In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best ideas you can try. Find out how you can set up and design the perfect bathroom vanity. Feel free to use and combine these creative ideas to achieve the modern floating vanity you’ve always wanted.
What is a Floating Vanity?
A floating vanity is a bathroom vanity that is entirely attached or mounted directly to the wall. It doesn’t have any supporting structure, unlike that of a regular freestanding vanity. This means it doesn’t have any base underneath, or any part that connects the vanity to the floor—it maximizes wall space. This is why it’s an appealing option for people aiming for modern aesthetics.
20 Best Modern Floating Vanity Ideas
If you consider what’s trending nowadays, there are a lot of ways you can create a stylish vanity with a modern design. Consider these ideas to add both style and vanity functionality to your bathroom:
1. Go For Double Trouble
If you have a large bathroom to utilize, or if it’s a shared bathroom space at home, you can go extra with your floating vanity. Instead of a regular single sink vanity, consider getting and using a double floating vanity. It offers twice the benefits—storage, style, and bathroom convenience. It will typically have bigger storage and more counter space. Not only that, you will also have two sinks—perfect for a bathroom used by multiple people. This can make it easier for your family to get ready every day.
2. Pick a Unique Shape
For some unique modern or contemporary style, you should consider getting a floating vanity with a unique shape. It can be something like curved wood or wavy. This offers more creativity and uniqueness in the bathroom—it’s nothing like the typical straight lines from rectangular or square vanities. Aside from the main vanity’s shape, you can pick and partner it with a unique mirror shape as well—tear-shape, wavy frame, etc. With such a combination, you can create a more distinctive bathroom look.
3. Use a Marble Countertop
Some of the most luxurious countertops are those made of marble. As a material, marble is a natural stone with a clean, light, and white color. This makes it perfect for almost all kinds of vanity styles and designs, especially modern and contemporary. Plus, if you get a vanity where the marble is paired with wood, the whole vanity can add some touch of richness to the bathroom.
Additionally, marble is very durable. Getting a vanity with a top made of marble can definitely ensure that you can use the vanity for a long time.
4. Add a Modern Backsplash
Backsplashes have two main purposes: protection and design. If you’re using the same bathroom with other people, like your family members, a backsplash can help prevent damage to the bathroom. With many people using the sink, water splashes can’t be prevented, especially if you have kids. But with a backsplash, you can avoid suffering from moisture damage.
Plus, to achieve a modern-style vanity and bathroom look, pair the furniture with a modern backsplash. It can be tiles, mirrors, or whatever backsplash is included in the vanity you’ll purchase. Make sure it comes in the same palette theme you’re using to ensure the comprehensiveness of the overall look.
5. Use a Neutral Palette
Modern designs are typically defined by the clean lines and palette they use—neutral. Although there are some colors that are used for achieving modern designs, neutral colors are the most common. These colors include white, beige, gray, tan, ivory, cream, brown, and black. So, if you want to ensure that you have a modern vanity, pick one that comes in these finishes. At the same time, to complete the look, it would also be best to use other neutral colors when it comes to decorations, hardware, and other things you plan to put near the vanity or in the bathroom.
6. Customize the Height
Remember that since you mount a floating vanity directly to the wall, you have the freedom to customize its installation height. This means the exact height from the floor, not the specific height of the vanity itself. With this advantage, you can install it at a height that works best for you and any other user of the vanity.
For example, if it would be children that will be using the vanity, you can install it at a lower height. This would also be good for people who might be struggling with mobility and have to use devices, like a wheelchair. Or, if the bathroom users have relatively taller heights, you can install it at a little higher height. This way, not only would you be able to achieve style but maximize the functionality of the vanity as well.
7. Add Some Lights
You can make your vanity more modern and stylish by using some lighting fixtures. Illuminate the vanity and your bathroom at the same time with some integrated lighting. Install some LED lights underneath the floating vanity. Since it looks like it’s ‘floating’ off the floor, the lights will make the vanity more modern and even luxurious.
The lights under the vanity can add a soft, ambient glow to the whole setup. This enhances the benefits offered by the vanity. With lights, the visibility of the space is improved. This will make it easier to do your daily routines and can even make it safer for everyone.
8. Enhance With a Mirror
Vanities need mirrors, but you can use them not just for functionality—elevate style with them. You can choose to use a large and wide mirror. This can provide ultimate reflection and convenience when getting ready every day. It can also reflect more light and add depth and dimension to the bathroom space. Or, you can also opt for smaller mirrors and use multiple of them instead. This is a good idea especially if you have a double sink vanity.
