6 Tips for Building a Custom Bathroom Vanity

If you're tired of squeezing your things into a vanity that was never designed for your space, it might be time to build your own. A custom vanity gives you more than just style options – it gives you the chance to choose the size, storage, basin placement, and finish that actually work for how you use your bathroom.

At Buildmat, we make customising your vanity easy. You can start with a wall-hung or freestanding vanity base, then choose everything from your benchtop and basin position to the handle shape and colour. Here’s how to get it right.

You can customise this gorgeous 1500mm wall-hung ADP vanity to suit your bathroom.

ADP 1500mm Waverley Wall Hung Vanity

1502 wide x 367 high x 500 deep Features..

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How to Build a Custom Vanity

1. Start with your vanity size

Before you choose colours or finishes, lock in the size that works for your space. That means looking beyond what technically fits and thinking about how the vanity will feel in the room, especially when you’re using it every day. At Buildmat, custom vanities are available in widths from 465mm to 1800mm, so you can find the right fit for everything from powder rooms to dual-basin master ensuites.

What to consider:

Wall width: Measure the wall where the vanity will sit, then subtract any skirting, pipe boxing or wall features.
Front clearance: Leave at least 600mm in front of the vanity so you can stand, open doors or drawers and not feel cramped.
Side clearance: Allow enough space between the vanity and nearby walls, showers or toilets – 150–300mm is a safe buffer.
Door and drawer swing: Make sure the unit won’t block other fixtures when opened.

Popular custom vanity sizes

465mm freestanding vanity to 600mm freestanding vanity: Great for powder rooms or tight ensuites. or
👉 Try: Aulic Maya 600mm Floorstanding Vanity or Aulic Revit 465mm Floorstanding Vanity
750mm freestanding vanity – The sweet spot for most small-to-medium bathrooms
👉 Try: Aulic Max 750mm Floorstanding Vanity
Freestanding bathroom vanity 900mm – More bench space, better storage, still compact
👉 Try: Aulic Leona 900mm Floorstanding Vanity
Bathroom vanity 1200mm freestanding – Ideal for couples or busy bathrooms with shared use
👉 Try: Aulic Alice 1200mm Floorstanding Vanity
1500mm freestanding vanity to 1800mm freestanding vanity – Best for large bathrooms, master en-suites or when you want a double basin setup or
👉 Try: Aulic 1500mm Varcelli Floor Standing Vanity or Aulic 1800mm Varcelli Floor Standing Vanity

Once you’ve nailed the size, you can focus on the customisation details like the bench top, basin, finish and more.

Freestanding vanities are a popular option for traditional bathrooms.

Aulic Aulic 1800mm Varcelli Floor Standing Vanity

The Varcelli floor-standing vanity bring..

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3. Choose between a freestanding vanity and a wall-hung vanity

Once you’ve chosen your size, the next step is deciding whether your vanity should be a wall-hung or freestanding vanity. Both styles are fully customisable at Buildmat, but they offer different looks, install requirements, and storage setups.

Wall-hung vanities

Mounted off the floor, these give your bathroom a clean, floating look and make the room feel more open, especially in small or narrow layouts.

Best for:

Modern, minimalist or small bathrooms
Easy-to-clean floors
Visual lightness in compact spaces

Tip: You’ll need a solid wall or blocking to support the weight. This can be sorted at rough-in stage during a renovation.

Freestanding vanities

These sit directly on the floor and often suit more traditional or transitional bathrooms. They’re easier to install in homes with floor plumbing, and they give the room a more grounded, built-in feel.

Best for:

Classic or family-style bathrooms
Where plumbing comes through the floor
Heavier benchtop or double-bowl setups

Freestanding units don’t require wall bracing, so they’re often a smoother install in existing builds.

3. Choose your benchtop

When you build a custom vanity with Buildmat, the benchtop isn’t locked in. Depending on the range you choose, you can pick from a wide selection of surfaces, from classic ceramic to premium solid surfaces in stone-inspired finishes.

Your options may include:

Crystal Ceramic – a glossy, durable surface that’s easy to clean and suits most bathroom styles
Stone-style tops like Cato, Snow, Palis or Pure – soft matte finishes that bring texture without being heavy
Premium solid surfaces like Cherry Pie or Durasein – available on select ADP vanities and perfect for a seamless, high-end look

Some custom vanities include the benchtop with a basin cut-out, while others let you customise the position or choose a top-only cabinet so you can pair it with an above-counter basin.

How to choose the right top for your bathroom style

Your vanity top has a big impact on the look and feel of the room. Here’s how to narrow it down:

For a bright, clean space: Go for a white ceramic or solid surface like Cherry Pie Bright White. These reflect light and work well with chrome or brushed nickel tapware.
For a soft, natural feel: Try a matte stone-style top in warm tones. These pair beautifully with timber-look cabinetry and brushed brass or black fixtures.
For a statement look: Go bolder with terrazzo-style tops or veined finishes like Calacatta. Pair with sleek matte black tapware and a sculptural basin.

Need a basin to match? Browse our bathroom basins and tapware collection to complete your setup.

4. Pick a basin style and placement

When you build a custom vanity, you don’t have to work around a pre-cut basin, you get to choose what fits your layout and how you actually use the space. Depending on the vanity range, you can go for above-counter, undermount, or top-only (no basin included). Many styles also let you choose the basin position – centred, or offset to the left or right.

