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Wall-Hung or Floor-Standing Vanity Unit: Which Is Best for Your Bathroom?
A vanity unit gives you a basin and storage in one, but the first choice is whether it hangs on the wall or stands on the floor. Both work well — the right one depends on your space, your walls and how you use the room.
Wall-hung vanity units
A wall-hung unit is fixed to the wall with the floor left clear underneath.
Why choose one:
- The visible floor makes a small bathroom feel bigger.
- Cleaning underneath is quick — no corners for dust and water to collect.
- The fitter can set it at the height that suits the people using it.
- It suits underfloor heating, as no floor area is covered.
Things to check: the wall must be solid, or a stud wall must have timber noggins or a support frame behind it. The pipework needs to come from the wall rather than the floor, or be boxed in neatly.
Floor-standing vanity units
A floor-standing unit sits on legs or a plinth, with its weight on the floor.
Why choose one:
- More storage — the cabinet usually goes down to the floor.
- Easier to fit, with no need for a strong wall.
- Hides floor-level pipework, which makes it a good choice when replacing a pedestal basin.
- A traditional look that suits classic and Shaker-style bathrooms.
Things to check: the plinth sits in the way of mopping and can be affected by standing water, so keep the floor around it dry.
Side-by-side comparison
| Wall-hung | Floor-standing | |
|---|---|---|
| Sense of space | Better | Good |
| Storage | Good | Better |
| Cleaning the floor | Easier | Around the plinth |
| Fitting | Needs a strong wall | Simpler |
| Height | Set to suit at fitting | Fixed by the unit |
| Hiding pipework | Wall-fed pipes | Wall or floor pipes |
Which size do you need?
Measure the space you have, then allow room to stand at the basin and open the doors or drawers. As a rough guide, a 400–500mm unit suits a cloakroom or small en suite, 600mm suits most family bathrooms, and 800mm and wider works where you want a larger worktop or two people use the basin. Check the depth too — a slimline unit can make all the difference in a narrow room.
Products in this guide
Nuie Vault 400mm Wall Hung 1 Door Compact Vanity Unit with Basin
From £113.00
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Nuie Vault 400mm Floor Standing 1 Door Compact Vanity Unit with Basin
From £130.50
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Kartell K-VIT Arc 600mm Wall Mounted 2 Drawer Unit & Ceramic Basin- White Gloss (ARC600WM-W FUR149ME)
£445.50
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Kartell K-VIT City 600mm Floor Standing Unit & Ceramic Basin - White Gloss (FUR709CI-FUR057PU)
£355.29
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See the full Wall Mounted Vanity Units range · See the full Floor Mounted Vanity Units range
Frequently asked questions
Can a wall-hung vanity unit go on a stud wall?
Yes, as long as the stud wall has timber noggins or a fixing frame behind where the unit will hang. Plan this before the walls are boarded.
Are wall-hung vanity units more expensive?
Not necessarily. Many ranges are offered in both styles at similar prices. The fitting can cost a little more if the wall needs strengthening.
Which is better for a small bathroom?
A wall-hung unit usually makes a small room feel bigger, because more of the floor is on show. A compact floor-standing unit gives more storage in the same width.