A bathroom vanity does more work than any other fixture in the room — it anchors the design, provides your primary storage, and gets used multiple times every single day. Getting the size, style, and configuration right matters more than most people realize until they're living with the wrong one.
Vanity Styles — What the Terms Actually Mean
Freestanding Vanities
The traditional cabinet-style vanity that sits on the floor with enclosed storage below. These are the most common and typically the most practical: more storage, easier to install, and forgiving of uneven floors. They come in single and double configurations and a wide range of door/drawer styles that can be matched to the overall bathroom design.
Best for: Most bathrooms. Especially useful when storage is a priority.
Wall-Mounted (Floating) Vanities
Mounted directly to the wall with the cabinet suspended above the floor. The visual effect is clean and contemporary — the floor runs continuously underneath, which makes a bathroom feel larger than it is. They're also easier to clean around.
The practical requirement: wall-mounted vanities need to attach to structural blocking in the wall, not just drywall. In a renovation, we add that blocking. In an existing bathroom without it, installation is more involved. They also offer slightly less storage than a comparably-sized freestanding unit.
Best for: Smaller bathrooms where visual space matters, modern design aesthetics, and ensuites where the floor-to-ceiling look is the priority.
Vessel Sink Vanities
A vanity configured for a vessel (above-counter) sink rather than an undermount or integrated basin. The sink sits on top of the counter, creating a distinctive look. The trade-off: vessel sinks require wall-mounted or tall deck-mounted faucets, and the above-counter basin means water splashes more easily. They're a design statement, not an everyday-practical choice for a primary bathroom with young kids.
Best for: Powder rooms, guest baths, or ensuites where the design impact is the point.
Double Vanities
Two sinks, twice the counter space, and an end to morning lineup. A double vanity is one of the highest-impact upgrades in a primary bathroom — it changes the daily experience of the room significantly. The minimum practical width is around 60 inches; 72 inches gives proper elbow room between sinks.
Worth planning around: a double vanity requires two drain rough-ins and two supply lines. In a renovation, this is the right time to make that happen if the space allows it.
Best for: Primary ensuites and main bathrooms shared by two people. One of the best ROI upgrades in a bathroom renovation.
Sizing — Getting This Right First
Vanity width is the starting point, and it's constrained by your bathroom layout. Standard widths run 24", 30", 36", 48", 60", and 72". Some key clearances to keep in mind:
| Clearance | Minimum | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Vanity to toilet side | 15" | 18" |
| Vanity to opposite wall/fixture | 21" | 30" |
| Between double sinks (centre to centre) | 30" | 36" |
| Vanity height (standard) | 32" | 34–36" (comfort height) |
Comfort-height vanities (34–36") are noticeably better for daily use for most adults, especially in a primary bathroom. Standard 32" height is more appropriate for kids' bathrooms or where multiple heights of users need to be accommodated.
Storage: Think Through Your Actual Needs
The vanity is the primary storage in most bathrooms. Before picking a style, think about what actually needs to live there:
- Under-sink plumbing takes up more space than people expect, especially in a freestanding vanity with a centre drain. Offset drains or wall-mounted plumbing open up the cabinet interior significantly.
- Drawers vs. doors — drawers are more accessible for daily items (hair tools, toiletries), doors work better for bulky items. Most of our clients find a mix of both is ideal.
- Soft-close hardware — standard at this point in any quality vanity. Worth confirming explicitly on lower-priced lines.
- Electrical outlets inside the cabinet — useful for charging toothbrushes and razors discretely. Available on select models.
Countertop & Sink Integration
Vanities come with several top configurations — and the choice affects both the look and the daily usability:
Integrated top — The countertop and sink basin are one continuous piece, typically ceramic or cultured marble. No seam between counter and sink means nothing to collect grime. Easy to clean, practical, and generally included at a lower price point.
Undermount sink + separate top — The sink is mounted below the countertop surface (quartz, granite, marble — your choice). The result looks more custom and the counter surface can be specified to match the rest of your bathroom. See our countertop options for material details.
Vessel sink — Sits on top of the counter entirely. Dramatic look, requires a compatible faucet height, and creates a slightly higher splash zone.
Brands We Carry
We work with a range of manufacturers across price points: Stonewood Bath Cabinetry for custom and semi-custom cabinetry, Foremost and ICO Bath for quality mid-range options, and Decolav for contemporary vessel and undermount configurations. We'll match the brand and line to your budget and design direction — not the other way around.
Vanities in the Context of a Full Renovation
A vanity rarely gets chosen in isolation. In a full bathroom renovation, it gets selected alongside the shower enclosure, tile, heated flooring, and fixtures — all of which need to work together as a system. Our design team handles this coordination so you don't end up with pieces that look right individually but fight each other in the room.
Vanities represent 15–20% of a typical bathroom renovation budget. A double vanity upgrade with premium undermount sinks and soft-close hardware typically runs $3,500–$6,000 installed, depending on size and material selection.
Come See the Options in Person
Vanity decisions involve more variables than most people expect. Our team will help you work through sizing, style, storage, and integration with the rest of your bathroom — all in one conversation.
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