Transform your space with Vanity Units

When it comes to creating the perfect bathroom, the furniture you choose goes a long way in making it somewhere suitable for relaxing in. From making your bathroom look more appealing aesthetically, to creating a more functional space where you enjoy spending time – and which doesn’t create stress due to clutter – bathroom-ware is key.

The following blog will subsequently focus on how vanity units can transform your bathroom – whether you have a larger space or a more compact area. So, read to the end to find out more about the different types of vanities available and how you can incorporate them into your bathroom design.

Vanity units are often focal points in bathrooms.

What is a vanity unit?

To begin with, it’s good to clarify what exactly a vanity unit is, so it isn’t confused with a pedestal basin or otherwise. Essentially, a vanity unit takes inspiration from the traditional washstand and comprises a countertop along with a basin (inset or placed on top) and storage underneath in the form of drawers or cupboards.

Used to provide practical storage as well as an area for washing hands, vanity units are often made into bathroom features, due to the variety of stylish designs available. They can also be floorstanding or wall-mounted, as detailed below.

Floorstanding vanity units

With more of a traditional association but available in a wide range of both classic and contemporary designs, floorstanding vanity units are characterised by their freestanding form. They therefore don’t need to be attached to the wall and are easily incorporated into bathrooms of all sizes.

Indeed, with a range of styles, finishes and sizes available, you can choose a vanity which suits your personal tastes and benefit from an attractive design as well as functionality.

Key advantages of floorstanding vanity units:

• Easy installation: As the units are freestanding, there’s no need to drill them to the wall. Simply place them in your desired location and you’re good to go.
• Ample storage: Floorstanding vanities tend to have roomy drawers and cupboard space, along with countertop space around the basin, so are great for storage.
• Traditional aesthetic: If you want something which gives your bathroom a more classic look, then a floorstanding vanity is ideal. While you can get more modern designs in this style, the floorstanding look in general has more of a traditional association.
• Easier to plumb into your bathroom: Unlike wall-mounted vanity units, which often need the plumbing re-routed, floorstanding units are much easier to install, as you can simply connect it to the existing pipework.

The Josef Martin Tullagh Four-door Floorstanding Vanity unit and Basin in Basalt-blue

If you have a larger bathroom then a vanity such as the Josef Martin Tullagh Four-door Floorstanding Vanity Unit and Basin in Basalt Blue is ideal. Suitable for sharing, this unit comes with two inset basins and plenty of countertop space for keeping toiletries such as soap dispensers and toothbrush holders. It also has a curved upstand behind the basins which acts as a splash-back, along with two sets of double-door cupboards beneath, for added storage. These cupboards feature attractive profiled doors with antique mirroring, which further adds to the aesthetic qualities of this unit.

The Josef Martin Happi Full-fluted Floorstanding Vanity Unit and Inset Basin in Goblin-green.

For smaller rooms, meanwhile, something like the Josef Martin Happi Full-fluted Floorstanding Vanity Unit and Inset Basin in Goblin-green will deliver on style and visuals but save on space. With a contemporary fluted front, this gives the unit a textured look and adds visual interest, along with the striking goblin-green tone. It also comes with a curved inset basin and two roomy drawers underneath, with soft-close doors and integrated handles for a more modern aesthetic.

If you prefer a countertop style, meanwhile, then there are plenty of floorstanding options for this as well, such as the Josef Martin Avoca Floorstanding Vanity Unit and Pebble Worktop in Blush-pink. This stylish vanity has a solid-surface worktop with bevelled edges, along with a profiled drawer on soft-close runners which you simply pull from underneath to open. Designed for use with a countertop basin, you can subsequently choose your preferred style for this, along with the tap/mixer you want to pair with it.

The Josef Martin Avoca Floorstanding Vanity Unit and Pebble Worktop in Blush-pink.

Wall-mounted vanities

If a more modern minimalist look is what you’re after for your bathroom, then a wall-mounted or floating vanity might be the way to go, as these have a distinctly contemporary aesthetic. They’re also great if you need to save on space, so are ideal for more compact bathrooms or cloakrooms, although you can still, of course, get smaller floorstanding vanities as well.

Wall-mounted vanity units are easily identified by the fact that they float off the floor and are fixed to the wall, with free space underneath.

Key advantages of wall-mounted vanity units:

• Easy to clean around: Due to their floating style, wall-mounted vanities are easy to clean around as the floor space underneath is free from obstacles and there are no nooks and crannies where dirt can collect.
• Space-saving: If you have a smaller bathroom then wall-mounted vanity units will help to maximise what you have by saving on floor space, with their less bulky aesthetic.
• Make your bathroom appear bigger: By being mounted off the floor, floating vanities give the illusion of more space in the room so will help to make your interior appear larger than it actually is.
• Personalised fitting: As you have to attach the unit to the wall you can therefore customise the height according to personal preference, which is great if you need it positioned higher or lower.

The Croft Wall-mounted Unit with Countertop Basin and Tap in Wood-effect.

A popular vanity in the floating style is the Croft Wall-mounted Unit with Countertop Basin and Tap in Wood-effect. This stylish vanity is designed for use with a countertop basin, which comes supplied in the package deal linked above, along with a matt black tap which complements the black trim of the unit.

For storage, a deep drawer sits underneath the countertop, while an open slated shelf below this provides additional space for keeping items such as towels or toiletries.

If you prefer the inset basin style, however, then something like the Josef Martin Roma Deko Wall-mounted Vanity Unit and Basin in James Blue Wood-effect is a good choice. With an attractive pale blue painted finish and a rectangular inset basin, it also comes with a deep drawer featuring a profiled front and handle-less rail, which adds texture and visual interest.

The Josef Martin Roma Deko Wall-mounted Vanity Unit and Basin in James Blue Wood-effect.

If you want to fill more space, however, then there are also larger double vanities which deliver even more storage and are ideal for two people, still with that modern floating style. For example, the Josef Martin Remo Wall-hung Vanity Unit and Worktop in Pewter Oak Wood-effect is a large unit which can comfortably hold two basins and has two deep drawers at both sides, as well as double open shelving in-between. The natural wood-effect finish makes this a vanity which will easily complement a range of other décor, while you can choose your preferred drawer handles separately, to complete the look.

The Josef Martin Remo Wall-hung Vanity Unit and Worktop in Pewter Oak Wood-effect.

Find the perfect vanity unit at Bathshack

Whether you’re looking for a floorstanding vanity or prefer the wall-mounted look, you’ll find a wide range of options in both categories at Bathshack. Indeed, with so many designs, colours and sizes available, the difficulty will arise in whittling down the options!

Our expert team can assist with any queries you might have, but it’s good to know from the outset what’s most important to you in a vanity – be it storage space, aesthetics or otherwise. We can then point you in the right direction – and you can browse our full range both in-store and online, at your convenience.

To view our full range of bathroom products, visit Bathshack.com and if you have any queries, just email us at info@bathshack.com, call us on (028) 9077 0188 or use our online chat.