What to look for in a family vanity
Drawers, not doors. Drawers use the space around the waste trap and bring everything to the front. A vanity with doors becomes a dark cupboard with a pipe in the middle.
A moisture-resistant carcass. Cheap chipboard swells when water gets into a cut edge. Moisture-resistant board with sealed edges, or a polyurethane or two-pack finish, lasts far longer.
A benchtop with no seams near the basin. A one-piece ceramic top with an integrated basin is hard to beat for a busy family bathroom.
Soft-close runners that can handle a drawer full of toiletries.
The right height. Standard vanities sit around 850 to 900mm high with a basin. Taller households often prefer a little higher.
Sizes for Penrith bathrooms
| Room | Common vanity width |
|---|---|
| Small ensuite or second bathroom | 600 – 750mm |
| Typical family bathroom | 900 – 1200mm |
| Larger main bathroom or ensuite | 1200 – 1500mm, single or double basin |
A double vanity needs about 1.2 metres or more to be comfortable. In narrower rooms, a wide single basin with a long benchtop often works better and saves a second set of tapware and plumbing.
Benchtop choices after the engineered stone ban
Engineered stone has been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024. For bathroom vanities, the practical alternatives are:
- Ceramic tops with an integrated basin — affordable, durable, easy to clean
- Porcelain slab — hard-wearing and heat resistant, in stone and concrete looks
- Natural stone — marble or granite, beautiful but needs sealing and care
- Solid surface — seamless, repairable, can include a moulded basin
- Laminate — the most economical option, now available in convincing stone and timber finishes
For value, a ceramic top or a quality laminate is hard to beat in a family bathroom.
Basins
- Integrated — basin moulded into the top, no seams, easiest to clean
- Semi-recessed — sits partly into the benchtop, good for shallow vanities
- Above-counter — a style statement, but water and grime collect around the base
- Undermount — clean look on a stone or porcelain top
Mirror cabinets and lighting
A mirror cabinet doubles storage without taking floor space. Choose one with a shelf deep enough for everyday items and, ideally, a power point inside for toothbrushes and shavers.
Lighting at the mirror — a backlit mirror or a light fitting above it — is much better than a single ceiling downlight behind you. It needs to be planned at rough-in so the wiring is in the right place.
Replacing a vanity on its own
If the rest of the bathroom is sound, replacing a swollen or dated vanity is a quick upgrade. Things to check first:
- The tile outline left by the old vanity — floor tiles often stop at the vanity kickboard
- Waste and water point positions
- Wall strength for a wall-hung unit — a stud wall may need extra support behind the sheeting
A plumber is needed to disconnect and reconnect. If tiles need patching, matching them can be difficult in an older bathroom.
Value picks
- A 900mm wall-hung drawer vanity with a ceramic top
- A chrome or brushed mixer with a quality cartridge
- A mirror cabinet with an internal power point
- A backlit or lit mirror in place of a ceiling light
That combination changes how a family bathroom works every morning, for a modest spend.
Most vanities are installed as part of a main bathroom renovation or an ensuite renovation. Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder; licence and insurance details are provided on request.
Call 02 4703 9332 or send the room details through.
Get a firm price
- PhotosTwo or three angles of the room.
- SizeRough length and width.
- Wish listShower, bath, vanity, storage.
Questions people ask before they commit
How much does a new vanity cost in Penrith?
As a 2026 guide, a quality 750 to 900mm wall-hung vanity with a ceramic top, supplied and installed, is typically $1,000 to $2,500. A 1200mm or double vanity with a porcelain or stone top runs from about $2,500 to $5,000.
Wall-hung or floor-standing?
Wall-hung shows more floor and is easier to mop under, which suits most bathrooms. Floor-standing units give slightly more storage and can be simpler to install on some walls. In a family bathroom both work well if the carcass is moisture-resistant.
Can I still get an engineered stone benchtop?
No. Engineered stone has been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024. Alternatives include ceramic tops with an integrated basin, porcelain slab, natural stone, solid surface and laminate.
Can I replace just the vanity?
Often. The main things to check are whether the new vanity covers the tile outline left by the old one, whether the waste and water points line up, and whether the wall behind is solid enough for a wall-hung unit.