Homeowners wanting to improve their bathrooms may decide to get a vanity bathroom upgrade for many reasons. However, knowing what size to choose can be a challenge for many people. Therefore, those wishing to get a vanity should know what to look for when it comes to the dimensions, or size, that would be ideal.
There are many aspects to getting the right size vanity for your home. Setting up and installing a vanity can be somewhat difficult and there are a lot of factors that need to be considered.
Before we take a look at the typical dimensions you'll find in a standard vanity, you should know what a vanity is, what types of vanities there are, and the features that come with vanities.
About Bathroom Vanities
A bathroom vanity has one or two sinks that are contained in a form of cabinet, and usually features a number of drawers, additionally. Most bathroom vanities have storage space in which you place towels, washcloths, and other items such as hygiene products of all kinds.
A typical bathroom vanity is very functional and you can perform routine hygiene functions or even just get a drink of water at night while sleeping. Bathroom vanities contain one or two sinks and the type you should get depends on how many people there are in your household that would use the vanity.
Materials Used in Vanities
Vanities are designed and engineered with such materials as solid wood or wood products, or sometimes fiberglass or acrylic. In many cases, the preferred material is solid wood because of the natural look and feel of this material and the durability it adds to the structure.
In addition, other products are used such as MDF boards which are long lasting and especially attractive. The vanities that are made with a solid wood construction usually use Fir or Birch hardwoods.
The natural look of wood vanities makes for a very attractive and stunningly beautiful appearance for many households, depending on your taste. Other materials used in vanity construction such as fiberglass or acrylic don't have the same qualities that create a timeless classic look.
Types of Bathroom Vanities
There are many different types of bathroom vanities available so we are going to take a look at a couple of the ones that are most common. This would be the free-standing vanity and the floating vanity.
The Free-Standing Vanity
The most popular vanity is the freestanding bathroom vanity of all the bathroom vanities. There are many types of designs for free standing vanities, but primarily they are pieces of furniture that are meant to sit on a floor all on their own.
They are usually mounted to the wall using screws so that they are secure. Most freestanding bathroom vanities either come with an open bottom or a closed bottom. An open bottom bathroom vanity gives you access to the floor underneath of the vanity to clean runoff water. When you have a closed bottom bathroom vanity you'll get more storage space overall.
The Floating Vanity
The floating vanity gets its name because it is mounted to a wall and appears to float above the floor without touching it. These are also called wall mounted vanities. When you are installing this design it will have to be mounted at least 12 in above the floor area.
This is also a very popular design because of the modern look that will make your bathroom look cool. This is also advantageous for making cramped or small spaces look like they have a lot more room.
Because wall mounted or floating vanities are mounted several inches above the floor, this makes maintenance of the bathroom and cleaning duties much easier to perform. You just want to make sure you don't store any heavy objects within the floating vanities because they will not be as safe or secure, and could cause the vanity to fall.
Check out these examples of Best Floating Vanities.
Single Sink Vs. Double Sink Vanities
Single sink vanities are better used in smaller bathrooms with less space rather than a double sink vanity which is ideal for particularly large bathrooms with multiple users.
A single sink vanity runs from approximately 36 to 60 inches in width. Vanities from 60 in on up to 84 or even 102 inches are only designed when there is enough space to accommodate them.
The best idea to obtain a measurement that you will be able to determine whether to get a single sink or double sink vanity is to measure the entire length of the room.
A double sink vanity has two sinks and is typically 60 inches long or longer in width. These vanities have additional space and are ideal for larger bathrooms and homes with more household members.
Features of Bathroom Vanities
There are a large number of different features that you could get potentially for different types of vanities. Some of the more common features that you will find in vanities include two sinks, chrome faucets, mirrors, marble or quartz countertops, lamps, linen towers, and more. Let's take a look at some details about these features here:
Two Sink Vanities
Two sink vanities have two separate sinks with complete separate faucet features fully installed and operational. Having two sinks will allow multiple users to use the bathroom at the same time such as a parent and child. Two sink vanities are ideal for those larger households with many people.
Chrome Faucets
It may be a matter of aesthetics for many, but having a chrome faucet will be a matter of taste for some. Chrome faucets are attractive and have a long-lasting lifespan.
Mirrors
Many vanities come with mirrors, but others come with optional mirror packages. Some people don't want a mirror with their vanity, but others find them indispensable. Getting a mirror package with your vanity is completely up to you, but they are useful when trying to get ready for work or other events to look your best.
Lamps
Vanities come with lamps installed into the backsplash area, or other, space above the vanity. Having a lamp installed in your vanity is optional in some cases, but for some homeowners they are preferable. Having a lamp installed in your vanity means you don't have to have additional lighting in the area bathroom area installed for use with your vanity.
Linen Towers
Linen towers are a tower that comes in between the two sinks in a two sink vanity. Linen towers have storage space in drawers that will accommodate all kinds of different storage needs.
You can store linens or personal hygiene supplies or washcloths or towels or whatever you wish within them for use while you are using your vanity. These are some of the features that come with the vanities, although there is always an innovation or two that make their way into the design of many models.
See more examples of Best Vanities with Linen Towers.
