Bathroom Vanity Buying Guide: Sizes, Styles & Installation Tips

Vanity sizes are measured by width, and standard options range from 18 inches to 72 inches. Choosing the right width depends on your bathroom dimensions, how many people use the bathroom, and how much counter and storage space you need.

The decision between a single and double vanity depends on three factors: bathroom size, how many people share the bathroom, and whether you value counter space or sink access more.

Choose a single vanity if your bathroom is under 60 square feet, only one person uses the bathroom regularly, or you prefer maximum counter and storage space over a second sink. A well-appointed single vanity with a large countertop is often more functional for daily use than a cramped double vanity.

Choose a double vanity if two people use the bathroom simultaneously (especially during morning routines), your bathroom is at least 8 feet wide, and resale value matters — double vanities in master baths are a strong selling point in the Seattle real estate market. Couples in neighborhoods like Green Lake, Ravenna, and Wedgwood often tell us a double vanity is their number one priority in a master bath remodel.

A practical compromise is a single vanity with a wide countertop (48-60 inches) that could be converted to a double sink in the future. For a full breakdown of project expenses, see our bathroom remodel cost guide. Install the plumbing rough-in for a second sink during your remodel so the option is there without opening walls later.

In Seattle's humid bathroom environment, material quality directly determines how long your vanity lasts. The cheapest vanities use particleboard or MDF (medium-density fiberboard) boxes, which absorb moisture, swell, and deteriorate within a few years. We see this constantly in Seattle bathrooms — the vanity bottom is warped and crumbling from moisture exposure.

The vanity is your bathroom's primary storage. In Seattle's compact bathrooms, maximizing vanity storage is essential because there is rarely a separate linen closet. Here are the features that make the biggest difference:

A basic vanity swap — removing an old vanity and installing a new one in the same location with the same plumbing configuration — is a manageable DIY project for handy homeowners. The plumbing connections (supply lines and drain) stay in the same place, and the work is straightforward.

Professional vanity installation becomes important when you are changing the vanity size (requiring wall patching and potentially moving plumbing), switching from freestanding to floating (wall reinforcement needed), changing the plumbing location, or installing a heavy stone countertop. A professional installation in Seattle runs $300 to $800 for labor, which includes disconnecting old plumbing, removing the old vanity, installing the new vanity and countertop, reconnecting plumbing, and caulking.

If plumbing needs to be moved — even a few inches — add $500 to $1,500 for a licensed plumber. Moving a drain line is more expensive than moving supply lines. In Seattle, any plumbing work beyond basic fixture connections requires a licensed plumber, and significant plumbing changes require a permit from SDCI.