BUYING-GUIDE

Bathroom Vanity Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Vanity for Your Bathroom

Choosing the right bathroom vanity is about balancing size, storage, plumbing and style. Our practical vanity buying guide explains wall-hung vs freestanding vanities, common sizes, single vs double basins, vanity tops and what to check before you buy.

Published 6 min read By Donald LI

A bathroom vanity is one of the hardest-working pieces in your bathroom. It needs to provide storage, washing space and everyday practicality, while also fitting comfortably into the room.

Before choosing a colour or style, think about your available space, storage needs, plumbing, basin type and who will use the bathroom.

Here are the main things to consider.

Start With the Right Vanity Size

Bigger is not always better.

Measure the available wall space and check how the vanity will work with everything around it, including:

Also check the depth, not just the width. In a small ensuite or powder room, a shallower vanity can sometimes make a bigger difference than simply choosing a narrower one.

Common vanity sizes include:

  • 600mm and smaller – compact bathrooms and powder rooms
  • 750mm–900mm – ensuites and many standard bathrooms
  • 1200mm – larger bathrooms with generous storage
  • 1500mm and above – family bathrooms and larger master ensuites

These are only guides. The best vanity is the one that leaves enough space for the bathroom to work comfortably.

Wall-Hung or Freestanding Vanity?

This is one of the first style decisions to make.

Wall-Hung Vanities

A wall-hung or floating vanity is mounted above the floor.

Because more floor remains visible, it can help a smaller bathroom feel more open and also makes cleaning underneath easier.

Wall-hung vanities work particularly well in:

  • Modern bathrooms
  • Small ensuites
  • Powder rooms
  • Bathrooms where a lighter, less bulky appearance is preferred

However, the wall needs suitable structural support, and the plumbing position should be considered before installation.

Freestanding Vanities

A freestanding or floor-mounted vanity sits on the floor.

It can provide generous storage and works well in family bathrooms where practicality is the priority.

Freestanding vanities can also be easier to incorporate into some existing plumbing layouts during a renovation.

Neither type is automatically better. Choose according to your space, plumbing, storage needs and preferred look.

Think About How Much Storage You Really Need

A beautiful vanity can quickly become frustrating if it does not hold the things you use every day.

Think about what you actually need to store:

  • Toiletries
  • Hair products
  • Makeup
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Towels
  • Toilet paper
  • Electrical appliances

Drawers are popular because everyday items are easy to see and reach.

Cupboards can be useful for taller bottles, bulkier items and some plumbing configurations.

Many vanities combine drawers and cupboards to provide both types of storage.

Before purchasing, also check that drawers and doors can open fully without hitting a wall, toilet or shower screen.

Single Basin or Double Basin?

The answer depends on how the bathroom is used.

A single-basin vanity usually provides more benchtop and storage space and is often the practical choice for smaller bathrooms.

A double-basin vanity can be useful in a shared family bathroom or master ensuite because two people can use the vanity at the same time.

However, two basins also take up more:

  • Benchtop space
  • Cabinet space
  • Plumbing
  • Overall vanity width

If your bathroom is not particularly large, a generous single basin on a 1200mm vanity can sometimes provide more useful everyday space than squeezing in two smaller basins.

Choose according to your household routine rather than assuming that two basins are always better.

Choose the Vanity Top and Basin Together

The cabinet is only one part of the vanity.

Depending on the product, you may be able to choose from options such as:

An integrated ceramic top can be a simple and practical option because the basin and top are designed as one unit.

A flat stone or solid top with an above-counter basin gives you more freedom to create a customised look.

An undermount basin provides a clean, streamlined benchtop and makes wiping the surface easier.

If you are using an above-counter basin, remember that the basin adds extra height. The vanity height, basin height and mixer all need to work together.

It is much easier to choose the vanity, top, basin and tapware as a complete combination rather than selecting each item separately.

Check the Plumbing Before You Order

This is particularly important when replacing an existing vanity.

Check where the:

  • Hot and cold water supplies enter
  • Basin waste exits
  • Pipes sit inside the cabinet
  • Existing power points are positioned

Modern drawer vanities can have specific plumbing cut-outs. If the existing waste pipe is too far to one side or in the wrong position, it may interfere with the drawers.

A wall-hung vanity may also work better with plumbing entering through the wall rather than through the floor.

If you are unsure, show the vanity specification to your plumber before ordering or before the walls are finished.

Moving plumbing is possible, but identifying the issue early can save time and unnecessary cost later.

Choose a Finish That Suits Real Bathroom Life

Vanities are now available in much more than traditional gloss white.

Popular options include:

Timber-look and warmer finishes can soften bathrooms with a lot of white tile, while curved and fluted vanities can add more texture and character.

MBS currently offers vanity options across wall-hung and freestanding designs, including timber-look, fluted and curved styles.

However, remember that bathroom furniture is exposed to humidity and occasional splashes.

Moisture-resistant does not mean waterproof. Wipe standing water away promptly and maintain good bathroom ventilation.

Which Bathroom Vanity Is Right for You?

There is no single vanity that works for every bathroom.

If you have a small bathroom or ensuite, consider a compact or wall-hung vanity.

If you need maximum family storage, look at a larger freestanding vanity with drawers and cupboards.

If two people regularly use the bathroom at the same time, consider a larger double-basin vanity.

If you want a more customised design, look at a vanity that allows you to choose the cabinet, vanity top and basin separately.

Most importantly, select your vanity based on space, storage, plumbing and everyday use first — then choose the style and finish you love.

Need Help Choosing a Bathroom Vanity in Melbourne?

Melbourne Bathroom Shop offers bathroom vanities in a wide range of sizes, styles and configurations, including wall-hung, freestanding, compact, curved, fluted and timber-look designs, together with different vanity-top and basin options.

Visit our Blackburn showroom to compare different vanity sizes and finishes in person.

If you are renovating, it is helpful to bring:

  • Bathroom measurements
  • Photos or plans
  • Existing plumbing position
  • Preferred basin type
  • Tapware selection
  • Tile or colour samples

This makes it easier to choose the vanity as part of the whole bathroom, rather than discovering later that individual products do not work well together.

A good bathroom vanity should look great, but more importantly, it should make your everyday bathroom easier to use.