Single sink vanities are the best choice for smaller powder rooms and bathrooms as they’re efficient space-savers that still provide everything you need: a sink, a small cupboard for toiletries and a countertop. Modern single sink vanities are also made with higher-end interior finishes than vintage vanities, helping to create an attractive and functional bathroom even when working with the smallest layouts.
The Sand & Stable Jillian 36-Inch Single Bathroom Vanity Set is a gorgeous and very on-trend vanity with barn doors and a stone countertop that’s currently available for an incredible price.
What to know before you buy a single sink vanity
Cabinetry
Having a good-sized cabinet in the bathroom is one of the most convenient and organized ways to store toiletries without clutter. Choosing a vanity with a cabinet, drawers or both makes your bathroom much more functional. When selecting your cabinet, choose something that’s bold or visually appealing. The bathroom is a great place to take chances with design. In recent years, trends in cabinetry have recently shifted towards darker colored and painted pieces, with some cabinets matching and others in a different, coordinated color. Your bathroom is an excellent place to experiment with a colored vanity to see how you feel about it.
Backsplash
Some single sink vanities include a small backsplash for spraying water and toothpaste that helps prevent water spots or stains on your walls and paint. A backsplash helps prevent buildup of mold and mildew from excess moisture that could lead to rot in the wall. A vanity with a small backsplash also adds a higher-end look to the bathroom.
Size
Measuring the size and all the dimensions of your bathroom before selecting your single sink vanity is important to ensure you aren’t getting a unit that’s too wide for the space between your bathroom door and toilet. If your bathroom is very narrow and the toilet and sink are on opposite sides of the room, you’ll still need to make sure your vanity isn’t too wide to fit comfortably between the two walls. Single sink vanities range from very narrow at around 18 inches to much bigger at 48 inches. The average single sink vanity is 30 inches wide.
Single sink vanity features
Sink
There are three main types of sink that can be installed in your vanity, depending on the make, model, shelving, cabinet and drawers. There are standard undermount sinks, which are installed under the cutout in your countertop. There are drop-in sinks that are quite simple to install, as they’re dropped right into the cutout. Finally, there are top-mounted bathroom sinks that are usually made in more decorative styles like hammered copper or colored glass. These sit atop the countertop with a small hole cut for the taps and faucet.
Drawers
Newer vanities may include a feature called “soft close” for their pull-out drawers so children’s fingers can’t get jammed and stuck. These also muffle the sound of your drawers closing and are less likely to scuff or scratch the inside of the vanity where the drawer meets the frame.
Material
Single sink vanities are often made of solid wood or manufactured wood for the vanity with sinks and countertops made of ceramic, granite, stone, glass, marble, metal or a blend of composite materials. There are pros and cons to each variety of vanity and sink. In the end, it comes down to your budget and your preferences.
Vessel or top-mounted sinks, particularly in glass, are less family-friendly, as the shape of the sink tends to splash more water and the bowl is quite fragile. Consider what your design goals are for the space and select the model which best suits your family long-term. Bathroom remodels, particularly if you’re changing the plumbing, can be very expensive. It’s far better to make a slightly higher investment once than twice.
Single sink vanity cost
Bathroom vanities aren’t cheap, and single sink vanities are no different, even if they’re slightly less costly due to their smaller size. Expect to spend over $400 for most models, with many vanities costing over $1,000, depending on the quality of materials used and the individual design.
Single sink vanity FAQ
What’s included in the purchase of my single sink vanity?
A. While individual inclusions may vary somewhat based on the manufacturer, most single sink vanities include a sink, small countertop, drawers or a small cabinet. Taps and faucets aren’t typically included in the purchase of your vanity. Occasionally, a backsplash or a mirror is included.
Do I need a single sink vanity in my small bathroom? Would a pedestal sink suffice?
A. Most small bathrooms need a vanity, if for no other reason than having sufficient bathroom storage. A vanity countertop provides you and your guests space for toothbrushes, toothpaste and hand soap, at a minimum. A vanity cabinet is usually ideally sized for hand towels, face cloths, additional toiletries, cleaning supplies and a few extra rolls of toilet paper. A pedestal sink might look nice at first glance but doesn’t offer much in functionality.
Which single sink vanity should I get?
Best of the best single sink vanity
Sand & Stable Jillian 36-Inch Single Bathroom Vanity Set: available at Wayfair
Our take: This higher-end 36-inch single bathroom vanity by Sand & Stable is currently available for an incredibly low price while offering outstanding style and value.
What we like: The rustic look of this vanity coupled with the sliding barn door on the cabinet makes it a beautiful selection for country, rustic, farmhouse, primitive and lodge-style interior design styles. Also at home in modern or industrial homes, this high-quality single vanity with backsplash is a showstopper.
What we dislike: One customer indicated that the sliding barn door needed to be adjusted slightly for a smoother slide.
Best bang for your buck single sink vanity
Andover Mills Bragenham 30-Inch Single Bathroom Vanity Set: available at Wayfair
Our take: The high-quality ceramic countertop and backsplash of this single vanity from Andover Mills make it a lovely and trendy choice for smaller bathrooms.
What we like: This single sink vanity set is a charming dresser-style option with a scalloped base trim design and spindle legs. Made of engineered wood and including a small backsplash and soft close drawers, this is an excellent vanity for your bathroom remodel.
What we dislike: Some reviewers indicated their vanity arrived damaged and needed to be replaced due to rough handling during shipping or in the warehouse.
Honorable mention single sink vanity
Mercury Row Atencio 42-Inch Single Bathroom Vanity: available at Wayfair
Our take: This stunning 42-inch single bathroom vanity is made of solid wood with a stone countertop and gorgeous drawer pulls that come fully assembled.
What we like: This elegant single sink vanity has both a cabinet and soft close drawers and also features a backsplash. It’s very solid and durable with obvious craftsmanship and attention to detail.
What we dislike: This vanity, while absolutely worth it, costs more than other models.
Ashley Britten is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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