Bathroom and kitchen upgrades are considered one of the best investments in home improvement for resale value. We all know this. That being said, when it comes to the point of finally planning one of these upgrades - the choices can be overwhelming. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of considerations when it comes to picking from bathroom vanity designs - specifically when it comes to selecting a metal bathroom vanity base.

1: The Look/Style

Do a little research. Take some time to look at bathroom vanity ideas on Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, online magazines etc. This will help you to determine the idea of what look you want to go for.

For this post - we are going to operate on the assumption that you have chosen to go with a custom metal vanity base.

Once you have determined a general feel/look that you are going for - have these inspiration photos ready to go. Bonus points if you can share with the designer/builder what style you are looking for (Mid-century, modern, industrial, transitional, old world, modern luxury…).

2: The Base Size

Take a look at your space and figure out the size you’re needing. If this is a full bathroom remodel, make sure to factor in spacing for your other permanent fixtures like your toilet and shower/bath depending on the setup. It’s best not to fill the whole space and allow yourself a little clearance on both sides. Also, keep in mind that you may want to place a trash can near it - or depending on the setup, mount a toilet paper or towel holder onto the side (We can do this!!).

*If you are looking at this post and have already ordered your top for a vanity and are needing the base sizing based on that - a typical countertop hangover is 1/2" - 1" on the front and sides. The countertop will be flush on the backside. So if you have a 36"W x 22"D top, order the base as 35"W x 21.5"D*

Depending on your needs - you may also be looking for an ADA compliant bathroom vanity base. If so, just let us know and we can make it happen.

3: Top Size/Overhang

While some customers prefer their top to be set into their vanity base, and we can build our vanities this way if it’s desired, we always recommend one that sits on top. This limits the chance of dealing with any rust issues/things getting in the crevices if it isn’t properly sealed.

Some people want their top to be flush mount (even with the edge) and others want a slight or even larger overhang. The choice is up to you. As mentioned previously, a typical countertop hangover is ½” to 1” on the front and sides with the countertop flush on the backside. So, if you’re starting with a base that is 48”L x 21”D and plan to order the top after and you want a ½” overhang - your top will be 48”W x 21.5”D.

While we don’t offer tops - there are MANY top makers out there. Kohler has a decent variety that tends to be popular among a lot of our customers. Your local stone fabricator can assist with the sink, faucet etc. as well.

4. The Sturdy Factor

Of course, one key consideration is if your base will be sturdy enough to hold your top. A lot of bases on the market will be - but it’s always good to double check with the manufacturer if it will support the weight. This is particularly important when you’re selecting a thicker marble piece for the countertop.

Rest assured, if you order from us - our solid steel bathroom vanity bases will be substantial enough to support the weight.

5. Moisture Resistance/Rust Proof

The last thing most of us want is for our vanity to rust. Unless that’s a look you’re going for - you’re going to want to ensure whatever you purchase can stand up to the moisture in your bathroom. This not only includes the bathroom vanity base itself, but also whatever shelving you may plan to have to go with it (see more on shelving below).

For the base itself, and considering the focus of metal vanities, be sure whoever you are purchasing it from is using a high quality finishing process to ensure your custom vanity purchase doesn’t go to waste.

For our bathroom vanities, we use a powdercoat that is highly resistant to rust and moisture and will keep your bathroom vanity looking great for years to come.

6. Shelving - Make and Quality

Most of the time, when people are looking to add open shelving to the bottom of their bathroom vanity - the plan is to use it for lightweight items - towels, toilet paper rolls, decorative baskets and so on. Often, this means that aesthetic is the most important factor that people are going for as the sturdiness is not as important as when you would be holding cleaning supplies for example.

Some people prefer the idea of a solid metal, glass or wood shelf. Others like the idea of a shelf made from bars to avoid a potential issue of water pooling or for the style/look of openness it offers.

We can build most of our vanities to accommodate any of these shelf preferences. While we don’t offer glass shelving (we offer supports for it), we do offer sheet metal, flat bar, and wood shelving.

*A note on wood shelving*

The wood shelving look is highly appealing to many people - but here is where you want to take some extra caution. From ensuring it is stained and sealed properly to making sure it isn’t likely to warp - there are all things to keep in mind. While a solid wood shelf may sound like a great idea - you may end up fighting hard against its tendency to warp in a high humidity environment like a bathroom in the long run.

Our wood shelves are made by a local craftsman who custom makes each piece for us. These shelves are made out of ¾” cabinet grade oak plywood using a very strong waterproof glue and are hand stained and sealed with six layers of lacquer for protection.

*Lacquer - unlike other finishes doesn’t have the tendency to yellow over time*

Our shelves maintain their rigidity, color, and stability over time - making them an ideal choice for a bathroom vanity shelf. 

7. Don’t Forget the P-Trap

When planning your vanity - it is always important to factor in the P-trap. Whether you want it to be visible or not will have likely already been factored into your design early on - however, some people forget that when it comes to shelving - knowing where that P-trap will fall is going to matter a lot.

If your P-Trap is visible - and it will be in most of the designs we offer - it’s always good to make sure your faucet/P-trap combo compliments one another.

Tip: This Delta Series Faucet and P-trap pair well with our Cleopatra Gold finish.

8. Final Install Tips

Some people prefer a wall-mounted design and others like a free-standing one. We offer both - but the majority are freestanding which makes install a piece of cake.

When installing the top - a line of silicone all the way around is all you need to ensure it stays in place. The weight of the top plus that little bit of adhesive does it all.

There you go! That’s it! We wish you the best of luck with your metal bathroom vanity hunting and planning process and hope you consider us for your build.