It’s 7:30 AM. You’re trying to brush your teeth, but you’re stuck in that silent, elbow-jostling dance with your partner over who gets the sink. One of you needs to shave. The other is trying to do their makeup. And the whole situation is just… cramped. The bathroom benchtop is a warzone of products, and that one single basin is the bottleneck for the entire morning. Sound a bit too familiar? We see it all the time. It’s the daily reality for so many families. But here’s the good news. There's a surprisingly simple fix. The double bathroom vanity unit. It might feel like a huge luxury, but the way we see it, it’s a sanity-saver. A genuine game-changer for shared bathrooms. So, let's get into it. No jargon, just the straight-up advice you need.
So, What Exactly Is a Double Vanity?
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. A double vanity is a bathroom cabinet with two sinks. Two basins. Simple as that. Instead of one person waiting for the other to finish up, you each get your own station. Your own sink. Your own tap. And, crucially, your own dedicated storage underneath. It's like drawing a line down the middle. You create two personal zones on one sleek piece of furniture. It’s a single unit, but it works for two people at the same time. (And let's be honest, the simple ideas are usually the best).
But it’s about more than just a second tap. It’s about all that glorious benchtop space you gain in between and on the sides. It's about literally doubling your under-sink storage. It's about turning a frustrating room into a smooth, efficient, and much more peaceful space. Our team here at The Blue Space has helped countless Aussies sort out their bathrooms, and the feedback we get after they install a double vanity is always the same thing. “Why on earth didn’t we do this sooner?” It’s an upgrade that genuinely changes your daily life for the better. It takes the morning chaos and turns it into a calm, easy routine. We have a massive range of bathroom vanities and furniture, and the doubles are always a runaway favourite for master ensuites.
Where Does a Double Vanity Actually Work Best?
Look, the number one spot, hands down, is the master ensuite. This is where double vanities truly come into their own. It’s the bathroom you and your partner share every single day. Giving each person their own sink, mirror, and storage just makes life so much easier. No more jostling for space. It creates that sense of personal territory that can seriously dial down the morning friction. We’ve seen it with our own eyes, countless times. A couple is at their wits' end with their shared space, and a well-chosen double vanity completely shifts the dynamic. A relationship saver. For real.
But it’s not just for ensuites. Busy family bathrooms are another perfect candidate. If you've got kids, you know the morning and evening rush is pure chaos. Two basins mean two kids can brush their teeth at once. It speeds everything up. It cuts down on the bickering. You turn a bottleneck into a two-lane highway for teeth brushing. Hard to argue with that, right?
And what about a big main bathroom? Or a guest bathroom that often hosts couples? Absolutely. It adds a touch of hotel-style luxury and proper functionality. It’s a thoughtful touch for your guests. For larger bathrooms, a double vanity is also a powerful design feature. It fills the space beautifully, acting as a strong visual anchor that balances the entire room. A tiny, single vanity in a huge bathroom can look a bit lost and sad. A double vanity feels intentional. It just looks right. If you have the wall space, it’s a no-brainer.
Alright, The Fun Part: Picking a Style
Okay, so the idea is clicking with you. But when you start looking, you’ll see there are a few key styles to choose from. Don’t let it overwhelm you. It’s pretty straightforward. Look, the first thing our team will tell you is to think about your personal style and your practical needs above all else.
Wall Hung (or Floating) Vanities
These are unbelievably popular right now, and for good reason. Wall hung vanities are mounted straight onto the wall. They don’t touch the floor at all. This is a clever trick to make the room feel bigger because your flooring runs right underneath without a break. It creates a clean, airy, and unfussy look. Plus, cleaning is dead easy. You can run a mop right under there. No more awkward corners for dust to hide in. A ripper of a choice for a contemporary or minimalist bathroom.
Freestanding (or Floor Mount) Vanities
This is the classic. The original. A freestanding vanity sits firmly on the floor. The big win here is usually storage. Because it goes all the way to the ground, you often get deeper drawers or bigger cupboards. They have a solid, grounded feel in a room, which works beautifully for more traditional, classic, or country-style bathrooms. They can also be a bit simpler to install since you don’t need to worry quite so much about wall reinforcement. They just stand there. Solid and dependable.
Custom Made
Sometimes you have an awkward corner. Or a very clear vision in your head that nothing off-the-shelf can match. That's what custom vanities are for. You get to pick the exact size, drawer setup, colour, and finish. Aussie-made brands like Timberline, Marquis, and ADP (Architectural Designer Products) are masters of this. They let you build a piece of furniture that is perfect for you.
The Finish and Material Matters (A Lot)
This is where you get to show off your personality. The material you pick sets the whole vibe for the room.
