8 Single Vanity Bathroom Ideas That Feel Open

Bathrooms feel cramped for one reason more than any other: the space gets visually chopped up. Too many objects, too many hard lines, too many bulky choices stacked into one tiny room, and suddenly even a decent-sized bathroom feels like a closet with plumbing.

The good news is you don’t need to knock down walls or “do a full renovation” to fix that. You just need a single vanity setup that looks lighter, works smarter, and doesn’t fight the room every time you walk in.

I’ve seen bathrooms look twice as open just by changing a few design decisions that most people don’t even think about. And yes, a single vanity can absolutely feel luxurious without eating up your floor space.

1. Floating Single Vanity That Shows More Floor

A bathroom instantly feels smaller when the vanity looks like it’s sitting there like a heavy brick. The easiest fix is a floating vanity that hangs off the wall and exposes more floor underneath. It’s the same square footage, but visually it feels like you just gained space because your eyes can travel farther. I’ve done this in a smaller bathroom before, and the difference was honestly shocking.

A floating vanity also solves that “too much furniture” vibe. Instead of feeling like the bathroom is packed with a cabinet, it feels like a clean, modern setup that belongs in a nicer home.

Why This Works

More visible floor equals more perceived space, and bathrooms are basically all about perception. When the floor runs continuously under the vanity, the room looks wider and less boxed in. It also reduces visual clutter because you’re not seeing thick legs, bulky toe-kicks, and heavy base trim.

Floating vanities also make cleaning easier, which is not glamorous, but it matters. You don’t get dust and hair building up in that weird corner gap where nobody wants to stick their hand.

How to Do It

• Measure your wall width and confirm your plumbing placement before shopping
• Choose a vanity with a slimmer depth (18–20 inches is a sweet spot)
• Install blocking in the wall if the vanity needs extra support
• Use a wall-mounted faucet if you want the cleanest look
• Leave at least 8–10 inches of space under the vanity for that airy effect

Each step matters because floating vanities need strong wall support, and you don’t want the cabinet sagging over time. The slim depth also keeps the walkway feeling open, especially in narrow bathrooms.

Style & Design Tips

Stick to simple flat-front drawers if you want the cleanest visual effect. Shaker doors can work too, but overly detailed cabinet fronts add texture, and texture makes the room feel busier. If your bathroom is small, you want calm surfaces, not a vanity that screams for attention.

Avoid vanities with thick chunky countertops. A heavy top can ruin the whole floating illusion and make it feel bulky again.

Pro Tip or Budget Hack

If you can’t afford a true floating vanity, you can cheat it by buying a normal vanity and mounting it slightly raised off the floor. Just leave a visible gap and add a clean trim piece underneath to hide plumbing lines if needed.

2. Single Vanity With Open Shelf Storage Instead of Cabinets

Closed cabinets are practical, sure, but they can also make a vanity look like a big block sitting in the room. A vanity with an open bottom shelf feels lighter because it has negative space built into it. It also forces you to keep things organized, which is annoying at first but amazing later when the bathroom actually stays calm-looking.

I used to think open shelves were only for “Pinterest bathrooms,” but honestly, they’re just a smart way to reduce visual heaviness.

Why This Works

A vanity with open shelving breaks up the mass visually. Instead of one solid rectangle, you get air, depth, and layered space. That makes the room feel more open, even if the vanity is the same width as a traditional one.

Open shelving also helps you avoid that clutter explosion inside cabinets. When you can see what’s stored, you naturally keep it neater.

How to Do It

• Pick a vanity that has one sturdy shelf under the sink
• Use baskets or bins to group items instead of stacking random bottles
• Keep only daily essentials on the shelf
• Store cleaning supplies somewhere else if possible
• Style the shelf with towels, not clutter

This setup works best when you treat the shelf like intentional storage, not a dumping ground. If you throw everything down there, the whole bathroom starts feeling chaotic.

Style & Design Tips

Use matching baskets or containers so the shelf reads as clean and organized. Stick to neutral tones like woven tan, white, or soft gray because bright colors draw the eye and make the space feel busier.

Avoid putting too many bottles on display. Nobody needs to see twelve half-used shampoos in an open shelf situation.

