You likely use your bathroom vanity multiple times every single day. Brushing your teeth, shaving, applying makeup, washing up… countless hours of your life are spent in front of this sink-countertop combination.

But how much thought have you actually given to your vanity? If you’re like most homeowners, the answer is probably not much. Take just a few minutes to boost your knowledge with these interesting facts about bathroom vanities!

Five Fun Facts About Your Bathroom  Vanity

1. The Basics: What Is a Vanity?

In today’s terms, a vanity (or sometimes a “vanity unit”) is a piece of bathroom furniture that most often combines a sink, countertop, and mirror. Vanities can certainly have more than just these features, and many modern vanities incorporate lights, architectural styling details, built-in shelves, and so on. In terms of design and functionality, vanities are an important element of your overall bathroom installation.

2. A Brief History: Where Did Vanities Come From?

Before indoor plumbing existed, vanity tables were typically housed in bed chambers. They were basically a table with a built-in basin where people could easily wash their hands and face at night and in the morning.

Once modern plumbing was invented, we retained the basic shape of a vanity table—a flat countertop with a basin—but moved it into the dedicated bathroom space.

3. The Name: Why Is It Called a “Vanity”?

What we call a vanity today was originally called a “toilet table.” In fact, there are records of Thomas Chippendale (a renowned London cabinetmaker) making a “toylet table” in 1762. Over the next century, the popular term became “dressing table” and then eventually “vanity table.”

4. The Size: How Big Can Vanities Get?

The standard height for bathroom vanities in the US falls around 32 inches, with the “comfort” height falling around 36 inches.

Vanities were originally built at the standard height to accommodate bathrooms shared by children and adults (common in the post-war housing boom). Today, however, most homes are built with a higher vanity that requires less hunching and bending over—and given the growth in custom-designed bathrooms, the size and height are really up to your imagination!

5. The Placement: Are Vanities Always in the Bathroom?

As mentioned above, vanity tables were originally placed in bedrooms. While most vanities today are housed in separated bathrooms, some interior designers have started to again place free-standing tubs and vanities right in the bedroom—often without any dividing walls. This unexpected bathroom installation choice harkens back to pre-plumbing days but with a decidedly modern twist.

Thinking About Upgrading Your Vanity? Contact Our Remodeling Company Today!

Whether you’re looking for a contemporary vanity with sleek detailing, a traditional vanity with Victorian-inspired wooden accents, or some other kind of bath renovation altogether, Miller Home Renovations is a bathroom remodeler you can count on. From Portland to Southern WA to the rest of the Pacific Northwest, our bath remodeling company offers stunning bathroom upgrades for an affordable price. Read our reviews to learn more, or call us to design your new vanity installation or full bathroom upgrade today!