How can I fill in the 2-inch gap on each side of my new vanity to make it look nice?
Asked by Alder Cardoso 
2 months ago
Last Updated: September 25, 2024
Just got a new vanity and it’s actually smaller than I thought. There’s a 2-inch gap on each side. Any ideas on how to fill it in or make it look better? Thanks in advance!
Install a filler strip.
Simply place boards on both sides and paint them to match.
Put a board on each side, sand lightly if needed for smoothness, then prime and paint to match.
Improve the tile underneath that cabinet
Home Depot (and other stores) carries 3″ filler trim pieces. First, pull out the vanity. Attach 2″x2″ pieces to each side of the vanity to have something to attach the trim. Then, cut the 3″ pieces to fit snugly in the spaces. Secure the trim to the 2″x2″s. Before working on the vanity, remove the floor/base moulding on the right side wall to size it correctly first. (Reinstall the moulding after putting back the vanity and smoothing the wall where the old vanity was larger.) Also, make sure to pull the vanity out to where the old one was deeper before measuring and installing your countertop. (If you push it all the way back to the wall, the missing floor tile underneath will be visible).
Note: You can use any piece of wood trim and paint it to match, or check if Home Depot has the trim that matches the vanity brand. They offer a variety of 3″ trim pieces to choose from.
For example, your friend has sent you a link to a Home Depot product they think you’d like. Search for “Kitchen Cabinet Filler Trim”
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-3x36x-79-in-Cabinet-Filler-in-White-KA0336F-WH/303700226
Filler strips! Head to a local paint store with a cabinet door to get them color matched. Paint the filler strips to match. It’s a common task to need filler strips.
I’ve actually had high-end customers do this intentionally. So, do you have a top that is the same size? If you do, just own it and say it was the look you were going for. Filling the sides and painting isn’t that simple. If I were to do it, I’d have to repaint the entire cabinet because it’s unlikely you’ll find an exact color match. Plus, there might be brush marks that aren’t there now. Do you have an airless sprayer? Also, how can it not be the size it says on the box or your tape measure? The hole shouldn’t have changed.
I totally agree, . I’ve noticed a few luxury homes doing the same thing.
These vanities with tops at the store are really great and cost less than half of what it would be to install custom ones with granite.
We used cabinet filler pieces and had the paint store match the paint. You could also use filler pieces that match the countertop for a decorative contrast.
Even if the side boards were painted bright white to coordinate with the baseboards, it would still look fine. However, painting them to match the vanity would be the optimal choice in my opinion.
Is the countertop designed to fit that cabinet specifically, or are you planning to have one custom made?
Apply filler on each side
I’d simply trim it down!
I personally love how mine turned out.
Here’s what I’d do: Fix the drywall and just leave it as it is, doesn’t have to be flush against the walls
We did the same as well
‘s work is absolutely stunning
I’m really enjoying this
Wow! I’m so grateful for all the likes and love, it means a lot to have people value your work 😊❤️
It all comes down to how long the counter is. If it goes from one end of the wall to the other, I’d suggest painting a piece of pine for each side, cutting it to size, and spraying it in the same color as the cabinet.
Ph Civitello, 100 percent!
Ph Civitello, you could use a filler strip similar to what they use in kitchens. I can only imagine the things that might accidentally fall off the counter and get lost in there.
Create a scribe trim piece for both sides
I actually really appreciate the gap!
Take it out and fix the wall properly for a smooth finish. When you re-install it, the gap seems good to me. Will the counter be in contact with the walls?
The vanity looks great. May I ask where you got it from?
I agree, I’m curious to know more!
Options: 1. Filler panels. 2. Keep open and use for storing mops, brooms, etc. 3. Shift to the side and add a roll-away pantry for storing small items:
This is absolutely amazing!
I was thinking of doing something like this in my kitchen, but unfortunately the gaps were just 2mm too narrow. Still, it’s a great concept for hidden storage! It could work well for storing chopping boards too.
