From Dark and Damaged to Light and Lovely: My Master Bath Vanity Makeover

When we first bought our home, the master bathroom left a lot to be desired. It was in rough shape, so an initial remodel was one of our early projects. We replaced the original vanity with a sleek, modern double vanity from the GPS store in a rich dark wood tone. It served us well for years—but as time passed, the finish began to peel, and the dark wood started feeling heavy in the space.

Lately, I’ve been drawn to lighter, more natural wood tones—something that would bring warmth and brightness to the bathroom without requiring a full replacement. I’d used Retique It before and loved the results, so I decided to give it another go, this time in their Pecan finish.

As I started sanding down the old finish, I discovered some water damage in the particle board beneath. A setback for sure, but nothing that Bondo couldn’t handle! (Side note: if you haven’t discovered Bondo for furniture repairs yet, it’s become a go-to in my DIY toolkit.)

Once the repairs were done and the surface was prepped, it was time for the fun part: applying the Retique It smooth finish. Here’s how I did it:

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Steps to Apply the Retique It Smooth Finish:

1. Clean & Prep:I wiped down the vanity thoroughly to remove dust, residue, and any oils. Clean prep makes all the difference in how the finish adheres.

2. Apply the Liquid Wood Layer:Using a brush, I applied a generous coat of Retique It Liquid Wood in light wood tone. This gives even laminate or particle board a real wood surface to work with.

3. Dry & Lightly Sand:Once dry (about 2–4 hours), I gave it a light sand with a fine-grit sanding sponge to smooth out the texture.

4. Stain with Retique It Gel Stain in Pecan:I used a lint-free cloth to wipe on the gel stain in Pecan. One coat gave it a soft, warm tone, and a second deepened the richness beautifully. You can play with layering to get the look you want.

5. Seal with Polyurethane:After the stain cured, I applied two coats of water-based polyurethane, allowing drying time between each coat. This protects the finish and gives it a subtle sheen without making it overly glossy.

To complete the refresh, I swapped out the old hardware for brushed stainless steel to coordinate with the rest of the bathroom fixtures. I also took the opportunity to reorganize under the sinks—new organizers, new layout, and a whole new level of function.

What started as a peeling, water-damaged mess ended in a calm, refreshed space that now feels more like a serene retreat than a utility zone. The transformation reminded me (yet again) that you don’t always need a full renovation—a little time, some good products, and a clear vision can go a long way.

Materials Used:

• Vanity - KOHLER Tresham | 24" Bathroom Vanity Cabinet • Woodland from GPS Store

• Finishing product - Retique It - Smooth Finish on Pecan

• Hardware - KocsanTR From Etsy