Bathroom Vanity Styles: A Homeowner's Guide

A bathroom vanity is the cabinet and countertop assembly that houses the sink and provides storage in a bathroom. Vanity style refers to the configuration, mounting method, and visual design of that assembly. The right vanity style affects not just the look of the bathroom but also the functionality, storage capacity, ease of cleaning, and how the space reads in terms of scale and proportion.

At Phoenix Home Remodeling, vanity selection is one of the most impactful design decisions in a bathroom remodel. It anchors the visual design of the room, determines the countertop and sink configuration, and drives several other selections including lighting height, mirror size, and plumbing rough-in location.

Because the vanity determines where plumbing rough-in happens, how the lighting and mirror are positioned above it, what countertop and sink configuration is possible, and how much storage the bathroom provides. Switching vanity styles mid-project, from a floor-mounted unit to a floating vanity, for example, can require moving drain locations, adding blocking to the wall for structural support, and repositioning the electrical for lighting. These are not small changes once walls are tiled.

• Freestanding floor-mounted vanity: The most common configuration. The cabinet sits on the floor with legs or a base, similar to kitchen cabinets. Provides maximum storage, hides plumbing, and is available in the widest range of sizes and styles. The easiest to install and the most forgiving in terms of rough-in placement.
• Floating or wall-mounted vanity: The cabinet is mounted directly to the wall with no floor contact. Creates a cleaner, more contemporary look, makes the floor easier to clean, and can make a small bathroom feel larger by revealing more floor area. Requires wall blocking during framing and precise drain placement. Also referred to as a wall-hung vanity.
• Pedestal sink: A freestanding sink on a single column pedestal with no cabinet below. Very small footprint, ideal for tight powder rooms. No storage. Plumbing is exposed but the pedestal column conceals the drain and supply lines partially.
• Console vanity: A sink mounted on an open metal or wood frame with legs, similar to a furniture piece. Open below with no enclosed storage. Contemporary and airy feeling. Works in bathrooms where storage is handled elsewhere.
• Furniture-style vanity: A repurposed or furniture-inspired piece, a dresser, sideboard, or custom wood cabinet, converted into a vanity. Creates a unique, non-builder look. Requires careful waterproofing of the top surface and precise sink and drain integration.
• Double vanity: Any of the above styles configured with two sinks instead of one. Standard in primary bathrooms and highly desirable for resale. Requires adequate linear space, typically 60 inches minimum for two sinks to be comfortable.

Yes. A floating vanity requires wall blocking during framing to provide a solid mounting surface, standard drywall alone cannot support the weight of a vanity with a stone countertop and sink. If blocking was not installed during rough-in, adding it after tile is installed is a significant undertaking. Plan for a floating vanity before walls are closed.

Yes, with proper preparation. The top surface must be sealed or replaced with a material that handles water exposure. The interior must be modified to accommodate the drain and supply lines. A vessel sink or undermount sink set into a custom-cut stone top is the most common approach. It is a more complex installation than a standard vanity but produces a distinctive result.

• Does this vanity style require wall blocking that needs to happen before rough-in?
• What sink configuration, undermount, vessel, or integrated, works with this vanity?
• What is the standard versus comfort height option for this model?
• What storage does this vanity provide and is it sufficient for our needs?

See also: ADA Bathroom Requirements, Aging-in-Place Design, Bathroom Remodel Budget, Shaker Cabinet Style, Soft-Close Cabinets