Make it work for you
Can’t find a ready-made vanity unit that you love? Invest in a custom-made design to suit your space and style perfectly
Bespoke furniture can prove a saviour in smaller bathrooms as well as providing clever solutions to awkward spaces.
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Is it expensive? Bespoke furniture is more costly than off-the-shelf. Time spent designing, plus more expensive materials mean you’ll probably pay £650-£1,000 for a 60cm-wide vanity unit, not including basin and taps.
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What are the benefits? The main reason to go bespoke is for the space-saving benefits. A vanity unit can be made in any size and built into a space to avoid dirt-trapping gaps. A good designer will offer savvy ideas like space-saving sliding doors, for example.
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What are they made from? The world is your oyster, but bathroom furniture must be moisture resistant. Save on the bit you won’t see, with a carcass made from melamine-faced moisture-resistant MDF, which is strong and easy to clean. The doors, front frames and sides can be painted moisture-resistant MDF, tulipwood or marine-grade plywood. Solid and veneered timbers cost more in materials but less in painting time, so the overall cost may be similar.
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Who will make it?
Try a local joinery firm first – if the job’s too small, they might recommend someone else. For a built-in vanity, also consider carpentry firms. They work on site rather than in a workshop but tend to be cheaper.
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How can I make savings?
Doing some of the work yourself will help – such as painting the final coats at home. Sourcing your own fittings – basin, taps and handles – plus making your own collection and installation arrangements can also reduce your costs.
“Choose quality materials and a timeless design – this will futureproof your vanity and ensure it won’t go out trends” of style with the next season’s