18 Inch Bathroom Vanities
Short on space but never on style, 18-inch vanities are a practical choice to maximize storage in smaller bathrooms. Ideally suited for powder rooms or apartment/condo bathrooms, you can find compact vanities from pretty much any major bathroom vanity manufacturer. This means it’s possible to coordinate vanities throughout your household, by choosing an identical wood finish, countertop, and cabinet finish to suit both a larger bathroom and a smaller one.
If you’re shopping for an 18-inch vanity, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. Continue reading for our exclusive 18-inch bathroom vanity buying guide!
Sink or Swim?
One of the biggest questions people have about 18-inch vanities is whether a standard sink will fit. Most bathroom sinks have a width between 15 and 18 inches, whether you opt for a vessel, drop-in, or undermount sink. An undermount sink may be an ideal option for a smaller vanity, as it maximizes the amount of free counterspace you have.
If you’re concerned about sink sizes, there are more compact designs available, including as small as 10 inches. You can also rotate a sink sideways to run parallel, so your depth becomes your width. Of course, the easiest thing to do is shop for a dream bathroom vanity that has a built-in sink.
Maximize Storage With Small Vanities
With an 18-inch bathroom vanity, storage is essential. In general, don’t expect to have side-by-side drawers and doors. Most 18-inch vanities will only have a single cabinet, possibly with one stacked drawer above or below the cabinet. You can also find some options that have stacked drawers.
If storage is essential, you may want to choose a vessel sink so the bowl doesn’t take up valuable storage. If countertop storage is what you’re looking for, an undermount sink is the way to go. 18-inch Floating vanities aren’t as common but can make a small bathroom appear bigger by not reaching all the way to the floor. There are plenty of crafty hacks that can give you extra storage too, such as placing a basket or chest under a floating vanity.
18-Inch Vanity Depth
If width and depth are both concerns in a compact bathroom, you’ve still got options. Shallow-depth vanities come in 16 and 18-inch depths, meaning you can even have a square vanity for a modern look. Another option is to look for corner vanities that can tuck neatly into a tight space. There are also 12-inch depth vanities where the sink juts over the vanity ledge. These vanity units serve as an attractive alternative to pedestal sinks, although you should expect incredibly minimal storage.
Petite vanities are a useful option for homeowners looking to add a new bathroom to a small space or to maximize their square footage in a bathroom with a distinctive focal point, like a garden tub or stand-up shower. There may be less options available, but there’s still plenty of style and function to be had by investing in an 18-inch vanity over a standard sink.