Pro Tip or Budget Hack

If you already have a vanity, you can mimic this look by removing the cabinet doors and painting the inside. Add a shelf insert or small basket system inside, and suddenly it feels like an intentional open-shelf vanity without buying a new one.

3. Narrow Depth Vanity That Doesn’t Stick Out

Some bathrooms don’t feel cramped because they’re small. They feel cramped because the vanity is too deep and steals the walkway space. A narrow depth vanity fixes that instantly because it gives you more breathing room between the vanity and the toilet or shower.

This is one of those changes that feels “too simple to matter,” but it matters a lot. If you’ve ever squeezed past a vanity corner and bruised your hip, you already know what I mean.

Why This Works

Bathrooms feel open when you can move easily. A vanity that sticks out too far interrupts traffic flow and makes the whole room feel tighter. A slimmer vanity improves circulation, which makes the space feel less boxed in even without changing anything else.

It also makes the vanity look more tailored, like it was chosen for the room instead of shoved in there because it was on sale.

How to Do It

• Measure your current vanity depth and compare it to the available walking space
• Look for vanities in the 16–18 inch depth range
• Choose a sink that’s designed for narrow vanities
• Use a wall-mounted faucet if the sink is shallow
• Install a mirror that matches the slimmer scale

These steps matter because a narrow vanity needs the right sink design. If you choose a deep bowl sink on a shallow cabinet, you’ll end up splashing water everywhere.

Style & Design Tips

Go for clean edges and slim hardware to match the streamlined look. A narrow vanity with chunky handles looks weirdly unbalanced, like it’s trying too hard.

Avoid oversized vessel sinks on narrow vanities unless you love wiping water off the counter every day.

Pro Tip or Budget Hack

If you can’t replace your vanity, you can sometimes swap the countertop for a narrower one. A slimmer counter edge can shave off a couple inches, and in a tight bathroom, even two inches feels like a gift.

4. Light Wood Vanity That Warms the Room Without Closing It In

Dark vanities can look gorgeous, but in small bathrooms they often feel heavy. A light wood vanity gives you warmth without that “big dark block” effect. It makes the room feel open, bright, and more modern, especially if you pair it with simple white walls or light tile.

I’m a huge fan of this look because it feels cozy but still clean. It’s basically the best of both worlds.

Why This Works

Light wood reflects more light and doesn’t visually shrink the room. It also creates contrast without feeling harsh, which matters because bathrooms can easily feel sterile if everything is white.

Wood adds texture, but the right texture, not the cluttered kind. It makes the room feel designed instead of plain.

How to Do It

• Choose a vanity in oak, birch, ash, or maple tones
• Keep the countertop simple (white quartz or light stone works best)
• Use matte black or brushed nickel hardware for a clean finish
• Pair it with a large mirror to bounce light around
• Keep the wall color soft and neutral

The key is balance. If the wood is warm, you want the rest of the bathroom to stay light so the vanity doesn’t overpower the room.

Style & Design Tips

Avoid orange-toned wood finishes unless you’re going for a retro vibe. Some cheap wood vanities look weirdly yellow, and that can make the whole bathroom feel dated fast.

Also, don’t overload the room with other wood tones. Too many different woods can look messy instead of layered.

Pro Tip or Budget Hack

If you already have a vanity but hate the color, you can refinish it. A simple sanding and a light wood stain can totally transform it, especially if you swap the hardware at the same time.

5. Single Vanity With a Large Mirror That Spans the Wall

If you want your bathroom to feel open, the mirror has to do some heavy lifting. A small mirror above a vanity looks fine, but it doesn’t expand the space visually. A large mirror that spans most of the wall instantly makes the bathroom feel bigger because it doubles what your eyes see.

This is one of my favorite “cheap but dramatic” upgrades. It feels like magic, but it’s just basic visual trickery.

Why This Works

Mirrors reflect space, light, and movement, so the room feels less enclosed. A larger mirror also reduces visual clutter because it creates one clean surface instead of a tiny mirror floating awkwardly above the sink.

It also helps with functionality. You don’t have to fight for mirror space if two people are using the bathroom.

