Ensuite Vanities

How to Choose the Perfect Ensuite Vanity (From People Who Live and Breathe Bathrooms)

The ensuite. For many of us, it’s the first room we see in the morning and the last one we see at night. It’s our own private little space, away from the kids, the guests, and the general household rush. But here's the problem: ensuites are often... small. Sometimes really small. And trying to cram your daily routine into a tiny, poorly planned space is the opposite of relaxing. It’s chaos.

We see it all the time. Customers come to us feeling frustrated with their current setup. There's nowhere to put anything, the benchtop is a sea of bottles and tubes, and the whole room just feels cramped.

Look, the way we see it, the single most important piece in that entire room is the vanity. Get the ensuite vanity right, and the entire room just works. It becomes the calm, functional, beautiful retreat it was always meant to be. Get it wrong, and it’s a daily point of frustration. So, as the team here at The Blue Space, we wanted to put together a real-world guide. No jargon, no fluff. Just the honest advice we give our customers every single day on picking the best ensuite bathroom vanity units.

So, What Exactly is an Ensuite Vanity?

It sounds simple, right? It’s just a vanity in an ensuite. But it’s a bit more than that. Unlike the main family bathroom vanity, which needs to store bath toys, guest towels, and a million other things, the ensuite vanity is all about you. It’s a personal station. It holds your skincare, your makeup, your shaver, your toothbrush. It’s the command centre of your morning routine. And it’s the last stop before bed.

Because of this, it has a very different job. It needs to give you just the right amount of storage, in just the right configuration (drawers are king!), without swallowing the tiny amount of floor space you have. It needs to provide a basin, a bit of landing space for your daily-use items, and it needs to look fantastic while doing it. It’s a hard-working piece of furniture. Probably the hardest working in your whole house before 9 am.

That’s why you’ll see so many bathroom vanities designed with these compact, personal spaces in mind. They are built to maximise storage in a shallow or narrow footprint. They are your ensuite’s secret weapon.

Where We See These Vanities Work Best

Obviously, they work in an ensuite. But the type of home really dictates the type of vanity we recommend.

For city apartments and townhouses, floor space is the number one premium. Every centimetre counts. This is where wall-hung vanities are a complete game-changer. By lifting the cabinet off the floor, you see more of the tile, and your eye is tricked into thinking the room is way bigger than it is. It’s the oldest trick in the book, and our team recommends it constantly because it just works. You pair that with a simple white bathroom vanity front, and you get this light, airy feeling instantly.

In a bigger suburban family home, the ensuite is a true parents' retreat. It's the one space that is 100% adult. Here, you might have a bit more room to play with. We often see customers opting for a bit more bench space, maybe a 1200mm vanity that gives both partners their own "zone." Or, if the space allows, a double vanity. But even here, storage is key. You want to hide all the clutter so the room feels serene.

And for those building new or doing a full-gut renovation? That's when you can truly define the style. This is where we see people having a lot of fun. They'll use the vanity as the "hero" piece. Maybe a stunning solid timber vanity to bring in warmth and a day-spa feeling. Or they'll go for something with texture, like the fluted vanities that are so popular right now. The vanity sets the tone for the whole design.

A Breakdown of the Types We Love

Okay, let’s get into the different kinds of ensuite bathroom vanity units you’ll find. The choice can feel huge, but our team usually breaks it down into a few main groups. It’s all about finding the right function and style for your little slice of bathroom heaven.

Wall Hung (or Floating) Vanities

We mentioned them before, but they deserve their own spot. A wall-hung vanity mounts directly to the wall, leaving a clear space underneath. We honestly can't recommend these enough for ensuites. The visual benefit is just massive. That unbroken floor line makes cleaning a breeze (no grime build-up around the base!) and, as we said, it’s the best way to make a small room feel open and airy.

But what about storage? People worry they're losing space. Look, the way we see it, you're just swapping one big cupboard for deep, functional drawers. And drawers are almost always a better way to store things in a bathroom. You pull it open, and you can see everything from above. No more kneeling and digging into the dark void at the back of a cupboard. They are just so practical. Most modern wall-hung units are designed with this in mind.

