The vanity is an essential feature of the bathroom. But if you are planning to get a new one, you have to carefully consider factors like the bathroom vanity size and its position.

Where the vanity goes is incredibly important because it affects the entire feel of your bathroom. And ensuring it’s the right size, shape and style for your bathroom is crucial if you want to make sure it looks great and is practical too.

So how should you go about picking the right size and position for your vanity? Here’s our guide explaining everything you need to know.

Choosing the Bathroom Vanity Size

First, let’s look at the size of the vanity. It should go without saying that the ultimate decision is up to you, and it will depend on a few practical considerations as well as your personal preference. However, there are some important factors to take into consideration.

How Much Space Is Available?

The first factor to consider is the size of your bathroom. An oversized vanity in a small bathroom might not only look strange but could also be impractical for bathroom users. If the vanity is constantly getting in the way as you navigate the bathroom, it will quickly become a frustration. On the other hand, if you have a large bathroom, you can make use of the space by installing a large vanity.

Opening doors and drawers can be a problem when the vanity is too large, and it can also simply look out of place. So make sure you take a close look at your bathroom and get a rough idea of its size so you can determine how large your vanity should be.

You may want to measure the space available to make sure you get the right size. This can help you to understand how much space you will have left once your new vanity is in position.

One Sink or Two?

The next important factor to decide is whether you want a vanity with one sink or two. This will obviously have a big impact on the overall size of your vanity as well as how you use it.

Single vanities are the most common, and they tend to have widths measuring between half a metre and just over one metre (1200mm). Double vanities are usually between 1500mm and 1800mm wide.

A double vanity comes with several benefits. Not only will storage space be greater, but it also allows two people to use the sinks at the same time, potentially saving valuable preparation time on those busy mornings.

Vanity Usage

Another factor that will help determine the size of the vanity is how you plan to use it. For example, what will go inside it? If you have a lot of items that you want to store away in the bathroom, a larger vanity will be important.

You don’t want it to be too small for your needs. But at the same time, you want to be able to enjoy it properly, meaning it should have enough space around it to open it easily and move around it.

Bathroom Vanity Size and Cost

Cost is also a factor when it comes to deciding on the size of your vanity. In general, a larger vanity will be more expensive. Of course, you can get smaller vanities that are more expensive too – for example, a smaller custom vanity may be more expensive than a larger standard vanity.

However, all else being equal, a larger one will be more expensive.

View our article on bathroom renovation costs

Consider a Floating Vanity

If space is at a premium in your bathroom, you may want to consider getting a floating vanity instead. These wall-mounted vanities are very popular, and they can save you a lot of space. You will get more floor space around it, and it can even help to make the bathroom look bigger.

Choosing the Vanity Position

Once you have considered these issues surrounding the bathroom vanity size, you need to start thinking about its position.

Convenience Considerations

First of all, consider the distance between the vanity and the door, which is usually more of a problem in a smaller bathroom. You don’t want the door to swing open and hit it. Not only will this be frustrating and uncomfortable during daily use of your bathroom, but it could also damage the vanity or the door.

The same is true of the shower door – make sure it will have enough space to open without contacting the vanity.

The vanity should also be positioned somewhere convenient so that it does not get in the way as you navigate the bathroom. Again, this is more of a concern in smaller bathrooms.

Vanity Height

The height of the vanity is another key consideration. It should be mentioned that the standard height tends to be between 85 and 90 centimetres, but this is not a fixed rule. Vanities can also be positioned slightly higher or lower depending on various factors.

The height of the vanity is usually where your sink will be positioned, so you want to make sure that you can reach the sink easily. So while 85 cm is the standard, you may find that this is not convenient for taller users, which might lead you to install it as high as a metre instead.

But if you want a higher vanity, consider the other users. For example, a vanity that is positioned higher up may make it more difficult for children to reach it.

The type of basin you use also has an impact on the height of the vanity. A vessel basin, for example, needs to rest on top of the vanity, so the vanity height will be slightly lower. However, an inset basin will go inside the vanity, so its top will be at the same height as the vanity.

If you already have a mirror, lighting and wall cabinets in position, then you should also take these into account when deciding on the height of your vanity.

Find the Perfect Vanity for Your Bathroom

These are some of the main considerations when it comes to picking the right bathroom vanity size and position. But remember, these are just guidelines – it’s your bathroom, so do what works best for your space, and make sure you explore our range of vanities in various sizes to find exactly what you are looking for.