Are floating vanities better than freestanding vanities? They certainly seem to be the new rage in most contemporary bathrooms, but does that make them better? Not at all! However, I wouldn’t say free standing bathroom vanity is any better than floating cabinets either. So what gives?

The truth of it is, both the floating vanity unit, and the floor standing bathroom vanity unit have strengths, weaknesses, and styles of bathroom which they will suit best. It isn’t a matter of which one is better, rather which one is best for you!

So if you’re trying to work out which style of vanity you should choose for your upcoming bathroom renovation and makeover, but can’t decide, don’t worry! In this article we will walk through a side-by-side comparison of floating and freestanding vanities, so you can make an informed and well thought-out decision to best spruce-up your bathroom!

What Is Bathroom Vanity?

I guess the first thing we should address is what bathroom vanity is. Gonna be pretty hard to pick a vanity unit if you don’t know what it is, innit?

I guess the way you could describe bathroom vanity is by calling it the terminal where you wash your hands in a bathroom. They’ll typically feature; mirrors, cabinets, bathroom sinks, bathroom tapware, bathroom products, towel racks, and more! The different ideas and styles of vanity include: 

• Pedestal vanity units 
• Floating vanity units 
• Cabinet style freestanding  vanity units 

What’s The Go With Bathroom Sinks And Bathroom Vanities?

Usually when you’re shopping for bathroom vanity, it comes hand-in-hand with bathroom sink shopping. So while you’re browsing for a beautiful vanity unit, keep your eyes peeled for an equally as stunning bathroom sink. 

Keep like-minded styles of bathroom bathroom vanity and sinks together. For example, if you buy a contemporary looking vanity, buy a contemporary looking sink. Some of the different styles of sinks include: 

• Wall-mounted sinks
• Vessel sinks 
• Inset sinks 
• Under-mounted sinks 

What Is A Floating Bathroom Vanity? 

A floating vanity unit, as the name might suggest, is a vanity unit that seemingly floats above the bathroom floor and does not stand on legs. Instead, this style of bathroom cabinet is fixed to the bathroom wall. 

Pros 

• Looks very modern. Suited to sleek contemporary homes 
• Do not stand on the floor tiles, and will show them off on display
• Easy-to-clean underneath them
• Makes the bathroom seem bigger 
• Your plumbing sometimes is not hidden. This can be an advantage if you want to show it off in a rustic sort of styled bathroom

Cons 

• It can be limited what you do with and where you put your vanity because of your existing plumbing
• They are limited on storage space 
• You will need a structurally strong wall to hang a floating vanity. Dry wall and weaker materials will not work

What Is A Freestanding Vanity? 

A freestanding vanity unit is one that stands on its own. Either connected to the floor with a kickboard where you can’t see under it, or with conventional four-legged supports. You can think of this style as quite literally a cabinet with a bathroom sink on top of it.

Pros 

• This style is timeless and will work in almost any bathroom design choice 
• They have a lot of storage space 
• For styles that are connected to the floor with a kickboard, they offer less floor space to clean 
• It covers up all of the plumbing work within the cabinet 
• Usually a bit easier for the elderly and children 

Cons 

• These units take up a fair bit more space 
• Once you dismantle the vanity, if you do, it can leave marks and impurities in the floor

Battle Of The Bathrooms: Floating vs Freestanding 

So we’ve worked out what each one is, along with some pros and cons of each unit, so let’s compare them. Hopefully these comparisons will help you decide which one you want for your bathroom. 

Appearance 

A floating unit will give off modernity and contemporary elegance because it is simplistic and streamline. It will also make the room feel bigger by taking up less space. 

The freestanding unit comes in more extravagant designs, colours and materials. You can usually get more creative with a freestanding vanity. They also come across as more solid and sturdy. 

Storage Space 

Floating vanities innately have less storage space because they do not extend all the way to the floor. They still have drawers and some cabinetry, but are limited. 

Freestanding vanity units bolster impressive storage space, and are somewhat designed for storing all of your bathroom products. 

Installation 

Floating vanities need to be specially framed and reinforced when installed. You may find this quite difficult to do yourself if you aren’t an experienced DIYer. 

The freestanding vanity is much easier to install. Is that really a surprise? Rather than trying to fasten it to a wall, it already has a way of standing on its own. If it doesn’t have a kickboard connecting it to the floor, you simply have to connect the plumbing. This can still be difficult, so if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself, you should contact a professional. 

Costs 

Vanity costs all vary from company, to supplier, to manufacturer, so the best way to have an idea how much vanity costs is to have a browse online. 

The average cost for a 1500 bathroom vanity is $1,300, unless you strike a great deal. Although the floating vanity is smaller than a freestanding vanity, the build quality is usually higher. So, granted you buy a similar sized vanity made from similar materials, both will cost around the same price. 

Safety and Accessibility

Floating vanities may become a safety risk for children who think they’re part monkey. Climbing on the vanity and putting heavy objects on it may break it, which causes a safety issue. In this case, a freestanding vanity might be more appropriate. 

However, floating vanities can be placed at any height. Elderly that need a shorter vanity, or people in wheelchairs, may find the height of a well installed floating vanity easier. 

Are You Legally Required To Hire A Plumber?

The short answer, no. In Australia, you typically only need to hire a plumber when dealing with sewer/wastewater and drinking water supplies. Bathroom vanity does not come into this. You also need a registered builder if your building work is more than $20k. Your bathroom vanity will not cost this much. So no, you will not need a plumber. 

However, you might indeed want a plumber. If you are short on time, or aren’t feeling confident with installing the vanity yourself, there’s no point trying to do a rushed job and failing. It will waste time and money.

Do You Need A Hand Selecting A New Vanity?

When it comes to bathroom vanity in Perth, VBathroom will have you covered. Our bathroom showrooms in Perth will present you with all the options you need to complete your bathroom. Our series such as the Britney Vanity and Hamptons will sure to satisfy. 

We will put you in touch with the best Perth based professionals to deal with all of your plumbing and installation needs. We make delivery easy by delivering your order ourselves throughout the Perth Metro region. For orders beyond the Perth Metro, we can arrange a pick-up at your convenience, or organise shipping with your selected freight company. As an incentive, we also offer package deals when you shop at VBathroom and purchase multiple products. 

For bathroom vanity units in Perth, come and check out our bathroom vanity showroom. Contact us today!