Don’t choose your vanity in vain. 

When it comes to your bathroom remodel, a vanity is really the star of the show, so it’s important to choose one that’ll be a showstopper.

Bathroom vanities provide an instant refresh to your bathroom that will make it feel like a whole new space, even if you don’t change anything else.

Vanities provide much-needed storage and are easy to install yourself. So, which one should you chose?

With hundreds of vanities on the market, each with different size specifications and styles, it can be hard to pin down the perfect fit for your new bathroom. 

Here is a guide to the different types of vanities available and how to choose the right one for your space!

What Is a Vanity?

Vanities get their name from the presence of a mirror. A vanity encompasses the entire unit with the bathroom mirror, sink and under-sink storage. Vanities can either be an all-in-one package or separate units.

Bathroom vanities are the most useful area of a bathroom, where you’ll likely spend the most time getting ready. They add tons of storage that otherwise would not exist. They also provide counter space for products and hide away unsightly plumbing for your sink.

Vanities can be just narrow enough to fit in a tiny space between the toilet and shower and just big enough for a small sink basin, or they can span an entire large wall of your bathroom with multiple mirrors and sinks. 

Vanities also don’t necessarily have to be rectangular or square! Some people even choose to repurpose dressers as DIY vanities, so the possibilities for this bathroom storage hero are endless. 

Choosing the Right Bathroom Vanity

It’s important to choose a vanity that is in proportion to your bathroom. You don’t want a teeny vanity in a huge bathroom or vice versa. 

You also should keep your overall theme in mind. If you have a rustic style bathroom with lots of wood and texture, it makes sense to keep this theme going with your vanity. If you have an ultra modern bathroom, opt for a modern minimalist vanity to go with it. 

You’ll also want to be realistic with your storage needs. Are you the type of person that hoards beauty products like the next apocalypse is around the corner? If so, make sure you choose a vanity with lots of storage underneath. If you’re a minimalist and can get away with a very narrow vanity with little storage, go for it! Be realistic with your needs.

You also want to consider who will be using the bathroom most frequently. If you’re designing a kid’s bathroom, you may opt for a lower vanity height. If this is for a guest bathroom, think about how much storage you think they’ll need.

Vanities for Small Spaces

Small spaces are becoming more common in urban areas, and the bathroom size is usually the first thing to get cut down. If you have a tiny bathroom, you’ll obviously want a tiny vanity.

You’ll need to strike a balance, however, with how small it needs to be. A minuscule vanity might lend extra room to move around in the bathroom but it will provide significantly less storage. Think about how much you value space over storage and go from there. 

Powder rooms are a common area where you’ll need a smaller vanity and where one makes sense. You usually don’t need tons of storage in powder rooms, as they are generally located in areas of the house that guests use. You won’t need shampoo/bathing product storage here, so pick a low-profile vanity that will make your powder room look bigger. 

It’s important to remember that small vanities don’t have to be small on impact. You can still find a small bathroom vanity with tons of style. 

Go Big

Large bathroom vanities are a fun way to get creative with the design and storage functionality of a vanity. If you’re lucky to have a huge, spacious bathroom, go big with the vanity! In a master bathroom, the vanity should be the main stylistic focal point of the design. 

In a master bathroom, it’s also imperative that you have a proper amount of storage and, ideally, two sinks on the vanity. You can choose to have one long mirror spanning the width of the vanity, or two separate mirrors over each sink. 

Remember, match the design of your large vanity with the rest of your bathroom. It’s also helpful to look for any obstacles to where your vanity will be installed and plan accordingly. When choosing cabinetry, think about whether pull-out drawers or swinging cabinet doors make more sense for your needs and space.

Choose a material that will hold up to moist environments and daily wear and tear that still looks the way you want. The styles you can go with for double vanities are endless, which is one of the advantages of a larger size vanity. 

Final Thoughts

Bathroom vanities are a fun place to experiment with bathroom design. If you currently have a pedestal sink or a non-functional storage vanity that isn’t right for your bathroom and storage needs, consider replacing it. 

Installing a vanity doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming and you can buy many of them online. Many vanities come with installation instructions so you don’t even need to hire a professional to revamp your bathroom.

Once installed, start figuring out how to organize your cabinets efficiently to maximize storage and enjoy a clutter-free, beautiful bathroom!

Need more design tips for your bathroom renovation? Check out our post on DIY bathroom upgrades!