Vanities sit at 850–900 mm to the top, 500–600 mm deep and 600–1,800 mm wide. Laundry cabinets match a 600 mm appliance and a 900 mm counter. The dimensions are simple; the material is not. Wet areas need HMR board with sealed edges, or a compact laminate body, because standard board swells at the cut.
Vanity height is 850–900 mm to the top; 900 mm is the common adult height.
Vanity depth is 500–600 mm.
Laundry cabinets match a 600 mm appliance and a 900 mm counter.
Use HMR board with sealed edges in wet areas.
Allow 700 mm clearance in front of a vanity.
1. Vanity dimensions
| Dimension | Range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Height to top | 850–900 mm | 900 mm common adult |
| Depth | 500–600 mm | 600 mm for standard basin |
| Width | 600–1,800 mm | Single or double basin |
| Basin clearance | 700–900 mm | In front of the vanity |
| Wall-hung clearance | 300–400 mm | Below the cabinet |
Height is the dimension most often set by the user rather than the standard. A 900 mm vanity suits most adults; 850 mm suits a shorter user or a child. Agree it before production.
2. Laundry dimensions
| Dimension | Range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | 600 mm | 650 mm with ventilation |
| Height | 850–900 mm with counter | Machine under counter |
| Width | 600–1,200 mm | Machine plus sink |
| Wall cabinet | 300–350 mm deep | Above the counter |
Laundry cabinets are usually shallower in height than kitchen base units because the machine needs to slide under the counter. Confirm the machine dimensions, including hoses and ventilation, before fixing the depth.
3. Wet-area materials
Standard particleboard swells once water reaches the core. In a bathroom or laundry, use HMR board with sealed edges, or a compact laminate body. The HMR guide explains the grades and where each is appropriate.
4. Clearances and door swing
Allow 700 mm in front of a vanity, 900 mm if two people share the bathroom. A door that swings into the clearance effectively removes it, so check the swing before fixing the layout. In a small bathroom, a sliding or pocket door buys the difference.
5. Wall-hung versus floor-standing
Wall-hung vanities free floor space and make a small bathroom feel larger, but they need a solid wall or a reinforcing frame. Floor-standing vanities are simpler to install and suit a family bathroom. The choice changes the height, the waste route and the fixing, so decide early.
6. Metric and imperial
| Item | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Vanity height | 900 mm | 36 in |
| Vanity depth | 550 mm | 22 in |
| Laundry depth | 600 mm | 24 in |
| Clearance | 700 mm | 28 in |
Pick one system for the drawing and note the other for reference. The conversions are close but not exact.
7. Specifying a wet area
State the board grade, the edge sealing, the fixing method and the clearance. A vanity that is correct in dimension but wrong in material will fail at the first leak. The vanity materials guide covers the options.
8. Checking the fit
Check the basin, the tap, the waste, the door swing and the clearance together, not one at a time. A vanity can be the right size and still not fit because the tap projects or the door hits the shower screen.
9. A checklist before you commit
Before you sign, confirm six things: the board grade, the hardware model, the finish system, the packing standard, the inspection scope and the payment schedule. Each should be in writing, not in a call. The quote checklist turns the six into a one-page comparison.
10. Common mistakes
The most common mistake is comparing a factory price with a landed cost. The second is leaving the inspection out of the budget. The third is paying the balance before the inspection is signed off. Each is avoidable with a written scope and a pre-shipment inspection.
11. How to measure the room
Measure each wall at three points, top, middle and bottom, and use the smallest. Walls are rarely square, and a 10 mm bow over three metres changes the filler. Measure the ceiling at each corner and note sockets, radiators and soil pipes before drawing. A measured survey saves more time than a faster drawing, and the measuring guide has a printable sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard vanity height?
850–900 mm to the top of the counter, with 900 mm the common adult height. Wall-hung vanities often sit at 850 mm to leave clearance below.
How deep should a vanity be?
500–600 mm. A 500 mm depth suits a small bathroom; 600 mm matches a standard basin and gives usable storage.
What board should a vanity use?
HMR (moisture-resistant) board at minimum, with sealed edges. Compact laminate or solid surface is better in a wet room.
What is the standard laundry cabinet depth?
600 mm, matching a washing machine. Allow 650 mm if the machine needs ventilation behind.
How much clearance is needed in front of a vanity?
At least 700 mm, and 900 mm if two people use the bathroom. The door swing decides the practical minimum.
Can vanity cabinets be wall-hung?
Yes, and wall-hung is common in small bathrooms because it frees floor space. It needs a solid wall or a reinforcing frame.
