The right vanity starts with a tape measure. Every Davenport cabinet is built to order in set sizes, so a few careful measurements up front make the difference between a vanity that fits and one that feels made for the room.
Start with the wall
Measure the full width of the wall where the vanity will go, then note anything that interrupts it: a door frame, a window, a toilet, or a shower curb. Measure at the floor and again at countertop height, since walls are rarely perfectly straight. Your working width is the smallest of those numbers.
Leave room to live
A vanity should never crowd the room. Building codes typically require at least 15 inches from the center of a sink to a side wall or toilet, and at least 21 inches of clear floor space in front of it. For a double vanity, sinks should sit at least 30 inches apart, center to center.
The minimum is just that. About 30 inches of open space in front of the vanity feels far more comfortable, especially in a bathroom shared by two.
Check your doors and drawers
Think about everything that opens toward the vanity: the bathroom door, a shower door, a linen cabinet. Then think about what the vanity opens into. Drawers need room to pull out fully, and doors need room to swing past trim and door casings.
When to use a filler piece
If your vanity sits against a side wall, a filler piece closes the gap between the cabinet and the wall and gives drawers room to clear nearby trim. Davenport fillers come in 3-inch and 6-inch widths, in 8-foot lengths, and are trimmed on site for a tight fit.
Consider the height
Vanity height is measured to the top of the countertop. Many homeowners now prefer a "comfort height" of about 34 to 36 inches over the older standard of 30 to 32 inches. Davenport cabinet boxes are 30.5” tall on a 4” toe kick, so the overall cabinet height is 34.5” before the countertop.
Know where your plumbing is
Note where the water supply lines and drain come out of the wall. Knowing their location helps you choose between a sink base and a sink base with drawers, and avoids surprises on installation day.
Not sure what size is right? Send us your measurements and a photo of your space, and we'll help you choose before you order.