Modway Mid-Century Antique Bathroom Vanity & Sink, 24-Inch

From the toilet to the shower, bathrooms are all about functionality — but they’re also a place where we most need a sense of calm in the decor. There’s no area of the bathroom that exemplifies this more than the vanity. Not only is it the place where we get ready to greet the day, it’s the fixture that draws the eye as soon as you walk into the room.

While picking out a new vanity can be a fun way to show of your decorating chops, there’s a lot of practical work to be done first. The most obvious consideration is the plumbing: Wherever your pipes are, that’s where the vanity has to go. There’s no way around that unless you want to do some expensive renovation, but most bathrooms don’t have enough space to offer you multiple options anyway. If you’re handy enough to install the vanity yourself, make sure that the connections on the back of the cabinet match up closely with the location of the piping.

Next, it’s time to break out the measuring tape. Carefully check the dimensions of the room to make sure that your chosen vanity will fit, and that you’ll have enough space to open cabinet doors and use other bathroom fixtures. Most building codes require that the edge of your cabinets be at least 18 inches from the center of your toilet, if your bathroom has all the fixtures in a single room. Also keep an eye on the electrical outlets. You don’t want the cabinets or mirror to cover any up, but you do want the outlets close enough to the countertop to use.

Now it’s time to shop for style. You can buy your vanity all-in-one or piecemeal, but all sets should include the cabinet, countertop, sink, faucet and mirror. You’ll obviously want to match the look of the vanity with the decor of the bathroom, and that might be easier to do by buying some components separately.

The cabinets come in a wide range of materials, and can be freestanding or wall-mounted. (Keep in mind that the latter will require a bit more installation work.) If you’ve got the space for it, a unit with two sinks is a great option for couples. Whatever type you buy, make sure that it has ample storage for makeup, toiletries and other bathroom accessories.

Countertops can be one of the more expensive parts of your vanity depending on what materials are used. Laminate countertops are very affordable — and it generally shows. More common in master bathrooms are ceramic, porcelain or solid surface counters composed of a polyester / acrylic blend. While solid surface is the most durable option of the three, bear in mind that it can sometimes become discolored if exposed to heating elements. On the pricier end, there are natural stone or concrete countertops that will last for years and look fantastic with a little extra care.

The sink truly ties the whole vanity together, and you’ll need to choose with an eye toward both looks and functionality. Raised “basin” style sinks sit above the countertop and have a very distinctive look. They also give you a little more storage room in the cabinet at the sacrifice of counter space. Undermounted sinks sit beneath the countertop, and they have the reverse effect: Less room in the cabinet, more space up top.

When you’re in the measuring stage of planning for your vanity, don’t just consider length and width. Give a thought to how high you want it to be. For most adults, the standard countertop height is about 31 inches, but there’s no rule that sets it there. Taller users might prefer something higher, and that’s easier to achieve if you buy a wall-mounted vanity set. You may also be buying for kids, and there are shorter vanities on the market built just for them.