Vintage Vanities Bring Bygone Style to Baths

Designers and homeowners are, more than ever, looking to the past to use interesting pieces in their homes. A perfect example: the bathroom vanity. Long the standard-issue element in a bath remodel, utilizing stock cabinetry and hardware, the vanity is taking a step into the future with blasts from the past. Old and antique furniture pieces are being fitted with new sinks and faucets, summoning the ambience and feel of the washbasins of yore.

Each piece is unique, making it worlds away from the ones found at the big-box stores. One note of caution, however: Please do not use an authentic antique! If George Washington reportedly used your nightstand to clean his wooden teeth, cutting a hole in it to add plumbing would greatly diminish its value. But as you’ll see in the following photos, there are lots of other alternatives to choose from.

Prior to the introduction of running water and indoor plumbing, vanities were simply a washbasin and a pitcher set atop a wooden dresser or washstand.

Conjure that same feeling using a vintage washstand that’s been fitted with a sink. The type of sink you choose will dictate the style of faucet available to you. A wall-mounted or tall arc faucet is required for a vessel sink. Any type of faucet can be used for a drop-in or undermounted sink, since no additional clearance is needed.

The depth of a standard vanity ranges from 18 to 24 inches. While you may find an old dresser that is that deep, any size piece can actually be used, within the confines of your space.

If you are repurposing a larger and deeper dresser or vintage desk, like the one pictured here, make sure that you place the sink close enough to the front edge to avoid excessive reaching. Setting the sink 3 to 4 inches from the front edge will prevent splashes onto the floor and allow easy access to the water.

Nowadays bathroom vanities can range anywhere from 29 to 36 inches in height. The standard is typically 30 inches, which was the height of a typical wooden dresser being used with a washbasin back in the day.

Repurposing vintage furniture can be an economical way to customize the vanity height for your bath: simply add feet or cut away a portion of the base. Unless it’s a true antique, there is no need to fear altering an aged piece — that’s the beauty, and the enjoyment, of upcycling old furniture.

See more of these Vintage Vanities.

Vintage Vanities Bring Bygone Style to Baths