21 Bathroom Vanities That Steal the Show
Give your bathroom 'wow factor' with vanities that can be as practical as they are pleasing
The bathroom can be a clinical space – white porcelain, white laminate, white walls … you get the picture. And that suits many people – after all, the bathroom has a job to do and that’s to get you clean. But you can also have a fully functioning bathroom and give it loads of character. One way is to opt for a vanity that’s a little bit different, even if the rest of your bathroom is fairly neutral. You can choose from colour pieces, custom-made, or recycle an old piece of furniture. Take a look at these:
Concrete and colour
Here, a practical charcoal and white coloured bathroom is given some extra punch with gorgeous aqua-coloured drawers and an oh-so-practical concrete bench. Two sinks and plenty of storage also add to the usefulness of this vanity.
Here, a practical charcoal and white coloured bathroom is given some extra punch with gorgeous aqua-coloured drawers and an oh-so-practical concrete bench. Two sinks and plenty of storage also add to the usefulness of this vanity.
Ornate
Take a wonderful piece of antique furniture, find a beautiful sink, engage a skilled tradesperson and turn it into a bathroom feature that’s truly out of the ordinary.
Take a wonderful piece of antique furniture, find a beautiful sink, engage a skilled tradesperson and turn it into a bathroom feature that’s truly out of the ordinary.
Black and white
This bathroom in Perth has clean lines and a modern look. It’s only the antique dresser vanity that stands out … and yet manages to fit right in.
This bathroom in Perth has clean lines and a modern look. It’s only the antique dresser vanity that stands out … and yet manages to fit right in.
One of a kind
It’s become popular for people to use old antique dressers or chests of drawers for a vanity. This has two distinct advantages – you get a one of a kind vanity, and it’s a great way to use an existing piece you love but don’t have any further use for. Here, the owners were able to use a one-off bowl found at a local pottery show for the sink, too.
It’s become popular for people to use old antique dressers or chests of drawers for a vanity. This has two distinct advantages – you get a one of a kind vanity, and it’s a great way to use an existing piece you love but don’t have any further use for. Here, the owners were able to use a one-off bowl found at a local pottery show for the sink, too.
However, if converting an existing piece of furniture, you’ll want to consider a few things. Check that it’s the right height for a washbasin – you don’t want to be hunched over while brushing your teeth. And does it offer sufficient storage? Also check the condition and ask yourself if it’s going to last the distance. Don’t forget it’s going to be exposed to water so it needs to be sealed correctly.
You’ll also need to decide whether to drop your sink or, as in the previous photographs, have a sink that sits on top of the vanity. Both have advantages but remember that you may lose storage space if the sink drops in.
New white porcelain sinks and classically shaped tapware can look at home with these antique pieces.
New white porcelain sinks and classically shaped tapware can look at home with these antique pieces.
Also bear in mind that dressers with doors might be easier to adapt to the fitting of pipes than drawers. However, this one is stunning, and combined with the modern bath and other elements, gives the bathroom a comfortable, living room look.
More: 7 Reasons to Give Your Bathroom a Living Room Vibe
More: 7 Reasons to Give Your Bathroom a Living Room Vibe
You can update older cabinets with new handles. This dresser, converted to a vanity, has been fitted with star-shaped pulls to the draw fronts, giving it a little extra pizzazz.
Cool copper
A lovely copper basin amid a chunky reclaimed slab of timber gives a lovely rustic look.
A lovely copper basin amid a chunky reclaimed slab of timber gives a lovely rustic look.
Old and new
Here, a clean white basin sits on top of a recycled tub. Paired with antique-looking tapware and interesting wallpaper, this bathroom is both beautiful and unusual.
Here, a clean white basin sits on top of a recycled tub. Paired with antique-looking tapware and interesting wallpaper, this bathroom is both beautiful and unusual.
Small and sweet
The designer of this bathroom made the most of a small space in this New York City apartment. Vanities that don’t have cupboards to the floor might seem lacking in storage, but the openness can add the feel of space to a very small room. The basket under the vanity, the recessed shelf and the medical cabinet provide lots of extra storage.
The designer of this bathroom made the most of a small space in this New York City apartment. Vanities that don’t have cupboards to the floor might seem lacking in storage, but the openness can add the feel of space to a very small room. The basket under the vanity, the recessed shelf and the medical cabinet provide lots of extra storage.
Stunning stone
According to the owner of this home, the stone sink “was meant to be a birdbath or something.” She had a custom concrete base made for the stone bowl to sit upon, transforming both into a gorgeous bathroom feature.
According to the owner of this home, the stone sink “was meant to be a birdbath or something.” She had a custom concrete base made for the stone bowl to sit upon, transforming both into a gorgeous bathroom feature.
Exotic appeal
A divine vessel sitting on top of a wrought iron table gives an exotic feel to this compact powder room.
More: Mosaic Magic: Take Your Bathroom From Ordinary to Extraordinary
A divine vessel sitting on top of a wrought iron table gives an exotic feel to this compact powder room.
More: Mosaic Magic: Take Your Bathroom From Ordinary to Extraordinary
Really rustic
It might not be everyone’s idea of washing in style but this is a fun idea – an old bucket for a sink, classic tapware and reclaimed timber.
It might not be everyone’s idea of washing in style but this is a fun idea – an old bucket for a sink, classic tapware and reclaimed timber.
Colour play
This large white vanity offers masses of storage, but what really brings it to life is the simple addition of those green handles that perfectly match the groovy green splashback tiles.
This large white vanity offers masses of storage, but what really brings it to life is the simple addition of those green handles that perfectly match the groovy green splashback tiles.
Shapely timber
This custom-made cabinet is made with birch hardwoods. The unusual shape, while narrow, provides good storage. It tapers to the floor, while the toilet is cantilevered, to give the bathroom a roomy feel.
This custom-made cabinet is made with birch hardwoods. The unusual shape, while narrow, provides good storage. It tapers to the floor, while the toilet is cantilevered, to give the bathroom a roomy feel.
Cool concrete
A long and chunky concrete bench with an open space provides plenty of space on top and below, and oozes style in a modern bathroom space.
A long and chunky concrete bench with an open space provides plenty of space on top and below, and oozes style in a modern bathroom space.
Boldly bronze
A custom bronze sink and vanity looks hardwearing and practical. It contrasts beautifully with the blue walls.
A custom bronze sink and vanity looks hardwearing and practical. It contrasts beautifully with the blue walls.
Vintage red
This bathroom in Perth, featuring a large red converted dresser, takes this bathroom to another level.
This bathroom in Perth, featuring a large red converted dresser, takes this bathroom to another level.
TELL US
Do you have an out of the ordinary sink or vanity? Please tell or show us in the Comments.
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Do you have an out of the ordinary sink or vanity? Please tell or show us in the Comments.
MORE
14 Bathroom Trends Expected to be Big in 2015
Vanity Flair: 13 Gorgeous Looks for Bathroom Vanities
Find a Bathroom Vanity That Suits the Way You Live
Brilliant Bathroom Basins … With a Diffference
A functional but colourful vanity fits right in, in this Mid-century home. The cabinet features moisture-resistant and easy-to-clean laminate and is cleverly combined with vintage hardware and new tapware. Being off the floor gives the appearance of roominess while the classic Mid-century palette adds lightness to the room.