No matter how many home projects I take on, the bathroom always makes me nervous. While I’ve done every room in my house, this space (with all the water lines and tile) is much more difficult. And to put even more pressure on top of it, the choices made for a bathroom remodel need to be timeless for decades. Luckily, I have a ton of experience in making design choices that need to last.
Today, I’ll be chatting all about the most important part of a bathroom remodel: the vanity. As the largest piece in this space with so many functions, it needs to be chosen carefully. Let’s discuss all my tips and tricks for choosing a bathroom vanity you’ll love for years!
How To Choose A Bathroom Vanity
Before you start browsing, it’s time to measure your space. If you’re working with a contractor, ask them about the dimensions for your specific bathroom. Ideally, your vanity would be as big as the room can handle so you can maximize storage and counter space. If you’re like me, I want all my favorite products where I can see them!
What Size Bathroom Vanity Do I Need?
Bathroom vanities come in a variety of sizes, but these are typically standard: 24in, 30in, 36in, 48in, 60in, and 72in.
My recommendation would be to install the largest vanity that fits in your space. If you go too small, it results in an awkward gap that looks unfinished. I promise, a slightly oversized bathroom vanity will not look too large, but look intentionally built for the space
Custom Vanities vs. Builder Grade… Which Should You Choose?
Custom vanities are the ideal choice (and most likely what your contractor will recommend) because it’s just that- custom. After measuring the width of your space, you get to choose the style, color, and functionalities of your vanity. From there, you decide on the countertops. It’s the exact same process for your kitchen, just with a hole cut into the counters for your sinks. I’ve done this option several times and the results are incredible, but it’s definitely the more expensive option.
The other option available is to purchase a bathroom vanity online and have it shipped to your home. These are builder grade vanities made to hook into existing plumbing so you can simply switch out your vanity. Since they’re not built custom to your bathroom, they’re significantly less expensive. Although you cannot choose every little detail, builder grade bathroom vanities are still beautifully made and look fantastic.
Types of Bathroom Vanities
Once you’ve decided whether a custom or builder grade vanity is best for your bathroom, it’s time to decide the style. There are a million variations of the standard bathroom vanities, so once you choose a category, you can fine tune it to your taste even further.
styles to choose from:
- Freestanding: The point of freestanding vanities are to look like a furniture piece placed into your bathroom. It’s an stunning look if you enjoy the grandmillenial style like I do.
- Wall Mounted: These types of vanities have room underneath to have it appear floating against the wall. It’s a modern look that is very popular.
- Console: Console vanities have a sink without a cabinet underneath. You’ll typically see a shelf on the bottom – perfect for towels or toiletries!
Cost of Bathroom Vanities
Bathroom vanities can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousands. It all depends on the material and size you choose. Of course, custom is significantly more expensive, but I’ve found cost all comes down to countertops.
If you’re tackling a kitchen and a bathroom at the same time, you’ll need to purchase a slab of countertop material. The slab is often large enough to cover both the bathroom AND the kitchen depending on the size. If you’re already contracted with a cabinet builder for other projects, a custom bathroom vanity may be the cheapest option since it’s already in the scope with your contractor.
If you’re DIYing a bathroom renovation, a builder grade vanity from any of the stores above may be a less expensive option.
When it’s all said and done – the best way to price this out is to have a contractor bid your bathroom project to see what a custom vanity will cost. Alternatively, look at the vanities available online to see if there is one that is perfect for your design. I see so many that I’m eyeing right now!
Bathroom Vanities – My Top Picks!
Regardless of if you’re considering a custom bathroom vanity or a builder grade version, we all need a little inspiration! I’ve gathered a collection of the top bathroom vanities I’m considering for our Monarch Revival Bathroom Remodel to help narrow your selection down.
Small Bathroom Vanities:
Double Vanities:
What style of bathroom vanity is your favorite? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all my latest projects, check out my recent posts:
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