15 Bathroom Vanity Ideas I’m Choosing Instead of Floating Cabinets This Year
For years, floating bathroom vanities have been the default choice. I’ve specified them, installed them, and recommended them countless times. They promised lightness, modernity, and visual space. But going into this year, I’m moving away from them. Not because they’re wrong, but because they’ve become predictable and often disconnected from how bathrooms are used.
What I’m seeing now is a return to vanities that behave more like furniture and architectural elements. Instead of trying to disappear from the wall, these designs ground the room, introduce structure, and add material presence. Legs, frames, consoles, and sculptural forms are replacing the floating box, creating bathrooms that feel more composed and less template-driven.
The vanity styles below are the ones I’m paying attention to right now. They move away from the familiar floating cabinet and focus instead on proportion, permanence, and how the vanity relates to the room as a whole, not just how modern it looks on its own.
Framed console vanity with exposed legs
I like this vanity because it treats the sink like a piece of furniture, not a wall attachment. The exposed frame keeps the room feeling open, but it still has weight and presence, unlike most floating cabinets. It works well with wainscoting or paneled walls, where a floating vanity can feel disconnected.
Grounded furniture-style vanity with integrated storage
I’m choosing this type of vanity because it feels composed and deliberate, not weightless. The cabinet sits on slim legs, which keeps it light, but the solid body gives the bathroom a sense of furniture-scale balance that floating cabinets often lack. I like this approach when I want storage, warmth, and presence without breaking the wall plane.
Industrial console vanity with stone basins
I’m drawn to this Porcelanosa setup because it replaces the idea of a cabinet. The exposed metal frame and solid stone basins make the vanity feel architectural rather than built-in, which gives the bathroom more visual depth. It’s a strong alternative to floating cabinets when I want the sink area to feel intentional, graphic, and designed as an object in the room.
Compact floor-mounted vanity with integrated storage
I like this style for small bathrooms where a floating cabinet would feel more like a compromise than a solution. Sitting on the floor gives it visual stability, while the built-in sink and drawers keep everything efficient and contained. It’s a practical alternative I use when space is tight but I still want the vanity to feel complete and intentional.
Extended vanity with built-in bench surface
This layout treats the vanity as a horizontal zone rather than a single cabinet. The extended surface adds space for daily use, storage, or seating, which makes the bathroom feel calmer and more resolved. It works especially well when the vanity needs to anchor the wall instead of disappearing like a floating unit.
Ornate furniture vanity with curved front
This vanity leans into furniture design, not bathroom minimalism. The curved front, carved detailing, and marble top give it presence that floating cabinets can’t replicate. It works best in bathrooms meant to feel composed and decorative, where the vanity is part of the room’s character, not something trying to disappear.
Classic double vanity with framed cabinetry
This style brings balance and symmetry back into the bathroom. The framed doors, solid base, and generous proportions make the vanity feel permanent and well-anchored. I use this approach when the space benefits from structure and visual weight rather than the lightness of a floating unit.
Modern console vanity with integrated lighting
Here, the vanity reads as a clean architectural block rather than a cabinet. The integrated lighting and thin legs keep it light, but it still feels grounded. This is a good alternative when I want a modern look without committing to a fully floating installation.
Double sink console with angled wood supports
The angled legs and open structure make this vanity feel more like a piece of furniture than built-in storage. It introduces warmth and rhythm through the wood supports while keeping the room open. I like this solution for shared bathrooms that need visual balance without wall-mounted cabinetry.
Compact basin-forward vanity with exposed sink
This design lets the sink take center stage, with the cabinet acting as a supporting element. The deep basin and wall-mounted faucet shift attention upward, reducing the visual bulk below. It’s a strong option when space is limited but the vanity still needs personality.
Curved-leg vanity with sculptural profile
The curved legs and soft silhouette give this vanity a lighter, more refined presence. Instead of relying on floating tricks, it creates openness through form and proportion. I often use this style when the bathroom needs elegance without looking modern.
Freestanding pedestal sinks replacing vanities entirely
This setup removes the vanity concept altogether. Pedestal sinks paired with tall mirrors and minimal accessories create a gallery-like effect that feels intentional and uncluttered. It’s a direction I prefer in bathrooms where storage is handled elsewhere and the goal is visual clarity.
Traditional furniture vanity with carved legs
This vanity borrows from antique furniture proportions. The carved legs, marble top, and decorative mirror give it presence without feeling heavy. It works best in bathrooms meant to feel layered and decorative, where the vanity acts as a focal piece rather than a background element.
Chrome console vanity with integrated basin
This setup blends early 20th-century bathroom design with a clean, modern edge. The exposed chrome structure keeps the space open, while the integrated sink provides enough surface to feel practical. It’s a strong alternative when floating cabinets feel too minimal for the room.
Live-edge wood vanity with open shelving
Here, the countertop becomes the statement instead of the cabinet. The live-edge wood introduces warmth and texture, while the open shelf below keeps everything light and accessible. I like this approach when the goal is to soften modern bathrooms without adding visual bulk.
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