Bathroom vanities serve as both the functional heart and major design element of your bathroom. It’s not just about providing storage and housing a sink; the right vanity enhances the overall aesthetic of the bathroom, offers essential storage, and provides a space for your daily rituals. Careful consideration of your needs, style preferences, and space constraints can ensure you choose the right bathroom vanity to elevate your bathroom both practically and visually.
1. Consider the Space
Understanding the dimensions and layout of your bathroom is the first step toward choosing the perfect vanity cabinet for you.
- Measure Twice, Choose Once: Precise measurements of the space are crucial. Measure the width, depth, and height where your vanity and top will be placed, as well as the space around it. Don’t forget to consider door swing and clearance, as they can restrict access to drawers, door openings or the sink area.
- Maximize Small Spaces: In a smaller bathroom, a compact, sleek vanity style is your best option. Or consider a floating vanity, which creates the appearance of a bigger space by exposing more of the floor. If you’re tight on space, consider a corner vanity or a single-sink model with reduced depth dimensions.
- Large Bathroom, Larger Vanity: If you’re designing a larger bathroom, a large vanity cabinet with ample counter space, double sinks, drawers or even built-in features like a makeup station or storage cubbies. However, remember that size should still be proportional to your overall layout. Even in larger bathrooms, be careful to avoid overwhelming the space with too bulky a vanity design.
Pro Tip: Always leave at least 30 inches of clearance in front of the vanity for easy movement and access.
2. Think About Who Will Be Using It
The number of users and their individual needs play a huge role in determining the ideal bathroom vanity.
- Families vs. Singles: A family bathroom may require more storage space, such as drawers for each person’s toiletries, a double sink, and larger counter space for daily use. In contrast, a guest or powder room can get away with a single-sink vanity and more minimal storage.
- Accessibility Considerations: For households with young children, consider a lower countertop height or vanities with rounded corners to prevent accidents. If someone in your home has mobility challenges, make sure to choose a vanity that offers easy access to both the sink and the storage, possibly with open space underneath for wheelchair access.
- Shared vs. Private Use: For shared bathrooms, a larger vanity with double sinks can help prevent bottlenecks during the morning rush. But for an ensuite or private bathroom, a compact single-sink vanity can suffice, offering an intimate and personal space.
Pro Tip: Read our blog How to Choose Your Bathroom Vanity Height for help finding the perfect vanity height.
3. Decide the Type of Storage You Need
Bathroom storage is essential for organizing everything from toiletries to cleaning supplies. The right storage options help create a clutter-free environment.
- Drawers vs. Cabinets: Drawers provide a more organized, easily accessible way to store small items such as makeup, skincare products, and brushes. Cabinet space is better for larger items like towels, extra toilet paper, and cleaning supplies.
- Open Shelving: Open shelves can create a chic, spa-like atmosphere, perfect for displaying neatly folded towels or decorative items. However, they require regular tidying and may not be ideal for households that need hidden storage for daily items.
- Multi-functional Vanities: Many vanities are designed with a combination of drawers, cabinets, and even pull-out shelves to maximize storage while maintaining an organized look. Taller vanities offer space for storing linens, make up and personal items and in some cases, your laundry.
Pro Tip: If you’re limited on cabinet storage space, consider wall-mounted vanity storage cabinets. Most commonly found over the toilet, these cabinets provide helpful additional storage, many with an additional open shelf or hanging rods for a well-placed hand towel.
4. Choose the Style
The style of your vanity plays a large role in setting the tone for your bathroom’s overall design.
- Modern style: Sleek, minimalist vanities with clean lines and neutral colors. Often made of materials like high-gloss lacquered wood, stainless steel, or matte finishes, these vanities fit perfectly in contemporary bathrooms.
- Traditional style: Characterized by rich wood finishes, raised panels, and ornate detailing, traditional vanities create a timeless, elegant look. They often feature more decorative elements like moldings and hardware.
