What Is A Vanity Unit?

You’d be forgiven for thinking a vanity unit isn’t needed in your washroom; the name alone suggests something more appropriate for a dressing room or domestic bathroom. However, the vanity unit is a structural unit best suited for many high-traffic public environments, including schools, services, train stations, and leisure centres.

What is a vanity unit?

Vanity units are effectively solid worktops on which to mount washbasins and taps. In many cases, organisations choose to extend this worktop to accommodate extras such as baby changing stations, waste chutes, and workspace to lay out toiletries.

Most vanity units are supported beneath the worktop using an underframe with easy-access panels. This delivers a substantial piece of integrated, built-in furniture that offers storage and protection.

Benefits of using a vanity unit

A vanity unit offers several key benefits to a facility manager. Firstly, it conceals all pipework and services, preventing them from being tampered with or vandalised. A good vanity unit will also provide under-counter storage. This could be used to store essentials like spare paper towels or house soap pump reservoirs for countertop soap dispensers.

Additionally, some businesses choose to locate a waste bin within the vanity unit, accessed by a waste chute recessed into the countertop. Collectively, if all these options are selected, you drastically reduce clutter in your washroom, resulting in a smart, easy-to-clean hand wash station that’s durable and robust.

Is a vanity unit right for my washroom?

As with all things, vanity units aren’t for everyone. While they do offer terrific versatility and increased protection to mains services and waste, there are times when this option might not be for you. If you are working with limited space, then you might prefer to install slender wall-mounted washbasins. A slimline wash trough may also be a good choice, or alternatively, we do have clever space-saving sinks—ideal for small cafes and restaurants.

The choice to forego a vanity unit also allows you to make the most of your floor space. If it’s a tight room, then keeping the floor open and clear can trick the eye and make a room feel more significant than it is. However, it’s worth remembering that vanity units needn’t be deep enough for a full sink. Semi-recessed washbasins can be fitted to a slimline, half-width vanity unit. This means you still get the concealed protection of pipework and under-counter storage, without compromising floor space.

If you have any questions about vanity units or would like to enquire about custom units to fit a washroom, contact one of the Commercial Washrooms team on 01202 650900.