Help! Bathroom vanity is too low! How do I make it look taller?

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

We have just completed a new home build and the builder installed 32" high vanities in the jack and jill and basement bathroom (including countertop). We've asked, and we cannot raise them without a major reno at this point ... not even a half inch (the tile is already installed above the quartz countertops). Both sinks (jack and jill and basement) are under mount (which makes them feel even lower) and the ceilings are 9 feet tall, which, again, makes the vanities seem that much lower. Stupid mistake on our part, as we foolishly *assumed* all the vanities would be 36", like in the master (we are both tall! 6'2!).

We are thinking that in the basement, we may eventually install a top mount sink, which would add an extra 4 inches to the vanity top and maybe give the illusion of height (the only solution we have come up with). In the meantime, I am looking for any suggestions to detract from the low countertops. Any design or decor ideas? Taller faucets? Wallpaper on the walls? Hanging lights a certain way (one is a pendant fixture above the sink and the other is a wall mount). Bigger mirror?

Any suggestions would be welcome! Thank you!

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apple_pie_order

10 years ago

What is your budget to get what you want in the two/three bathrooms?

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Comments (10)

User
Original Author
10 years ago
We're open on budget when it comes to decorating or trying to detract but we can't reno it all over again in terms of replacing the vanity ... it would require that we rip out tile and re-order and re-place the vanity (we asked if they could lift and they said not without completely redoing). So flexible .. For the basement, when I'm probably looking at a budget of about $400 for a new countertop sink.
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acm
10 years ago
Removing an undermount sink to add an overmount sink is nontrivial, and could end up damaging your counter and/or cabinets. Is this a bathroom that would primarily be used by kids or guests? Because to most people, I think that "standard height" bathroom counters probably don't need anything disguised...
Business_Name_Placeholder
10 years ago
You could replace your countertops with extra thick material and then instal vessel sinks. This would be a bit of an investment though but at least you wouldn't need to remove the vanity.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks - that's a great idea. I going to do that with the vessel sink in the basement. I didn't even think of getting a thicker countertop. Those photos are very helpful. Thank you for the suggestion.

I think we're going to have to leave the jack and jill. Upon resale, it might actually be a feature for the house if someone does have children and it's the bathroom we will use the least.

To detract from it, I was thinking of trying to focus the eye up a bit more. The counter area is about 5 feet long (give or take). I thought maybe putting in a wider mirror and some interesting sconces, like in this picture (except with a single sink and mirror) - https://www.restorationhardware.com/rooms/?id=144149&parentCatId=cat160092&categoryId=cat3980092&sale=false#/144149-521028.

And maybe putting a taller vase in the corner? Something to draw the eye up and detract from the height.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
ACM, I didn't even think of the damage if I changed out the sink ... ugh. But if like lynartist suggested, I change out the countertop in that one bathroom. It's the smallest out of all the countertops so it would be the cheeper of the bathrooms to change.

The jack and jill would not be used often. The basement would be used more regularly when guests come over because it's the entertainment hub.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
And ACM, you may be right ... we're noticing it because of our height. It feels like it's at our knees. At least the master has a vanity that is more appropriate for us.
apple_pie_order
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
The average woman's height is 5'4" and man's height 5' 8" or so in the US. Guests will not care if your basement countertop is a bit low. For children using the jack and jill bathroom, the lower height will be convenient. I suggest you live with it for a year. If the height bugs you in a year, then add the thicker countertop and redo all the tile. You should stockpile enough matching tile now to redo the relevant parts in the future.
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you! That's a good point. I didn't think to get extra tile, but I really should just in case.
nikavt
10 years ago
Thanks to everyone for the great tips. I just bought a house with a 28-inch high vanity in the master bathroom. I'm 5'9 so I'll have to raise it. I'd already thought about putting in a vessel sink. Now I'll look for a thick slab of stone to raise the countertop as well. Fortunately, I can do my own work. In another house, I completely remodeled three bathrooms -- including redoing the plumbing -- and installed granite tile and a granite slab island in a kitchen. In comparison with those projects, this one should be fairly easy.