Double Vanities: When They’re Worth It (And When They’re Not)

A double vanity is a bathroom upgrade that sounds instantly appealing. Two basins, more bench space, more storage, fewer arguments over the mirror in the morning. What’s not to like about this vanity size?

The thing is, double vanities are brilliant when the room actually supports them. When they’re squeezed into a bathroom that’s too small, they can do the opposite of what they’re supposed to do. Instead of making the bathroom feel more functional, they can make it feel cramped, busy and awkward to use.

So, before you commit to two basins, two mixers and a big stretch of cabinetry, it’s worth asking one simple question: will a double vanity make this bathroom better?

At Buildmat, we help customers choose bathroom vanities every day, and this is one of the decisions that comes up constantly. A double vanity can be absolutely worth it in the right bathroom, but it’s not the automatic upgrade people sometimes think it is.

Shop this fluted & curved double vanity by Otti

What Is A Double Vanity?

A double vanity is a bathroom vanity that’s wide enough to support two basins side by side. It’s usually designed for two people to use the bathroom at the same time, which is why it’s most common in master ensuites, larger family bathrooms and shared bathrooms.

In most Australian bathrooms, double vanities usually start around 1200mm, but that’s the minimum workable size rather than the dream size. For daily use by two people, we’d usually look harder at 1500mm vanities or 1800mm vanities, because that’s where each person gets elbow room, storage and usable bench space.

Vanity width	How it works as a double vanity	Our take
1200mm	Can fit two basins, but bench space is tight	Works if space is limited, but it’s not always comfortable
1500mm	Gives two people a more realistic amount of room	Best everyday choice for many shared ensuites
1800mm	Spacious, premium and genuinely comfortable	Ideal for larger master bathrooms and family bathrooms

That said, a double vanity doesn’t always need to be the biggest thing in the room. It just needs to be scaled to the bathroom.

When A Double Vanity Is Worth It

A double vanity is worth it when two people regularly need to use the bathroom at the same time. That’s the clearest use case. If two adults are getting ready for work at the same time every morning, one basin can quickly become a bottleneck.

It’s also worth it in a larger master ensuite where the vanity is intended to be a major design feature. A wide vanity can anchor the room beautifully, especially when it’s paired with matching bathroom tapware, a large bathroom mirror, or two individual mirrors above each basin.

A double vanity can also make sense in a family bathroom, particularly when kids are sharing the space. Two basins won’t magically make the morning routine peaceful, but they can reduce some of the daily traffic.

A double vanity is usually worth it if...	Why it helps
Two people get ready at the same time	It gives each person their own basin and mirror zone
The bathroom is wide enough	The vanity won’t dominate the room or compromise movement
Storage is a major issue	Wider cabinetry usually means more drawer and cupboard space
It’s a master ensuite	A double vanity can add a premium, hotel-style feel
You’re renovating for resale appeal	Larger shared bathrooms often benefit from a more generous vanity setup

The best double vanity setups are effortless. Each person has space to stand, open drawers, use the basin, set down skincare or grooming products, and move around without bumping into the other person.

When A Double Vanity Isn’t Worth It

A double vanity isn’t worth it when the bathroom has to sacrifice too much to make it fit.

If adding a double vanity means the toilet or bathtub feels squashed, the shower entry gets tight, the bathroom door hits the cabinetry, or the drawers can’t open, it’s not the right choice. A vanity should improve the room, not take it hostage.

We’d also be careful with compact ensuites. In a smaller ensuite, a generous 900mm bathroom vanity or a 1200mm single vanity can often work better than a cramped double. You might lose the second basin, but you’ll gain better bench space, better storage and a bathroom that feels calmer to use.

A double vanity might not be worth it if...	What we’d consider instead
The bathroom is narrow	A wall hung single vanity to keep the floor feeling open
The room can only fit a tight 1200mm double	A 1200mm single basin vanity with more bench space
You don’t use the bathroom at the same time	One larger basin and better storage may be more useful
Plumbing costs are getting too high	A single basin vanity keeps the layout simpler
You’re losing too much circulation space	A smaller vanity can make the room feel more expensive, not less

This is where people can get caught up in the idea of a double vanity rather than the reality of one. Two basins look great in a mood board, but if there’s nowhere to put a hairdryer, toothbrush charger, moisturiser or towel, the bathroom won’t feel more functional.

A 1200mm vanity gives you the option of two basins while keeping the look considered | SHOP NOW

The 1200mm Double Vanity Question

A 1200mm vanity is where the double vanity conversation gets interesting. It’s wide enough to technically work as a double vanity, but it’s also where the compromises start to show.

Two basins in 1200mm means each side is fairly compact. There’s less bench space between and around the basins, and the drawers or cabinet space may need to work around two wastes instead of one. For some bathrooms, that’s fine. For others, it’s a lot of hardware for not much practical gain.

If two people only occasionally use the vanity at the same time, we’d often choose a single basin 1200mm vanity instead. It gives the room a more luxurious feel because there’s more uninterrupted bench space. It’s also easier to clean and usually simpler from a plumbing point of view.

A 1200mm double vanity can still be a good choice, but we’d treat it as the compact double option, not the gold standard.