What to consider:

Centre bowl: Best for symmetrical layouts or when one person is using the space. It keeps things balanced and works well with mirrors and overhead lighting.
Offset bowl: Ideal if you need more bench space on one side – for styling, shared use, or awkward wall positions. Available on vanities like the ADP Waverley range.
Double bowl: Great for wider vanities (like 1500mm or 1800mm) in shared ensuites. Just make sure your plumbing can support it and you have enough wall space for mirrors above.

Basin style options:

Above-counter basins. Sit on top of the vanity and make more of a statement. Great for modern bathrooms and pairing with wall-mounted taps.
Undermount basins. Seamless and easy to clean — ideal for a clean, low-profile look with solid surface tops.
No basin (top-only). Gives you full freedom to pair your favourite basin and choose your tap and waste layout. Perfect for more design-led spaces.

Browse Buildmat’s basin collection to find styles that match your top and tapware.

5. Choose your finish and handle style

Once you’ve locked in the layout, size, basin and top, it’s time to make the vanity feel like yours. Buildmat’s custom vanity options give you control over both the cabinet finish and the handle style, or you can go completely handle-free with push-to-open drawers for a cleaner look.

Cabinet finishes

Depending on the range, you can choose from:

Matte white – clean, timeless, and suits almost any tile or tapware
Woodgrain finishes – from soft Coastal Oak to deeper tones like Florentine Walnut or Prime Oak V-Groove, ideal for Japandi or organic styles
Textured V-Groove panels – available on ADP vanities like the Waverley range, perfect for adding a subtle, tactile detail without going full shaker-style

Tip: Wood-look cabinets pair well with matte black tapware or brushed brass tapware, while white or ultra-light cabinetry works best with chrome or brushed nickel.

Handle options

Some vanities include handles as standard. Others, like many ADP models, let you select from:

Aria – a modern, curved profile in finishes like matte black, brushed nickel or brushed brass
Francis – slightly chunkier, classic shape with a bit more presence
Blaze – sleek and minimal, available in white, black and metal finishes
Push-to-open – handle-free drawers for a cleaner, more minimalist look

Your handle finish should tie back to your basin tapware and accessories, or contrast softly if you’re layering tones.

6. Tapware, waste and final touches

Once your vanity is sorted with the size, top, basin, finish, and handles, it’s time to bring the whole look together. The right tapware and waste finish can make your custom vanity feel polished and cohesive.

Tapware placement

Depending on your basin and benchtop, your tapware will either be:

Bench-mounted – easiest with above-counter basins
Wall-mounted – great for a minimalist look or if you want to keep the benchtop clean

Make sure your plumbing matches the setup you choose, and keep in mind where the basin is positioned (centre or offset) when aligning your tapware.

Browse vanity tapware options

Waste finish

If you’ve chosen your own basin, make sure the basin waste plug matches your tapware and any handles or accessories. Buildmat stocks pop-up wastes and plug-and-waste sets in chrome, matte black, brushed brass, brushed nickel and gunmetal.

Don’t forget...

Mirrors – round or pill-shaped mirrors help soften the vanity zone
Wall lights – if your basin is offset, consider asymmetric wall lighting to balance it
Towel rails and robe hooks – match these with your handle or tapware finish for consistency

A custom vanity gives you more control over the little details that make a difference.

Otti Australia Byron 1200mm Natural Oak Wall Hung Vanity Double Bowl

BYRON 1190mm NATURAL OAK WALL HUNG CABIN..

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Why Should You Build a Custom Vanity?

Customising your bathroom vanity gives you something off-the-shelf models rarely can: the exact combination of size, storage, style and functionality you need for your space. Whether you're dealing with a tricky layout, need more benchtop room, or just want something that looks like it was made for your bathroom (because it was), going custom means you don’t have to settle.

Benefits of a custom vanity:

Made to fit – no wasted space or awkward gaps
More size options – from 465mm vanities all the way to 1800mm bathroom vanities
Control over the details – pick your top, basin style, finish and handles
Storage that suits your routine – drawers, cupboards, open shelves, or a mix
Looks intentional – a better match for your tapware, bathroom tiles and overall style

Start Building Your Custom Vanity Today

Whether you’re planning a full bathroom reno or just want a vanity that actually works for your space, Buildmat makes customising easy. Choose your size, top, basin position, finish and fittings, all in one place.

Start building your custom vanity

FAQs

Can I choose where the basin goes?

Yes, many custom vanities let you choose a centre, left, or right offset basin layout. This is ideal if you need extra bench space or want to align plumbing with your existing setup.

Do custom vanities come with a basin and tapware?

It depends on the range. Some come as cabinet only, some with a top but no basin, and others let you select basin and tapware separately. Always check what’s included or customise your setup during the order process.

How long does a custom vanity take to arrive?

Most custom vanities take 3 to 6 weeks, depending on finishes, supplier lead times, and your location. If you’re working to a renovation timeline, check ETA before finalising your order.

Can I customise wall-hung and freestanding vanities?

Yes, Buildmat offers full customisation across both wall-hung and freestanding vanities in widths from 465mm to 1800mm.

How much does a custom vanity cost?

It depends on the size, top, and finish you choose. At Buildmat, custom vanities start from around $460 for a compact cabinet and can go up to $4,600+ for premium, double-bowl styles with solid surface tops. Expect to pay more for larger widths (1200mm, 1500mm, 1800mm), stone-look or solid surface benchtops, and optional extras like basins, handles, or plug & waste kits