The last time I wrote about the bathroom, it was to provide you with a detailed idea of how a layout and general understanding of the elements of bathroom decor can take you up the slope of decor as well as functionality. What most people forget is that decor was never purposed to make your space any less functional, if only, it was to stage the usefulness with a blend of creativity. Today, building on the foundation of bathroom design, we are going to talk about the vanity and discuss a couple of very crucial bathroom vanity ideas, further breaking down the element in a way that it always fits into our formula of decor plus functionality.
But First, Why is a Bathroom Vanity Really Important?
Let’s be ignorant of the existence of AI Agents, and I want you to picture two scenarios, the first one is a bathroom with your bathing essentials, like shampoo and soap, lying unsophisticatedly and almost as if the last person didn’t have a dedicated space to keep them, cluttered would be the right word to explain their condition. The second one, however, has a dedicated space for your bathing essentials, the shampoo, the soap, the loofah, and, talk about the others, like the towel, in addition to a space for your laundry basket.
Tell me which one of these bathrooms you will prefer? Which one of these is likely the best space for your grooming, bathing, or even sitting in a bathtub reading your favorite crime thriller with a wine glass on the bathtub end table?
I know your answer, if you aren’t from the pre-20th century, and the reason that the second bathroom appeals more to you is for its functionality at storing bathroom essentials.
Storage is a practical means to curbing clutter, and when it comes to the bathroom, you have several options, one of which is true with time, the bathroom vanity.
Planning it serves several purposes at once through storage, lighting, a dedicated area for makeup, basin, and others.
To simplify, however, we are going to use the information from the following points.
Bathroom Vanity Ideas to Align It as per Your Space & Need.
To be explanatory enough, this section is divided into crucial tips, such as knowing your current bathroom conditions and the type of bathroom vanity you will find the right fit for your bathroom. Read on to miss no detail.
1. Pick the Right Layout and Size for Your Bathroom Vanity.
Before we begin looking at material, color palette, or bathroom vanity ideas, whether they should be freestanding or not, you need to understand the ground rules for your bathroom layout. Now, I don’t want you to do extensive construction or anything, but these rules will align elements like bathtub, bidet, and of course, vanity. Since I have previously explained the layout in my bathroom decor article, this time, I have only two basics:
- Don’t let your bidet be in the sightline of the bathroom door; it can be on the perpendicular wall, but not directly in the sightline of the door. You can also use a bathroom screen to provide privacy or align it with the vanity to keep it both discreet and functional.
- Align your vanity as per your taste, but if you can keep it discreet and viewable only upon entry, it will invite coziness to the bathroom.
Speaking of the dimensions of the bathroom vanity, refer to the following table.
| Cabinet | Width | Height | Depth |
| Sink Base | 15-72 | 28-36 | 16-21 |
| Drawer Base | 12-21 | 31.5-34.5 | 21-24 |
| Tall Linen Cabinet | 9-24 | 83-96 | 21 |
| Vanity Linen Cabinet | 9-18 | 48-83 | 21 |
| Vanity Hamper Cabinet | 15-18 | 31.5-33.5 | 21 |
2. Decide the Material for Your Bathroom Vanity.
Before we discuss the qualities of different materials and which one is most suitable for your bathroom vanity, I want you to know that a color palette is equally necessary to ensure that this storage piece does not look out of place. I have previously written a detailed article on interior color palette, and make no mistake, it is highly crucial for you to design a color palette based on current conditions or your desired look before choosing the type and finish of the material.
Since I want this guide to be a digestible read for you, I am drawing another table summarizing materials based on their finish, ease of care, and cost.
| Material | Finish | Care | Costing |
| Glass | Either clear or frosty, smooth and enhances light as well as privacy. | Easy to clean and is resistant to any marks from cosmetics or other bathroom products. | Mid to High Range |
| Stone | Rough and a more natural finish but suits only for sink placement and not entire vanity. | Requires almost no care. | High Range |
| Painted Shelves | May vary given the finish of the paint. Common finishes are satin, semi-gloss, glossy, and matte. | Easy to maintain and refreshed. | Low to Mid Range |
| Wood Shelves | Varies by the type of finish. Common types are again satin, semi-gloss, glossy, and matte. Provides a more natural look. | Easy to clean but may not stand the test of cosmetics and bathroom products. | Mid range |
3. Pick Your Favorite Type of Bathroom Vanity.
The next point to discuss in our list of bathroom vanity ideas is the types of bathroom vanities and how you must always apply the formula of Decor plus Functionality to pick the most suitable style.
Since this section requires images as examples, I am going to do just that. In addition to it, I will also mention their quality and how they can be arranged pleasingly.
1. Floating Vanity Cabinet.
These vanities are highly suitable for bathrooms that require maintaining leg room. It can also go with a master bathroom of good size, and the open cabinets can serve as a nice decor tool, keeping the folded towels, baskets, or shower shoes.
2. Furniture Vanity Cabinet.
Space-saving and suitable for both traditional and modern style bathrooms, these cabinets have everything you expect from a vanity, in addition to being easily accessible at different furniture stores. They can be customized as per the bathroom area coverage, even minutive, and are highly commendable for their storage capacity.