Floor Mount Vanities

This is the classic. The vanity sits directly on the floor, often on a solid kicker base or on legs. The main benefit here is storage. You get to use that entire cabinet volume, right down to the floor. If you have a lot of stuff—bulk-buy toilet paper, extra towels, a huge backstock of toiletries—a floor-mount vanity might be the right call. They are solid, traditional, and offer heaps of space.

We find these work really well for certain styles, too. If you’re dreaming of that coastal, breezy look, a classic Hamptons vanity, often on legs, is the perfect fit. Same for a more traditional or heritage look. Some brands, like Turner Hastings, do this beautifully. They also have another handy trick: they are brilliant for covering up tricky plumbing. If you can't or don't want to move your pipes into the wall, a floor-mount vanity will hide everything neatly.

Small Vanities for Tight Spaces

Sometimes, an ensuite is less of a room and more of a... closet. We get it. For these spots, you need a dedicated "small" vanity. These are vanities specifically designed with a tiny footprint. We're talking about small vanities that might be under 600mm wide, or have a "slim" profile so they don't stick out into the room as much.

You might think your options are limited here, but the ranges have become so good. You can still get beautiful drawers and stylish finishes. Don't just give up and put in a tiny pedestal sink with zero storage. A compact 400mm-600mm vanity can still give you a drawer for your essentials and a small benchtop, which makes the space a million times more functional. We've seen so many customers fall in love with these little powerhouses because they solve a really common problem.

Custom Vanities (When You Need it Just Right)

What if your ensuite has a weird nib wall? Or a sloping ceiling? Or you have an exact 850mm gap to fill? This is when off-the-shelf just won't work. And that's where custom-made vanities come in. We work with some brilliant Australian brands that let you build your perfect unit. We’re talking about industry leaders like Timberline, Marquis, and ADP (Architectural Designer Products).

With these, you can choose the exact width. You pick the cabinet finish from dozens of colours and textures. You choose the benchtop material—ceramic, stone, acrylic. You pick the basin. You pick the handles. It gives you complete control to create a piece that fits your space like a glove and matches your vision perfectly. Our team loves helping people with these because the end result is always so personal. If you have a tricky space, a custom vanity is 100% the way to go.

The 'Look' We're Seeing Everywhere

Beyond the type of vanity, there's the style. This is the fun part. And right now, we're seeing a few clear trends that our customers are loving for their ensuites.

• Texture is King: Flat, glossy white is classic. But textured fronts add so much personality. Fluted vanities (also called reeded or v-groove) are huge. They bring in a beautiful, subtle pattern and a tactile quality that just feels premium. It’s a way to make your vanity a real feature piece without screaming for attention.

• Warm Timber: People want their ensuite to feel like a sanctuary. A spa. And nothing says "spa" like the warmth of wood. We're seeing a massive move towards solid timber vanities or very realistic timber-look finishes. Brands like Ingrain specialise in this, and the effect is stunning. It pairs beautifully with white tiles and black or brass taps.

• Soft Curves: Ensuites are often boxy and full of hard edges. A curved vanity with soft, rounded edges can completely change the feeling of the room. It creates a gentler flow as you move around the space. And, practically, it means no more bruised hips when you rush past it in the morning. Bonus.

The Real-World Benefits (As We See Them)

Choosing the right ensuite vanity isn't just about looks. It’s about how it makes you feel every day. Here are the benefits our team cares about most.

1. It Creates Calm from Chaos

This is the big one. When every single item has a home—when your makeup is in a shallow drawer, your hairdryer is in a deep one, and your benchtop is clear—your brain just relaxes. Starting your day in an organised space has a real, positive effect on your whole mood. It just does.

2. It Makes a Small Room Feel Big

We keep saying it, but it's true. The right vanity (especially a wall-hung one) is the key to unlocking a small ensuite's potential. It frees up visual space. It reflects light. It stops the room from feeling like a cluttered, narrow hallway and turns it into a proper room.

