10 Bathroom Sink Vanity Styles For Fashion And Function

“When choosing a bathroom vanity [style], it’s important to understand your use and needs,” says New York cabinet designer and maker Chris Daddio. “Though a vanity is a focal point of a bathroom, the functionality should dictate its form and those functions should be well understood before selecting a type of vanity.”

When choosing a bathroom vanity style, consider the following functions.

• The number of people that share the bathroom
• Whether the vanity will be used in a full bathroom or in a half bath
• The frequency in which the bathroom will be used, for example, main bathrooms command daily use compared to guest bathrooms that are used occasionally

Read on for bathroom sink vanity styles that suit every style, space and budget.

1. Free-Standing

Free-standing vanities, as the name implies, stand on the floor and rest against the wall. They come with built-in sinks and cabinets that hide plumbing pipes and fittings, and can provide efficient storage, depending on their size.

Manufacturers design free-standing vanities in an array of decor styles, materials, sizes and price ranges. They also feature a wide selection of faucet and hardware options. You can repurpose a piece of furniture into a free-standing vanity or purchase from big box stores, bathroom retailers and custom bathroom designers.

Pros:

• Contain storage space
• Available in many colors, materials and hardware options
• Sturdy construction

Cons:

• Larger free-standing vanities take up a lot of floor space
• Heavy and difficult to move yourself
• Some styles can look cheap and dated

2. Pedestal Sink

Pedestal sink vanities look elegant in small bathrooms and powder rooms. Although pedestal sinks don’t house cabinets, they feature a small sink area to fit a soap dispenser, water cup, toothbrush and face towel. Pedestal sinks provide a good option for small spaces or bathrooms that contain other storage options such as closets and shelving. This style comes in ceramic, porcelain, vitreous china, marble and clay materials. Pedestal bases provide a sleek, classic look and character. They are easy to clean and require little maintenance for the homeowner.

Pros:

• Work well in small bathrooms
• Provide a classic, traditional look
• Simple to clean

Cons:

• No cabinet storage
• Small sink area
• Some materials can be expensive

3. Vessel Sink

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The vessel sink vanity style features a vessel sink positioned atop a vanity. This trendy style can be found in luxury homes and builder model units. Vessel sinks feature a variety of materials such as natural stone, glass and metal. The downside: these sinks aren’t very sturdy and can overflow often–– which doesn’t make them practical for the kiddos.

Pros:

• Unique appearance
• Available in a variety of colors, materials and shapes
• Simple to install

Cons:

• Viewed as trendy rather than timeless
• Prone to cracking
• Can be challenging to keep clean

4. Wall-Mounted or Floating

Wall-mounted vanities, or floating vanities, are positioned on the wall. This style vanity frees up floor space and can open up a room and minimize bathroom clutter. Many floating vanity styles come without storage. They can be constructed of different materials including marble, wood, plywood and laminate.

Pros:

• Provide a sleek, modern appearance
• Provide additional floor space
• Not as heavy as full-length vanities

Cons:

• Can be expensive
• Lack storage space
• Hard to install yourself

5. Double-Sink

If you share a bathroom with your significant other, roommates or kids, this vanity style can be a good choice because it comes with two sinks. Double-sink vanities feature cabinets for storage and can come in floating styles. Like standup vanities, they’re available in many materials, fixtures and hardware options.

Pros:

• Provide more counter space than smaller vanities
• Contain two sinks
• Two people can get ready at the same time

Cons:

• Higher plumbing installation bills
• Sinks can take up counter space
• Don’t fit in tiny bathrooms

6. Corner

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If your bathroom lacks square footage, the corner vanity style can be exactly what you need. Corner vanities include cabinets and drawers. They work well in half baths with a small area for a sink and toilet. Corner sink vanities are available in floating styles or full-length vanities that extend to the floor.

Pros:

• Excellent space saver
• Available in different designs, shapes and materials
• They can be customized for the homeowner

Cons:

• Installation can be tricky for the DIY-er
• Can limit upper cabinet space
• Don’t provide a lot of storage space

7. Undermount Sink

Undermount sinks are installed below counters. They don’t contain rims, lips or overhangs which makes them easy to clean. This popular style showcases a sleek and modern look. You’ve likely seen these beautiful undermount vanities in farmhouse sink options. Undermount sinks come in various materials, including porcelain, glass, stainless steel and even copper, and can be rectangular or round.

Pros:

• Popular aesthetic
• Easy to clean
• Customizable

Cons:

• High cost
• Take up more cabinet space than drop-in sinks
• Can be difficult to install and replace

8. Cabinet

Cabinet vanities feature cabinets and drawers with ample storage space for a family. This bathroom sink vanity style features pull-out cabinet doors and drawers. Bathroom cabinet costs vary from economical to more expensive options. You can find bathroom cabinet vanities in an array of materials such as wood, laminate, plywood, laminate and MDF.

Pros:

• Come in a plethora of decor styles, materials and finishes
• Contain enclose storage space for personal care items
• Available for different budgets

Cons:

• Take up more bathroom space than smaller options
• Intricate cabinet styles can take time to clean
• Can be heavy and difficult to move

9. Narrow

If your vanity looks like an eyesore and you don’t have any room to get ready when you open the cabinet, consider a narrow vanity style. With a depth of 21 inches or less, a few extra inches can make a big difference in bathrooms with small walkways. To meet your bathroom’s space requirements, consider a rectangular sink that can take up less room than some round sink options.

Pros:

• Provides more room than vanities 21 to 24 inches deep
• Available in floating and wall-mounted styles
• Sold in various materials and finishes

Cons:

• Floating styles can be difficult to mount to the wall
• Installation isn’t recommended for DIY homeowners
• Offers less room than standard vanity options

10. Console

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Console vanities feature a sink and a support frame usually constructed of metal or wooden legs. Most console sinks have a towel bar and a shelf under the sink. Console vanities come in various widths with different faucet styles. Styles can be simple such as porcelain or glam, showcasing marble basins with gold or brass fixtures.

When it comes to providing storage space, console sinks offer more flexibility than wall-mount or pedestal sinks. Since they typically have some shelving underneath the sink, they offer easier access and more readily available space for storage. That said, since the shelf is open, this space is usually better to use for storing nicely folded towels rather than using it for storing toiletries.

Pros:

• Convenient shelf displays linens and decorative items
• Offers more storage space than pedestal sinks
• Available in single and double-sink options

Cons:

• Shelves don’t conceal storage
• Less storage space than cabinet vanity styles
• Can be expensive