Philadelphia renter Madeline Warshaw inherited a bathroom with a pedestal sink, a sealed "mystery door" leading nowhere, and storage that amounted to one medicine cabinet mirror.
Her fix: an eight-drawer IKEA HAUGA dresser placed directly over that unused door, an IKEA dresser-bathroom storage hack she calls the biggest change in the room. She says it gave her more bathroom counter space and storage than she'd ever had in that spot, according to Apartment Therapy.
This guide walks through adapting that idea in your own bathroom: repurposing unused wall space with a freestanding dresser, then dressing up a plain pedestal sink with a fabric skirt. Keep one thing in mind going in.
The dresser is bedroom furniture pressed into bathroom service, not a built-in vanity, so it needs a dry spot away from spray and splashes. Secure it to the wall, following IKEA's instructions, before use.
Warshaw built her pleated skirt from water-resistant outdoor fabric with her grandmother, turning what she describes as a basic Home Depot pedestal sink into a charming focal point. The skirt conceals open space under the sink rather than enclosing it in a cabinet. Since the original project doesn't specify exactly how she hung it, this guide offers a practical, removable option along with a few alternatives.
Plan your IKEA dresser bathroom storage hack
Gather these before you start:
The dresser itself (Warshaw used the eight-drawer IKEA HAUGA, according to Apartment Therapy)
The anti-tip wall restraint hardware supplied with the dresser
A stud finder
A drill with bits and fasteners suited to your wall type
A level and tape measure
Fabric, thread, and a sewing machine or hand-sewing supplies for the skirt
Suitable removable hanging hardware for the skirt
Bins or organizers sized to the drawers
Before picking up the drill, establish where you can safely make holes. Avoid drilling near outlets, light switches, or anywhere you suspect a supply line or drainpipe runs behind the wall.
A stud finder helps locate framing, but it won't reliably identify everything hidden behind drywall. If you're uncertain what's behind the wall, have a qualified professional check before drilling.
Measure your available wall space using the dresser's full assembled dimensions, not the shipping box. The current US listing for the eight-drawer IKEA HAUGA gives its dimensions as 54 3/8 inches wide, 21 5/8 inches deep, and 41 inches high.
Check the listing and assembly instructions for the exact model you're buying, since other HAUGA configurations have different dimensions. Measure the doorway, hallway, and turning space needed to get the dresser into position, too.
Identify your splash zone next. The dresser needs to sit outside the direct spray path of a shower or tub, and anything placed on top should stay dry. Its particleboard construction isn't designed to handle the repeated moisture exposure expected of bathroom cabinetry.
Check whether your wall can support the required anti-tip restraint before committing to a layout. A stud or suitable structural backing may provide a secure attachment point, but the correct fasteners depend on the wall and the manufacturer's instructions.
Confirm the dresser won't block access to an electrical panel, plumbing cleanout, vent, or shutoff valve. If you rent, get your landlord's permission before drilling or covering a sealed door or access panel. An old door may still conceal something that requires access.
Assembling the dresser and installing its restraint can be a manageable DIY project, but only if you can follow the manufacturer's instructions and identify a suitable anchoring method. If you can't secure it properly, choose another storage solution.
The pleated skirt is a more involved sewing project. Practice on scrap fabric first if you've never made pleats.
Warshaw's project doesn't list a total cost. Two other IKEA bathroom furniture projects offer rough reference points, though neither matches this dresser-and-skirt setup.
One IKEA HEMNES vanity cost $388 as a line item in an $892 bathroom renovation, according to Eliza Morrill Home. A separate customized IKEA vanity project totaled $454, according to At Home With Ashley.
Build your own estimate rather than borrowing theirs. Price the dresser, any required wall fasteners, fabric, thread, hanging hardware, and drawer organizers separately, since neither project includes exactly the same materials.
Install the dresser as drawer storage
Check the dresser's assembled dimensions against your bathroom doorway and access route. If the finished unit won't fit comfortably, assemble it in the bathroom according to IKEA's instructions rather than trying to force it through a narrow opening.
Position the dresser against the intended wall and check its clearance from the toilet, baseboard trim, sink, and door swing. Open only one drawer at a time to confirm it clears nearby fixtures.
Install the supplied anti-tip restraint according to IKEA's instructions, using appropriate fasteners for the wall. Complete this step before loading or using the dresser.
Position the dresser as required by its assembly instructions, keeping its footprint outside the sink and tub splash zones identified earlier.
Treat the top as a dry storage surface only. Check the specific model's care instructions, and don't assume it behaves like a moisture-resistant bathroom vanity.
Confirm that the dresser is properly anchored and level, that each drawer opens and closes freely, and that the top and base stay dry during normal bathroom use.
If you can't install a secure wall restraint, don't use the dresser in that location. See the alternatives below.
If you're renting, remember that the anchoring hardware will leave holes. Get permission before drilling, and plan for appropriate repairs when the dresser is removed.
