25 Bathrooms With Built-In Makeup Vanities
Beauty routines get a boost in these bathrooms with designated stations for primping and preening
If you stand at your bathroom sink for makeup application, skin care, hair styling or all three, you may find yourself leaning forward to get a closer look in the mirror or wishing you could rest your legs mid-blowout. And if you share that sink, your partner may not appreciate your products and tools cluttering the countertop — not to mention waiting to wash up while you get gorgeous.
To solve those and other problems, the pros behind these bathrooms included built-in makeup vanities (also commonly known as makeup or dressing tables) outfitted with storage, seating, lighting, mirrors and other features tailored to the homeowners’ beauty routines. Keep scrolling to see their design choices and get tips for incorporating a designated makeup vanity into your own bathroom. And you can click on each image to see more photos of the project.
To solve those and other problems, the pros behind these bathrooms included built-in makeup vanities (also commonly known as makeup or dressing tables) outfitted with storage, seating, lighting, mirrors and other features tailored to the homeowners’ beauty routines. Keep scrolling to see their design choices and get tips for incorporating a designated makeup vanity into your own bathroom. And you can click on each image to see more photos of the project.
2. Floating Feature
The checkered floor is a standout in this Los Angeles-area bathroom by Linette Dai Design, as is the floating makeup table between the two sink vanities. A rustic stool tucks under when not in use, and the longer central mirror allows the user to see themself while seated.
Shop for freestanding makeup vanities
The checkered floor is a standout in this Los Angeles-area bathroom by Linette Dai Design, as is the floating makeup table between the two sink vanities. A rustic stool tucks under when not in use, and the longer central mirror allows the user to see themself while seated.
Shop for freestanding makeup vanities
3. Magnificent Magnification
In this Florida bathroom by McCann Design Group, a lower counter extension on the side of a vanity allows the seated person to take advantage of the sunlight streaming in from the window when applying makeup. A lighted and magnified extension mirror is a handy addition (and if you’re over 40, a must-have!) for close-up tasks like tweezing.
Tip: Colors look truest in daylight, so it’s the best lighting for makeup application. Makeup pros advise setting your makeup vanity in front of a window (ideally north-facing) to get the most even light.
In this Florida bathroom by McCann Design Group, a lower counter extension on the side of a vanity allows the seated person to take advantage of the sunlight streaming in from the window when applying makeup. A lighted and magnified extension mirror is a handy addition (and if you’re over 40, a must-have!) for close-up tasks like tweezing.
Tip: Colors look truest in daylight, so it’s the best lighting for makeup application. Makeup pros advise setting your makeup vanity in front of a window (ideally north-facing) to get the most even light.
4. All Tucked In
This Orange County, California, bathroom by designer Lisa Rossman of LL Design and Well Done Building & Design has a separate floating vanity with a drawer, nestled into a little nook beside the double sink.
Your Guide to Perfect Bathroom Vanity Lighting
This Orange County, California, bathroom by designer Lisa Rossman of LL Design and Well Done Building & Design has a separate floating vanity with a drawer, nestled into a little nook beside the double sink.
Your Guide to Perfect Bathroom Vanity Lighting
5. Traditional Elegance
In a grand estate in Atlanta by Vincent Longo Custom Builders, this traditional-style bathroom’s vanity has the same ornate, furniture-like lines and elegant marble top as the sink vanity. The large freestanding, tilting mirror is positioned in front of an oval window, which is good for makeup application, and the delicate glass canisters on the countertop are both pretty and functional.
In a grand estate in Atlanta by Vincent Longo Custom Builders, this traditional-style bathroom’s vanity has the same ornate, furniture-like lines and elegant marble top as the sink vanity. The large freestanding, tilting mirror is positioned in front of an oval window, which is good for makeup application, and the delicate glass canisters on the countertop are both pretty and functional.
6. Chic Contemporary
Inside Stories designed this Aspen, Colorado, bathroom with clean, contemporary lines and a floating vanity between a wall and a sink vanity. The continuous countertop across the two elevates the look.