Vanity Dimensions: Height, Width, Depth
Vanities come in a variety of different sizes, from 36 in all the way up to 102 inches. There are three dimensions that you should be aware of when sizing a vanity for your home: height, depth, and width are the three typical measurements that you'll need to know about selecting a vanity.
It's important not to get too large a vanity for a small bathroom or to small of vanity for a large bathroom, as the general design layout will look awkward and uncomfortable.
There should be enough clearance between the sides of the vanity and walls adjoining either side of it to make you comfortable. You should probably leave enough room to place objects such as wastebaskets or other types of things if possible.
Let's take a look at the three different dimensions: height, depth, and width in more detail here:
Standard Bathroom Vanity Height Measurements
The standard bathroom vanity height for most typical modern bathrooms is approximately 32 inches. However, there is a range from 30 to 36 that most standard bathroom vanities fall into. The height of a bathroom countertop needs to be smaller than that of a kitchen worktop so kids can use the bathroom and reach it as well as their parents.
The comfort concept of a vanity size of about 32 in comes from adults using the vanity without having to bend too much or straining their backs. This means kids can still use the vanity, although they can be assisted by using a stool in higher vanities.
For most people, the standard height for a vessel sink bathroom vanity is about 30 in and that's minus the sink. Most tabletops stand several inches taller, which will make this measurement greater.
Standard Bathroom Vanity Width Measurements
There is no actual standard width of vanities as they come in a wide variety of different sizes for different types and sizes of bathrooms. However, the average width of a single bathroom vanity is approximately 30 to 48 in, and the standard width for double sink bathroom vanities falls within a range of 60 to 72.
Typical sizes that you will find in a bathroom vanity with include 36-48 inches to 60 inches all the way up to 102 in in some cases for extra large bathrooms. Getting an extra wide vanity is ideal for especially large bathrooms.
For those homeowners who have many members of the household, you will want to get a double sink vanity to accommodate everyone's needs. Vanities with a width of 60 inches or more have a double sink built into the specific model.
Smaller bathrooms would not need a particularly wide vanity and it should not be installed in them.
Standard Bathroom Vanity Depth Measurements
This is an matter of controversy for some, as the depth of a vanity also should be taken into consideration relating the amount of space in between the vanity and the opposing wall. If it is a particularly cramped space , will want a vanity with lower depth measurement.
The standard depth for a modern wall bathroom vanity is 21 inches, although they typically range from 20 to 30 inches for most models. This also includes the thickness of the doors and drawers that protrude from the surface of the front of the vanity.
This measurement also does not include the depth of the countertop and the overhang of the counter. This measurement only comes from the back of the cabinet to the front of the cabinet. You may have to add one to two or more inches of depth to your vanity when accounting for the countertop that is that comes with it.
You may want to keep this in mind if you are installing your vanity and closed spaces. If you've got a particularly small bathroom or powder room you want may want to consider having a smaller vanity with a depth of 16 to 18 in installed rather than typical models.
In smaller spaces having a smaller or slim vanity will give you more floor space and make your bathroom look more spacious with better ergonomic considerations.
How to Select the Right Dimensions
There is nothing worse than getting the wrong size vanity when you are in the vanity market. Taking the time to understand the size requirements for your bathroom upgrade is imperative to having a satisfying experience.
In order to arrive at the correct size vanity, remember if at all possible you will want to leave space on either side of the vanity and space between the front of the vanity in the opposing wall. You need to leave enough space to be able to get around the bathroom space while using your vanity comfortably and without obstruction.
The general rule of thumb is to leave at least 24 in of space on either side of the vanity and hopefully up to at least two to three feet of space between the front of the vanity in the opposing wall.
While this may not always be possible, the more space the better and you will have to use your best judgement when measuring your vanities face.
When you are measuring your bathroom. measure the length between walls that your vanity will be resting against. This is the measurement that should leave at least two feet of length between each side of the entire width of your vanity.
When you are trying to arrive at a measurement, from the front of your vanity to the wall, measure the depth of the vanity and add two to three feet of space in between the front of the vanity in the opposing wall.
If there is enough space to make you comfortable, then you can install your vanity in this bathroom space and it should be successful overall. If there is not enough space to comfortably install a vanity, then you should really reconsider the idea.
When Making your Selection
When you are selecting a vanity, you will have to take the measurements by hand and understand what you are getting into. If you are comfortable with your decision about the size of the vanity, it's time to select a model.
Before you do anything else, you should write down a list of the needs and features that you are looking for in the vanity that you are looking for. When you have these written down, compare them to the available vanities in the appropriate size.
If you have a short list of 1-2 vanities that might deal for your space and size, then you can call a reputable contractor to see what the installation costs are going to be. Once you have arrived at the total cost of everything, including shipping and taxes, you can go ahead and order your vanity and schedule the installation at your convenience.
Before you install your vanity, you may want to have the area cleaned out so your contractor is provided with easy access. Once your contractor is done installing the vanity, you may want to clean out the area and prepare it for use.
One other thing you can do is get accessories for your bathroom to go with your new vanity that will make it look its best. You may want to choose bath mats or new linens or towels to go with your new vanity and bathroom upgrade.
Once your vanity arrives and your contractor has installed it, you can begin to use your vanity in style and comfort for a lifetime.
To learn more, see our Bathroom Vanities Guide.