Why a 1500mm Vanity is Often The Sweet Spot

If the bathroom has the space, 1500mm bathroom vanities are often where double vanities start to feel comfortable.

At 1500mm, there’s more room for two basins, two people and a little bit of bench space. The vanity feels intentional rather than squeezed in. It’s also wide enough to create a strong design moment without completely overwhelming the bathroom.

This size works particularly well in master ensuites where two people share the space daily. You can pair it with two basin mixers, two basins, a wide mirror or two separate mirrors, and there’s still enough visual breathing room for the setup to feel balanced.

If someone asks us what size we’d start with for a true double vanity, 1500mm is usually the answer.

Shop this stunning 1800mm vanity from Otti

When a 1800mm Vanity Makes Sense

An 1800mm bathroom vanity is the premium option. It gives you the full double vanity experience: two basins, generous bench space, strong storage and that high-end master bathroom look.

This size is best for larger ensuites and family bathrooms where the vanity can sit comfortably without crowding the rest of the room. It’s not subtle, but that’s the point. An 1800mm vanity becomes one of the main architectural features in the bathroom.

If you’re choosing an 1800mm vanity, we’d make sure the rest of the room can keep up. A tiny mirror above a huge vanity won’t look right, and mismatched accessories will stand out. The best 1800mm setups are planned as a full wall: vanity, basins, tapware, mirrors, lighting and storage all working together.

Wall Hung Or Freestanding Vanity?

Once you’ve decided a double vanity is worth it, the next question is whether to go wall hung or freestanding.

A wall hung vanity gives the bathroom a lighter, more modern feel because the floor continues underneath the cabinet. That can make a big vanity feel less heavy, which is especially useful in contemporary ensuites.

A freestanding vanity has a more grounded look and can suit Hamptons, traditional, coastal and family bathrooms beautifully. It can also feel more furniture-like, which works well when the vanity is meant to be a feature.

Vanity type	Best for	What to know
Wall hung double vanity	Modern ensuites, minimalist bathrooms and rooms where you want more visible floor	Needs wall support, so plan it early with your builder
Freestanding double vanity	Hamptons, traditional, coastal and larger family bathrooms	Often feels more classic and furniture-like

Neither one is automatically better. The right choice comes down to the style of the bathroom, the wall structure and how much visual weight you want the vanity to carry.

Don’t Forget The Extras

A double vanity usually means doubling a few other things too. You’ll need to think about two basins, two mixers, enough mirror coverage, matching handles and the right accessories.

This is where the bathroom can start to look either really considered or a bit pieced together. If you’re choosing brushed nickel tapware, carry that finish through the handles, towel rails and bathroom accessories. If you’re going matte black, make it intentional across the whole space.

Buildmat’s bathroom basins, above counter basins, undermount basins, bathroom cabinet handles and bathroom accessories can help you build the whole look around the vanity, rather than treating each piece as a separate decision.

Our Rule Of Thumb With Vanities

If two people use the bathroom at the same time every day and the room can comfortably fit at least 1500mm, a double vanity is usually worth it.

If the room is tight, the plumbing is awkward, or the second basin is more about the idea than the actual need, we’d choose a larger single vanity instead. A well-proportioned single vanity will almost always feel better than a double vanity that’s been squeezed in.

Bathroom type	What we’d usually choose
Powder room	Small single vanity
Compact ensuite	750mm or 900mm single vanity
Standard ensuite	900mm or 1200mm single vanity
Shared ensuite	1500mm double vanity if space allows
Large master ensuite	1500mm or 1800mm double vanity
Family bathroom	1200mm single or 1500mm double, depending on layout

The point isn’t to fit the biggest vanity possible. It’s to choose the vanity that makes the bathroom easier to use every day.

Need Help Choosing A Double Vanity?

If you’re planning a shared bathroom, start by browsing Buildmat’s range of double vanities, bathroom vanities, 1200mm bathroom vanities, 1500mm bathroom vanities and 1800mm bathroom vanities.

If you’re in Melbourne, we’d recommend visiting the Buildmat Selection Centre in Hughesdale by appointment. Seeing the size, finish and basin setup in person makes it much easier to work out whether a double vanity is genuinely worth it for your space.

Double Vanity FAQs

What size should a double vanity be?

Most double vanities start around 1200mm, but we’d usually recommend 1500mm as the more comfortable starting point for two people using the vanity every day. An 1800mm vanity is ideal for larger master bathrooms where you want a more spacious, premium setup.

Is a 1200mm double vanity too small?

A 1200mm double vanity can work, but it can feel tight. If you’re choosing 1200mm, think carefully about how much bench space you’ll have once two basins and two mixers are included. In some bathrooms, a 1200mm single vanity will be more practical.

Should we choose one mirror or two mirrors above a double vanity?

Both can work. One large mirror creates a seamless, hotel-style look, while two individual mirrors can define each basin zone. The best option depends on the vanity width, lighting plan and overall bathroom style.

What should we pair with a double vanity?

A double vanity works best when it’s paired with matching basin tapware, basins, mirrors, cabinet handles and bathroom accessories. Keeping finishes consistent helps the bathroom feel designed rather than assembled.