10 versatile bathroom vanity ideas

23 February 2022

 • 

6 min read

banner
Updating a bathroom comes with a lot of design decisions—not least of which is your choice of vanity. Bathroom vanities are busy focal points and an important part of bathroom design. They are not only functional but can be incredibly stylised too. These bathroom vanity ideas will help inspire you to make the best choice for your bathroom and home.

1. Go sleek with handle-less bathroom vanities

If you're going for a paired back, contemporary bathroom design, one of the best bathroom vanity ideas to consider is handle-less cabinet doors.

The no-handle trend is popular among interior design experts and will help you achieve a modern look. If you don't want to go entirely handle-free, you can also opt for finger edge pulls that are both stylish and discreet.

2. Opting for wood

Do you want to make a statement with your vanity unit? Going the all-wood route is a great way to achieve this. A lot of bathroom vanities have wooden door fronts and cabinet panels. But not all that many have wooden countertops.

All-wood vanities can also be versatile from a design perspective. Depending on the wood tone, cabinet lines, and finish, an all-wood vanity can look rustic, organic, contemporary or traditional.

3. Concrete is still cool

Concrete is still cool and the concrete vanity top is an unusual interior design choice that's bound to add moodiness and masculinity to your bathroom.

Besides having an organic, edgy look, concrete counters are also a versatile option. For instance, if you need a powder room custom vanity, you could get a counter slab poured to specific dimensions.

4. Vintage vanities are a thing

Looking for unusual bathroom vanity ideas? Don't forget about vintage vanities. Vintage vanities are rare, but they are definitely "a thing".

Bringing an old-world feel into interior design isn't too hard until you come to the bathroom. Creating a vintage bathroom design can be tricky. One of the most impactful ways to give your bathroom a vintage collector's flair is to use an antique-style dresser as a vanity.

You can add a stone vanity counter and inlay a sink on top, or you can choose a traditional-style vessel sink to mimic the 18th-century washstands.

Vintage vanities can complement a classic design style, or they can tie in well to a rustic farmhouse look.

5. Go glam with marble and bronze fittings

If you are seeking a glamorous feel, then a bronze and marble combo is one of the bathroom vanity ideas you should definitely give some thought to.

Bronze and marble are a classic glam look, and you can easily combine them in a vanity area. For instance, you can opt for a marble vanity top, white cabinetry and bronze hardware and taps.

You can also extend the bronze accents to your mirror frame and add in some glamorous bathroom lighting with bronze sconces next to your mirror.

If you really want to nail the glam station look, you could also entertain the idea of double vanities.

6. Live edge counters are both rustic and modern

Are you trying to get as far away from builder grade as possible in your designed vanity? If yes, then live edge counters are a bathroom vanity idea you might want to consider.

Live edge wood is both unusual and one-of-a-kind. In the bathroom, they are a highly unexpected element and can create a pleasing organic contrast against more cold elements like bathroom wall tiles and fittings.

7. Floating vanities can be a great design hack

Is your bathroom on the small side? If you're working with a restricted amount of floor space a floating vanity can be a handy design hack.

Not only are floating and wall-mounted vanities very much in vogue, but they're also practical. They increase the amount of visual floor area, creating the illusion of space. They also allow more room for one's feet.

Depending on the dimensions of your floating vanity, you might also be able to house things like baskets and bins underneath. If you’re working on a master bathroom, a double sink vanity is also a great solution.

Floating vanities at Smith Road, Artarmon
Floating vanities at Smith Road, Artarmon

8. Mirror front cabinets create an illusion of space

Another effective way to create the illusion of extra space in a bathroom is by incorporating mirror-fronted cabinets in your vanity.

While they do require more regular cleaning, mirror-fronted cabinets are a highly unique interior design option that will visually double the size of your bathroom. They reflect the floor area in front of them, giving the feeling that your floor goes on and on.

Just remember that mirror-fronted vanity doors will reflect whatever is in front of them. This could result in a discreetly placed toilet being on display every time you glance through the doorway of your bathroom.

Related article: 15 stunning bathroom mirror ideas for Australian homes

9. Floating shelf vanities make for an eye-catching choice

Another variation of the floating vanity design is floating shelf vanities. These usually comprise of one or two thick shelves.

Single shelf varieties look sleek and simple. Double shelf options are a little more unusual and add extra storage.

If you opt for a double vanity shelf design, you can use the bottom shelf as visual storage for stacked towels, baskets and decorative toiletries.

Floating shelf at Auburn Residence
Floating shelf at Auburn Residence

10. Consider adding a power drawer

Most of the bathroom vanity ideas we've listed centre around different vanity aesthetics. But we couldn't leave you without mentioning the power drawer.

Power drawers are drawers equipped with an outlet at the back and are designed to house things like hair styling tools and shavers. Incorporating a power drawer can help you free up counter space, get those hair styling tools out of the way and put some distance between your outlet and potential splashes.

According to reports, the "joy score" of renovating a bathroom is 9.6 out of 10. We're pretty sure that adding a power drawer can bump the joy score on a bathroom-related home improvement even further.

Do any of these bathroom vanity ideas catch your eye?

An attractive, updated bathroom can command an ROI of over 60% and choosing the right vanity plays a big part in this. Fortunately, there are a plethora of bathroom vanity ideas to take inspiration from. Whether it's a concrete basin, a marble countertop or a floating vanity for a small bathroom - you’ll find that these ideas will help bring your bathroom to another level for the benefit of all.

Related article: 11 different styles and types of bathroom vanities