How much does a small vanity cost?

The average cost for a single-sink premade vanity is $100 to $500 (or more if you choose a countertop made of granite, marble, or quartz). For a small custom vanity, you are likely to pay anywhere from $500 to $2,000 depending on the scope of the project.

What can you use instead of a vanity in a bathroom?

There are lots of creative alternatives to using a traditional vanity in your bathroom like repurposed flea market furniture, hacked IKEA pieces, or even a simple pedestal sink. Look for pieces that match the aesthetic of your space like an old dresser or sewing table for a farmhouse bathroom or a butcher block table for a more modern, industrial space.

Should your vanity go wall-to-wall in a bathroom?

In most cases, your vanity should at least be attached to the wall behind it to both protect (and hide) the plumbing, but there are no hard and fast rules about how far it needs to extend on the sides. That said, if your vanity will not be flush with both walls, it is a good idea to leave at least enough clearance to clean and dust the sides.

19 Small-Bathroom Vanity Ideas to Solve Your Storage Problems

Modern Small Vanity Ideas

Sleek, modern silhouettes and glossy surfaces give a small bathroom a clean, simplistic look. This petite vanity features a streamlined design that tucks neatly into a nook. The vanity's storage is supplemented by a recessed medicine cabinet disguised with a framed mirror. The walls feature shiny white tiles that reflect light and make the small bathroom appear larger.

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Freestanding Small Vanity Design

bathroom with dramatic wallpaper pattern — Nicole LaMotte

A freestanding vanity can appear more delicate and petite than its built-in counterparts, making it a great small bathroom idea. Choose a unit with lower shelf storage to foster a more open look. Use baskets to keep loose items neatly corraled on the shelf.

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Vanity Storage for Small Bathrooms

white bathroom with black accents — Brie Williams

In a small bathroom, using a variety of different storage types can help you store all your necessities effectively. Look for a vanity unit that includes both drawers and cabinet doors to suit various storage needs. If there's room on the countertop, employ organizers to corral frequently used toiletry items. For extra small-bathroom storage, hang an open shelving unit and arrange it with beauty products alongside art and accessories.

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Vintage-Style Small Vanity

while paneled bathroom with gray-green cabinet — Brie Williams Photography Inc

A lack of space needn't mean a lack of style. Tuck an antique furniture-style vanity into a recessed nook lined with white shiplap to give your tiny bathroom a vintage look. In addition to looking great, a dresser-style vanity offers plenty of storage in its drawers to keep toiletries and towels tidy.

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Custom Small Vanity Ideas

bathroom with green cabinets lantern-style lights and white subway tile for backsplash — David Tsay

A custom vanity is often the best choice for a small bathroom because it can be made to fill an awkward nook's exact measurements. Using every bit of an alcove also allows for a wider countertop with more room for essentials. A cabinet with lots of hidden drawers and shelves keeps the room tidy, while an oversize mirror above is visually expansive.

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Small Vanity Drawer Storage

Many vanities have an open area below that's hidden by two cabinet doors. A more space-savvy choice, however, is one that offers wide and deep drawers to keep supplies out of sight and well organized. This allows you to dedicate each drawer to a different category of item, such as extra towels, cosmetics and beauty tools, or bathroom cleaning supplies.

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Pedestal Sink Ideas for Small Bathrooms

blue geometric wallpaper in modern bathroom — Jay Wilde

A pedestal sink is a classic vanity alternative that saves space in a small bathroom. Even if the top is quite large, the unit will appear smaller thanks to the slender base. To make up for lost storage, install a shelf and a recessed medicine cabinet above the sink.

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Small Vanity Update

bathroom with green drawers and blue tiles — David A Land

A small bathroom doesn't always offer a lot of space to add decorative elements. Get creative by coating your small vanity in a bold paint color. This easy bathroom update injects personality into the room and allows you to quickly refresh an out-of-date unit.

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Floating Small-Bathroom Vanity

floating bathroom vanity — Emily Followill

A large, uninterrupted expanse of flooring creates the illusion of more space in a small bathroom. Get the look by choosing a wall-hanging vanity that appears to float above the tile. Installing one large mirror or a collection of smaller mirrors above the unit will reflect the space, and further trick the eye into thinking the room is larger than its actual dimensions.

