What Types of Bathroom Vanities are There?

What is a bathroom vanity? You’ve likely heard of bathroom vanities before, but if you aren’t an expert in interior design, you may not know much about them. Some people mistakenly think that a bathroom vanity is the same thing as a bathroom cabinet. However, a bathroom vanity is actually a piece of bathroom furniture that combines several features. Most commonly, bathroom vanities include a cabinet, a sink, and a mirror, but they can also feature a medicine cabinet, a large countertop, shelves, and other aspects. Because household bathrooms are often limited in space, vanities can be an excellent way to efficiently furnish the room. Here, we’ll take a closer look at bathroom vanities and all that you should know about them. Afterward, you’ll have no problem answering the question, “what is a vanity in a bathroom?”

Different Types of Bathroom Vanities

When you’re shopping for bathroom vanities, you’ll have several different types to choose from. You’ll want to make your selection based on the style of your bathroom, the amount of space you have available, and how much you’re looking to spend.

Console Vanities

Console vanities are bathroom vanities that stand on their own against one wall, much like kitchen consoles. These vanities often feature one or two sinks, a cabinet or drawers, and in some cases, shelving or a bit of countertop space. With many console vanities, the lower portion of the vanity will be open storage space, which is perfect for placing extra towels or spare rolls of toilet tissue.

Generally, console vanities are relatively modest pieces of bathroom furniture that help give the space an open layout. They’re stylish without being overly fancy, and they usually range from around two to six feet tall. Console bathroom vanities often provide a medium amount of storage space, but not quite as much as a large traditional bathroom cabinet.

Freestanding Vanities

Freestanding bathroom vanities are very similar to console vanities in certain ways. Like console vanities, they usually feature one or two sinks, two or four legs, and are mounted to a wall. However, freestanding vanities aren’t as open, and they also tend to offer more storage space. Many of these vanities feature only a sink and one large cabinet, while others are twice as wide and include two of each. Some freestanding bathroom vanities are equipped with both shelves and cabinets, offering plenty of diverse storage space for your towels, toiletries, and other bathroom items. Freestanding vanities are typically about the same size as console vanities, but they tend to feature a more traditional, rustic appearance.

Wall-Mounted Vanities

Wall-mounted bathroom vanities, which are also known as floating vanities, are a very unique type of bathroom furniture. These special vanities are mounted directly to the wall and have no contact with the floor. They’re usually relatively small, and because they don’t take up any floor space, they’re an excellent option for smaller bathrooms. Wall-mounted bathroom vanities can sometimes consist of only a sink, a small amount of shelf or counter space, and perhaps a couple of small drawers or towel racks. However, some of these vanities are significantly larger, typically mounted only a few inches above the floor and featuring several cabinets or large drawers.

Wall-mounted vanities are popular choices for homeowners looking to create a sleek, modern look for their bathroom. They are very stylish, clean, and modern-looking, and if you’re okay with a minimalist aesthetic, the smaller units can help you save money and space.

Corner Vanities

If you’re looking for a happy medium between tiny wall-mounted vanities and robust freestanding vanities, a corner vanity could be a fantastic choice. These bathroom vanities, which are placed in the corner of the room, usually offer one sink, a cabinet or several drawers, and a bottom shelf. Corner vanities are perfect for making the most of your space in a smaller bathroom, and they tend to be more cost-effective than console vanities and freestanding vanities. These bathroom vanities are generally somewhat modest, but by taking up so little space, they give you much more freedom to get creative with the rest of the bathroom.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, bathroom vanities are diverse pieces of furniture that can serve several important functions. Because they often pack so many useful features into one piece, they are extremely popular choices for decorating household bathrooms. Since these vanities come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, you should always be able to find one that’s a good fit for your bathroom and your preferences.