9 popular bathroom vanity materials: pros and cons

A bathroom vanity is a highly visible piece of bathroom furniture that sees a lot of daily activity from everyone in the household. The chosen material for the bathroom vanity is essential as it touches on both function and style. Understanding the different options available as well as their pros and cons, will help you make the most appropriate choice for your bathroom when the time comes.

Natural wood, sometimes referred to as solid wood or real wood, is a premium material for many projects that offers a timeless look. It creates warmth and strong associations with nature and is a popular bathroom vanity option.

Pros of natural wood:

• Has a better look and feel than engineered or synthetic wood options
• You'll have plenty of types to choose from
• Durable, especially when finished or stained

Cons of natural wood:

• It is not always ideal for especially humid bathrooms and may warp or expand over time
• Costs more than particle board and engineered solid woods like plywood

Related article: Different styles and types of bathroom vanities

Once used exclusively in industrial design, concrete is now considered a versatile and elegant bathroom material. It is still a unique and bold choice, though it is increasingly popular in residential bathrooms.

Pros of concrete:

• Mimics a similar feel to natural stone but is more cost-effective
• It can be cast into the exact size and shape you want to create custom concrete vanity tops
• An extremely durable material
• Eco-friendly when recycled content is mixed in at the outset

Cons of concrete:

• Requires regular waxing and sealing to combat porousness
• You may notice visible seam lines from casting

Like wood, natural stone refers to a wide variety of materials. These include quartz on the more expensive end and slate on the more affordable end. Like wood, it brings in strong sentiments to the natural world, albeit in a slightly more bold form.

Pros of stone:

• Wide variety of colours and natural patterns to choose from
• Strong heat resistance
• Water resistance and bacteria resistance
• Long lifespan and excellent durability

Cons of stone:

• Materials like quartz will be expensive 
• Many varieties require regular sealing to combat porousness
• Many varieties will show smudges and fingerprints, requiring frequent cleaning

Yes, marble is a natural stone. However, as a very popular material for luxury and designer bathrooms, it deserves closer examination. Known for its timeless elegance and unique veining patterns, marble adds a touch of sophistication to any space. Its durability and natural cooling properties make it a practical choice for bathroom surfaces, seamlessly combining style and functionality.

Pros of marble:

• Durable and almost entirely resistant to dents and chips
• Timeless and consistent with most design styles
• Versatile finishing options (can be polished to shine or honed for a matte look)

Cons of marble:

• Easily scratched and stained
• Vulnerable to acidic substances
• Requires frequent sealing to maintain the overall look and finish

Related article: Tips for your luxury bathroom renovation

As people always look for more sustainable ways to shop, it would be remiss to leave rattan off the list. Not only does rattan add the much-loved post-modern flair to any design, but it is also made of quickly growing vines rather than tree trunks, making it a more sustainable option.

Pros of rattan:

• Environmentally friendly
• It can be coated with water-resistant lacquer
• Offers great visual texture and classic vintage style

Cons of rattan:

• Requires regular cleaning and care
• Woven features can start to loosen or break over time

You may remember the laminate bathroom vanity tops of the 1960s and 1970s that often came in unsightly pastels. Fortunately, laminate, a combination of plastic and particle board or plywood, has come a long way and is regarded as one of the best bathroom vanity materials on a budget.

Pros of laminate:

• One of the most affordable materials for your bathroom
• Durable and water-resistant
• Easy to clean
• Doesn't feel cold to the touch, even in lower temperatures
• Can mimic a variety of high-cost materials

Cons of laminate:

• It can start to thin out or become dull over time
• Veneers of wood-glued laminate can start to separate
• Difficult to repair and often has to be replaced when damaged

A bathroom vanity material you'll find in modern and historic Australian homes is porcelain. It provides a delicate beauty to any bathroom and is often regarded as a more affordable and stylish alternative to marble or quartz.

Pros of porcelain:

• Heat and scratch-resistant
• Easy to clean
• Resistant to germs

Cons of porcelain:

• It can be fragile, especially in tile form
• It may require visible grouting, which can fade or wear away over time

Related article: A selection of the finest vanities to refresh your bathroom

Engineered stone is a solid surface alternative to natural stone. Consisting of crushed natural stone and acrylic resin and can be found in a variety of colours and natural-looking patterns.

Pros of engineered stone:

• Stain and water-resistant
• Highly durable
• Convincingly mimics natural stone with natural-looking flecks or veins
• Easy to clean and buff out
• Less expensive than natural stone

Cons of engineered stone:

• Not always resistant to intense heat
• It can be damaged by heavy objects or intense pressure
• Darker colours may show scratches and other signs of wear

Related article: Bathroom vanity trends: a style guide

Acrylic is a cost-effective material that offers a seamless, modern look. Its smooth surface and wide range of colour options make it popular for contemporary bathrooms. Additionally, its non-porous nature makes it resistant to water damage and easy to clean.

Pros:

• Affordable and lightweight
• Non-porous and easy to clean
• Available in a variety of colours and designs

Cons:

• Less durable than stone or wood
• Susceptible to scratches and cracks with heavy use

Bathroom renovations can boost the value and sustainability of your home while creating a more luxurious or aesthetically pleasing aesthetic. Choosing the right bathroom vanity materials can set the tone and meet your day-to-day needs in the short and long term. It can sometimes be a difficult choice but the more you understand and know about each choice, the better your final decision will be.