Bathroom Planning: 10 Inspirational Vanity Units for Storage and Style
Swap your space-sapping pedestal sink for a basin with benefits, as bathroom vanities enjoy a welcome renaissance
Laura Wheat
4 May 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. Freelance Journalist and interiors obsessive, newly ensconced in a handsome Edwardian semi on top of a hill.
Houzz UK Contributor. Freelance Journalist and interiors obsessive, newly ensconced... More
Having fallen out of favour in the UK since the louvred door offerings of the 1980s, bathroom vanity units are creeping back onto the design radar thanks to an injection of contemporary style. While taking up a similar amount of lateral space as a pedestal basin, vanity units create added surface area and useful storage, usually in the form of drawers or a cupboard beneath the basin. They also conceal pipework and provide new options in terms of a bathroom’s layout. Whether you go for an off-the-shelf version or a bespoke design, there are vanity units to suit every taste and budget. Take a look at these 10 options for inspiration.
Select a slimline style
When wall space isn’t an issue but floor space is, consider a wall-mounted vanity unit that is shallow but elongated. This slimline number has been designed to project minimally beyond the mirrored cabinet above. The effect is neat and extremely practical.
When wall space isn’t an issue but floor space is, consider a wall-mounted vanity unit that is shallow but elongated. This slimline number has been designed to project minimally beyond the mirrored cabinet above. The effect is neat and extremely practical.
Build into the bathroom
If your bathroom is an awkward shape or features a niche you’re unsure how to utilise, a built-in vanity unit could be the perfect solution. Ask a joiner to design a cupboard that occupies the whole space, concealing pipework and creating storage to suit your specific needs.
For a traditional look, choose panelled doors, as here. If you’re a fan of contemporary styling, slab-front doors – meaning flat and frameless – might suit you better.
If your bathroom is an awkward shape or features a niche you’re unsure how to utilise, a built-in vanity unit could be the perfect solution. Ask a joiner to design a cupboard that occupies the whole space, concealing pipework and creating storage to suit your specific needs.
For a traditional look, choose panelled doors, as here. If you’re a fan of contemporary styling, slab-front doors – meaning flat and frameless – might suit you better.
Be small-space savvy
Vanity units aren’t only suitable for big bathrooms; they can provide an effective way to squeeze extra storage out of even a bijou cloakroom. This elegant pillared cupboard with marble top sits neatly in a tight corner in this small space.
If you’re redoing your kitchen at the same time and installing a stone worktop, consider whether an offcut might be suitable for use as a basin surround. For a nominal cost, your templater should be able to cut it to the desired size and shape.
Vanity units aren’t only suitable for big bathrooms; they can provide an effective way to squeeze extra storage out of even a bijou cloakroom. This elegant pillared cupboard with marble top sits neatly in a tight corner in this small space.
If you’re redoing your kitchen at the same time and installing a stone worktop, consider whether an offcut might be suitable for use as a basin surround. For a nominal cost, your templater should be able to cut it to the desired size and shape.
Try a textured finish
Add interest to a simple bathroom scheme with a vanity unit featuring rustic wooden doors. Here, the textured finish of limewashed timber is contrasted with glamorous rose gold taps and hardware and set against a backdrop of mini metro tiles. Wall-mounted taps are a stylish addition that allow the basin surround to remain uncluttered.
Explore more ideas for interesting bathroom tiling
Add interest to a simple bathroom scheme with a vanity unit featuring rustic wooden doors. Here, the textured finish of limewashed timber is contrasted with glamorous rose gold taps and hardware and set against a backdrop of mini metro tiles. Wall-mounted taps are a stylish addition that allow the basin surround to remain uncluttered.
Explore more ideas for interesting bathroom tiling
Celebrate Scandi chic
Create a soothing, Scandi-style sanctuary for relaxing mornings and blissful bathing by using natural materials in soft colours. This envy-inducing bathroom features a minimalist vanity unit in pale wood, with drawers fitted between each of the two basins, and a coordinating stone-wrapped bath.
Choosing a drawer-only vanity, rather than a full cupboard, covers pipework and provides generous storage when extended along an entire wall, but also increases the sense of space and light. If you’re untidy, though, be sure to get some deep baskets to hide your clutter.
