Bathroom vanity ideas

Apr 08, 2023

Bathroom vanity ideas are an often overlooked part of bathroom design with tubs, showers and tiling taking centerstage. However, this single piece of furniture has the power to make or break your bathroom design.

Finding the perfect balance between style and practicality is key. From choosing the right countertop material to finding the perfect silhouette for your space, these bathroom vanities will keep your bathrooms organized while also adding character and personality to your space.

'Storage is incredibly important and is worth serious consideration. There are two general schools of thought – either hide the storage area or go bold and make it a design feature. A beautiful vanity unit can make your basin a focal point, as well as providing that much needed storage for cleaning materials and lotions and potions. For a more contemporary theme, a wall hung unit with sliding drawers is a popular solution,' says Phil Etherden, managing director of The Albion Bath Company.

From floor-standing to floating, wall-hung to double and single vanity designs, using a stylish vanity unit can beautifully transform the look and feel of your bathroom. We have curated a collection of smart bathroom vanity ideas that can integrate into bathrooms of all sizes and styles, along with some helpful advice from design experts on how to best incorporate a stylish vanity unit into your bathroom.

BY BUSOLA EVANS, LINDA CLAYTON. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ZARA STACEY, HOLLY REANEY

The style and shape of your vanity will primarily be defined by the size and shape of your bathroom. For a large spacious master bathroom, a double vanity makes for the perfect star attraction, while smaller cloakrooms will require a more compact, petite design.

‘There are so many options for bathroom vanities, depending on the look you want to achieve. This bathroom is defined by its narrow profile, so it was important to find a piece that would work well in the space. Opting for this modern design, which is on legs rather than cabinetry and a minimalist white countertop makes the room appear brighter and airier,’ explains Kristina Phillips of Kristina Phillips Interior Design.

If you’re trying to figure out the perfect bathroom vanity ideas for a small bathroom design, then a wall-hanging unit is the perfect piece. Creating the illusion of more space, is exposes the flooring beneath – this emphasizes the footprint of the room while also showing off even more of your elegant bathroom flooring.

'A floating vanity creates the illusion of more space when the floor is exposed –especially if combined with hidden pipes and a wall mounted faucet. What's possible with a vanity depends on existing plumbing and whether the pipes are being floor mounted or wall mounted. It's important to discuss with your plumber what's possible first and then source a vanity that fits your design vision,' said Jameelah Davis and Ebonee Clark, co-founders of Lauren Wesley Designs.

The countertop material is a vital component of your bathroom vanity ideas. Taking up a significant portion of the room, it will play a significant role in setting the tone and atmosphere for the room. As such, your bathroom countertops are an as important part of your bathroom vanity ideas as the base on which it stands. After all, you will see a lot more of the countertop than you will the drawers or legs beneath.

‘We're seeing more organic materials in bathroom design. Stone, concrete, and even teak are becoming luxury chic in bathrooms. It's a simple design element, but it gives the bathroom a finished feel,’ explains Lance Thomas of Thomas Guy Interiors.

Bathrooms are traditionally the smallest room of the house and as such have to make the most of the available space. As such, every nook and cranny has a valuable role in your bathroom design. Here, a small corner of the bathroom has been utilised to house a fitted vanity complete with marble countertop and upstand. It has been paired with statement wall lights and mirror to create a compact space which is just as functional as larger bathroom vanities.

If you have a minimalist bathroom decorated in a monochrome scheme, then your vanity offers the perfect opportunity to add more bathroom colors to your room. This beautiful cornflower blue vanity has a symmetrical design which suits the clean lines of the room, while also bringing color and character to the space. The vanity is accentuated with black brassware which ties the new piece in with the existing taps, door knob and light fixtures.

With so many bathroom vanity ideas available, it can be hard to find the right fit for your space. ‘A great way to refresh a tired bathroom is to opt for a vanity that looks like furniture, such as this dresser inspired vanity. Opt for a design that extends all the way to the side wall to ensure the maximum amount of usable counter space. Adding a mirror wall with sconces mounted above the vanity ensures plenty of reflected light,’ says Kristina Phillips.

Reminiscent of luxury hotels, a double console is a grand addition to a bathroom or en suite. A symmetrical twin basin will provide more than enough space for both you and your partner to get ready in the morning while also making an opulent statement. To embrace luxury bathrooms, opt for a vanity with an open frame and use the countertop as an opportunity to embrace marble bathrooms, as seen in this richly colored Verde Guatemala marble washstand with antique brass stand from Drummonds.

Nothing creates a laid-back cottage feel than floral prints – whether that's as part of cottage kitchens or cottage bathrooms.

‘All the hard surfaces of a bathroom can create quite a clinical feel, so we like to bring in fabric and color where we can to add softness and warmth,’ says interior designer Sarah Vanrenen of Vanrenen GW Designs. ‘Here, a pretty chintz curtain hangs from a scalloped frame, concealing plenty of bathroom storage.’

'A serene space with classic design details will always stand the test of time. I am a big believer that neutral classics do not necessarily need to mean boring. You'll see I played with tonal grays – a soft dove for the vanity, a veined white/gray marble for the countertops, against a slightly creamery gray tile for the backsplash, This subtle contrast between these various grays creates some dimension in the bathroom without it feeling overwhelming or busy,' says Georgia Zikas, interior designer and founder of Georgia Zikas Design.

