Unfinished Bathroom Vanities: Sizes, Wood and How to Finish One

Short answer: An unfinished vanity arrives as bare wood, with no stain, paint or clear coat, so you finish it to match your bathroom. Ours are built in the USA by Magnus Home Products, in 24" to 72" widths, in solid red oak or unpainted solid poplar. Most are 21" deep and 34" tall, but there are 18"-deep models for tight rooms and a few 30"-tall ones. You can add one of three stone tops or buy the cabinet alone.

The two things to settle first are the size that fits your space and whether you want a vessel sink or an undermount sink. After that, the finishing is up to you.

Unfinished vanity sizes we carry

All sizes come from the Magnus listings, cabinet only, in inches.

Every width comes in a vessel sink version and an undermount sink version. See all 52 on our Unfinished Bathroom Vanities page, or compare finished vanities by width on our 24", 36", 48", 60" and 72" pages.

Short on space? The 18" deep and 30" tall models

18" deep. The Narrow Mission line, in 24", 30", 36" and 48" widths, is 18" from front to back instead of 21". The 36" Shaker is also 18" deep. For example, the 24" Narrow Mission for an undermount sink measures 24" x 18" x 34". Those 3 inches can help in a small bathroom where the vanity sits close to a toilet or door swing.

30" tall. Four listings are 30" high instead of 34": the 24" and 30" Mission vanities without "34" Height" in the title, such as the 24" Mission for a vessel sink. A lower cabinet can make sense with a tall vessel bowl, but check the height you want at the rim before you choose.

Not sure what fits? Our vanity measuring guide walks through width, depth and clearance.

Red oak or poplar?

Red oak (40 listings). The Mission, Narrow Mission and Vippis styles list an unfinished solid red oak cabinet with a solid poplar and plywood back panel. Vippis is the raised-panel style, like the 48" Vippis 6 Drawer. Red oak has an open grain that shows through stain, which is why it's a popular choice for a stained finish.

Poplar (12 listings). The Shaker style lists an unpainted solid poplar cabinet with a plywood back panel, like the 36" Unpainted Shaker. Poplar has a smoother, plainer grain, so it's a common pick for paint. Note that the Shaker listings say the vanities ship unpainted, and the painted photos are examples only.

Whichever wood you pick, try your finish on a hidden spot or a scrap first. The same stain can look very different on oak and poplar.

Vessel or undermount sink?

All 52 come in one of two versions, 26 of each, and the version changes how the optional top is drilled:

• Undermount: the optional top comes with an oval vitreous china undermount sink with an overflow hole. The faucet holes are drilled three-quarters of the way through from underneath, so you choose single-hole, 4" centerset or 8" widespread. If you skip the top, no sink is included.
• Vessel: the optional top has a 2" drain cutout, and you choose a left, right or center faucet position to suit your bowl. The vessel bowl isn't part of the top, so choose one that suits the top size and the faucet spot.

Planning a three-hole faucet? See how to install a widespread bathroom faucet. For the vessel side, our undermount vs. vessel sinks guide compares the two, and you can shop vessel sinks.

With a top or cabinet only?

Each listing has an Optional Top choice: No Top, Carrara, China Black or Baltic Brown. The listings say the granite and marble tops show natural variations in color. Each top is 3/4" thick, with an optional 4" backsplash.

On most listings, the top adds about an inch to the width and depth and 3/4" to the height. For example, the 48" Mission 6 Drawer, single door is 48" x 21" x 34" as a cabinet, and 49" x 22" x 34 3/4" with the top. That model also lets you choose left- or right-hand door hinges.

What's included, and what isn't

• Included: the cabinet, with pads on the bottom. Every listing with drawers lists dovetail drawers. With an undermount top, the sink and sink clips come too.
• Not included: door and drawer hardware (knobs and pulls), and the faucet. Every one of the 52 listings says so.
• Delivery: every listing says it ships by freight truck.

Plan to buy knobs or pulls that suit your finish. They go on last, after the finish has dried.

How to finish an unfinished vanity

28 of the red oak listings say final sanding and surface preparation is required before finishing. These are general steps. Always follow the directions on the stain, paint or clear coat you choose.

1. Inspect it first. Check the cabinet as soon as it arrives, before you sand or finish anything.
2. Take off the doors and drawers, and label each one so it goes back in the same spot.
3. Sand, working from a medium grit up to a fine grit, then remove all the dust.
4. Test your finish on a hidden spot, like the inside of a door.
5. Apply stain, or primer and paint, and let each coat dry for as long as the label says.
6. Seal it for a bathroom. Use a clear coat or paint made for damp rooms, and cover every side, including the back, the bottom and any cut-outs for plumbing.
7. Add the hardware and install. Our vanity replacement guide covers removing the old vanity and setting the new one.

Frequently asked questions

What does unfinished mean on a vanity?

It means the wood has no final stain, paint or clear coat. Our unfinished vanities are solid red oak or unpainted solid poplar, ready for you to finish.

What sizes do unfinished bathroom vanities come in?

We carry 24", 30", 36" and 48" single-sink widths and 60" and 72" double-sink widths. Most are 21" deep and 34" tall, with 18"-deep and 30"-tall options in some sizes.

Do I need to seal an unfinished vanity?

Yes. Bare wood in a bathroom needs a finish made for damp rooms, on every side. Follow the directions on the product you use.

Does an unfinished vanity come with a top and sink?

Only if you choose one. Each listing offers No Top or a Carrara, China Black or Baltic Brown top. Undermount versions with a top include the sink. Vessel versions need a vessel bowl, which isn't part of the top.

Can I paint an unfinished red oak vanity?

Yes, though the open grain can show through paint. If you want a smooth painted look, the poplar Shaker vanities ship unpainted and are a common pick for paint.

How we checked: every size, wood, top and included-item detail on this page comes from our 52 live Magnus Home Products listings on November 3, 2026. Listings can change, so check the product page before you order.