Additionally, don't forget that you can get uniquely shaped mirrors. Plus, adding some lighting isn’t just for the vanity, you can add some to the mirrors as well. You can place LEDs at the back or frame of the mirror. You can even get one of those smart mirrors that have defoggers so you don’t have to worry about moisture after taking a shower. Or, you can make it look like a vanity mirror with the lights on the mirrors. These options can transform the way the whole vanity looks, and even the bathroom.
9. Match the Vanity to the Wall
For a more complete or well-organized modern look in the bathroom, you can match the floating vanity finish to the surrounding wall color. This can create a more minimalist look as well. For example, if the vanity you bought is in a white or neutral color, make sure that the wall is in the same color. Or, if you don’t want to paint your walls a new color, you can simply buy a vanity that comes in the same color.
Simultaneously, this doesn’t have to be about colors only. You can also add some wooden panels to your walls to match the wooden elements of your vanity. Color, material, etc—you can pick anything as long as the vanity and the walls match.
10. Go For No Hardware
The hardware, or knobs and handles, of the drawers and cabinets of vanities affect the overall style of the furniture. They can make it look more luxurious, minimalist, rustic, and more. But this doesn’t mean that you need knobs and handles to use a vanity and its drawers. That’s why, for a modern-style vanity, you can opt to buy a vanity without hardware—handleless drawers and cabinets.
This will make the vanity look more seamless and sleek and can help highlight other design elements. Plus, many modern vanities in the market today are handleless so you will definitely have many options to choose from. One good example is the James Martin Alicante Single Floating Vanity. It’s available in a white finish with a white composite stone top and handleless cabinet doors.
11. Create a Contrast
Going for a modern and contemporary vanity doesn’t mean you can’t utilize your creativity skills. Even if you decide to use a neutral palette or other strong modern colors, you can always create a contrast in your vanity and bathroom space. You can play with the dark and light colors to create a contemporary look.
For example, you can pick a floating vanity with a black or dark finish. But, you have to make sure that its countertop is in a lighter color, like a white composite stone top. This creates a dark and light contrast, which is extremely popular in many modern vanities. Plus, a good color combination can make everything look luxurious and striking.
12. Make It Age-Appropriate
Aside from focusing on the style, you also want to make sure that the vanity is functional to its users. This isn’t just about the height, this applies to the build of the vanity, design elements, the sink, and even the mirror as well. For example, in terms of color or finish, you can make it more age-appropriate for kids, like a navy blue and white combination. This will still look modern and still have that contrast effect.
At the same time, kids or teenagers might want ‘cooler’ hardware than no hardware at all. So, you can pick a vanity with subtle hardware or handle designs instead of the elaborate knobs and hardware.
13. Try Open Shelves
Floating vanities are used and placed in bathrooms not just for the counter space they offer, the sink, and their style. One of the major functions of vanities, in general, is to provide storage space. You can use this space for all kinds of bathroom essentials and supplies. But, storage spaces don't always have to be drawers and cabinets. You can also try open shelves.
For example, with the James Martin Alicante Vanity, you get both cabinets and open shelves. The open shelving design adds a distinctly modern touch to any vanity. Plus, open shelves make it easier to access supplies and make it possible to show your organizational skills. You can even use them for some decorations, like small plants or other modern pieces.
14. Pair With a Waterfall Faucet
Your personalization and creativity options don't stop with the vanity finish or storage options. You can also enhance the modern style by paying attention to its other components, like the faucets. Instead of the regular or common faucet styles, you can consider pairing your vanity and sink with a waterfall faucet. This is a faucet type that provides a cascading water flow. It usually has a wide spout rather than a long one, creating a stunning visual effect—it makes the stream of water look like a waterfall.
By using such a faucet, you can create a unique water flow effect when using your vanity, especially the sink. Plus, take note that modern design doesn’t only rely on visuals or appearance, it can also be the functionality of the item. With a unique waterfall flow design, the faucet can offer a unique touch of modern style to your vanity.
15. Choose a Vessel Sink
Aside from the faucet, you can improve the style of a vanity with its sink. To be more modern and contemporary, you can choose to use a vessel sink. This is a sink that sits directly on top of the vanity’s countertop. Not only does this save space but it’s also ideal for smaller vanities and smaller bathrooms. It also provides an excellent mix of modern and contemporary design and feel, unlike other sink types. Plus, it’s currently popular for many modern, contemporary, and minimalist vanities.