Timber Vanities
Nothing brings warmth to a bathroom like real wood. There's a natural, organic feel that you just can't fake. Solid timber vanities are stunning, timeless, and every single one is unique with its own grain. They can work in a coastal, rustic, or even a super crisp space. We have a huge soft spot for the work from brands like Ingrain and their beautiful Aussie timber designs.
White Vanities
Can you ever go wrong with white? It’s fresh. It’s clean. It makes any room feel brighter. A white bathroom vanity is the ultimate blank canvas. It lets you go wild with your tile, tapware, and towel colours. It’s incredibly adaptable and it’s never going out of fashion.
Curved and Fluted Designs
Want something with a bit more spice? We're seeing a massive trend towards vanities with interesting textures and shapes. Curved vanities are brilliant for softening all the hard lines in a bathroom, creating a gentle flow. And fluted vanities, with their vertical grooves, add amazing texture and play with light and shadow. They feel very bespoke and architectural. Brands like Otti are doing some incredible things here.
Hamptons Style
For that touch of breezy, classic elegance, Hamptons vanities are bang on. They usually have shaker-style cabinet doors, lovely handles, and a timeless feel that creates a relaxed but sophisticated coastal vibe.
The Actual, Real-Life Benefits
We’ve hinted at these already, but let's be blunt about why we’re such big fans of them.
1. No More Morning Arguments.
This is the big one. We are not exaggerating when we say it can improve your relationship. Having your own space gets rid of the main cause of bathroom squabbles. You have your zone; they have theirs. Your stuff isn't getting mixed up with their stuff. It just brings the stress level of the whole morning way, way down.
2. It's Just Plain Faster.
Two people can get ready at once. This is a massive time-saver, particularly on those hectic weekday mornings. It might mean an extra ten minutes in bed. Or just a more relaxed coffee. For families, it means getting the kids out the door is literally twice as fast. It’s simple maths, really.
3. The Storage is a Dream.
Double vanities are bigger units. That means more cabinet space. More drawers. And way more benchtop space. You can finally have a dedicated spot for everything. No more makeup bags living on the floor. No more electric toothbrushes falling into the sink. You can actually get organised, which makes the whole room feel cleaner and calmer. (It's a small thing that makes a shockingly big difference).
4. They Look Incredible.
Let's be honest. A double vanity makes a statement. It anchors the whole bathroom and gives it a luxe, properly finished feel. It communicates that this is a well-designed, thought-out space. It also helps balance a large room by filling a long wall and stopping the space from feeling bare. A fantastic focal point.
The Practical Stuff You Can't Ignore
Before you rush off and buy one, here are a few final, practical things our team always runs through with customers. A bit of planning now saves a lot of headaches later.
Measure Your Space. Then Measure It Again.
This is the golden rule. You must know exactly how much room you have to play with. The most common double vanity sizes are 1500mm and 1800mm wide. For a really generous, five-star-hotel feel, you can even go up to 2000mm or 2100mm. But you have to make sure you have enough clearance. Can you still open the bathroom door all the way? Can you get to the toilet or into the shower without squeezing past? A good rule is to leave at least 70cm of clear floor space in front of the vanity. Get the tape measure out. Seriously. Do it twice.
Let's Talk Plumbing
Switching from a single sink to a double isn’t a simple swap. You'll need a plumber to run a second set of hot and cold water lines, plus a second waste pipe. This adds to the cost of the reno. It's totally doable, but it’s something you must factor into your budget from day one. Get your plumber in for a chat early in the process so there are no nasty surprises. (Trust us on this, it's worth it).
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Two basins. What about the mirror? You’ve got choices. You could go for two separate mirrors, one centered perfectly over each basin. This looks really sharp and symmetrical. It reinforces that idea of personal zones. Or, you could hang one massive, wide mirror that covers the whole length of the vanity. This can make the room feel even bigger. There’s no right answer; it’s just about the look you’re going for. Just don’t forget about lighting. A light over each "station" is the ideal setup.
Drawers or Cupboards?
Don't just look at the pretty exterior. Think about the inside. Do you prefer drawers or cupboards? Drawers are fantastic for organising smaller things like makeup and toiletries. You can see everything in one go. Cupboards are better for tall bottles and bulky stuff like cleaning supplies or spare loo roll. Most double vanities offer a mix of both. Have a think about all the junk you need to store and pick a setup that will actually work for you. It's your bathroom, after all.
So, that's the long and short of it from our perspective. A double bathroom vanity is so much more than a cabinet with two sinks. It’s a smart, beautiful fix for the daily chaos of a shared bathroom. It creates space. It makes mornings more efficient. And it just makes life a bit calmer. And we reckon everyone deserves that.