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dottie_miller25

bathroom remodel-countertop height?

6 years ago

We're about to update a kids' bathroom that is used often as a guest bathroom now that the kids are grown and living elsewhere. The countertop height is currently 31 inches. The contractor suggests replacing the vanities and the countertops, which would require new mirrors and moving the electrical outlets up. The lighting box may also need to be rebuilt higher. The alternative plan is to replace the vanity drawer fronts with painted wood, replace the countertops with a quartz material, maybe one thicker than the current ones, and leave the other parts as they are, a more economical option. We anticipate living in our house for another 5-10 years and thus want to make updates for us to enjoy but also make the house more attractive to potential buyers. Is a higher vanity/countertop height an important requirement for buyers?

Comments (11)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    If the mirrors aren't framed, the glass can be cut. I once removed large sheet mirrors in a bathroom, took them to a local glass shop, and they cut down the edges which had become tarnished from cleaners over the years. Rehung, and had brand new mirrors, just a bit smaller ;)

  • 6 years ago

    It depends on how much money you want to put into it for how much return. More changes will add to the contractor's fees but how often will the counters be used by guests. While our 1970s counters are a bit low, I probably won't change the one in the Jack and Jill bath between what was our grown kids' rooms. The kids rarely visit for more than a few days at a time and future buyers will probably want lower cabinets in a kids' bath.

  • 6 years ago

    I am only 5'4" and I like the lower cabinet heights. I can bend over and brush my teeth without having to hunch over at my armpits. I can easily get my feet into the sink to wash them.

    So, the answer is....do what you like. Not what you think the new fad is.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I like 36” like a kitchen counter I am tall but never wash my feet in either sink so I guess it is not an issue. But I agree it is what you like not some imaginary buyer down the road. You could do a vessel sink on the original vanity height and save some money


  • 6 years ago

    I’m 5’ 3.5” and I much prefer a taller height vanity. When we visit my parents and I wash up using the sink in their older, lower height vanity for a few days, my back starts to hurt. Same for DH (5’ 8”).

  • 6 years ago

    @cat_mom-Lol on sharing your precise height...I’m 5’ 2.25” 😜 and we lived in a rental with lower height counters in the baths and the higher ones in our house are a big improvement. So much easier on the back. But then again, I’m not trying to wash my feet in the sink. 😝

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    31 is WAY too low. Sorry it is. Unless you're five years old.

  • 6 years ago

    I’m 5’5” and much prefer the taller height, same as kitchen. So glad we did the taller vanity when we remodeled the master. That said, we left the shorter vanities when we updated the upstairs bathrooms to save money. Just depends on how much you want spend and what you think you ultimate return will be.

  • 6 years ago

    @hemina ha! I’m either 5’ 3” or 5’ 4” depending on the doctor/scale (always been told I’m 5’ 3”, but some doctor/s I went to a few years ago said I was 5’ 4”).

    I figured 5’ 3.5” is a good compromise! LOL

  • 6 years ago

    I'm 6 feet tall and I curse my 32" vanity every morning.

    Replacing it has been on my list for a few years, but tied to a bigger project (it's a 2 birds/one stone kind of thing).