Tip: If your vanity is perpendicular to a window, use a mirror with an integrated perimeter light and-or place a white, eye-height light on either side of the mirror to reduce shadows (and thus uneven makeup application).
10 Great Features to Splurge On in a Bathroom Remodel
Inside Stories designed this Aspen, Colorado, bathroom with clean, contemporary lines and a floating vanity between a wall and a sink vanity. The continuous countertop across the two elevates the look.
Tip: If your vanity is perpendicular to a window, use a mirror with an integrated perimeter light and-or place a white, eye-height light on either side of the mirror to reduce shadows (and thus uneven makeup application).
10 Great Features to Splurge On in a Bathroom Remodel
7. Sunlit Southwestern
In a rammed-earth house in Texas Hill Country, Jobe Corral Architects designed this bathroom with stunning floor-to-ceiling glass. A makeup vanity and mirror placed in front of that glazing (note the mirror is suspended from the ceiling) lets the user take advantage of all the natural light as well as the setting.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
In a rammed-earth house in Texas Hill Country, Jobe Corral Architects designed this bathroom with stunning floor-to-ceiling glass. A makeup vanity and mirror placed in front of that glazing (note the mirror is suspended from the ceiling) lets the user take advantage of all the natural light as well as the setting.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
8. Hollywood Glamour
Of course, makeup application often takes place after the sun sets. A Hollywood mirror, which has bulbs around its perimeter, brings both drama and even lighting any time of day or night to this Calabasas, California, bathroom designed by JAC Interiors. The bold stone vanity top offers a lot of surface area for tools and products.
Tip: Since natural daylight is best for makeup application, choose bulbs that replicate it as closely as possible. Most lighting pros recommend LED bulbs of 4800K to 5000K with a color rendering index (CRI) of close to 100 for makeup application. Avoid yellow lights, tinted lights and fluorescent lighting, all of which will throw off colors.
Of course, makeup application often takes place after the sun sets. A Hollywood mirror, which has bulbs around its perimeter, brings both drama and even lighting any time of day or night to this Calabasas, California, bathroom designed by JAC Interiors. The bold stone vanity top offers a lot of surface area for tools and products.
Tip: Since natural daylight is best for makeup application, choose bulbs that replicate it as closely as possible. Most lighting pros recommend LED bulbs of 4800K to 5000K with a color rendering index (CRI) of close to 100 for makeup application. Avoid yellow lights, tinted lights and fluorescent lighting, all of which will throw off colors.
9. On the L
In Austin, Texas, this bathroom by Clark Richardson Architects has a lower floating vanity situated perpendicular to the sink vanity. The L-shaped setup occupies its own private nook within the bathroom.
Tip: Heat, sunlight and moisture in a room can shorten the shelf lives of some medicines, perfumes and skin care products. Good ventilation and a separate dressing area within the bathroom can help, but check product labels for storage guidelines.
In Austin, Texas, this bathroom by Clark Richardson Architects has a lower floating vanity situated perpendicular to the sink vanity. The L-shaped setup occupies its own private nook within the bathroom.
Tip: Heat, sunlight and moisture in a room can shorten the shelf lives of some medicines, perfumes and skin care products. Good ventilation and a separate dressing area within the bathroom can help, but check product labels for storage guidelines.
10. Take a Seat
Check out that cute chair! The gold-and-furry wire seat pulled up to this Porter Ranch, California, bathroom vanity by ae design offers back support and makes a big style statement in the otherwise streamlined space.
Shop for vanity stools and benches
Check out that cute chair! The gold-and-furry wire seat pulled up to this Porter Ranch, California, bathroom vanity by ae design offers back support and makes a big style statement in the otherwise streamlined space.
Shop for vanity stools and benches
11. A Little Lift
This Merced, California, bathroom by Concept One Homes has a single-height counter that’s 36 inches high — unlike a lower vanity area between sinks that’s common in similar bathroom designs. An adjustable-height cosmetic chair with a footrest makes the higher counter height comfortable for the user.
Tip: A little stool is great for a quick perch, and it tucks out of the way when not in use. But if you have a time-consuming beauty routine, consider an adjustable-height chair that’s padded and offers back support.
