Bathroom Vanity Cabinets

Buying and Installing Bathroom Vanity Cabinets

By Mark J. Donovan




 New bathroom vanity cabinets should be part of every bathroom remodeling project. Bathroom vanity cabinets provide both functional and aesthetic benefits to a bathroom. Besides supporting the bathroom countertop, sink, and faucet, a bathroom vanity cabinet can also provide storage space for various bathroom sundries.

Bathroom vanity cabinets are available in endless shapes, sizes, finishes and styles. Styles and finishes run the gambit from the antique furniture look, to the stark and modern day contemporary models, and everything else in-between.

Bathroom vanities are also available in narrow and wide depths to accommodate small and large bathroom design floor plans. They are also available in different heights to accommodate the unique height requirements of home occupants. Not all bathroom vanity cabinets are designed with storage capacity, however. Many contemporary models only support countertops and sinks and are designed to simply attach to a wall.

Bathroom vanity cabinets typically come fully assembled, however lower priced models come in kits that homeowners can assemble themselves prior to installing them in the bathroom.

Bathroom vanity cabinet prices also vary dramatically depending upon size, shape, materials, and quality. Again, bathroom vanity cabinet kits are the least expensive. Large models, with unique materials and designs, however can set you back a couple of thousand dollars or more.

 Building a bathroom in a basement.

When buying bathroom vanity cabinets it is important to first have a complete bathroom design and bathroom remodeling budget in place. Buying too large or small of a bathroom vanity cabinet can make or break your new bathroom remodeling project and budget.

Make sure to consider who will be using the bathroom vanity cabinet. Will it be used mainly by children or adults, or a combination of both? Answers to this question could dictate the height of the bathroom vanity, as well as whether or not it should be large enough to support one or two bathroom sinks.

Another item to consider when buying bathroom vanity cabinets is associated cabinet hardware, including knobs and handles. In some cases you may have no choice but to go with the cabinet hardware that comes with the cabinets, however in other cases you may be able to choose custom hardware for your bathroom vanity cabinet.

 Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet

Bathroom vanity cabinet installation is something that do-it-yourself homeowners can do. Typically all that is required is a level, screws, a screw gun and a few shims.

It is important when installing a bathroom vanity cabinet to fasten it to wall studs, and that the sink area is positioned directly over the rough plumbing pipes.

Screws of approximately 2 inches in length should be used to enable at least 1-1/4” of screw to penetrate into the wall studs.

So whether your bathroom remodeling project calls for a small bathroom vanity cabinet or a large double wide one, make sure you do your homework first prior to buying and installing one. You’ll be thanking yourself for doing so when your bathroom remodeling project is complete.

For help on your bathroom remodeling project, see my Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet. The Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet provides a request for quote checklist section that you can provide to prospective bathroom remodeling contractors. It also includes a comprehensive bathroom remodeling cost breakdown table, in Microsoft Excel format, that allows the contractor to include his projected remodeling costs for every phase of the project.

Related Information

Additional Bathroom Remodeling Design Resources

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