How can I make a vintage vanity taller??
by
Alexa
+19
I just bought this vintage vanity and when picking it up, I was far too stubborn to admit to my boyfriend that yes, it was far too short for my knees to go underneath. Needless to say, instead of finding a shorter bench, I think I need to raise it; however, it needs to be raised about 4-5 inches. It already has wheels, but I'm thinking about replacing them with much larger ones? Should I buy boxed risers? I don't want to take away from the look.
If you need to raise it, I would add wood to the legs and stain it to match. Larger wheels will look awkward.
You can certainly take the wheels off and add 4 -5" wooden legs to blend in with the current base and stain them to match. I agree with Ann, I would not put larger wheels on, I think that would take away from the vintage look.
Is that the location you will place the vanity? If you raise it, the mirror will hit the slanted wall. Whether you raise it with wood or wheels it will look out of proportion. Simpler to buy a smaller lower seat.
Rather than replacing with larger wheel, you could add the "bun" style feet. They can be stacked onto one another. Then you could add slides to the bottom or replace the wheels that are currently there.
4-5 inch wheels might look a bit odd. They do sell them online. You can add to the height by adding the correct height to each leg with scrap wood. Add a metal bracket to the back of each add on the is flat with holes that screw into the bench and into the add on piece. then on the inside screw in at an angle from the add on piece into the existing leg do on the outside (but it will show) or add a small pieces of trim to cover the screws where the joined pieces are. If you are painting you can fill the crack and sand.
Larger wheels wouldn't look good and they may bind when you try to move the vanity. You can remove the wheels and inserts. Fill the holes with glue and wood dowels. Buy some screw in feet, predrill holes in the dowels and screw the feet on. Then if you choose you can drill holes in the feet for the wheel inserts and reuse the wheels.
I definitely see the dilemma. Those pieces were designed and built to be that low. You could try adding legs but it might become unstable and look awkward, unless you made an effort to not blend the old with the new, thereby creating a sort of entirely new look. Or, easiest would be getting a shorter stool.
This might help you......
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/furniture/q-how-do-i-raise-the-height-of-this-antique-vanity-44364033
How do I raise the height of this antique vanity?
I would add the decorative turned wood finials you find at Lowes or Home depot. They can be screwed right into the bottoms of the existing legs. They can be anywhere from 4-10 inches high.
Lowes and HOme Depot sell bun feet that are large enough to raise your vanity. There are different styles, so go take a look. You would have to stain them to match your vanity. BTW that vanity is beautiful.
Instead of trying to raise the vanity up, have you thought about cutting some height off the stool legs instead? or would the whole set then be too low for you to use comfortably?
Hello. Heres a link that might have some solutions for your consideration
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Furniture+feet+extenders&ref=nb_sb_noss
Yes, add bigger wheels and add the risers (you can paint to make it look like it belongs) to lift it up even more.
I would cut the legs of the stool . Or add 2+4 stain them for the bottom of vanity
Yes
Here's a post that might help https://www.tradewindsimports.com/blog/make-bathroom-vanity-taller/
Yes get risers they use on beds paint them to match the legs if you put bigger wheels the wood would crack there isn’t enough to support the larger insert for them
Definitely remove the wheels or castors and replace with wooden legs that will also improve the look of the piece.