I wouldn't want to spend any money on a new countertop while keeping an outdated and too low vanity. I'd just change the floors and keep what you have, or get a new, taller vanity so you can use a deeper undermount sink. Can the soap and toothbruch holder be removed without damaging the tile? Or can a new vanity be tall enough to cover any damage?

To answer Question #2 my sister has a built in vanity that she is keeping due to the odd side angles. Her contractor said he will raise it up to current standard height. So it is possible. She will have a new counter (quartz) with under mount sink

The space can appear more updated with a surface mounted vessel type lav sink & a single hole lever faucet.

Thank you for your suggestions! We’d have to get a custom vanity made and replace all the tile and I don’t want to invest that much in this house. I’d really like to play up the vintage look with black and white tile. I’ll look into getting the vanity raised during countertop installation— so happy to hear that’s a viable option!!

That doesn't look like 1950"s tile, and certainly the countertop, sink, and faucet are not. What is it about the vanity that you want to keep?

The countertop installer would probably not add a strip of wood for you, but you could do it or get a carpenter or handyman to do it. The problem with raising it will be your soap and toothbrush/cup holders.

If you look at Beverly's 2nd pic, I wonder if you could have the counter simply made thicker to make it taller. It wouldn't have to be a solid, thick slab but maybe fashioned in a way that the countertop material makes it look like a thicker counter, while raising it a few inches.

Here's an idea, too:

https://www.remodelaholic.com/how-to-raise-up-a-short-vanity/

@olychick!Yes, this is exactly what I had in mind! I think we could probably manage this on our own.

@catbuilder It’s definitely the original tile. All the homes in our neighborhood have it in a variety of colors. You’re right about the countertop, sink, and faucet. I have no attachment to any of it — we just don’t want to over invest in a house that we’ll sell in the next few years. I’m hoping targeted improvements will make it feel fresh and livable for the short-term. Something like this https://www.bhg.com/bathroom/remodeling/makeover/small-black-white-bathroom-makeover/

The labour to remove and re hook up a sink is the same if its the same 'ol one or a new one. Check out inexpensive but reliable places such as Menards. Single intergrated sinks in basic materials such as cultured marble are approx $100.00.