I could slide in screwdrivers and then a pry bar. It took a couple hours of sawing and prying till it finally came off. I hope to post the "after" pictures of the project soon - it's finally finished, except to swap out the faucet for another that's more appropriate for my vessel sink.
  
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