IKEA's HAUGA assembly instructions and safety guidance require wall anchoring. The company also warns against opening multiple drawers simultaneously and recommends placing heavier items in the lowest drawers.
Never test the dresser's stability by pulling on an open drawer or deliberately trying to tip it. Follow the manufacturer's anchoring and inspection instructions instead.
Add a sink skirt for color and concealment
Treat this as a decorative sewing project inspired by Warshaw's skirt. The original makeover confirms she used pleated, water-resistant outdoor fabric, but it doesn't document her exact measurements or mounting method.
What follows is one practical starting point, with room to adjust as you go.
Measure the basin's outer edge where the skirt will hang and the distance from that point to the floor. Cut an oversized test panel from scrap fabric, pin box or knife pleats along the top edge, and hold it around the sink to check fullness before cutting your final fabric.
Once you're happy with the test panel, sew the pleats along the top edge so the fabric hangs with visible fullness rather than lying flat against the pedestal.
Hem the bottom edge slightly above the floor's highest point so it won't drag or remain damp after mopping.
Choose a removable hanging method suited to the sink. One option is a lightweight curtain wire attached to appropriately rated wall hooks behind the pedestal. Don't drill into the sink itself, and confirm that no supply lines or drainpipes run behind the planned mounting points.
Test the mounting carefully before regular use. The fabric should stay in place without the hooks loosening or the wire sagging. If it slips, reconsider the mounting method or use hardware rated for the actual load rather than adding unverified attachment points.
Before storing anything underneath, lift the skirt and confirm you can still reach the water shutoff valves without removing or cutting the fabric.
Choose fabric with bathroom humidity in mind. Warshaw used water-resistant outdoor fabric, according to Apartment Therapy. Check its care label and follow the recommended cleaning instructions.
Water-resistant fabric can tolerate occasional splashes better than many indoor textiles, but it isn't necessarily waterproof. Keep the skirt clear of standing water, electrical outlets, and any heat sources.
When this IKEA bathroom storage hack won't work
Skip this setup if you can't secure the dresser, preserve access to essential fixtures, or keep the room reasonably dry.
No secure anchor point: If you can't identify a suitable attachment method for the wall, don't improvise with adhesive strips or leave a tall dresser unsecured. Choose bathroom storage designed for the available space and install it according to its own instructions.
The dresser blocks something you need: If placing it against the wall covers an electrical panel, plumbing cleanout, vent, or shutoff valve, change the layout or choose a shallower piece rather than sacrificing access for a few extra inches of storage.
The room stays consistently damp: The HAUGA is standing in for a vanity here, not functioning as purpose-built bathroom furniture. If your bathroom stays damp even with ventilation after showers, choose furniture designed for humid conditions instead.
Drawers hit the baseboard, toilet tank, or door swing: Adjust the dresser's position before anchoring it, or choose a shallower model. Don't force a drawer that catches on nearby fixtures.
The skirt's mounting hardware loosens or the hem drags: Replace the mounting method with suitable rated hardware, or use a removable attachment supported by a properly secured mounting strip. Recheck the hem against the floor's highest point.
Fabric is visibly absorbing water or developing a damp smell: Raise the hem, improve ventilation, or replace the fabric with a more suitable washable material. Remove any fabric showing signs of mold rather than continuing to use it.
Finish line
Wipe up splashes near the dresser's top and base immediately, and keep the bathroom ventilated after showers. Every few weeks, check the drawer bottoms, edges, and base for swelling, peeling, or soft spots. Moisture damage can weaken particleboard furniture over time.
For organizing the drawers, one option is to keep everyday items like towels and toiletries in easy-to-reach drawers, saving lower drawers for heavier backup supplies. Put leak-prone bottles, such as spare liquid soap or cleaning products, in a washable bin or tray so spills don't sit directly against the drawer surfaces.
Once the dresser and skirt are functioning as storage, add character with a few lightweight decorative pieces. Warshaw layered in a Mini Rodini textile, a Hay rug, and vintage decor, according to Apartment Therapy.
If you're repainting while you're at it, consider satin or semigloss paint rather than a flat finish. This Old House notes that these finishes generally handle humidity and cleaning better, making them practical choices for bathrooms.
Don't overthink matching Warshaw's exact dresser model, fabric print, or decor choices. The reusable idea is reclaiming wasted wall space for storage, then adding color and texture that suit your room and budget.
Before calling the project done, run through a final check:
The dresser is securely anchored according to IKEA's instructions.
Each drawer clears nearby fixtures when opened individually.
The top and base show no swelling, peeling, or warping.
The skirt's hem stays above the floor.
Plumbing shutoff valves and other access points remain reachable.
The skirt's mounting hardware remains secure during normal use.
The finished result should give you more useful storage without sacrificing access, stability, or the ability to keep the bathroom dry.
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