Before and After: 4 Bathrooms With Fabulous Floating Vanities
These transformations show how designers used sleek vanities to create a cleaner look, lighter feel and smarter storage
Floating vanities help create a lighter, more open feel — especially in tighter spaces. They also make cleaning easier and add a sleek, modern touch. In the four California bathrooms below, designers used floating vanities to enhance both form and function. Take a look for inspiration on how to bring this space-saving feature into your own bathroom remodel.
Before Photo
After: The couple eliminated the extra bedroom closet to add 11 square feet to the bathroom, which made room for a floating double vanity and storage tower.
The flat-panel wood-look melamine vanity creates visual openness and includes a durable marble-look porcelain countertop and backsplash and spacious drawers with 4-inch flat black finger pulls. Brushed black-and-brass contemporary sconces complement the brass wall-mounted faucets and brass mirror frames. The round shape of the mirrors offers a nice balance to the hard edges of the vanity. The wall-mounted faucets coupled with undermount sinks make wiping down the countertop easy.
Sinks: Caxton, Kohler; faucet: Purist in Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass, Kohler; vanity hardware: Europa in flat black, 4 inches, Top Knobs
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The flat-panel wood-look melamine vanity creates visual openness and includes a durable marble-look porcelain countertop and backsplash and spacious drawers with 4-inch flat black finger pulls. Brushed black-and-brass contemporary sconces complement the brass wall-mounted faucets and brass mirror frames. The round shape of the mirrors offers a nice balance to the hard edges of the vanity. The wall-mounted faucets coupled with undermount sinks make wiping down the countertop easy.
Sinks: Caxton, Kohler; faucet: Purist in Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass, Kohler; vanity hardware: Europa in flat black, 4 inches, Top Knobs
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“After” photo by Photography by Leigh Ann Rowe
2. Sleek and Bold
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Mike and Jessica Beckman and their granddaughter
Location: Ladera Ranch, California
Size: 130 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer-builder: James Bailey of Sea Pointe Design & Remodel
Before: Mike and Jessica Beckman of Ladera Ranch, California, had a great experience working with designer James Bailey on their first-floor renovation. So when it came time to update their upstairs bathroom with its basic oak vanity, dark enclosed shower and aging jetted tub, they knew exactly who to call. Bailey returned to help the couple reimagine the space with a fresh, modern approach.
2. Sleek and Bold
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Mike and Jessica Beckman and their granddaughter
Location: Ladera Ranch, California
Size: 130 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer-builder: James Bailey of Sea Pointe Design & Remodel
Before: Mike and Jessica Beckman of Ladera Ranch, California, had a great experience working with designer James Bailey on their first-floor renovation. So when it came time to update their upstairs bathroom with its basic oak vanity, dark enclosed shower and aging jetted tub, they knew exactly who to call. Bailey returned to help the couple reimagine the space with a fresh, modern approach.
After: Bailey took time to understand the couple’s needs, reviewed their Houzz inspiration photos and delivered a more modern, open, spa-like retreat. At the center of the redesign is a semicustom floating double vanity topped with a marble-look quartz countertop and backsplash.
Crafted from quartersawn oak, the vanity has a warm graphite stain that echoes other gray tones in the renovated space. Matte black hardware complements the black plumbing fixtures and accents throughout. Two concrete vessel sinks in a slate finish add an organic touch with their soft rectangular shape, while wall-mounted faucets help keep the counter surface clean and clutter-free. A large custom mirror with a thin black metal frame ties in with the vanity hardware, and undercabinet lighting enhances the floating effect, adding both function and visual lightness.
Vanity hardware: Lily, Top Knobs
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Crafted from quartersawn oak, the vanity has a warm graphite stain that echoes other gray tones in the renovated space. Matte black hardware complements the black plumbing fixtures and accents throughout. Two concrete vessel sinks in a slate finish add an organic touch with their soft rectangular shape, while wall-mounted faucets help keep the counter surface clean and clutter-free. A large custom mirror with a thin black metal frame ties in with the vanity hardware, and undercabinet lighting enhances the floating effect, adding both function and visual lightness.
Vanity hardware: Lily, Top Knobs
Read more about this bathroom makeover
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
“After” photo by John Moery Photography
3. Glossy and Gorgeous
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two kids in high school
Location: Redondo Beach, California
Size: 70 square feet (6.5 square meters)
Designer: Beth Rubin of Custom Design & Construction
Before: A Redondo Beach, California, couple’s second-floor bathroom — used by their two teens and overnight guests — had a leaky shower-tub combo across from a cramped toilet and an aging vanity. This photo was taken from an entry connected to a short hallway off a bedroom, which oddly included a closet and a separate sink and vanity. To the right of the blank wall at the back of the photo, another doorway led to the main second-floor hallway. Fed up with the awkward layout, the couple brought in designer Beth Rubin to create a more functional and stylish space.