Additionally, you can pick a unique sink material if you want more style. For example, you can go for a marble sink or contrast the vanity with a darker material, like a black granite sink. At the same time, you can even get it in unique shapes—not the plain and regular rectangular ones. You can get it in a round shape, tub shape, oval, leaf shape, and more.
16. Consider a Glass Basin
Aside from mirrors, other glass accents and elements in a floating vanity can enhance its modern and sophisticated appearance. Moreover, glass can make the vanity, and even the bathroom, look more spacious. Cleaning and maintenance wouldn’t be a problem as well since glass is typically easy to clean. One of the parts you can get in a glass material is the basin or sink.
Get a glass basin, in your preferred shape, to contribute to the airy feel of the floating vanity. Since it will be a see-through sink, using it will give a unique feel to any user. Plus, if you want to make it more stylish, you can even add some lighting to bring it to life. You can place some LED lighting strips around the basin and pair them with some lighting underneath the vanity. However, it’s best to counter this design decision with a dark-colored countertop or vanity finish—this creates contrast.
17. Combine Modern and Industrial
If you think a plain or an all-modern vanity is too boring for your bathroom and preferences, you can mix some other styles in the vanity design. One of the best options you can consider is a modern industrial design. A floating vanity will have more appeal and boldness with a touch of both modern and industrial styles.
With a modern industrial floating vanity, you can get a vanity with a blend of smooth design elements and rough ones. For example, you can get a floating vanity with some metal and rough details, like steel and rough wooden finishes. You can also opt for a vanity with a concrete countertop for the industrial touch. This design combination is perfect for people who want to balance modern and edgy aesthetics in their bathroom space.
18. Place It In the Corner
Whether you have a big or small bathroom, one of the best ways to maximize and save space is to use every inch of the room. To achieve this, you should consider placing the floating vanity in the corner of the room. This is especially ideal if you want to get rid of that awkward corner space in your bathroom. With a modern vanity neatly mounted into the corner, the space can look more stylish and well-planned. Plus, you don’t need to compromise on style and storage when you decide to place your vanity in the corner.
However, take note that you have to make sure that you can install the vanity in a corner before buying one. This is because not all vanity designs and builds are ideal for the shape of corners. For example, you can’t conveniently place a rectangular vanity in the corner—you won’t be able to easily use it.
19. Hide Your Pipes
One of the best characteristics and features of a modern vanity is its sleek and clean look. Aside from cleaning and organizing things in the vanity, one way to maintain that clean look is by hiding your pipes. Since the vanity comes with the sink, there will definitely be pipelines for the water. But, these pipes can be an eyesore and wouldn’t look great if you want to achieve a modern and contemporary style in the bathroom. So, you can avoid this by hiding the plumbing pipes of your floating vanity.
There are different ways you can do that and still maintain an attractive look. These include:
- Plumbing Chase
This is when you cut out a part of the vanity in the exact shape and sizes of the pipes. This results in a neat and clean way of hiding pipes without having to add extra items or parts.
- False Drawer Front
This is where you use a drawer as a front to hide an individual pipe or a group of them without the need to modify the vanity or the bathroom space.
- Pipe Covers
This is the most popular option as it provides a quick way of hiding pipes. However, take note that using covers may not create a completely seamless look for your vanity and bathroom. But if you really want to use pipe covers, look for ones that would complement the modern design of your vanity. Plus, make sure to use them in the best way that would make it organized at least.
20. Add Some Extra Storage Below
Floating vanities are known for their airy feel and look. This is because of the elaborate space they have underneath the vanity. But, if you think it’s a waste to not use that space for your other bathroom needs, you can try this option. With that space, you can add some additional storage for your bathroom essentials and supplies.
For this extra storage, you can opt to use baskets, open shelves, and other organizing units. However, make sure to get them in the right size. For a clean and sleek look, make sure they’re not bigger than the vanity size and just fit well within the dimensions of the vanity. It would also be best to not use all of that free height for extra storage so you can keep the airy and modern look of your vanity.
Conclusion
A modern floating vanity is mainly defined by its sleek and seamless design—but that’s not all. It can also have a touch of uniqueness, creativity, and even of other styles. As long as you have the right idea and inspiration, you can achieve a modern look in a lot of different ways. Modify its finish, components, height, and more—your opportunities are endless.
If you want to check out some vanity options, you can visit our floating vanity collection. We offer a wide range of products with quality designs from reliable brands to help you achieve both a stylish and functional bathroom space!