Choosing The Right Vanity For Your Master Bathroom: Getting To Know Your Options
13 Nov
Finding the perfect bathroom vanity for your master bathroom isn’t an exact science. After all, not all bathrooms are created equal, and every couple is different. Whether you have overlapping morning routines or strictly separate bathroom schedules, your needs are going to be different, and the bathroom vanity you choose should reflect that. The first step in making the right choice is knowing your options, because there are probably more of them than you might think – no matter how big or small your bathroom.
The Gold Standard: A Double-Wide, Two-Sink Vanity
De Soto 72″ Double Bathroom Vanity in Bright White 825-V72-BWW-3AF from James Martin Furniture
One of the most common options for a master bathroom is a double vanity – that is, a wide vanity with two sinks in it. Having a double vanity means each partner gets their own space – their own sink, their own little bit of counter, and their own cabinets and/or drawer space. But what I really like about double vanities is that they’re a surprisingly flexible option. While many of them clock in somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 inches wide, you can find them as slim as 48 inches and as wide as a full six feet across. That means it’s simple to find a vanity that suits both the size and layout of your master bathroom, and the storage needs and preferences of both you and your partner.
A Symmetrical (Or Not) Pair Of Single Bathroom Vanities
Copper Cove Encore 30″ Single Bathroom Vanity in Burnished Mahogany 301-V30-BNM from James Martin Furniture
If you have a smaller master bathroom, or if you and your partner really struggle to share the same vanity space, it might be worth installing two separate, smaller bathroom vanities rather than a single large double vanity. Not only will this keep sinks, counter, and storage for each partner separate, but it can also help free up the layout of your bathroom, making it possible to put your vanities in two different places rather than having to block out a single continuous area.
Mix And Match Single Vanities To Meet Everyone’s Needs
Brittany 46″ Single Bathroom Vanity In Urban Gray 650-V46-UGR from James Martin Furniture
Typically when you opt for two single bathroom vanities rather than a double vanity, it means getting two matching vanities – same size, style, and so on. But particularly if you and your partner’s morning routines differ, it might be worthwhile to consider getting matching vanities in two different sizes. Many vanity manufacturers (like James Martin) offer full collections of vanities that come in matching styles and colors but a variety of sizes, usually starting at 24 inches wide and scaling up in six inch increments. Because the vanities match stylistically, they won’t look out of place if you pair two different sizes, but they will allow more flexibility in terms of getting a setup that matches both partners’ needs.
Bridge Together Two Vanities For A More Flexible Big-Bathroom Design
De Soto 118″ Double Bathroom Vanity Set With Makeup Table 825-V118-BW-DU-CAR from James Martin Furniture
Comprised of two matching, usually same-sized bathroom vanities connected by a lowered countertop, makeup vanities – aka bathroom vanities with a built-in makeup table – offer a literal bridge between double vanities and paired single vanities. Like double vanities, they’re a single solid unit with space for each partner, but with a little more obvious divide between the two halves and a little added functionality. Where double vanities are usually made of solid cabinets, the simple “bridge” between the two vanities creates a small dressing table that’s perfect for sitting down to do hair or makeup, and for keeping hair and makeup related clutter in a dedicated spot. This is also a great option for larger master bathrooms, because you can also link together two larger vanities, which is the best way to fill a big space (up to ten feet!) without shelling out for custom cabinetry.
Make The Most Of A Small Space With A Roomy Single Vanity
Bristol 48″ Single Bathroom Vanity in White Washed Walnut 157-V48-WW-3AF from James Martin Furniture
On the flip side of things, if you and your partner don’t mind sharing a sink, it might be worth opting for a larger, single-sink vanity. Cutting out that extra sink will not only help maximize your counter space (a precious commodity no matter the size of your master bathroom), but also minimize the plumbing. That means room for more and more usable storage, since less of the space inside your vanity will be wasted accommodating a second drain. On a single vanity, drawers can go all the way up to the level of the counter on both sides, giving you tons of accessible storage for both partners, even on a relatively small vanity.
ADA-Compliant Dressing Tables, For A More Accessible Master Bathroom
Castilian 60″ Single Bathroom Vanity in Aged Cognac 161-V60S-ACG from James Martin Furniture
In somewhat the same vein as makeup vanities, there’s a growing trend of bathroom vanities styled after dressing tables, designed so you can sit directly in front of the sink, with a column of drawers or cabinets on either side. These vanities are great for people who want to recreate an old, Victorian-style dressing table feel and have a comfortable place to sit to do hair and makeup. The vast majority are also ADA-compliant and designed to accommodate wheelchair users and people with otherwise limited mobility, which means they can be a great choice if you and/or your partner need additional accommodations, or if you want to make your bathroom more accessible as part of an age-in-place renovation. These vanities are usually only available with a single sink, but are often part of larger design collections, so they can easily be paired with a second, similar vanity as well!
There is no such thing as one definitive “best” bathroom vanity for a master bathroom – just one that will work well with the space you have and meet the unique needs of you and your partner!