3. It Defines Your Personal Style

The vanity is the main piece of furniture in the room. It’s your chance to make a statement. Do you want your ensuite to feel like a coastal retreat? A moody, modern hotel? A bright, Scandi spa? The vanity is what will get you there. It anchors the whole design. All your other choices—taps, tiles, mirrors—will flow from there.

4. It's Your Personal 'Get-Ready' Station

It’s a space that is 100% yours. It’s not shared with the kids. It’s not the guest bathroom. It’s the spot where you can set out your things, get ready for a big day, or unwind for the night. Having a functional, beautiful vanity makes that simple daily ritual feel a little bit more special. A little bit more luxurious.

The Practical Stuff We Always Tell Our Customers

Okay, before you get excited and click "buy," our team has a checklist of practical things you must think about. Getting this wrong is where the headaches happen. So please, read this part!

Measure. Then Measure Again. Seriously.

This is the number one rule of buying an ensuite vanity. Get out the tape measure. Measure the exact wall space you have. Now, check the "projection"—that’s how far it sticks out from the wall. Will it block your shower door? Will it make the walkway past the toilet too tight? You need at least 700mm of clear walkway space in front of a vanity to feel comfortable.

Be realistic about the size. Just because a 1200mm vanity technically fits doesn't mean it's the right choice. Sometimes, a smaller 900mm vanity with "breathing room" on either side looks and feels much better. This is the "sweet spot" size for so many Australian ensuites. We sell a huge number of 750mm vanities and 800mm vanities for exactly this reason. They are the perfect balance of storage and space.

If you have a bit more room, pushing up to a 1000mm vanity or even a 1100mm vanity can give you that amazing extra bench space. But only if the room can take it. Don't crowd the room.

Talk to Your Plumber About Pipes

This is so important. Where are your current water and waste pipes? If you're buying a floor-mount vanity, it can probably hide the pipes coming up from the floor (an "S-trap"). But if you want a beautiful wall-hung vanity, your waste pipe must go into the wall (a "P-trap"). This might mean moving your plumbing, which adds cost. Always, always, always show your plumber the vanity you want to buy before you buy it. They will tell you what's possible.

Storage: Be Honest With Yourself

Drawers or cupboards? Our team will almost always steer you towards drawers. They are just more functional for an ensuite. But think about what you're storing. Do you have tall bottles of hairspray? You'll need at least one deep drawer. Do you have lots of small makeup items? A shallow drawer with dividers is a dream. Some vanities even come with hidden internal drawers or power points for shavers and electric toothbrushes. Think about your daily clutter and buy the vanity that solves it.

Don't Forget Taps and Basins

Your vanity choice affects your tap choice. And your basin choice.

• Inset Basin: The basin is sunk into the vanity top. This is great for a clean look and gives you the most useable bench space. It's also super easy to wipe clean.

• Above-Counter Basin: The basin sits on top of the bench like a bowl. This makes a real design statement and looks amazing. The trade-off? It takes up bench space, and you have to clean around the base of it.

And what about taps? If your vanity top comes with a taphole, you'll need "basin-mounted" taps. If it doesn't have a taphole, you'll need "wall-mounted" taps, which means... you guessed it... talking to your plumber again, as the plumbing needs to be in the wall. This all has to be planned together.

Even for really small vanities, these choices matter. A small basin with a side-mounted tap can save precious centimetres.

So, Where to From Here?

Whew. That was a lot. But as you can tell, we're pretty passionate about this stuff. We really believe that the right ensuite vanity can completely change how you start your day. It’s not just a box with a sink. It’s the functional, beautiful heart of your personal retreat.

Our best advice? Take your time. Measure your space. Be honest about your storage needs. And find a style that makes you happy.

And, of course, have a browse. We've collected all our favourite bathroom vanities & furniture in one place. If you get stuck, that's what we're here for. Give our team a call or send us a message. We'd genuinely love to help you find the perfect one.