This Merced, California, bathroom by Concept One Homes has a single-height counter that’s 36 inches high — unlike a lower vanity area between sinks that’s common in similar bathroom designs. An adjustable-height cosmetic chair with a footrest makes the higher counter height comfortable for the user.
Tip: A little stool is great for a quick perch, and it tucks out of the way when not in use. But if you have a time-consuming beauty routine, consider an adjustable-height chair that’s padded and offers back support.
12. Sideswept
In Colorado, Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors also opted for a single-height countertop. It’s paired with a tall stool with a clear acrylic seat that offers support without visual heft.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Your Bathroom Vanity
In Colorado, Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors also opted for a single-height countertop. It’s paired with a tall stool with a clear acrylic seat that offers support without visual heft.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Your Bathroom Vanity
13. Eclectic Elements
Along with a vintage-look rug and a rattan-back chair, a statement mirror that differs from the main sink mirror adds a bit of boho style to this traditional vanity by Charleston, South Carolina-based JLV Creative.
Tip: Soft shades are better than metal shades or bare bulbs for emitting the diffuse light suited to makeup application.
Along with a vintage-look rug and a rattan-back chair, a statement mirror that differs from the main sink mirror adds a bit of boho style to this traditional vanity by Charleston, South Carolina-based JLV Creative.
Tip: Soft shades are better than metal shades or bare bulbs for emitting the diffuse light suited to makeup application.
14. Window Dressing
A long, continuous countertop bisects a tall window in this Orange County, California, bathroom by design-build firm Casa Arte Group. A portable countertop mirror would make the sinuous seat a lovely place to sit to apply makeup, and there are also two large, illuminated mirrors flanking the window for good measure.
Shop for bathroom mirrors
A long, continuous countertop bisects a tall window in this Orange County, California, bathroom by design-build firm Casa Arte Group. A portable countertop mirror would make the sinuous seat a lovely place to sit to apply makeup, and there are also two large, illuminated mirrors flanking the window for good measure.
Shop for bathroom mirrors
15. Power Pack
Interiology Design equipped the vanity table in this Boston-area bathroom with several useful features: a lighted, extendable magnifying mirror; a large, comfortable-height mirror; different-depth drawers for storage of a variety of tools and products; and a nearby outlet for plugging in tools.
Tip: Install outlets inside your vanity drawers to keep cords under control.
Interiology Design equipped the vanity table in this Boston-area bathroom with several useful features: a lighted, extendable magnifying mirror; a large, comfortable-height mirror; different-depth drawers for storage of a variety of tools and products; and a nearby outlet for plugging in tools.
Tip: Install outlets inside your vanity drawers to keep cords under control.
16. Dark and Handsome
Marianne Kohlmann of Blue Hot Design and Lakeside Development created this rich-looking bathroom in a home on Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. The vanities’ L-shaped configuration places the makeup area in prime real estate: right in front of the large windows.
Marianne Kohlmann of Blue Hot Design and Lakeside Development created this rich-looking bathroom in a home on Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. The vanities’ L-shaped configuration places the makeup area in prime real estate: right in front of the large windows.
17. A Light Touch
A vanity mirror with integral perimeter lighting, like the one in this crisp Utah bathroom by Remedy Design Firm, is the next-best thing to natural light (though this room is full of sunshine too).
Tip: Overhead lights alone can create unflattering shadows and dark under-eye circles. That’s why you’ll notice that most of these bathrooms have layered lighting — including sconces flanking the mirrors or even pendant lights that hang at about face height — to create even, diffuse light.
A vanity mirror with integral perimeter lighting, like the one in this crisp Utah bathroom by Remedy Design Firm, is the next-best thing to natural light (though this room is full of sunshine too).
Tip: Overhead lights alone can create unflattering shadows and dark under-eye circles. That’s why you’ll notice that most of these bathrooms have layered lighting — including sconces flanking the mirrors or even pendant lights that hang at about face height — to create even, diffuse light.
18. Window Dressing
The makeup vanity in this chic Toronto bathroom by Pizzale Design has a nice, wide space for the stool and a freestanding trifold mirror with an integral magnifying mirror and perimeter lighting.
