How to Choose the Right Vanity Unit — Buying Guide

This is the biggest decision you'll make, and both options have clear advantages:

Wall-hung vanity units are mounted to the wall, leaving the floor visible beneath. This creates a floating, contemporary look and makes cleaning the floor underneath easy. They're excellent for making small bathrooms feel more spacious. However, they require a solid wall (or reinforced stud wall) capable of bearing the weight.

Freestanding vanity units sit directly on the floor. They're easier to install (no wall-mounting required), generally offer more storage depth, and effectively hide all pipework. They suit both traditional and modern bathroom styles and are the practical choice for most renovations.

Vanity units come in standard widths, and choosing the right one depends on your space and needs:

400mm — Compact units for cloakrooms and small WC areas. Usually paired with a small basin and offering minimal storage.

500-600mm — The most popular sizes for standard bathrooms. Good balance of basin size and storage. A 600mm unit typically offers 2 drawers or a door with a shelf inside.

800mm — Ideal for family bathrooms where you want a generous basin and plenty of storage for toiletries.

1000-1200mm — Large units, sometimes with a double basin, for spacious bathrooms. Perfect for couples or as a statement piece.

Always measure your wall space carefully and account for any radiators, toilet cisterns, or door swings that could affect placement.

The material and finish of your vanity unit set the design tone of your bathroom:

High-gloss lacquer — Sleek and modern. Reflects light and makes small bathrooms feel brighter. Available in white, grey, and various colours. Shows fingerprints more easily.

Matt finishes — Sophisticated and on-trend. Less prone to showing fingerprints and water marks. Available in many contemporary colours.

Wood-effect — Warm and natural-looking. Modern wood-effect units use moisture-resistant laminate over MDF, giving the appearance of real wood with better durability in a humid bathroom environment.

Painted/traditional — Classic painted finishes in heritage colours suit traditional and shaker-style bathrooms.

All quality vanity units use moisture-resistant board (MR MDF or similar) as the core material. Good bathroom ventilation — an extractor fan or window — will extend the life of any unit.

The basin is as important as the unit itself:

Integrated basins — The basin and unit top are one seamless piece, usually in resin or ceramic. No gaps for water to seep into. Easy to clean.

Inset basins — A separate ceramic basin drops into a cut-out in the unit top. Allows you to choose different basin styles.

Countertop basins — A vessel basin sits on top of the unit, creating a statement look. The unit acts as a shelf/storage piece with the basin as a focal point.

Check whether the vanity unit includes a basin or if it's sold separately — our product pages clearly state what's included.