Create a soothing, Scandi-style sanctuary for relaxing mornings and blissful bathing by using natural materials in soft colours. This envy-inducing bathroom features a minimalist vanity unit in pale wood, with drawers fitted between each of the two basins, and a coordinating stone-wrapped bath.
Choosing a drawer-only vanity, rather than a full cupboard, covers pipework and provides generous storage when extended along an entire wall, but also increases the sense of space and light. If you’re untidy, though, be sure to get some deep baskets to hide your clutter.
Loosen your layout
Give yourself added options when choosing your bathroom layout by incorporating a back-to-wall toilet with hidden cistern into your vanity design. This marble-topped unit conceals pipework and also creates extra surface area beside the basin for displaying lotions and potions.
Discover more beautiful ways to incorporate marble into your interior
Give yourself added options when choosing your bathroom layout by incorporating a back-to-wall toilet with hidden cistern into your vanity design. This marble-topped unit conceals pipework and also creates extra surface area beside the basin for displaying lotions and potions.
Discover more beautiful ways to incorporate marble into your interior
Go large
For those with a truly palatial pad, take full advantage with a two-basin vanity unit extraordinaire. For a perfect fit, go for a bespoke design – approach a carpenter or cabinet-maker for a quote. Alternatively, it might be possible to adapt an existing cupboard by installing countertop basins and cutting holes for pipes and fixtures.
For those with a truly palatial pad, take full advantage with a two-basin vanity unit extraordinaire. For a perfect fit, go for a bespoke design – approach a carpenter or cabinet-maker for a quote. Alternatively, it might be possible to adapt an existing cupboard by installing countertop basins and cutting holes for pipes and fixtures.
Float a new idea
For easy cleaning and a streamlined look, opt for a wall-mounted ‘floating’ vanity unit. This contemporary style works especially well in bathrooms where space is limited, as being able to see more floor creates the illusion of a larger room. In this sleek set-up, two deep drawers under the basin hide the all-important product stash, as well as towels and other bathing necessities.
For easy cleaning and a streamlined look, opt for a wall-mounted ‘floating’ vanity unit. This contemporary style works especially well in bathrooms where space is limited, as being able to see more floor creates the illusion of a larger room. In this sleek set-up, two deep drawers under the basin hide the all-important product stash, as well as towels and other bathing necessities.
Try a retro revival
Add a little midcentury flair to your bathroom with a 1950s-inspired dark wood vanity unit. This basin unit does double duty, creating bags of storage and acting as a focal point in the monochrome scheme.
The timber accent is carried through to the shelf behind the basins, where a small ledge has been installed in the process of concealing pipework.
Add a little midcentury flair to your bathroom with a 1950s-inspired dark wood vanity unit. This basin unit does double duty, creating bags of storage and acting as a focal point in the monochrome scheme.
The timber accent is carried through to the shelf behind the basins, where a small ledge has been installed in the process of concealing pipework.
Streamline your bathing space
Get hotel luxe at home with a sophisticated and streamlined design. In this taupe bathroom, the vanity unit’s upper section conceals the plumbing for the basins, while the lower part features two slab-front drawers for almost invisible storage.
For the full boutique bathroom experience, ensure plenty of rolled-up towels and facecloths are within reaching distance (although think twice if it’s you who’ll be doing the laundry!).
TELL US…
Which is your favourite vanity unit here – and do you have a clever design in your own home? We’d love to hear your thoughts and see your photos in Comments below.
Get hotel luxe at home with a sophisticated and streamlined design. In this taupe bathroom, the vanity unit’s upper section conceals the plumbing for the basins, while the lower part features two slab-front drawers for almost invisible storage.
For the full boutique bathroom experience, ensure plenty of rolled-up towels and facecloths are within reaching distance (although think twice if it’s you who’ll be doing the laundry!).
TELL US…
Which is your favourite vanity unit here – and do you have a clever design in your own home? We’d love to hear your thoughts and see your photos in Comments below.
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I googled 'steam free mirrors' and quickly found the following two sites (and I'm sure you could find more): http://www.designerbathroomconcepts.com/designer-bathroom-mirrors-13/designer-modern-steam-free-mirrors.html
and
http://www.heatedmirrors.co.uk/