How do I raise the height of this antique vanity?

Tracy
by Tracy

It is a lovely piece and I plan on refurbishing it but the height in the sitting area is only 14 1/2 inches tall. I need to make the vanity taller for use. Please advise!

  28 answers
  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Dec 22, 2020

    They sell wood legs at most hardware stores and they may be able to give you advice on the best way to complete your project and raise the height of the vanity. My Grandmother had one of these also and I always wanted it growing up.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 22, 2020

    The first way I can think of is to raise the height of the mid section, very carefully remove it from the 2 drawer sides and reattach it in a raised up position to the height of the 2 sides. You might be able to accomplish this with a putty knife.

    When you wrote the height is 14 1/2" I had to look at my floor tiles and each of those are 12" and thought, wow, that is not much clearance.

    Another idea is to put wheels under it, but that might look "off" because of the boxy look of the legs.

    Then thinking more about it, maybe take off the skirt of the from center piece-under the drawer, that would also give you a few inches.

    Have fun with your beautiful project and thank you for the picture.

  • Michelle Michelle on Dec 22, 2020

    I think putting casters camoflaged - put behind the corners would help. I also agree with maybe removing the curved edge on the vanity. This way it would also keep the lines of the drawers

  • The easiest way is to add wood to the bottom - cut and stained to match the vanity.

  • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on Dec 22, 2020

    Hi Tracy, If you are handy with a saw, you could copy the shape of the legs and cut pieces to match. If you cut them several inches high and then attach them to the current legs it will add height and when painted, you wouldn't even see the seam.

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Dec 22, 2020

    If castors is something you would be willing to add they can give you a couple of inches plus wood blocks above them could give you nearly five inches all together.

  • Em Em on Dec 22, 2020

    Add legs to the bottom. There are a ton of bun style or blocks you can buy on Amazon.

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Dec 22, 2020

    I would pop the decorative piece off under the drawer!

  • Dee Dee on Dec 22, 2020

    If you just want to change the height, Lowes and Home Depot sell bunt feet in all sizes. You can attach with screws and stain to match. I think I would also see if the curvy piece in the middle could come out, or if you can carefully cut it out and re stain.

  • I had a dresser with rotten legs which was now to low. I added new legs from an old dresser. You can actually buy legs in some hardware stores. https://uniquecreationsbyanita.com/tips-for-restoring-an-antique-dressing-table/

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 22, 2020

    Hello Tracy,

    You will need to make a plinth to put under the side drawer sets. Like an upside down box, made the height you need.

  • Karol Karol on Dec 22, 2020

    Build two wooden boxes to fit into the feet of the two legs. Lay the desk down and measure the depth of the feet. Looks to be around 4 inches. Add that to the height you want to increase the desk (12 inches higher? Plus 4inch feet= 16 inches). If desk is 2 feet front to back=8feet. And drawer feet are 9 inches wide =36 inches or 3 feet. Plus another couple inches for cutting. You'll need a 12 foot board 16 inches across....

  • Cindy Cindy on Dec 22, 2020

    Hi Tracy. The only way to create more space is to raise the entire piece up. Attaching new legs seems the easiest way to accomplish this. New legs 6 inches or so tall would be perfect. Thanks for the picture. Merry Christmas Tracy.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Dec 23, 2020

    I would suggest building a custom wooden riser.

  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Dec 23, 2020

    If its just a few inches you can put cut pieces of wood to match the bottom. Glue them on and paint them the same color as vanity.

  • Maura White Maura White on Dec 23, 2020

    instead of trying to increase the height, could you get a short chair? I don't know, but for some reason, that seems like a better solution. Then maybe give it to a little girl to use??

  • Sharon Sharon on Dec 23, 2020

    You could make a little box and stain to match to set each drawer section a couple inches higher. But really these had a kinda low bench seat that slide under the center section and were upholstered on top. It looks in great shapel

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Dec 23, 2020

    You can add a bigger toa kick, add a raised vanity top or build a platform underneath it


  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Dec 23, 2020

    you can buy furniture legs at Home Depot or Lowes that may be higher than you need but you can cut them off - stain or paint them and you have a higher vanity

  • Remove the curved front pieces on two sides only and make them straight flats. Use the curved center scroll piece as a template to cut your new base in the same pattern, height would be determined by you. Add a flat top to your base then lay the vanity on top, this way youll get storage for a basket in the center if you are using it for a bathroom vanity. If not just mimic this scrolled pattern for you two sides when building your new riser, that's two options I know but I overlooked your intended purpose...sorry.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Dec 27, 2020

    Hi! We raised the height of an old desk by creating a higher base for it. I'm currently doing the same thing with a small table. I always add wheels to the base, which also gives you more height. Good luck!

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Dec 27, 2020

    You could add wheels or build small little feet for the bottom of it

  • I would remove the front and back legs. Then I would add wood blocks cut to the height difference you need and then add the curved legs back.

  • Shannon Stordock Hecht Shannon Stordock Hecht on Jan 05, 2021

    I don't see any legs that can be easily removed! And cutting out the center scalloped section would completely destroy the classic look of the piece. I would flipped the dresser onto its' top. Very carefully take off of bottom of each side up to the bottom of the drawers. Then you can add 2 pieces of 1" plywood or pieces of wood that are the height you wand to raise the dresser. Sand and do all the staining needed to attempt to match the original color. If you intend to paint the piece, you should still sand and prepare the new section. Attach all the pieces. Use wood filler to fill the gaps. You might be able to find small decorative strips to use on the front to cover the seam... like under the top drawer. Sand and finish as you wish. If you are careful you won't be able to see any gaps. Good luck! It's a beautiful piece.

  • Joan Stanley Joan Stanley on Jan 06, 2021

    I have a similar dresser that I turned into a small desk. I'm sure yours, like mine, originally had casters. If you look. there may still be the medal spaces to slide new casters into. They will raise it about 1" . Larger casters might help more.