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coastal_vibe

Outlets in vanity -- docking station -- do you use it?

last year

I met with a cabinet builder to give me an estimate for a custom-built vanity for an upcoming remodel of a secondary hall bathroom. The vanity will be about 22 inches deep and 54 inches wide with a single sink in the center. Planning for U-shaped drawers in the center, flanked by drawers on the sides.


He asked if I would like a docking station (outlets) built into the cabinetry. There are outlets to the left of the vanity, and I plan to add outlets on the righthand side.


If you have outlets in a vanity drawer, do you use it? What do you plug in? If you keep a hair dryer there, do you keep the drawer open while drying your hair?


Green Meadow Spa Bath · More Info


Docking Drawer Blade - Bathroom Vanity In-Drawer Outlets · More Info


Docking Drawer Blade · More Info




Comments (6)

  • last year

    Yes, we added one 2 years ago and I love it! You do need to leave the pullout open while you use it, but it’s a small price to pay for never leaving hot tools on your counter until they cool.


    coastal_vibe thanked clt3
  • last year

    When we redid our primary bathroom two years ago, I really wanted an outlet in one of the vanity drawers. Our contractor quoted a price of $1000.00 for the single outlet, so we declined. I think he referred to code requirments that made the installation of the outlet in a drawer so expensive. Anyway, I still wish I had it.


    coastal_vibe thanked FMZ
  • PRO
    last year

    Bemma already has these built in to some of our units! please check out the BEMMA line

    coastal_vibe thanked BEMMA
  • last year

    A docking drawer outlet is not very difficult to install (FMZ - you were being charge a premium!). My BIL added ones to their bathrooms - he's pretty knowledgeable re: construction - however, he said that it was easy. You have to use a special outlet that de-energizes when/if the temperature inside the drawer reaches 120 degrees (I think that's the correct temperature).


    I am having two put in my new custom vanity for my primary bathroom. So much easier to just put the hair dryer right back into the metal canister/holder in the drawer instead of waiting for it to cool off first.


    I would definitely add at least one If I was you! Two would be better if you both use electric toothbrushes in order to remove the charging unit from the counter. Just make sure that you have room to have the toothbrushes on the charger when the drawer is shut.

  • PRO
    9 months ago

    @coastal_vibe

    Hi

    Thanks for asking. The “BEMMA line” I referred to is the product line from my company, BEMMA Design (we also do vanities and bathroom cabinetry). We supply pre-manufactured vanities that sometimes come with built-in docking/outlet options — though what you’re describing is a fully custom vanity, so the reference to “BEMMA” was just meant to illustrate that built-in outlets (docking-station style) are possible and indeed offered by a manufacturer I work for.

    If I were you, since the vanity is custom, I’d treat the outlet question as a separate feature decision — you’ll want to think about how you actually plan to use it (hair-dryers, toothbrush chargers, etc.), whether you’re okay with leaving the drawer open while using a hot tool (since many in-drawer outlets do require that) and the cost/complexity that your cabinet builder or electrician will have to factor in.

    If you want — I’m happy to check with my BEMMA team and get rough estimates for how much a built-in docking station might add (materials + labour) for a vanity of roughly your dimensions (22″ deep, 54″ wide). Could be useful as a benchmark when you compare builders.

    If you have any questions, let me know.