By Glenda Taylor | Updated Jun 14, 2021 12:25 PM

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Bathroom vanities come in various materials, styles, and sizes, allowing you to add storage beneath the included sink(s) and complement the decor of your space. The best model for your bath will fit the square footage without making the room feel cramped. Choosing a vanity is mostly a matter of personal taste, but considering a few key factors when shopping will help you find one you’ll be happy with for years to come. Learn what to look for when selecting a vanity cabinet for a bathroom renovation or remodel, and check out a number of products suited to various situations that are considered among the best you can buy.

The main consideration when it comes to choosing a bathroom vanity is the people who will be using it the most. Sleek modernists or more traditional types? Those with loads of supplies to stow or minimalists with just a few products? Pint-size family members or full-grown adults? Once you have a solid sense of the users, it will be easier to select the size, style, and material of the ideal vanity.

In terms of construction standards, very few regulations apply to vanities, so a lot of variation exists. Still, a few basic guidelines will help create a bathroom that looks good and functions well. In general, cabinet-type vanities can be as narrow as 18 inches for a single-bowl model and up to 72 inches or more for a double-bowl vanity. Countertop height ranges from 30 to about 36 inches. Standard depth is about 21 inches, but that also varies depending on style.

When choosing a vanity width, consider the commode. Vanities are usually located next to a toilet, and the general rule—and often a local code—is to position the toilet so its center is no closer than 15 inches on either side to a wall or vanity. Keep this space requirement in mind when selecting a vanity.

Exceptions apply to bathrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The countertop height on an ADA vanity should be no higher than 34 inches above the floor, and the vanity should feature a roll-under space at least 32 inches wide and 27 inches high (measured from the floor) to allow those in wheelchairs to use the sink. For this reason, wall-mounted vanities (see below for more details) are desirable options in ADA bathrooms.

Most bathroom vanities come with a combination of drawers and cabinets for stowing such items as cleaning supplies and grooming products, thereby minimizing clutter.  Bear in mind that available storage may be somewhat limited, since the space beneath the sink usually houses the bottom of the bowl and the drainpipes.

For aesthetic appeal, a vanity should complement the bathroom and blend in rather than stand out or become its sole focal point. Style also relates to the amount of storage, available floor space, and overall bathroom design. Standard design includes centering a mirror over the vanity and placing vanity lighting above or on either side of the mirror. There are several basic styles from which to choose:

The main consideration when choosing the material in a bathroom vanity should be moisture resistance. Bathrooms are one of the most humid areas in the home, and there’s bound to be some outright splashing as well, so the cabinet should be able to withstand moisture. In addition to the cabinet, factor in the countertop and hardware.

The sink is the centerpiece of a bathroom vanity, and several types are available.

The vanity serves as a washing station and a storage area, so keep the above considerations in mind when choosing one. The following models, selected for style, durability, and value, suit a variety of bathroom situations.

The clean lines of the LUCA bathroom vanity cabinet, combined with a lustrous white porcelain sink, provide a classic look that will be right at home in many bathrooms. The cabinet is crafted from hardwood and finished with a semi-gloss surface to resist water and moisture damage. It measures 24.5 inches wide, 18.5 inches deep, and stands 34 inches high.

The integrated sink will accept a one-hole, center-set faucet. It is made from smooth white porcelain and features two small sections on either side of the faucet for a cup, soap, or a toothbrush holder. The compact dimensions make this LUCA vanity suitable for a small to midsize bathroom.

The eclife Bathroom Vanity combines a modern console-type vanity cabinet with a trendy vessel sink on top. The cabinet, which is made from engineered wood, is finished to look like stained wood grain (and a few alternate finishes may be available as well).

It measures 24 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and stands 32 inches high. The flared vessel sink adds another 4.75 inches to the height of the vanity. The sink has a standard one-hole, center-set, chrome lever faucet and all the plumbing components necessary to connect it, including hot and cold water-supply lines.

For a small bath and an equally tight budget, consider this eclife Bathroom Vanity. It’s a well- priced unit that measures 16 inches wide, just 9.8 inches deep, and 20.3 inches tall—and it can be installed at any height desired. As a wall-mount model, it leaves floor space free for other uses, making it well suited to small bathrooms.

The vanity features a single cabinet for storage, and the durable sink, made of stone powder and resin, has a one-hole, center-set chrome lever faucet. The cabinet is crafted from engineered wood and features a smooth, soft gray painted finish.

With its sleek black cabinet, striking turquoise glass vessel sink, and brass lever faucet, the eclife Bathroom Vanity and Sink Combo aims to add a fashionable contemporary look to the bathroom. The cabinet is made of durable MDF, and the attractive finish resists water and is easy to wipe clean.

The cabinet features two slow-close doors and two drawers for storage. It measures 24 inches wide by 20 inches deep, and it stands 32 inches high. The vessel sink adds 5.5 inches to the height. A brass one-hole, center-set lever faucet, as well as hot and cold water-supply tubing, is included.

To make a small bathroom big on style, check out the eclife Bathroom Vanity. The cabinet is just 13.25 inches wide, 20.25 inches deep, and 32 inches tall, making it well suited for narrow spaces. There’s a front full-length cabinet door with two shelves inside for storage. A sleek stainless steel cabinet pull is included, and slow-close door hinges prevent slamming.

The vanity comes with a flared 16.25-inch white ceramic vessel sink that adds 4.75 inches to the height (other sink styles may be available). The sink has a one-hole, center-set chrome faucet. The cabinet is made from engineered wood and features a smooth black painted finish that resists moisture.

Those looking to add midcentury-modern appeal to the bathroom might go for this Modway Render model. It features an attractive horizontal slat-front design reminiscent of the iconic architectural influences that dominated in the U.S. from the 1930s to the 1960s. The cabinet includes an integrated white ceramic sink that will accept an 8-inch spread faucet (not included).

The Modway Render measures 23.5 inches wide, 18.5 inches deep, and stands 32.5 inches high. It features two doors that open to reveal adjustable storage shelves. The cabinet frame is made from MDF, and the doors are crafted from hardwood and feature slow-close hinges. The entire cabinet has an attractive walnut finish.

Add a dash of design and a good deal of storage with the RunFine Vanity, which features a bowed front contour on the cabinet and sink. Made from solid wood and finished in smooth white paint, the cabinet features two doors and a bottom drawer for stowing items. The doors have slow-close hinges to prevent obtrusive slamming.

The white vitreous china sink has a glazed enamel finish and includes preformed holes to fit a faucet with a 4-inch spread (faucet not included). There’s ample space on either side of the faucet to hold a cup or other bathroom essentials. This model measures 24.6 inches wide, 19 inches deep, and stands 34 inches tall.

Those unfamiliar with bathroom design and fixture installation may want a bit more info about bathroom vanities. Read on for answers to some common questions about these products.

A wall-mounted vanity should be attached to the wall studs for stability. Then, water-supply and drain lines are connected to the faucet and the sink drain, respectively. Complete installation instructions are typically included with a vanity purchase.

The standard height typically ranges between 30 and 36 inches, and the expected depth is around 21 inches. There are no hard and fast rules, however, because building codes do not regulate vanity sizes.

A backsplash will help keep water from the wall behind, but it’s not a necessity. Some integrated acrylic sink tops come with attached backsplashes, but most models don’t include one. If desired, a backsplash can be added as part of the bathroom design.

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