As the smallest room of the house, bathroom space is at a premium and therefore it is vital that your bathroom vanity ideas and with it your bathroom storage works for you. 'You have to maximize every inch of space you have in the bathroom,' says Mel Bean of Mel Bean Interiors. 'Adding mirrors, vertical sconces create the illusion of more space. While built-in cabinetry and a multi-drawered vanity adds function as well as sleek design so you can keep the counters free of clutter.'

In order for your vanity unit to be well-lit and functional for use at all times of day, planning in lighting designs beside your mirrors is essential.

With so many beautiful bathroom lighting to choose from, why not make a statement with your vanity lighting.

These traditionally inspired gold and glass wall lights create an eye-catching focal point in the room. Positioned above the mirror helps to maximize the illumination provided by the lights.

Back in time, this antique vanity unit would have had a china or tin basin and jug sat on its marble top for washing.

This makes it a prime candidate for conversion if you are looking for traditional bathrooms. A skilled carpenter and plumber can easily cut holes for plumbing to create an authentic looking vanity unit, with all the efficiencies of a modern piece – such charm!

One of the key elements of a bathroom vanity unit is storage, and choosing a design that combines open and closed storage is a great option for when organizing a bathroom vanity.

Simon Temprell, Interior Design Manager at Neptune states, ‘closed cabinetry is perfect for keeping the bathroom looking neat and tidy, but it is nice to have some open storage too for the display of towels, bottles, jars and accessories.’

As shown in this bathroom by Neptune, the vanity unit contains a practical, large draw, with open, low-level shelving. Having open shelving such as this allows for you to get creative and decorative with bathroom accessories, with the two woven baskets used in this space adding inviting texture and softness to the space, great for bathroom shelves.

Great for master bathrooms, using two single vanity units can make a bathroom feel more organized, spacious and distinguished, it can also lead to more creative freedom when decorating and styling the unit, making it completely your own.

In this bathroom, the two Edinburgh Washstands by Neptune are positioned close together to establish a vanity zone in the bathroom, however, by using two separate units, it makes the area feel more spacious, ideal for when there is more than one person occupying the bathroom.

Of course, there are a range of bathroom vanity ideas out there from which to choose, whether that's a rustic wooden design, to a traditional metal unit with exposed framework. For a more modern look, why not choose a design similar to the sleek and sophisticated custom unit shown above by Ripples.

Defined by a smooth, white countertop, flush gray draws and cabinets, and a large mirror with integrated shelving and lighting, this vanity design embraces an uncluttered, minimalist look, taking inspiration from modern cabinet designs like that found in a kitchen. A central unit such as this is a great option for bathroom organization idea.

For modern bathrooms like this, Ripples Senior Designer Jo Sangster states, ‘by wall mounting vanity units and other furniture items, you open up the floor space and create a less cluttered look. When paired with low level lighting, the effect is maximized.’

Vanity units come in all shapes and sizes, and for small bathrooms, a single vanity unit can slot in perfectly.

James Lentaigne, creative director at Drummonds states, ‘when choosing a vanity unit, it's vital to take into consideration the size of the bathroom. Vanity units tend to be large, impressive statement pieces and so it's important to choose a style/size that doesn't overwhelm the space. We have launched a range of compact vanity units, which are specifically designed with smaller bathrooms in mind.'

A vanity unit is one of the central features in a bathroom, so get creative and bold with color and material to create a stand out design.

James Lentaigne, Creative Director at Drummonds states, ‘people are increasingly dedicating more space to their bathroom, often turning a spare bedroom into an ensuite or family bathroom. This means that larger, more dramatic pieces can be incorporated as part of the design and with their classic good looks, washstands are the perfect way of introducing the wow factor into the room. Elegant and refined, their styling speaks to both classical and contemporary interiors.’

For a luxurious look, embracing marble bathrooms can be both beautiful and incredibly durable, as James goes on to say, ‘marble is a traditional surface which is very much on-trend and is an immensely stylish finishing touch. People always appreciate the luxurious look and feel of this natural material - and the fact that each piece has its own unique characteristics. As long as it is properly sealed, it is also a highly practical choice.’

As shown here in this bathroom from Kate Moss's Cotswold home, the stunning, Green Verde Guatemala marble creates a truly show-stopping design, a beautiful example of a green bathroom.

A traditional pedestal-style washstand is utterly timeless and perfect for showcasing a statement bathroom wall, like this tile-inspired wallpaper by Pierre Frey.

On-trend antiqued brass adds warmth to this classic ball-jointed frame. Choosing a double vanity with open storage below makes the unit appear lighter and provides opportunity to add some personal touches and texture.

Use baskets to keep toiletries tidy and towel bails for coziness.

In our opinion, choosing a double vanity sink is the perfect opportunity to incorporate well-organized drawers and increase storage space.

Useful bathroom shelves will increase your storage, but pull-out deep drawers like these will make space for everything, from makeup to towel storage, all neatly hidden behind cabinetry.

Creating a niche for a bathroom vanity is a neat way to enclose the space, making it feel luxurious and streamlined, and providing many more opportunities for storage.

Cladding the niche in a luxurious material is a must for following through on that boutique hotel look. This bathroom designed by Cara Woodhouse achieves just that, a stunning example of what can be achieved for bathroom splashbacks.

Our bathroom vanity ideas can elevate any bathroom scheme with personality and practicality