3. Slim Profile Vanity Cabinet.
Modern and suitable for all types of bathroom area coverage. One of the more stylish ways to align it is to keep it next to your bathtub and let it act as an extension to it.
4. Curved Vanity Cabinet.
If you want to cut the trims of your vanity cabinet in order to maintain higher leg room, curved vanity cabinets can be the right pick. With their looks, they can leave a charming impression while making the bathroom more welcoming and cozy.
4. Consider a High and Low Vanity Design.
It is common for family members to share a bathroom, especially when there are kids, and to make it functional for every member, no matter their age or height, things should be planned accordingly. A bathroom vanity with higher and lower points is suitable for everyone’s use. It not only looks practical, but also creates a partition between adults and kids.
In case you are working with an existing vanity, you can use a pull-out step, almost like a drawer, and use this step as a storage element as well, making sure the practicality never leaves your bathroom planning.
5. Add Towel Rods to Your Vanity.
The use of towel rods can never grow old in any bathroom. In addition to keeping your towels neat and in their place, they are worth every dime since they can air out your used ones.
Add these towel rods to your vanity and play with the materials to see which one looks perfect for your bathroom decor. Commonly used materials for towel rods are steel, plastic, and wood.
Quick Tip: Let your drawer handles behave as towel rods, visually fooling the attendee when they are empty.
6. Decide on the Sink for Your Vanity.
It’d be a comedy mystery if you forget to fixate on the type of sink you need for your bathroom vanity. Note that I used need, and not want in my previous sentence, since it is exactly what I want you to do.
For instance, if you are planning to install a sink in a powder room where makeup and washing hands are the only things it will be used for, a smaller sink will be enough. At the same time, if you are planning to use the sink for grooming and have kids who may use it as well, a deeper sink is needed to avoid splashes.
To elaborate on the types of sinks, I am explaining a few of them through the following points.
1. Offset Sink.
Characterized by their presence on one of the sides, these sinks are highly optimal for smaller vanities or when you prefer having additional counter space.
2. Integrated Sink.
These sinks are generally fabricated sinks that do not require any attention to loose bolts and fittings. At the same time, they look more luxurious but may cost more, given their craftsmanship. In addition to this, one of their cons that disappoints me is that the surface may be susceptible to scratches and damage, and the replacement will require to change the entire countertop, contrary to the traditional sinks.
3. Semi-Insert Sink.
These sinks have their back section fitted inside the cupboard or console with the front section standing upwards. Consult your local plumbing shop to understand its look and fitting as the web doesn’t seem to have listed it.
4. Semi-Recessed Sink.
In case you adore a modern look as well as a larger sink on a slim profile vanity cabinet, a semi recessed sink might be the perfect fit. These sinks are fitted inside the shelf or console with the front section of the sink bulging outwards, creating a somewhat unproportional but playful profile.
5. Table Top Sink.
These sinks are more fashionable and mimic a bowl on the countertop. One of the cons of using these sinks is the increased storage space underneath.
6. Double Sink.
Suitable for longer bathroom vanities, two sinks of similar styles can be centered or offset, creating the perfect him and her layout.
7. Design the Lighting of Your Vanity.
The quickest tip that I can start with when discussing your vanity lighting is to keep it closer to the window, at least where you can take advantage of natural light.
Nonetheless, you will need electrical lighting in your bathroom to groom, or even as simple as taking a shower. But before I elaborate on the lighting that your vanity needs, you must know that under no circumstances should you avoid a professional electrician, as the risk of electrical accidents is highest in a bathroom- you are exposed to water, which is a great conductor of electricity. So, do not take chances and always prefer a professional for this task. Lastly, pick lamps that are enclosed in sealed covers to protect against any failure or accident when there is steam in the bathroom.
Coming to lighting the vanity, we need two types of lights: task lights and accent lights.
Task lights are designed to give you correct illumination for any task requiring scrutiny, and they should be targeted over the basin. Further, use task lights in the form of spot lights for your vanity cabinets, so that it becomes easier to find any bathroom or makeup essentials.
Following the task lights, plan your ambient lights. The easiest and most effective ambient lights are the wall mounted lamps on either side of the bathroom vanity. You can also play with hidden lights for smoother reflections, but be creative and do not exaggerate their presence.
Final Words.
There are still numerous bathroom vanity ideas, such as making your essentials accessible through thoughtful storage planning and adding old elements, such as pottery and flowers on the counter. But let’s be serious, it’s all creativity, and I know you do not lack that. So go on, experiment, and share your ideas in the comments down below.
Resources.
- Featured Image: Photography by Austin Leis, via Domino.
- Design Ideas for Bathrooms, 2nd Edition (Creative Homeowner) by Susan Boyle Hillstrom.
- Bathroom Upgrades Paperback by Editors of Fine Homebuilding.
- Ortho’s All About Bathroom Remodeling (Ortho’s All About Home Improvement) by Larry Hodgson, Ortho Books, Linda Mason Hunter, and Karen K. Johnson.
- The Bathroom Design Planner by Lee, Vinny, Stevenson, Maggie (2003) Hardcover by Vinny Lee.
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