Start by deciding between a wall-hung or floorstanding vanity, then set a width and depth that suits your room and storage needs. Choose drawers over doors where possible for easier access, and select a basin and top that work as one system. Visit Baroco's Mount Waverley showroom to compare vanities in person before you commit.
01Wall-hung or floorstanding?
A wall-hung vanity is fixed to the wall and stops short of the floor. It makes a small bathroom feel less crowded and leaves the floor clear for cleaning. This style needs a structurally sound wall, usually with timber blocking or a steel frame installed before the wall linings go on. If you are renovating an existing bathroom with brick or concrete walls, a wall-hung vanity can still work, but the plumbing will often need to move inside the wall. That means a licensed plumber will need to adjust the waste and water positions before the wall is closed up.
A floorstanding vanity sits on the floor and hides the plumbing behind a toe kick or plinth. It is simpler to install in an existing room because the pipework can stay low. This style suits older homes where walls are hard to modify and gives you deeper storage drawers. The trade-off is visual weight; a full-depth floorstanding vanity can make a narrow bathroom feel tighter. If you like a more open look but want floorstanding, a design with legs or a slim toe kick helps.
02Width, depth and clearance
Start by measuring the wall where the vanity will sit. Common vanity widths in Melbourne bathrooms range from about 600 mm to 1500 mm, but you can also get custom sizes. Leave reasonable clearance to the toilet and shower. A good rule is at least 300 mm from the centre of the toilet bowl to the side of the vanity, but check this against your own comfortable reach. If the vanity is beside a door, make sure the door swing will not hit the handle or basin.
Depth is easier to overlook. Most bathroom vanities are 450 mm to 600 mm deep. A shallower depth works in a narrow bathroom or powder room, but it limits your basin choices and can make the tap reach too short for larger basins. If you want a wall-hung unit, keep the depth to less than 500 mm where possible so it does not feel heavy. Also consider the position of existing plumbing. Moving the waste too far across the floor can add cost and may need a plumber to check the fall.
03Drawers vs doors
Drawers are generally more useful than doors in a bathroom vanity. A drawer lets you see everything at once and reach the back without kneeling. Soft-close drawer runners are standard on well-made units and stop the drawer slamming shut when you are half asleep. For the space under the basin, many vanities use a U-shaped or notched drawer that wraps around the waste pipe. This gives you functional storage without losing the whole cabinet to plumbing.
Doors still make sense for tall items like toilet paper packs, cleaning bottles or a small step stool. A cupboard with an adjustable shelf works well at the end of a long vanity. Avoid a vanity with only doors and no drawers if you can; you will end up with a dark, awkward space that collects half-empty bottles at the back. If you prefer doors, add pull-out trays or baskets inside so you can access the back easily.
04Tops and basins
The basin and top should be chosen together, because the basin rim and tap holes need to match. The most practical options for Melbourne bathrooms are an integrated basin, where the basin and top are one piece, or an under-mount basin set below a stone or solid-surface top. Both are easy to wipe down because there is no lip to catch grime. Above-counter basins can look striking, but they sit proud of the bench and are harder to clean around, especially in a family bathroom.
For the benchtop material, engineered stone and solid acrylic surfaces are common because they handle moisture and everyday spills. Timber-look laminate tops can work in a powder room but are less forgiving in a full bathroom with steam and splash. Whatever you choose, make sure the top is sealed at the wall junction and around the basin. The tapware position matters too. A deck-mounted mixer needs holes in the top; a wall-mounted mixer keeps the top clear but must be roughed in by a plumber before tiling.
05Storage planning
Before settling on a vanity, empty your current bathroom cabinet and sort what you actually use every day. Keep small items like toothbrushes, razors and makeup in a top drawer with dividers. Larger bottles and spare toiletries fit better in a deep lower drawer or a cupboard with adjustable shelf. If you have a wall-hung vanity, the open space underneath can hold a slim laundry basket or step stool, which frees up floor space.
Think about power as well. A shaver cabinet with a built-in power point is handy, but any electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. If you want a heated towel rail or underfloor heating, plan those circuits at the same time. For most Melbourne homes, a combination of drawers and one door cabinet is the sweet spot. The vanity should hold what you need without turning the bathroom into a storage room.
Seeing vanities in person makes decisions easier. Baroco's showroom at 21/105-111 Ricketts Road, Mount Waverley has a range of vanities, basins and tapware you can open, close and measure yourself. Call 0426 520 859 before you visit. The team can talk through wall-hung options and check what will work in your space.
Planning this for your home? See how we design, supply and build it, or visit the Mount Waverley showroom.
Bathroom renovations · Try the AI bathroom previewRelated questions
Still unsure? Call 0426 520 859 and talk to someone who actually installs this stuff.
Can I change from a floorstanding vanity to a wall-hung one?
Yes, in many bathrooms you can. The wall needs solid blocking or a steel frame behind the lining, and the plumbing must move into the wall. A licensed plumber should check the waste fall and water supply positions before you commit. If your wall is brick or concrete, chasing pipes in will add time and cost, but it is still possible.
What basin shape works best in a small bathroom?
A compact integrated basin or a semi-recessed basin saves bench space. Choose a shallower vanity depth of around 450 mm and keep the basin rim close to the front edge so you are not reaching. Above-counter basins usually eat into usable bench area, so avoid them if space is tight.
Do I need stone on a bathroom vanity top?
Engineered stone or solid surface is the safest choice for a full bathroom because it handles water and staining well. Laminate can work in a powder room or guest bathroom if you wipe up spills quickly and ensure all edges are sealed, but it is less durable long-term. Always seal the join between the top and the wall.
How high should a wall-hung vanity be mounted?
Standard comfort height is around 850 mm to 900 mm from the finished floor to the top of the basin, but wall-hung units can be set to suit your height. Ask your installer to set the vanity before the basin is fixed, and allow for the basin rim depth. If you are tall, going slightly higher reduces bending.
