Storage is the real brief
Ask a family what is wrong with their bathroom and storage is almost always on the list. There is nowhere to put things, so they end up on the benchtop, the windowsill, the edge of the bath and the top of the toilet cistern.
A renovation is the moment to fix it properly.
Vanities
Size to the wall
Measure the wall and work out the largest vanity that still leaves the door, toilet and shower clear. A vanity that is 150 mm wider can hold a lot more.
Depth
Standard vanities are around 460 to 500 mm deep. In a narrow 1970s bathroom, 400 mm keeps the room navigable. In a larger ensuite, a deeper unit gives more storage.
Drawers
- A shaped top drawer that wraps around the waste pipe
- Deep lower drawers for hairdryers, straighteners and bulk items
- Drawer dividers so small things do not become a jumble
- Soft-close runners rated for daily heavy use — kids slam drawers
Wall-hung or on a kickboard?
Wall-hung shows more floor and makes mopping easy. It needs solid fixing into studs or noggins.
Kickboard vanities sit on the floor with a recessed plinth. They offer a little more storage and are very sturdy — handy if children climb on the vanity to reach the tap.
Double basins
Two basins work if at least two people get ready at the same time and there is room. Leave enough benchtop between them to put things down. On a shorter wall, one wide basin with two sets of drawers can work better.
Tops after the engineered stone ban
Engineered stone has been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024.
- Compact laminate — thin, extremely tough, water-resistant, affordable
- Standard laminate — the budget option, fine with good edge sealing
- Porcelain slab — hard, stain-resistant, stone-look options
- Solid surface — seamless with integrated basins, repairable
- Natural stone — beautiful but needs sealing and care
For a family bathroom, compact laminate and porcelain give the best balance of durability and price.
Storage above and around the vanity
Mirror shaving cabinet. A recessed cabinet set into the stud wall is the most efficient storage in a bathroom. It keeps medication and razors up high and off the bench.
Tall cabinet. A floor-to-ceiling cabinet 300 to 400 mm wide holds towels, toilet paper and cleaning products. Fit a lock or latch on the section with chemicals.
Shower niche. A tiled recess for shampoo bottles, sized for a family's collection rather than one bottle.
Towel hooks at two heights. One set for adults, a lower set for kids.
A bath-toy spot. A wall-mounted mesh basket or a niche near the bath stops toys living on the bath edge.
Materials that cope
Bathrooms in Macarthur homes get steamy in winter when windows stay shut. Specify:
- Moisture-resistant board for carcasses, with all edges sealed
- Laminate, thermolaminate or two-pack fronts
- Handles that are easy to grip and clean, or finger-pull profiles
- Good ventilation, which protects joinery as much as ceilings
Ensuites and powder rooms
In an ensuite, a double vanity or a wide single with two sets of drawers takes pressure off in the morning. In a powder room, a compact wall-hung basin with a small drawer or shelf is usually enough. See ensuites and second bathrooms.
Laundry cabinetry
The same principles apply in the laundry — see laundry renovations.
Cost
As a 2026 guide: a quality stock vanity with laminate or porcelain top, $1,200 to $3,000 supplied; a custom double vanity, $3,500 to $7,000; a recessed shaving cabinet, $500 to $1,500 plus framing. See the price page.
The builder
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request.
Call 02 4601 3691 or send the room details.
Questions people ask before they commit
Is a double vanity worth it?
If two people regularly get ready at the same time and the wall is at least about 1,500 mm long, yes. On a shorter wall, one basin with a wide benchtop and two banks of drawers is often more practical.
What vanity top should we choose now engineered stone is banned?
Engineered stone has been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024. Good options for a family bathroom include compact laminate, standard laminate, porcelain slab, solid surface with an integrated basin, and natural stone for those willing to seal and maintain it.
Drawers or doors?
Drawers in almost every case. Everything is visible from above, nothing gets lost at the back, and the drawer around the waste pipe can be shaped to fit. Doors suit tall cabinets.
How do we keep chemicals away from children?
Put cleaning products in a high cabinet or fit child-safety latches to one lower drawer. It is much easier to plan this during the renovation than to retrofit later.
What does a new vanity cost as part of a renovation?
As a 2026 guide, a good-quality stock vanity with a laminate or porcelain top is typically $1,200 to $3,000 supplied. Custom-made double vanities with drawers and a stone or porcelain top commonly run $3,500 to $7,000.