3. Glossy and Gorgeous
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two kids in high school
Location: Redondo Beach, California
Size: 70 square feet (6.5 square meters)
Designer: Beth Rubin of Custom Design & Construction
Before: A Redondo Beach, California, couple’s second-floor bathroom — used by their two teens and overnight guests — had a leaky shower-tub combo across from a cramped toilet and an aging vanity. This photo was taken from an entry connected to a short hallway off a bedroom, which oddly included a closet and a separate sink and vanity. To the right of the blank wall at the back of the photo, another doorway led to the main second-floor hallway. Fed up with the awkward layout, the couple brought in designer Beth Rubin to create a more functional and stylish space.
After: Rubin bumped the bathroom out slightly into the hallway and reshuffled the layout for a more functional flow. Now a glossy floating vanity pops against a sleek gray quartz countertop and tub surround and large-format porcelain tile walls.
The vanity’s deep blue-green lacquer finish (Grand Canal by Sherwin-Williams) echoes the glass circular-patterned tile on the toilet wall, visible in the mirror. Six soft-close drawers, including two that wrap around plumbing, feature playful half-circle pulls that meet in the middle. A 36-inch mirrored medicine cabinet with built-in lighting, power, USB ports and magnetic storage keeps clutter in check.
Medicine cabinet: AiO, 36 inches, Robern; vanity top: 5000 London Grey, Caesarstone
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Before and After: 4 Stylish Bathrooms in 150 to 190 Square Feet
The vanity’s deep blue-green lacquer finish (Grand Canal by Sherwin-Williams) echoes the glass circular-patterned tile on the toilet wall, visible in the mirror. Six soft-close drawers, including two that wrap around plumbing, feature playful half-circle pulls that meet in the middle. A 36-inch mirrored medicine cabinet with built-in lighting, power, USB ports and magnetic storage keeps clutter in check.
Medicine cabinet: AiO, 36 inches, Robern; vanity top: 5000 London Grey, Caesarstone
Read more about this bathroom makeover
Before and After: 4 Stylish Bathrooms in 150 to 190 Square Feet
“After” photo by Gina Sabatella Photography
4. Bright and Balanced
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their baby
Location: Burbank, California
Size: 44 square feet (4.1 square meters)
Designer: Neela Woodard Design
Contractor: John Brennan Construction
Before: At just 44 square feet, this Burbank, California, primary bathroom felt cramped. A bulky vanity and oversize tub surround overwhelmed the space, while flimsy bifold doors at the wide bedroom entry added to the awkward layout. The homeowners, a color-loving couple with a passion for midcentury modern style, brought in Neela Woodard Design and John Brennan Construction to turn the bland setup into a bright, streamlined retreat.
4. Bright and Balanced
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their baby
Location: Burbank, California
Size: 44 square feet (4.1 square meters)
Designer: Neela Woodard Design
Contractor: John Brennan Construction
Before: At just 44 square feet, this Burbank, California, primary bathroom felt cramped. A bulky vanity and oversize tub surround overwhelmed the space, while flimsy bifold doors at the wide bedroom entry added to the awkward layout. The homeowners, a color-loving couple with a passion for midcentury modern style, brought in Neela Woodard Design and John Brennan Construction to turn the bland setup into a bright, streamlined retreat.
After: Woodard removed the tub and reworked the layout, placing the toilet on one side, the vanity on the other and a spacious shower stall along the back wall.
She swapped the bulky vanity for a 36-inch floating version to keep the room feeling light and open. A custom half wall on the left helps nestle the ready-made piece into the space, giving it a built-in look. The vanity’s large, U-shaped drawers wrap around the P-trap for efficient storage, while a mirrored medicine cabinet adds even more function. Matte black wall-mounted faucets free up counter space, and the vanity’s warm wood tones contrast beautifully with the bold teal accent tiles in the new shower.
Plumbing fixtures: Brizo; tile: Roca
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She swapped the bulky vanity for a 36-inch floating version to keep the room feeling light and open. A custom half wall on the left helps nestle the ready-made piece into the space, giving it a built-in look. The vanity’s large, U-shaped drawers wrap around the P-trap for efficient storage, while a mirrored medicine cabinet adds even more function. Matte black wall-mounted faucets free up counter space, and the vanity’s warm wood tones contrast beautifully with the bold teal accent tiles in the new shower.
Plumbing fixtures: Brizo; tile: Roca
Read more about this bathroom makeover
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
Browse bathroom photos
Find a bathroom designer
Shop for your bathroom
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1. Warm and Modern
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Kaveh and Alena Zoghi and their daughter
Location: San Clemente, California
Size: 88 square feet (8.2 square meters)
Designers: Kaveh and Alena Zoghi of Eskan Design Build
Before: Design-build firm owners Kaveh and Alena Zoghi set out to apply their professional expertise to renovate the 77-square-foot primary bathroom in their recently purchased 1960s home in San Clemente, California. The space felt cold and outdated, with a standard wood vanity and basic white tile with dark grout. A wall across from the vanity — part of an extra closet in the primary bedroom — created a cramped path to the toilet at the back of the room. Wanting a more open layout and a soft modern look with warm, inviting finishes, the couple turned to Houzz photos for inspiration.