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Wall-Mounted Small Bathroom Sink

white tile bathroom yellow accent — Reed Davis

If space is really tight and your storage needs are limited, you can forego a vanity altogether. Here, a wall-mount sink appears to float and lends an airy look to a small room by freeing up the floor space below. In a shared bathroom, choose a basin that includes two or three faucets and hang a large mirror that's accessible from each. Add a stool to hold bath products, and hang towel hooks on either side of the sink to keep washcloths nearby.

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Savvy Small Vanity Ideas

Don't skimp on style in a small bath. You can have a vanity that both works hard and looks good. Effortlessly combine storage and good looks with these clever small vanity ideas.

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Small-Bathroom Vanity Placement

earth tone bathroom vanity — Beth Singer

Placing a vanity in a corner takes advantage of every inch of floor space and also allows for storage options on two walls. A recessed cabinet installed into a sidewall is a smart way to capture space that is typically overlooked. Offsetting the sink in the vanity is a clever option for creating a larger area of open counter space.

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Open Storage Vanity Ideas

In a small bathroom, it's important to make use of all available space. Consider installing a vanity in a corner, which offers extra inches that might otherwise go unused. For accessible small vanity storage, choose an open unit that has a built-in towel bar and a shelf for a storage basket.

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Small-Bathroom Vanity Design

Make the most of a small nook in your bathroom by outfitting it with a made-to-fit vanity. A wall-mount faucet works particularly well in a narrow area, where there might otherwise not be room for a sink and fixture. Utilize towel hooks on the wall or open storage below to keep washcloths close without taking up valuable counter space.

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Mirrored Small-Bathroom Vanity

vanity with mirrored cabinet — John Gruen

The best small-bathroom vanities are those that are both attractive and hardworking. A light-color freestanding cabinet with mirrored doors is a great example. The mirrors bounce light around a room to visually expand the space. With a mix of closed-door storage and open shelves, the piece also allows plenty of room for storing linens, toiletries, and other bathroom essentials.

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Small Vanity Storage Space

Although a cabinet-style vanity takes up more space than other types of vanities, its built-in shelves and drawers provide the most storage space possible. Using just one sink opens up extra counter space and allows even more of the vanity to be used for storage. A recessed medicine cabinet offers additional storage. To keep the bulky unit from overwhelming the small room, consider painting it a light, bright color.

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Storage Ideas for Small Bathrooms

vanity with additional storage — Jay Wilde

If you don't have the luxury of a large linen closet and lack funds for expensive built-in shelving, turn a small stretch of wall into storage central. To create a DIY vanity, outfit a colorful, furniture-style table with storage below and a vessel sink that leaves plenty of counter space for toiletries. Add a small shelf above for additional storage. Flank the small vanity with two storage-rich stock bookcases, adding molding to the top and bottom to make the units look built-in.

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Powder Room Vanity Ideas

bathroom with neutral covered wallpaper — Alise O'Brien

In a small powder room, a vanity with doors can offer much-needed storage space. Choose a cabinet specifically designed for a smaller space; its scaled-down dimensions will fit better in a small area. A furniture-look piece with slender legs tends to be more visually appealing when space is limited.

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Round Vanity Ideas for Small Bathrooms

When space is tight, consider a vanity in a unique shape. A petite round unit takes up less square footage but offers plenty of storage underneath. Using a smaller sink keeps more countertop open for toiletries. The curves of the vanity also add an elegant, feminine touch to the decor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a small vanity cost?

The average cost for a single-sink premade vanity is $100 to $500 (or more if you choose a countertop made of granite, marble, or quartz). For a small custom vanity, you are likely to pay anywhere from $500 to $2,000 depending on the scope of the project.
What can you use instead of a vanity in a bathroom?

There are lots of creative alternatives to using a traditional vanity in your bathroom like repurposed flea market furniture, hacked IKEA pieces, or even a simple pedestal sink. Look for pieces that match the aesthetic of your space like an old dresser or sewing table for a farmhouse bathroom or a butcher block table for a more modern, industrial space.
Should your vanity go wall-to-wall in a bathroom?

In most cases, your vanity should at least be attached to the wall behind it to both protect (and hide) the plumbing, but there are no hard and fast rules about how far it needs to extend on the sides. That said, if your vanity will not be flush with both walls, it is a good idea to leave at least enough clearance to clean and dust the sides.