Choosing the Right Bathroom Vanity: Wall-Mounted vs. Freestanding Vanities

When choosing the right vanity for your bathroom, it’s important to consider not only aesthetic appeal but also functionality. This classic, freestanding vanity is featured in the floor plan Daniel by Richmond American Homes in Parker, CO.
Photo: Richmond American Homes

Forget outer space, bathrooms are the new frontier. Creating a spa experience in home bathrooms has become one of the most significant trends in home design and leans into larger trends that focus on transforming the home into a serene oasis.

One easy way to design a bathroom that transports you to your favorite spa is to pick the right vanity for your space, style, and daily habits. Wall-mounted vanities have taken over bathroom trend reports, but more traditional freestanding vanities still look great and offer plenty of design options. So, which is the right option for you? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons for each.

What Are Wall-Mounted Vanities?

Wall-mounted vanities, also called floating vanities, have become the go-to, on-trend vanity for people who want to maximize space in a sleek, modern feel in their bathroom. These vanities are attached to the bathroom wall and do not touch the floor.

Wall-mounted vanities can come with one sink or two, and take up less floor and visual space than traditional vanities. They can also be great options for small bathrooms. If you love the streamlined look of wall-mounted vanities, keep in mind they have limited storage and require professional installation.

Pros of Wall-Mounted Vanities

• Sleek and modern look
• They take up less space
• They make small bathrooms look less cramped
• Light and easy to move

Cons of Wall-Mounted Vanities

• Challenge to install
• They can be dangerous if not properly installed
• Less storage space
• Higher cost

What Are Freestanding Vanities?

A freestanding (or floor-mounted) vanity rests on the ground and can stand without added wall support. While typically viewed as a more traditional option, freestanding vanities come prefabricated in a variety of design styles and color options, making them the perfect weekend DIY installation project. Or, you can go with a customized option or repurpose another piece of furniture to get the look you want.

Depending on the style and dimensions, freestanding vanities offer good storage space and allow you to use fewer tiles when finishing your bathroom’s floor. The extra storage does mean they can take up more floor space, but one-sink cabinets can be a perfect fit for smaller bathrooms.

Pros of Freestanding Vanities

• Wide range of styles
• A ton of storage space and options
• You can reuse interesting furniture as a vanity with minimal DIY hacking
• You will not need as much tile to finish your bathroom

Cons of Freestanding Vanities

• They can take up a lot of space
• Heavy and harder to move
• They sometimes look dated
• They can make cleaning more difficult

As you design the bathrooms in your new home, keep your lifestyle and ideal aesthetics in mind when you choose vanities. To get the most enjoyment from your new home, you need to design every aspect to meet your needs — bathroom vanities included.

Do you currently have a wall-mounted vanity or a freestanding vanity in your bathroom? Are you looking to change it up? Tell us about it in the comments below.

After graduating in 2016 from The University of Texas with a degree in English, Sanda Brown became a content writer for the BDX with a focus on website copy and content marketing.
At the BDX, Sanda helps write and edit articles on NewHomeSource.com, writes website copy for builders, and manages a team of freelancers that work on additional content needs.

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