The makeup vanity in this chic Toronto bathroom by Pizzale Design has a nice, wide space for the stool and a freestanding trifold mirror with an integral magnifying mirror and perimeter lighting.
19. Do a U
Jennifer Wundrow Interior Design opted for a U-shaped layout in this large Alamo, California, bathroom, which creates pleasing symmetry and allows for ample storage space next to the makeup vanity area.
Jennifer Wundrow Interior Design opted for a U-shaped layout in this large Alamo, California, bathroom, which creates pleasing symmetry and allows for ample storage space next to the makeup vanity area.
20. Mid Mod Moment
A petite cutout offers just enough space for a drawer, a Warren Platner (or Platner-style) wire stool, a little table mirror and a slim, sculptural pendant light in this Studio Gild-designed bathroom near Palm Springs, California. The long frosted window provides privacy as well as soft, filtered sunlight.
A petite cutout offers just enough space for a drawer, a Warren Platner (or Platner-style) wire stool, a little table mirror and a slim, sculptural pendant light in this Studio Gild-designed bathroom near Palm Springs, California. The long frosted window provides privacy as well as soft, filtered sunlight.
21. Baño Bonito
In a 1924 Spanish Colonial house in Santa Monica, California, remodeled by Paul Brant Williger Architect, this lovely and light bathroom’s vanity area has a gold-tone freestanding mirror that coordinates with the golden fixtures and accessories. The little caned chair, meanwhile, adds a touch of rusticity and coordinates with the striking ceiling beams.
In a 1924 Spanish Colonial house in Santa Monica, California, remodeled by Paul Brant Williger Architect, this lovely and light bathroom’s vanity area has a gold-tone freestanding mirror that coordinates with the golden fixtures and accessories. The little caned chair, meanwhile, adds a touch of rusticity and coordinates with the striking ceiling beams.
22. The Flip Side
This French Country-style South Carolina bathroom by Gabriel Builders has a secret: The vanity countertop flips up to reveal storage and a mirror with an integral perimeter light.
This French Country-style South Carolina bathroom by Gabriel Builders has a secret: The vanity countertop flips up to reveal storage and a mirror with an integral perimeter light.
23. Natural Beauty
The vanity area in this Fairfield, Connecticut, house by GLDesign has what appears to be a circular mirror with an integral LED light and a wooden countertop that contrasts with the sink vanity tops. The sweet cushion-topped wicker chair, which coordinates with the woven pendant light above the tub, adds texture and a bit of color to the space.
The vanity area in this Fairfield, Connecticut, house by GLDesign has what appears to be a circular mirror with an integral LED light and a wooden countertop that contrasts with the sink vanity tops. The sweet cushion-topped wicker chair, which coordinates with the woven pendant light above the tub, adds texture and a bit of color to the space.
24. Round and Round
This Washington, D.C., metro-area bathroom by Balodemas Architects has a creative design with repeated round forms, including the small vessel sink and bubble-like light fixtures.
This Washington, D.C., metro-area bathroom by Balodemas Architects has a creative design with repeated round forms, including the small vessel sink and bubble-like light fixtures.
25. Have a Seat
A lighted perimeter mirror, a tilting magnifying mirror, windows with light-filtering curtains, layered lighting and two benches for lounging — the details in this Knight Architects-designed country home near Princeton, New Jersey, make it the ne plus ultra for self-care — or for party prep.
A lighted perimeter mirror, a tilting magnifying mirror, windows with light-filtering curtains, layered lighting and two benches for lounging — the details in this Knight Architects-designed country home near Princeton, New Jersey, make it the ne plus ultra for self-care — or for party prep.
Bonus: For some organizing inspo, check out the designated pullouts for hair tools and cosmetics in this Michigan bathroom by Erica Murdock - BAC Design Group.
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1. All the Angles
The vanity table in this Sacramento, California, primary bathroom by Design Shop Interiors matches the wooden sink vanities. But whereas the latter have large, frameless mirrors above them, the vanity table has a trifold mirror, which allows the user to see more angles of their hair and makeup.
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