Has no plans for the 4 in the cabinet
😲😲😲😜
‘t worry about it touching the walls, just leave it as is and patch up the walls instead!
Do you realize how much stuff could fall into those spaces and get stuck?
You can find kitchen cabinets with side panels for this purpose. They are typically available at Home Depot.
Purchase two white cabinet filler strips. You might have to cut them to size using a table saw. Use a drill and screws to attach them.
Packing foam. Then give this a shot: not exactly sure what it’s called. It might be available in various sizes.
It’s incredibly disheartening to see the quality of what they market to us nowadays.
Also, on a different note.. think about it.. When measuring for your countertop, the lack of floor tile under that cabinet is noticeable. So, you have three choices..
1.) Get some matching floor tile and tile under the vanity.
Place a black board behind that opening to cover the tile.
2.) Place a piece of wood behind the opening under the cabinet and paint it black to hide the gap.
3.) Extend your vanity out to where the old vanity was. Measure for a deeper countertop to accommodate the deeper setup. It’s fine to have a gap behind your vanity.
I’d go with option 3. Especially if I need to custom order the top anyway. (Using standard precut vanity tops might be more challenging to find for a perfect fit).
This room is small and commercial, so we included a 2-inch filler on both sides. Keep in mind that the kickboard spans the entire width
The last one was built-in, but this one is freestanding. Freestanding units usually don’t reach all the way to the walls on the sides.
If you prefer less space, simplify wall cleaning by adding new drywall on top, which will occupy some of the space on each side.
Place a lovely piece of trim on either side to cover the gap
The bathroom appears to resemble a prison cell in the basement.
I suggest extending the counter to reach the wall (adding an overhang).
It would be aesthetically pleasing like that. Just be sure to have the correct size attachment for your vacuum to pick up the dust bunnies.
Use filler strips
The material on your walls, mine was awful so I threw it up and it ended up looking good
Complete the drywall and then send it. Dresser-style vanities don’t have to be flush against the wall.
Add trim
As many have suggested: tile, fix the drywall, and leave some space.
Keep it in the middle.
Repair the wall.
Tile it.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how good it looks.
Either center it and leave it as is, or center it and use a small piece of wood to fill the gap on both sides. The piece of wood will prevent things from getting lost in the back.
Add a spacer in between
Just make it intentional, it will be okay that way
Put baseboard on both sides and paint whatever you can on the wall. A toilet paper roller comes in handy here for extra reach.
Well if you have a vanity as a furniture piece, you can’t just move boxes around to gain 4 inches in one spot. It’s common for furniture pieces not to fit wall to wall. If it’s a tight fit and one wall is out of square or plumb, you might run into trouble. You can get a 2-inch filler from a big box store, take a drawer to have the white color matched, paint it, and voila, problem solved.
Having a furniture piece vanity means you can’t simply move boxes around to gain 4 inches in one spot. It’s typical for furniture pieces not to fit wall to wall. If it’s a tight fit and one wall is out of square or plumb, you might run into trouble. However, you can easily solve the problem by adding a 2-inch filler from a big box store, matching the white color of a drawer, painting it, and voila! Problem solved.
It seems like the size is perfect for the area. I wouldn’t make any changes.
Filler strips
The cabinet company can provide filler strips, which will be 3 inches long. You will need to trim them down and secure them.
They should really create a cabinet filler to address these gaps in cabinets. It’s such a simple idea, I’m surprised no one has done it yet. 😉
If they had purchased a real vanity, that would have been the correct answer. There are no proper fill pieces for low-quality apartment cabinetry. Stapled particle board together is just big box store junk.
Hey , let’s keep it friendly, no need to be harsh
Hey , your insights are always so useful
What’s the point of having a furniture-style cabinet if you don’t want it to appear freestanding?
Oops! Should’ve double-checked those measurements. The End. 😆 🤭
Simply cut some pine or oak, about 3 to 4 inches wide, on each side and fill it in with wood putty or any other filler, then sand and paint over it.