What Size Vanity Is Right for Your Bathroom?
Choosing a bathroom vanity isn’t just about finding one that fits along the wall.
The right vanity needs to work with the size of the room, the position of your plumbing, the way you use the space and, importantly, how much storage you actually need.
Too small and you may regret the lack of bench space and storage. Too large and the bathroom can quickly feel cramped.
Here’s a simple guide to choosing the right vanity size for your space.
600mm Vanities
A 600mm vanity is a great option for powder rooms, ensuites and smaller bathrooms where space is limited.
At this size, keeping the design simple is usually best. A single basin combined with a well-designed drawer can still provide surprisingly useful storage without taking over the room.
Wall-hung designs are particularly effective in smaller bathrooms, as seeing more of the floor helps create a greater sense of space.
Best suited to:
- Powder rooms
- Small ensuites
- Compact bathrooms
- Guest bathrooms
750mm Vanities
At 750mm wide, you gain a little more breathing room around the basin while still keeping the vanity relatively compact.
This is a good middle ground for smaller bathrooms where a 600mm vanity feels a little tight but you don't have room to step up to a 900mm.
It also gives you more flexibility when choosing your basin and drawer configuration.
900mm Vanities
A 900mm vanity is one of the most versatile sizes.
There is enough width for a generous single basin, good drawer storage and useful bench space without needing a particularly large bathroom.
For many ensuites and family bathrooms, 900mm strikes a really good balance between practicality and proportion.
It also gives you more freedom with the design. Timber, colour, feature drawer fronts or statement basins can all work beautifully at this size without overwhelming the space.
Best suited to:
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Ensuites
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Medium-sized bathrooms
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Guest bathrooms
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Bathrooms needing good storage without a large footprint
1200mm Vanities
Once you move to a 1200mm wide, the vanity can become a much stronger feature within the bathroom.
You have room for generous drawer storage, more bench space and the option of either one large basin or two smaller basins.
Don't automatically assume a 1200mm vanity needs two basins, though.
A single basin can leave considerably more usable bench space and often allows for better storage underneath. For many couples, one generous basin works perfectly well.
If two people regularly need to use the bathroom at the same time, however, a double basin may make more sense.
1500mm Vanities
A 1500mm vanity works beautifully in larger bathrooms and master ensuites.
The additional width gives you much more freedom with the layout. You may choose twin basins, or a large central basin, generous drawers or a combination of storage options.
At this size, the vanity starts to feel more like a piece of furniture within the room rather than simply a bathroom fixture.
It's also where materials and detailing can really shine; timber grain, stone tops, sculptural basins and considered hardware all have room to breathe.
Don't Forget Vanity Depth
Width gets most of the attention, but vanity depth matters too.
A standard-depth vanity may work perfectly in a large bathroom but feel intrusive in a narrow ensuite.
Reducing the depth slightly can sometimes make a significant difference to how comfortably you can move around the room.
This is also one of the advantages of choosing locally made joinery, to get a custom made vanity. Rather than trying to make a predetermined size work, the vanity can be designed around the space available.
Consider Your Basin Before Finalising the Vanity
Your basin choice can change the proportions of the entire vanity.
An above-counter basin, for example, adds height, so the cabinet itself may need to sit lower to achieve a comfortable finished height.
The width and depth of the basin will also affect how much usable bench space remains.
Before ordering your vanity, consider:
- Basin width and depth
- Above-counter or inset basin
- Tapware position
- Plumbing position
- Drawer clearance
- Finished vanity height
Getting these decisions sorted early makes the rest of the bathroom much easier to plan.
Think About Storage, Not Just Size
A larger vanity doesn't automatically mean better storage.
Internal layout matters.
Deep drawers can be incredibly practical for everyday bathroom products, while a well-designed mirror cabinet can add significant storage without requiring a larger vanity at all.
Think about what you actually need to store - hairdryers, skincare, towels, toiletries, cleaning products - and design around that rather than simply choosing the biggest vanity that fits.
Wall-Hung or Floor-Standing?
This also affects how large a vanity feels within the room.
A wall-hung vanity creates a lighter appearance and exposes more flooring, which can make smaller bathrooms feel more open.
A floor-standing vanity can have more of a furniture feel and creates a strong visual anchor within the bathroom.
Neither is necessarily better. It comes down to the overall design of the room and the look you're trying to achieve.
So, What Size Vanity Should You Choose?
As a general guide:
600–750mm
Best for powder rooms, compact ensuites and smaller bathrooms.
900mm
A versatile size for ensuites and medium-sized bathrooms.
1200mm
Ideal when you want generous storage, more bench space or the option of double basins.
1500mm+
Perfect for larger family bathrooms and master ensuites where the vanity can become a real feature of the space.
But your bathroom doesn't need to fit a standard size.
At The Custom Creative, our vanities are designed and made in New Zealand, which means we can work with your space, your chosen materials and the way you want your bathroom to function.
Whether you need something compact for an ensuite or a generous vanity for a new master bathroom, we can help you find the right proportions rather than simply making the room fit the furniture.
Planning a bathroom renovation or new build? Get in touch with The Custom Creative and talk to us about the right vanity for your space.
