Wall-Hung or Floor-Standing Vanity Unit: Which is Best for Your Home?

Whether your bathroom is a sleek, modern space or a traditional interior with a classic feel, we’ll help you decide on the right vanity unit. We compare wall-hung and floor-standing units so you can make the best decision for your bathroom!

Key Takeaways:

• Wall-hung vanity units are easy to clean around and give small, modern bathrooms a more spacious feel.
• However, wall-hung units can be tricky to install, and storage is sometimes limited.
• Floor-standing vanity units provide you with plenty of storage space, work well in larger, more traditional bathrooms and are easy to install.
• Floor-standing units aren’t always the best choice for smaller bathrooms as they take up a lot of space, and they can be tricky to clean around.

Although it’s not as big as your shower or bath, your vanity unit can still have a major impact on your bathroom’s style. It’s one of the easiest places to add some decorative flair to your design, such as a fluted wood look or a bold pop of pink.

However, it can be difficult to decide whether your space suits a floor-standing or wall-hung vanity unit. Both types have their benefits and drawbacks, and they can be excellent choices depending on your bathroom’s style.

We’ll cover the practical and aesthetic considerations for both, from installation and cleaning to whether they suit modern or traditional spaces, so you can choose the best vanity unit for your home.

Wall-Hung vs Floor-Standing Vanity Units At A Glance

What is a Wall-Hung Vanity Unit?

A wall-hung vanity unit, also called a wall-mounted or floating vanity unit, is a cabinet attached to your wall with either a flat surface for a countertop basin or an integrated basin.

This leaves an empty space underneath the vanity unit, which can give the impression that it’s ‘floating’.

Benefits of Wall-Hung Vanity Units

1. Quicker Cleaning

When you’re cleaning your bathroom floor, it can be time-consuming to get around furniture bases or legs. Wall-hung vanity units eliminate this problem!

Instead, you can freely sweep, mop or hoover underneath the unit without any obstacles in the way, making the process much quicker.

This also means there are no corners or crevices for dirt, dust or hair to get stuck in, so it’s less likely that you’ll have to go over everything again to grab the bits you missed!

2. Spacious Feel

By leaving an empty space underneath the unit, wall-hung vanity units add a spacious feel to your bathroom and open up the space.

This can be particularly effective in small bathrooms with limited floor space, helping you avoid that cramped or overcrowded feeling, while still getting in all the essentials.

For maximum impact, pair your wall-hung vanity unit with a wall-hung toilet and any additional storage cabinets you want. This will create a spacious, modern design even when you don’t have much room to work with.

3. Modern Look

Compared to floor-standing furniture, wall-hung vanity units are definitely the more modern choice. Their sleek, space-saving silhouettes are great for contemporary, minimalist looks.

Choose a wall-hung vanity unit in a dark, matt colour, such as blue, for a trendy, moody feel. Modern doesn’t have to mean plain, either; you could go for designs with abstract, geometric patterns to add some flair.

Wall-Hung Vanity Unit Drawbacks

1. More Complex Installation

Installing a wall-hung vanity unit is a little more complex than installing a floor-standing unit, as it needs to be securely attached to the wall. This means locating studs and mounting the wall support onto them, unless you’re installing the unit onto a heavy-duty wall like solid brick or concrete.

The process highly depends on the type of wall you’re dealing with, but it will generally take more time and effort than installing a floor-standing unit. You may wish to hire a tradesperson to help with the installation, which can take your costs up, but it’s a sensible option if you’re not feeling confident DIYing it.

2. Less Storage Space

As there has to be a gap between the bottom of a wall-hung vanity unit and the floor, a wall-hung unit will usually be smaller than a floor-standing unit with the same width.

This means you do lose out on some potential storage space, so you may have to add an extra storage cabinet elsewhere in your bathroom to make up for it.

What is a Floor-Standing Vanity Unit?

A floor-standing vanity unit, also called a freestanding vanity unit, is a cabinet that stands on your bathroom floor with either legs, a flat base or a stand. Just like a wall-hung vanity, it can either have a flat surface for a countertop basin or an integrated basin.

Floor-standing vanity units are a classic look for your bathroom, working well in more traditional interiors. However, there are some more modern designs available as well, suitable for more contemporary bathrooms.

Benefits of Floor-Standing Vanity Units

1. More Storage Space

Floor-standing vanity units tend to have a lot more storage space than wall-hung units, as their cabinets extend all the way down to the floor.

If you’re always fighting against clutter in your bathroom, a floor-standing vanity unit could be what you need to keep everything organised and tidy. It gives you plenty of space to store all of your bathroom essentials, from spare toothbrushes to extra toilet roll.

2. Simple Installation

Installing a floor-standing vanity unit is much simpler than installing a wall-hung vanity unit, since you don’t have to mount it onto your bathroom wall.

It is a good idea to secure it to the wall once it’s assembled and in position for extra stability, but this isn’t strictly necessary or as intensive as mounting a wall-hung vanity.

This means it’s a much speedier process that is easier to DIY, and will likely be cheaper than a wall-hung vanity unit installation if you do pay a contractor for some help.

3. Traditional Look

If your bathroom has a traditional style, a floor-standing unit will likely be the best fit, especially if it’s a wood effect unit.

Pair it with a traditional-style basin mixer tap in a warm finish like antique or brushed brass, and match up the cabinet handles too for a cohesive look.

Floor-Standing Vanity Unit Drawbacks

1. Takes Up More Space

While a floor-standing vanity unit does provide you with more storage, it also takes up more space than a wall-hung vanity unit.

Not having the free space underneath the vanity can make your bathroom feel a little more enclosed, especially if it’s already a small room.

However, this is generally less of an issue in larger bathrooms, which can make them more suitable for floor-standing vanity units.

2. More Difficult To Clean Around

It can be tricky to clean around the base or legs of a floor-standing vanity unit, as corners and crevices can trap dust and dirt.

Compared to a wall-hung vanity unit, which you can quickly and easily mop underneath, a floor-standing vanity can make cleaning your bathroom floor take a bit longer.

In bathrooms used and cleaned often, such as a busy family bathroom, a wall-hung unit may be better for faster cleaning.

Which One is Right For You?

While both are great options for providing practicality and style to a variety of bathrooms, this breakdown may help inform your decision if you’re feeling a bit stuck.

• Choose a wall-hung vanity unit for small, modern bathrooms where you don’t need too much storage space. They work especially well in cloakrooms and ensuites, and can be a major benefit in busier bathrooms that need to be cleaned quite often.
• Pick a floor-standing vanity unit for traditional-style bathrooms where you need a lot of storage space. They’re also great for renovations that could benefit from a simple, straightforward installation process, especially if you’re DIYing your new bathroom!

Choose The Right Vanity Unit For Your Bathroom

Deciding between a floor-standing or wall-hung vanity unit doesn’t have to be difficult - just consider your individual bathroom and its style, as well as how large the room is and how much storage you need. We have a wide range of both freestanding and wall-hung units for you to browse through once you decide!

Once you’ve found the perfect vanity unit, check out our guide to installing it yourself and have a look through the rest of our blog for more bathroom inspiration and DIY tips!