Need help with space between vanity and bathtub

14 years ago

We are getting ready to remodel our master bath. We currently have a 84 inch vanity with one sink (we will be putting in a double bowl vanity). There is 22 inches between the end of the current vanity and the bathtub. The interior designer suggested taking the vanity all the way to the bathtub as she feels the 22 inches is wasted space and can be better utilized. Although I like the idea of more storage, I am concerned about 1) how it will visually look to shorten the access to the tub 2) will the cabinet get damaged by being right next to the tub 3) butting the cabinets up to the tub blocks access to the plumbing for the garden tub (not jetted tub). One bathroom designer said she would not make the vanity any longer than it is. I even liked the idea of making it a little longer (90 inches) but then the concern was brought up that you don't want a small space that just looks akward! Help! I have never redone a bathroom, so this is all new to me. I appreciate any input. We are looking at using painted cream cabinets. Thanks so much!

Featured Answer

PRO

User

14 years ago

It seems to me the issue you are struggling with is the lack of coherence among the various elements in the room. I would tile the walls to a height of about 54", which will butt into the window frame, mirror, shower doors, etc, thereby visually uniting all these aspects. I would not extend the vanity - as you show, it is the perfect place for a wastebasket. Often the temptation is to fill every square foot of a room with something, but I feel empty space is frequently one of the great luxuries in an interior. Here are some examples of bathrooms I've done with tile "wainscotting". Hope this helps.

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Comments (10)

PRO
Donna Thomas Vintage Chic Furniture
14 years ago
how about a tall cabinet for storage and to bring height to the room?
hastyto
Original Author
14 years ago
Donna, thank you so much for your suggestion. We actually had one sketch with a linen tower on top of the countertop in the center with framed mirrors around it. Putting a full height linen tower at the end of the counter top would really wall off the tub and the designer was concerned it would make the room look too heavy. My biggest dilema is whether to take the vanity all the way to the tub, to keep it at 84 inches or do somewhere in between. Thanks again! I soooo appreciate the feedback and any suggestions.
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dibenjamin
14 years ago
Maybe if you keep the counter the same length, but tile the wall between the tub and the vanity, you could unite the tub area and vanity areas, while keeping the open space.
Kajal Maharaj
14 years ago
what about floating shelves if you dont want to wall off the tub?
hastyto
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for everyone's comments! My original idea is much as Michael's and Dibenjamin's, which is to run a tile backsplash along the vanity over to the tub including the wall inbetween the tub and the vanity to help create the cohension of space. Michael, I am concerned about the room looking crowded or that we did try to fill every space. I had thought about even doing a set of shelves between the tub and vanity for towels, but again I wonder if it would look too crowded or if visually the tub will look too cut off. The tub is a normal 60 inches long.

How would it look to have a smaller space between the vanity and the tub (like 16 or 10 inches instead of 22)? Thanks again!
PRO
User
14 years ago
I wouldn't change the size of the space at all, frankly. I think the tile all around the room will do the trick of unifying the elements. If you go with a line of tile that also has a "baseboard" tile, use that to bridge the wall and floor. It is a nice finishing detail.
Bond Girl
14 years ago
You haven't mentioned budget, but every time you add a cabinet, you add to the budget. The least expensive way to do cabinets in a bath is to stick to standard size bathroom vanities . I agree with the comments on it feeling crowded, but I'm not a huge fan of having a trash can out in your new bathroom. If you need the storage, add a cabinet. I would not go with a tall linen cabinet, it'll block the light from your window. If you want more storage, you can add a cabinet at the end. The access panel to the tub can be put inside the cabinet. If you are doing a custom, solid-surface top, consider running it down the sides of the cabinet. It's a slightly modern look, but really nice. If you want to hedge your bets, consider a step back in the depth of your cabinet. A standard vanity depth is 21", many manufacturers make 18" depth cabinets (or you can take standard upper kitchen cabinets -- 12" depth -- and have you contractor set them forward to 18"). You could look at a standard 6' (72") double vanity with drawers, then flank it on either side with 15"w x 18"d cabinets. That leaves you with 4" left over that can be handled by fillers. Have fun!
14thstreet
14 years ago
An accessory like a bamboo ladder ( http://www.westelm.com/products/bamboo-ladder-g227/?pkey=e%7Cladder%7C1%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Summer%202012%20D1%20Billboards-_-) or heated towel rack would be a good, non-obstructive way to fill it in also, if you did keep the backsplash running down the whole wall.
hastyto
Original Author
14 years ago
Hmmm...so many good ideas!

If we stayed with a 84 inch vanity, does that require double sinks (we currently only have one, which we are fine with but have been told it will make a difference if we ever sell our home)? Also, the design given to us for that was two 30 inch sink bases with a 24 inch drawer base between. Is that usually enough drawer space? We are taking out the medicine chest, so we will lose that storage. Any thoughts on a center linen tower with framed mirrors on either side? Would you keep all three cabinets the same depth or would you vary it?

Any thoughts on adding a low cabinet between the tub and the vanity, that would be the height of the tub and act either as a cubby for towels or as a seat? (yep, still trying to decide about that space).

You would laugh at the cardboard I am using to try to visualize this space. Thanks again for all the help.!