How to Choose the Perfect Bathroom Vanity

How to Choose the Perfect Bathroom Vanity

The bathroom vanity is one of the most important fixtures in your bathroom. A vanity provides storage for bathroom necessities and acts as the focal point of your bathroom, so selecting the perfect bathroom vanity is an important task. Our design guide will give you the tools and guidance you need to choose the perfect bathroom vanity.

Steps for How to Choose the Perfect Bathroom Vanity

The first step when you want to choose the perfect bathroom vanity is to determine the size of your bathroom and the area your vanity will occupy.

Measure Your Bathroom and Vanity

Next, measure the width, height, and depth of the area you in which you want to place the vanity. If you are replacing an old vanity with a new vanity, measure the old one for a comparison. You also need to leave enough room for door openings (entry and shower), trim, and the cabinets/drawers. Open vanity doors and drawers, and measure against the dimensions of your bathroom to get a complete picture of how much space you have to work with. The plumbing location, electrical switches and outlets, mirrors, and building codes are other factors that can determine the size of your new vanity.

Vanities come in a wide range of sizes. The width could be anywhere from 12 inches to 84 inches, but most vanities are built with widths of 24, 30, 36, 48 and 60 inches. The standard height is approximately 31 to 35 1/2 inches: taller vanities may be more comfortable for adults, while shorter vanities work great for small children. Vanity depth also affects how much storage space you have.

If you want to buy a vanity without a top and choose your own, you should measure for the top, too. The vanity top should be 1 inch wider and 1 inch deeper than the cabinet. If you plan to use filler strips, pieces of wood used next to a vanity to close gaps between the vanity and the wall, you should measure and include allowances for those.

Choose the Best Vanity Style

After you determine the size of vanity you want, choose a style. Vanities can be freestanding or built-in, and each style has advantages. In the end, the choice will be based on personal preference, available space, and storage needs. Freestanding vanities are the most traditional and common vanities available. A freestanding vanity rests on the floor and is secured to the wall with mounting screws for stability, so most of the weight rests in the legs. Built-in vanities are built directly into the bathroom space available. These different installation methods and styles all offer unique looks, sizes, and storage options.

Freestanding: These vanities come in a wide variety of designs and offer plenty of extra space for cabinets and drawers. Freestanding vanities are also great choices for smaller bathroom.

Wall-Mounted: Otherwise known as “floating”, these vanities are directly mounted to the wall with open space near the floor. Wall-mounted vanities are clean-looking, save floor space, and make any bathroom look bigger.

Marcus Hickory Driftwood corner vanity style

Corner: Another great option for small bathrooms, corner vanities are placed in the corner of a bathroom. These vanities still provide good storage and offer flexibility for other bathroom fixtures.

Choose the Ideal Vanity Design

When you want to choose the perfect bathroom vanity, consider that the vanity helps determine the rest of the design choices in your bathroom. From clean and minimalist to rustic and industrial, your vanity makes a statement about your personal style.

Traditional: Emulating classic furniture, traditional vanities are often made of wood and painted with natural colors such as brown or white. Ornate details, such as turned or cabriole legs or scalloped edges, may also be featured with this style.

Modern: Modern vanities typically have sleek lines, clean surfaces, and smooth textures. These vanities can also be made of different materials such as metal, and are ideal for minimalist bathrooms.

Transitional: A transitional style mixes traditional and contemporary elements in its materials, finishes, colors, or fabrics. For example, you might have a sleek vanity with hardware that has a classic, antique flair. Transitional vanities can create a timeless design and, combined with other elements, can give your bathroom a truly unique look.

Choose the Right Sink

The two main considerations when deciding on the vanity sink are the number of sinks desired and installation. Single-sink vanities come in various sizes and are compatible with all mounting and installation types. Double-sink vanities are usually freestanding or wall-mounted, and are obviously significantly wider than a single-sink vanity.

Some vanities will only allow for certain sinks due to the placement of the cabinets and drawers. So if you want a specific style of sink, make sure that your desired vanity is compatible.

black and white vanity top with stainless steel faucet

Undermount: Most vanities are made with undermount sinks in mind. Mounted underneath the counter, these sinks are easy to clean and have a streamlined design.

Vessel: A vessel sink is installed on top of the vanity counter. Vessel sinks add extra counter space and create an artistic and avant-garde design.

Drop-in: Drop-in sinks are dropped into the vanity top, with the top half or edge exposed. These easy-to-install sinks combine the streamlined feel of undermount sinks with the aesthetics of vessels.

Integrated: These sinks are built into the counter-top and create a clean, seamless look. Integrated sinks are also easy to clean and are installed with the vanity top.

Additional Features

Once you have settled on a vanity and sink you like, the final step is to consider accessories. Some vanities come with matching mirrors and additional cabinets within a single collection. How the vanity has been drilled for the faucet is also important: widespread faucets have separate spouts and handles with 3 pre-drilled holes, while centerset faucets combine the spout and handles into one unit and have 4 pre-drilled holes. Good lighting, floating drawers, and various storage accessories are other components that can make a truly perfect bathroom vanity.

Visit Weinstein for Premier Bathroom Vanities and Accessories

Weinstein has decades of experience helping people choose the perfect bathroom vanity and offering expert consultation and guidance. Our kitchen & bathroom showroom in Collegeville highlights the finest fixtures and brands including Kohler, Moen, Delta, Rohl, Bertch, Woodpro, Strasser, and many more. Visit our showroom, or contact us today, and we can help you realize your dream project.