Bathroom Design: How to Pick Out a Vanity
Learn how to choose the right materials, style and size for a vanity that fits your bathroom and works for your needs
Houzz Editorial Staff
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It's not always the most glamorous part of a bathroom remodel, but choosing the right vanity can make or break your bathroom's design. If it's placed awkwardly in a traffic route, uses poor or mismatched materials, or doesn't have enough storage, the rest of your bathroom will suffer.
We spoke with six bathroom and vanity designers to get the professional scoop. Here are their suggestions for this bathroom cornerstone.
We spoke with six bathroom and vanity designers to get the professional scoop. Here are their suggestions for this bathroom cornerstone.
1. Placement
Access. Choose a spot for your vanity that won't mess with your bathroom's traffic flow or block the bathroom door or shower door swing. Beth Fillerup of Native Trails advises homeowners to think about cleaning and about the vanity door swing space, too. Good questions to ask, she says, include: "Are the surrounding areas accessible for cleaning? If the vanity has doors, is the space around the vanity adequate for foot traffic when they are open?"
Designer Robert Berkovich of European Cabinets & Design Studio suggests that homeowners take other architectural features into account when deciding on a spot, too. Make sure that any windows nearby will allow for a mirror and wall cabinets above the vanity. "Remember, the vanity plays an integral role in the function of the bathroom and requires the space around it to function properly," says designer Steve O'Neill of Van-i-tY.
Access. Choose a spot for your vanity that won't mess with your bathroom's traffic flow or block the bathroom door or shower door swing. Beth Fillerup of Native Trails advises homeowners to think about cleaning and about the vanity door swing space, too. Good questions to ask, she says, include: "Are the surrounding areas accessible for cleaning? If the vanity has doors, is the space around the vanity adequate for foot traffic when they are open?"
Designer Robert Berkovich of European Cabinets & Design Studio suggests that homeowners take other architectural features into account when deciding on a spot, too. Make sure that any windows nearby will allow for a mirror and wall cabinets above the vanity. "Remember, the vanity plays an integral role in the function of the bathroom and requires the space around it to function properly," says designer Steve O'Neill of Van-i-tY.
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Plumbing. If you need to change your bathroom's plumbing to install your new vanity, it's going to account for a chunk of your budget. Even switching from a traditional floor-mounted vanity to a wall-mounted version will mean rerouting pipes and drains.
"Locating the vanity far from other bath fixtures requires a higher cost for rough plumbing," says contractor David Lawson of Ironwood Builders.
"Locating the vanity far from other bath fixtures requires a higher cost for rough plumbing," says contractor David Lawson of Ironwood Builders.
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| 2. Materials "Vanities are placed in environments that are humid, wet and busy," says O'Neill. "The materials that make up your vanity of choice should be able to stand up to such an environment." Wood veneers, laminates and thermofoil (like on the vanity in this photo) tend to work well in bathrooms. Wood should be properly sealed and lacquered — although Lawson does warn that lacquer isn't indestructible. "We do caution our clients that clear finishes are generally lacquer and that water will affect the finish if it is left standing on it," he says. Designer Gina Adamson of Cab-I-Net recommends avoiding pressed MDF too, since it's susceptible to water damage. |
Look for a durable vanity top as well, and try to avoid anything with hard-to-clean grout. If you're redoing other bathroom finishes, consider choosing your vanity top first. "It's so much easier to find a tile and cabinet to match a unique countertop than trying to find a top to match a unique tile," says designer Lori Hethmon of Granite Grannies. "When you choose a dynamic tile first, you may be limiting yourself to more mundane countertop choices that won't compete with your particular tile."
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| 3. Storage Taking account of what you truly use will help you decide how much storage you'll need in your new vanity. Take inventory of what you store in your current vanity. Organize everything by what you'll need to have in reach and what you'll just need to have nearby. "This will put into perspective what you need to store and where it needs to be placed," says O'Neill. Lawson recommends adding about 20 percent more space than you think you'll need, just to be safe. |
Hanging vanities with drawers can provide a good amount of storage, since they take advantage of the often-unused space around plumbing. Berkovich suggests avoiding bulky medicine cabinets but often uses wall cabinetry (at least 10 inches deep) to add storage.
If you're stuck with a small vanity cabinet, consider adding extra cabinets that rest on the counters, as in this photo. "You'll get more storage without losing floor space," says Hethmon.
If you're stuck with a small vanity cabinet, consider adding extra cabinets that rest on the counters, as in this photo. "You'll get more storage without losing floor space," says Hethmon.
4. Size
Scale. Your vanity size should always make sense for your bathroom's size. Cramming a huge vanity into a tiny bathroom doesn't make sense, no matter what your storage needs are. "The amount of storage required by the client impacts the size of the vanity," says Lawson. "But more important is the size of the room it sits in. Working within the architecture is part of the equation."
