Bathroom Vanity | Heights, Sizes & Everything Explained

Your bathroom has everything that you need, but it could do with some extra space for your toothbrush and razor. If you currently have a pedestal or wall-mounted basin, a bathroom vanity could give you the added storage and function that you need.

In this post, I’ll explain what a bathroom vanity is, its standard height, as well as answer some other popular questions around the topic.

Let’s dive in!

What Is A Bathroom Vanity?

A bathroom vanity is a cabinet and countertop that supports or includes your basin and taps. The name derives from the 19th-century version that was an elegant table and mirror where ladies would sit and do their toilette. Modernized plumbing blended the vanity table with the basin and mirror resulting in a convenient and functional upgrade to our 20th and 21st-century bathrooms.

Vanities typically include drawers or shelves for easy storage. A large cabinet underneath hides the plumbing while also giving you easy access to shut-off valves and connections. Your vanity may be constructed out of wood or MDF with a laminate, stone, or porcelain worktop. A vanity gives you extra space to place makeup, hand soap, small hand mirrors, and other items you need to get ready for work in the morning.

Some vanity tops feature a basin and countertop seamlessly formed out of quartz or another solid surface. Others have the countertop cut out, so a porcelain or steel basin can be installed. You may find one sold as just the cabinet, others include the basin. Also, all-in-one options that have the cabinet, counter, basin, and taps sold as a single package are available.

Designs range from sleek contemporary styles with square edges and clean hardware to versions made to look like basin stands from the early last century. If you thought that there are endless options for your sanitaryware, finding the vanity can be like shopping for furniture. It will be the one piece of cabinetry in the bathroom. So, you want it to compliment the fixtures, look great for a decade or two, and give you all the functionality that your family needs.

Cost

Since vanities are a common part of many bathrooms, you can find them for a very low price or spend as much as you want. The most popular standard-sized vanity starts at around £250 and tops out at around £3,000. Small units for cloakroom applications sell for as little as £100.

Installation

If you are comfortable installing a new tap, you can add a vanity to your bathroom by yourself. You will need a few basic tools such as a wrench, screwdriver, spirit level, and measuring tape. If you are doing a wall-mount version, add a power drill and wall anchors to the mix. A tube of silicone will help to seal the edge against the wall and prevent water from causing damage. You may need a buddy to help you carry the box into the house, but otherwise, this is a one-person job.

What Is The Standard Height For A Bathroom Vanity?

Most bathroom vanities are installed with a height of 800 to 850 mm. If the vanity is intended for use by a person in a wheelchair, a height of 720mm is recommended.

You may have noticed that your kitchen worktops are a little higher. They have a standard height of 910mm. Why is there a difference? Bathrooms are designed for the entire family to use, including young children. So the vanity height is intended to allow even the little ones to get their hands under the water.

What Is The Standard Height For A Bathroom Vanity?

What Is The Height Of A Comfort Height Bathroom Vanity?

Some newer options for vanities include floating or comfort height vanities. Instead of a cabinet mounted to the floor, the vanity is bolted to the wall at a height that works best for you. In a master ensuite, you may want a height of 900 to 950mm to accommodate your six-foot height. You won’t have to hunch over to wash your hands or pick up items from the counter.

Some floating vanities feature open shelving, so you may end up having the pipes hidden in the wall.

Floating vanities also work well if you want a vessel sink. The vanity height will need to be adjusted so that taps can reach over the lip of the vessel while still sitting at a comfortable height for users.

What Are The Standard Sizes For Bathroom Vanities?

The most common bathroom vanity widths run between 600 and 800mm.

A 600mm vanity provides just enough room for the basin and a small area of countertop surrounding the edges. It fits well into small bathrooms, but not necessarily your cloakroom.

An 800mm-wide vanity gives you space to put down your bottle of hairspray and blow-dryer without shuffling one item into a drawer.

Small vanities designed for compact bathrooms can run as small as 400mm wide. There is no extra spot for putting down your toothbrush, but a small cupboard underneath gives you options for towels and cleaning products.

How deep does your vanity need to be?

Most popular vanities are sold with a depth of 350 to 450mm. Options for cloakrooms can be as shallow as 250mm. For the massive ensuite, some vanities offer a 600mm depth comparable to the depth of your kitchen worktop.

What Size Bathroom Vanity Do I Need For 2 Sinks?

So, you are planning a bathroom that can accommodate you and your spouse in the morning without bumping elbows. You need a double vanity. The most common versions will measure 1200mm wide and 450mm deep. The width leaves space for a pair of sinks. Also, there is enough room so both of you can shuffle face cloths, razors, and cotton balls without unnecessary drama.

Just like the more traditional vanity, you can find double vanities that are much bigger and smaller. You even have the choice of installing a countertop in any size that you desire and placing the basin in or on top of it.

final thoughts…

There you have it! Everything you need to know about bathroom vanity heights and dimensions.

Whilst there may not be an exact ‘standard’ height, most bathroom vanities will fall between 800 – 850mm in height. However, there are lots of varying height options on the market and many ways to create your own custom height to suit your particular ergonomic needs.

Happy bathroom designing!

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Michael R

Michael is a KBB designer from the UK. He's been designing and project managing new Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom installations for over eight years now, and before that, he was an electrician and part of a KBB fitting team. He created The Bathroom Blueprint in early 2020.