IMO bathrooms are poor places to apply makeup a sit down space in a bedroom or dressing room is ideal I wear little make up and so I stand in the bathroom but I do not store my make up in the bathroom it is in a box I bring to the bathroom. If you are designing this from scratch then I suugest you do a long counter all one height 36" is the new height for vanities (much better) then get an adjustable stool for the makeup area do not do a drop counter .I likea magnifying mirror if possible and have it either wall mounted if standing is the choice or counter sitting if seated.Waht do you do now? I think that is what you are used to so do you find that good then plan for the same

It’s such a personal decision based on routine and convenience. I don’t spend a lot of time doing my makeup; sit at a vanity in bedroom when needing more care or stand at bathroom mirror for quick applications. Think about your routine. If you decide on a designated bathroom area, I wouldn’t lower the counter and be sure it won’t interfere when someone else is needing their space,

If you make it a sit down vanity, you can always still stand. However you will have the option to sit if you want to do so at some point. When I was younger, worked every day and applied make up every day, I always stood. Now that I am older, I love being able to sit down. We built our home 34 years ago, so it was , for me, a good decision to have included both options.

Sit down area facing natural light! If possible try to face natural light near a window so you can have the most realistic lighting. Having a sit down space near a mirror gives you the ability to choose whether you want to stand at the counter or if you would like to sit at the vanity.

Thank you for this post - we're re-doing the Master Bath as well - original had a 32.5" vanity top height, and a sitting area in the middle. The initial proposal from our designer dropped the seated vanity altogether, but given it's a 55+ community, and I have way-too-frequent knee problems, I've pushed hard to keep the vanity.

It's a weird floor plan, so the current proposal is to move the vanity down to the far end of the vanity run. It should work, but I'm concerned about the height - we do want to approximate ADA compliance, so now we're thinking about a 34" height and not dropping the countertop down. Is this too high for a sit-down vanity? (Assuming I'll need a new bench)

Hi @AHMIowa_NJ, if I were you I would consider a 34-36" high vanity and then just do a raisable stool. To me that's the best of both worlds!

Hi AHM - personally I love my vanity. I’ve had them in all but 1 home. All have been lowered height. I don’t think 34” will be a problem, but do a mock up and see if you can find stools or chairs. Kitchen counters are about 35-36” and used that in my daughter’s house with her counter stool. I do prefer lower, but I’m short.

Thanks to both of you! I have a more compact DH, who's about 5'4" - and he really didn't like the 35" countertop we did in our old bath. So we're working something that won't look too old-school, but will be low enough for both the vanity and his height preferences.

I never sat down until I hit 60. Now the best natural and artificial lights are required & because of failing eyesight, I need to get really close to the adjustable mirror so sitting on the countertop is no longer an option for me.

I’ve been sitting at a makeup vanity since i was a teen and I’m a grandmother now. Due to aging vision i need it NOW more than before. If you can add it by all means you have my blessings and i don’t think you’ll ever regret it.

I have an extendable double sided mirror on my bathroom wall so I can pull it towards me. There is a 5x magnified side (don’t get any more than that, ladies) and a regular side. Installing it also gives me the capacity to check the back of my hair too. Probably one of the best things I added to my bathroom.

You can install one on the side at any time, since it collapses back to the wall.

I have always stood and now am 74. It doesn't take that long to do makeup. I do like the idea of the extendable double sided mirror.

Very few of our clients ask for make-up areas incorporated into a bathroom vanity.

It's important to think of what YOU do/want and not others' preferences, although their opinions on how to make it happen are valuable. I've never had enough light in my bedroom to do make-up, and I incorporated a seated make-up area in my last reno (1998) when higher counter heights were first being done. The counter was continuous, and I bought a higher height stool. I'm now doing a reno in a new space where there is plenty of light but no space in the bedroom for a vanity. I've debated about dropping the height of the make-up area in the very spacious counter run (not possible in the earlier reno), but decided against it so we have the most versatility in placing all other items on the countertop. And I like the smoother look of a continuous run. Have mirrors and lights everywhere! Although I sit to do make-up, I stand to do my hair and quick fixes.

I have a dressing table in my bedroom. I HATE doing makeup and hair in the bathroom. It's too hot and humid. By the time I get my eye makeup on, the foundation is slipping off. Plus, it's just more comfortable and enjoyable to get ready sitting at a pretty dressing table. Carve out a corner or niche in your bedroom for a dressing table....once you do, you'll wonder why you never did it before.

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Lots of good perspectives. In my case, I only call it a "makeup" vanity - don't do much makeup. The home was originally built to accommodate a gentleman in a wheelchair, so the middle section of the vanity was open. And then I broke an ankle a couple of years ago, and appreciated it as a lot when I couldn't stand up at the counter!

It just seems that in a 55+ property, which ours is, it makes sense to accommodate accessibity and aging in place - which sometimes means being able to sit. So I'll think we'll try to have a level countertop around 33.5", and as was suggested, a higher stool for sitting.

Much better lighting in our baths

I was going to say, "Depends upon where the lighting is best". This is essential.

like a sit down vanity for a variety of reasons, access to sink, tissues , etc

This sounds like how the area is organized /not where it's located.

If you make it a sit down vanity, you can always still stand. However you will have the option to sit if you want to do so at some point. When I was younger, worked every day and applied make up every day, I always stood. Now that I am older, I love being able to sit down.

Ding-ding-ding! Best answer. If you make a sit-down spot -- assuming your mirror is tall enough and your stool can tuck under the vanity -- you always have the option to stand. Flexibility is good.

I'm not "older" yet, but -- having watched my grandmother reach 100 -- I can forsee that someday I might appreciate the option of sitting.

I do like the idea of the extendable double sided mirror.

Agree.

I've never had enough light in my bedroom to do make-up

I agree the average bedroom doesn't have enough lighting for make-up, but -- if you're building -- you have the option to do fix this.