"By evaluating lifestyle, whether a powder room or master bath, and the demands that will be placed on the vanity, the size will become evident quickly," says O'Neill. For regularly used bathrooms, Adamson recommends starting with a vanity that's a minimum of 21 inches deep and 24 inches wide.
Scale. Your vanity size should always make sense for your bathroom's size. Cramming a huge vanity into a tiny bathroom doesn't make sense, no matter what your storage needs are. "The amount of storage required by the client impacts the size of the vanity," says Lawson. "But more important is the size of the room it sits in. Working within the architecture is part of the equation."
"By evaluating lifestyle, whether a powder room or master bath, and the demands that will be placed on the vanity, the size will become evident quickly," says O'Neill. For regularly used bathrooms, Adamson recommends starting with a vanity that's a minimum of 21 inches deep and 24 inches wide.
Height. "Consider who is using the vanity to decide on the proper height," says Adamson. "Too tall or too short can be equally frustrating." Traditionally, 32 inches is the go-to height measurement for bathroom vanities. But some designers disagree with that measurement due to modern sink styles. Berkovich suggests aiming for 34 to 35 inches.
5. Custom Designs
The variety of vanity designs today makes it easy to find what you need in terms of design and storage, but many designers still recommend looking into a custom design for greater efficiency. "Custom vanities are not always more expensive than store bought," says Adamson. "And they have endless design styles and configurations."
"Don't forget that your bowl doesn't have to be in the middle," says Hethmon. Like the sink in this photo, a sink bowl that's slightly off center allows for more countertop space. Consider your bowl size, too. "Bigger, deeper bowls can mean less mess to clean up," Hethmon points out.
The variety of vanity designs today makes it easy to find what you need in terms of design and storage, but many designers still recommend looking into a custom design for greater efficiency. "Custom vanities are not always more expensive than store bought," says Adamson. "And they have endless design styles and configurations."
"Don't forget that your bowl doesn't have to be in the middle," says Hethmon. Like the sink in this photo, a sink bowl that's slightly off center allows for more countertop space. Consider your bowl size, too. "Bigger, deeper bowls can mean less mess to clean up," Hethmon points out.
Putting electricity in the cabinet box can be a nice touch as well — if you want to keep hair dryers, toothbrushes and other necessities ready to go. Having a custom vanity design can help you consider all of the small details that often get overlooked, like features that work whether you're left-handed or right-handed.
Of course, choosing your vanity materials, style and design has a lot to do with how you feel about your home, too. A custom-designed vanity in the master bathroom of your "forever home" might make sense, but a store-bought vanity could work just fine in the guest bathroom of a home you plan to sell down the road.
Share your story: Did you just update your vanity? Please share before and after photos below!
Of course, choosing your vanity materials, style and design has a lot to do with how you feel about your home, too. A custom-designed vanity in the master bathroom of your "forever home" might make sense, but a store-bought vanity could work just fine in the guest bathroom of a home you plan to sell down the road.
Share your story: Did you just update your vanity? Please share before and after photos below!
Ideabook published on Feb. 23, 2013.
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It may be impractical anywhere else but it sure does look good in our powder room!
I actually quite liked the sink that was there before, unfortunately we didn't keep it (that was the state of the house when we bought it).
We didn't make the best choice for the loft en-suite though - although the vanity and sink look nice, the storage space underneath is not so great and the sink is rather shallow, but luckily it doesn't get much use.
http://www.squidoo.com/restoration-hardware-style-bathroom-vanities
http://www.squidoo.com/modern-bathroom-vanity
http://vanityreviews.blogspot.com/
What does everyone think about vessel sinks? Aren't they hard to keep clean? Are they on the way out of style?
Hi John, could you tell me if installing a floating vanity (with drawers etc) involves a much greater investment in time/ cost based on having to secure the connection to wall? We have a very small master bath and when planning a possible reno thought a floating vanity or at least one with legs would create the visual illusion of space but my husband is concerned about the extra work needed to secure a floating one. Any input would be great. Thx!
I would actually like a farmhouse sink in the bathroom. I want to stand right up against the sink and have a nice big vessel so I don't have to worry about splashing everywhere when I wash my face or hair in the sink. Has anyone ever seen something like that?
Also, I agree with kwriter, lighting is the most important element of any room including the bath.
I personally don't like sinks and vanities I have to clean under (goes with the claw foot tubs) so legs and floating wouldn't be considered in my house. I also worry about hair appliances that heat being "permanently" plugged in. That's a risk I wouldn't take!
And while cabinet-makers don't often deal with the countertops, they do usually have close relationships with other local suppliers like stoneworkers who can provide a custom stone top for the custom vanity. Again, you may pay a bit more to piecemeal this stuff out, but you'll be getter better quality and a design that's uniquely yours. (And you're supporting your local economy too!)
A money saving tip for the counter is to shop remnants. We bought granite remnants for all our vanities for the cost of cultured marble.
You can see more photos of our in-law vanity here: http://www.dejongdreamhouse.com/2012/07/paint-touch-up-in-in-law-bathroom.html