A bathroom vanity has to do several jobs at once. It supports the basin, stores everyday items, hides plumbing and helps set the visual direction of the room. Getting it right means looking beyond colour and door style to consider how the bathroom is used, who uses it and how much clear space is needed around it.
A custom bathroom vanity makes those decisions easier because the cabinetry is designed around the actual room rather than a standard showroom size. Before choosing a layout, think about the vanity position, sink configuration, storage priorities, cleaning routine and the way doors and drawers will interact with nearby fixtures. These practical details will determine whether the finished vanity simply looks good or genuinely improves the bathroom every day.
Wall-Hung vs Floor-Standing Vanities
The choice between a wall-hung and floor-standing vanity affects the appearance, storage capacity, cleaning routine and installation requirements of the room. Neither option is universally better; the right one depends on the bathroom layout and the result you want to achieve.
A wall-hung vanity is fixed to the wall with open floor space underneath. Its floating appearance can make a compact bathroom feel lighter and less crowded, while the visible floor makes cleaning easier. Installation needs suitable wall support, and the plumbing must be positioned carefully so it remains concealed within the cabinet. The mounting height can also be tailored to the people using the room, which is one of the practical advantages of a custom made bathroom vanity.
A floor-standing vanity extends to the floor, either with a full cabinet body, recessed kickboard or furniture-style legs. It can provide more internal capacity and often suits traditional, transitional or substantial contemporary bathrooms. It may also be the better choice when the wall cannot support a suspended unit. However, its larger visual footprint can make a very small room feel fuller, so proportion and finish selection matter.
Single vs Double Sink Vanities: Which Suits Your Bathroom?
The number of sinks should be based on how the bathroom works during busy periods, not simply on what fits along the wall. A double vanity can be convenient, but it also uses valuable benchtop and cabinet space.
A single sink usually works well in powder rooms, guest bathrooms and smaller family bathrooms. Keeping one basin leaves more uninterrupted benchtop area and allows wider drawers or cupboards below. Even in a generous ensuite, one sink may be the more useful option if storage and preparation space are higher priorities than two people using the basin at exactly the same time.
A double sink can make sense in a shared ensuite or family bathroom where two people regularly get ready together. To work comfortably, the vanity needs enough width for both basins, usable space between them and clear standing room in front. Plumbing for two waste outlets and two sets of taps will also influence the internal cabinet layout. A well-planned custom built bathroom vanity can organise the drawers around this plumbing instead of sacrificing an entire section of storage.
Before committing to two sinks, consider how often both would genuinely be used. In some rooms, a long single-basin vanity with two defined grooming zones, good lighting and generous storage delivers a more practical result.
Sink Styles: Integrated, Vessel, and Undermount
The basin changes more than the look of a vanity. It affects benchtop space, cleaning, tap placement, cabinet depth and the amount of storage available underneath. Choose the basin and vanity together so one does not create unnecessary compromises for the other.
An integrated basin is formed as part of the vanity top, producing a smooth, continuous surface with few joins. It is easy to wipe down and suits streamlined bathrooms. The available shapes, colours and top materials may be more limited than with separate basins, so the complete specification should be confirmed early.
A vessel basin sits on top of the vanity. It creates a strong focal point and can preserve some cabinet space because much of the bowl is above the benchtop. The vanity must be set at the correct height, however; placing a vessel basin on a standard-height cabinet can leave the rim uncomfortably high. You will also need to allow for water around the base and select a wall-mounted or tall benchtop mixer with suitable reach.
An undermount basin is fitted below a stone or compatible solid surface. The clean benchtop edge makes it easy to sweep water into the bowl and gives the room a refined finish. Because the bowl extends into the cabinet, the upper drawers need to be shaped or shortened around the basin and waste. This is where a bespoke bathroom vanity can make far better use of the remaining space than generic cabinetry.
Storage Options: Drawers, Shelving, and Mirror Cabinets
Effective bathroom storage begins with an honest list of what needs to live in the room. Daily toiletries, electric grooming tools, towels, cleaning products and spare supplies all require different types of access and internal space.
Deep drawers make items visible from above and are often easier to use than a large cupboard with products pushed to the back. Internal dividers can keep smaller items organised, while a drawer designed around the plumbing can reclaim space that would otherwise be lost. Soft-close hardware and moisture-resistant finishes also help cabinetry cope with frequent use.
Open shelving keeps towels or display items within easy reach and can make a vanity feel less solid. It does require tidier styling and more regular dusting, so it may not suit every household. Closed cupboards remain useful for tall bottles, cleaning products and bulk supplies, especially when adjustable shelves are included.
A mirror cabinet adds shallow storage at eye level without using the vanity top. Recessing it into the wall creates a neater profile where construction allows, while integrated lighting and power points can improve daily routines. The most practical custom vanity often combines drawers, a small cupboard and mirrored storage rather than relying on one storage type alone.
The best vanity is planned as part of the room, with the basin, benchtop, storage, plumbing and finishes resolved together. This approach creates cleaner lines, fewer installation surprises and cabinetry that works for the way you use the bathroom. Tuska Kitchen designs and builds tailored joinery for homes across Sydney and surrounding areas. With more than 10 years of industry experience, the team can guide you through the layout, materials, finishes and internal storage, then provide detailed 3D renders so you can understand the design before production begins.
Get in touch with the Tuska Kitchen team at tuskakitchensjoinery.com.au
Sizing Your Vanity to the Room
A vanity should be measured in relation to the entire bathroom, not just the empty wall where it will sit. Width is important, but depth, height, door movement and circulation space often have a greater effect on comfort.
Start by recording the wall dimensions and the positions of plumbing, power points, windows, doors, skirting, shower screens and towel rails. Check whether the bathroom door, shower door and vanity drawers can open without colliding. In a narrow room, a slightly shallower vanity may improve movement while still providing useful storage. A filler panel or scribed end may also be needed where walls are uneven.
Vanity height should suit regular users while remaining compatible with the chosen basin. Benchtop thickness and vessel-basin height must be included in the final calculation. Also consider the mirror position, tap clearance and comfortable reach to power outlets.
Proportion matters visually as well. A small unit can look stranded on a long wall, while an oversized cabinet can dominate the room and restrict movement. A handmade bathroom vanity can be built to suit awkward corners, wall-to-wall openings or non-standard depths, creating a more intentional fit. Precise site measurements should still be confirmed before manufacture, particularly after wall linings and floor finishes are established.
FAQ
What information should I prepare before a vanity design consultation?
Bring the room dimensions, photos, renovation plans and examples of finishes you like. It also helps to identify your preferred basin and tap style, the items you want to store and whether existing plumbing will remain in place.
Should I choose the basin or the vanity first?
Choose them together whenever possible. The basin determines the benchtop cut-out, tap position, overall vanity height and the amount of internal space affected by the bowl and plumbing.
What materials work well for bathroom vanity cabinetry?
Bathroom cabinetry should use moisture-resistant board or appropriately finished timber, durable edges and reliable hardware. The right selection depends on the desired appearance, ventilation, exposure to splashes and expected level of daily use.
Can a vanity be designed around existing plumbing?
Yes. Designing around existing services may reduce the need to relocate pipes, but the exact pipe positions must be measured. Custom drawer shapes, removable panels and carefully positioned cupboards can maintain access while preserving useful storage.
How early should a custom vanity be planned?
Plan it before plumbing and electrical rough-ins are finalised. Early coordination allows the trades to position water, waste, lighting and power to suit the approved cabinet, basin, mirror and tap layout.