- Rustic style: A rustic vanity typically uses reclaimed or distressed wood and may have a weathered finish. This style evokes warmth and natural textures, perfect for creating a cozy, earthy bathroom.
- Transitional style: This style blends traditional and modern elements to create a balanced, versatile vanity that can fit into a variety of bathroom designs. It combines clean lines with subtle details, offering a timeless yet modern appearance.
- Industrial style: A bolder look, industrial vanities incorporate metal frames, exposed hardware, and concrete or stone countertops. This style is ideal for urban or loft-inspired bathrooms.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about a particular style, opt for a neutral-colored vanity. You can easily update the look with accessories, such as cabinet knobs, lighting, or a new faucet.
5. Pick Materials and Finishes
When selecting a bathroom vanity, choosing the right materials and finishes is essential for both style and durability. Vanities come in a variety of materials, such as hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, and melamine. If you’re opting for a pre-made vanity, your material and countertop choices might be somewhat limited, which can make the decision process simpler. However, for certain vanities, the countertop may need to be purchased separately, giving you additional options to consider.
Countertops for bathroom vanities are available in a variety of popular materials, including quartz, granite, marble, laminate, concrete, wood, and engineered solid surfaces. While each material has its unique look and benefits, it’s important to remember that some options, like granite and marble, will require periodic sealing to maintain performance and appearance.
If you have specific design needs or preferences, a custom-built vanity offers options for style, material, and unique features. However, it’s important to note that custom options tend to be more expensive than prefabricated choic.
Regardless of the situation or need, choosing the right material and finish will ensure that your vanity cabinet, and countertop, not only fits your design vision but also stands the test of time.
6. Sink Options
The sink is a crucial component to your vanity selection, affecting both the style and functionality of both the cabinet and vanity top.
- Undermount/Integrated Sinks: Undermount sinks are mounted below the countertop, giving your bathroom a smooth, seamless appearance. These sinks may take up more space in the cabinet but are easier to clean because they eliminate the need to clean where a drop in sink would sit on the top. These sinks are molded directly into the countertop, offering a smooth, continuous surface. Integrated sinks are easy to maintain and can be made from the same material as the countertop for a cohesive look.
- Vessel Sinks: Vessel sinks sit on top of the countertop, creating a bold, modern statement. They come in various materials, including glass, ceramic, and stone. However, they can be difficult to clean, and due to size they may not be ideal for family bathrooms or smaller spaces.
- Drop-in Sinks: While not as popular due to its look sitting on top of the vanity and visible edge lines that require consistent cleaning, drop-in sinks provide a functional alternative that can be less costly vanity top sink option for your bathroom vanity and top.
Single vs. Double Sinks: A double bowl vanity is ideal for couples or families, offering separate spaces for users. A single sink is typical for smaller bathrooms or a more streamlined look, but may not provide enough counter space for multiple users.
7. Budget Considerations
Establishing a budget before you begin shopping ensures you find the vanity that fits your needs without breaking the bank.
- Establish Your Spend: A clear budget helps you make better choices. Vanities and features can range from very affordable to high-end, so understanding how much you're willing to spend will help narrow your options.
- Cost vs. Quality: While it can be tempting to opt for the cheapest option, a durable, well-constructed vanity is often worth the extra cost. Look for vanities that offer a good balance of price, materials, and design.
- DIY Installation vs. Professional Help: If you’re handy, installing a pre-assembled vanity can save on labor costs (no promises on frustration costs though). More complex installations may require professional help, so factor that into your budget.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of sales events, such as end-of-season or clearance, to find high-quality vanities at discounted prices.
Finding the Perfect Bathroom Vanity for Your Space and Style
Selecting the perfect bathroom vanity requires careful thought and consideration of your space, functionality, and style preferences. By understanding your needs, measuring your space accurately, and balancing aesthetics with practicality, you can find a vanity that enhances your bathroom for years to come.