How to Do It

• Measure the vanity width and choose a mirror that’s close to the same size
• Mount it higher if you want to visually stretch the room upward
• Use a thin frame or frameless mirror for the most open look
• Add side sconces instead of overhead lighting if possible
• Keep the mirror centered with the sink and vanity

The mirror width matters because a mirror that’s too small looks cheap and makes the vanity look bulky. A wide mirror visually “balances” the entire wall.

Style & Design Tips

Frameless mirrors feel the most modern and open, but a thin black or brass frame can look amazing too. Just avoid chunky ornate frames unless your bathroom is very large, because they eat up visual space.

Also, don’t hang the mirror too low. A little breathing room above the faucet area keeps it from feeling crowded.

Pro Tip or Budget Hack

If you’re on a budget, check local marketplaces for used mirrors. People sell big mirrors all the time after remodels, and you can often score a massive one for the price of a dinner out.

6. Minimalist Vanity Styling With Hidden Counter Storage

Even the nicest single vanity will feel cramped if the countertop is covered in stuff. Toothbrushes, makeup bags, skincare bottles, hair tools, random clutter that somehow multiplies overnight. The trick is keeping the counter looking clean without turning your bathroom into a storage nightmare.

I’m telling you, nothing makes a bathroom feel bigger faster than clearing the counter. It’s the simplest thing, but most people ignore it.

Why This Works

Clutter shrinks space visually. When your eyes land on ten small objects, your brain reads the room as crowded. A clean counter makes the bathroom feel calmer, larger, and more “finished.”

Hidden storage also makes the room easier to maintain. When everything has a home, you stop constantly rearranging stuff like you’re playing bathroom Tetris.

How to Do It

• Use drawer organizers inside the vanity for daily essentials
• Store toothbrushes in a drawer instead of leaving them out
• Install a slim medicine cabinet if possible
• Add under-sink bins for backup products
• Keep only one soap dispenser and one small tray on the counter

Each step matters because you’re building a system, not just “cleaning up.” A tray makes the counter look styled without looking messy, and drawer organizers stop chaos from creeping back in.

Style & Design Tips

Choose matching containers for things like cotton pads and Q-tips if you want them visible. Random plastic packaging ruins the whole vibe instantly, even if the bathroom itself is gorgeous.

Avoid oversized decor items. A bathroom counter is not the place for giant candles or huge vases.

Pro Tip or Budget Hack

Use cheap clear acrylic organizers inside your drawers. They’re affordable, they look neat, and they make you feel like you have your life together, even if you don’t.

7. Single Vanity With Wall-Mounted Faucet for Extra Counter Space

If you’ve never tried a wall-mounted faucet, it sounds fancy and unnecessary. But in a small bathroom, it can be a total game changer. By moving the faucet off the countertop, you free up surface space and make the vanity look cleaner and more open.

It also gives the bathroom that high-end look without needing expensive materials everywhere else. People notice wall faucets immediately.

Why This Works

Wall-mounted faucets reduce clutter on the counter and create a cleaner line across the vanity. They also make the sink area look less crowded because you don’t have that faucet base taking up space.

This works especially well with narrow vanities because you need every inch you can get.

How to Do It

• Confirm your wall can support plumbing changes before committing
• Choose a faucet with the correct spout reach for your sink
• Install a backsplash that can handle water splashes
• Keep the sink shape simple to match the modern look
• Seal everything properly to avoid water damage behind the wall

The spout reach is important because if the water lands too close to the back of the sink, you’ll get splashing and it will drive you nuts.

Style & Design Tips

Wall-mounted faucets look best when the vanity design is modern or transitional. Pair it with simple cabinet fronts and clean hardware so it doesn’t feel like the faucet is trying to carry the entire design alone.

Avoid super ornate faucet styles. Keep it sleek, because the whole point is openness.

Pro Tip or Budget Hack

If plumbing changes aren’t realistic, you can still mimic the clean look by using a tall, minimal faucet with a slim base. It won’t free up as much space, but it will still reduce the visual bulk.

8. Single Vanity Paired With a Tall Linen Cabinet Instead of More Vanity Width

One mistake people make is buying a wider vanity because they think they need more storage. The problem is that a wide vanity eats up wall space and makes the bathroom feel tight. A smarter move is sticking with a single vanity and adding vertical storage like a tall linen cabinet or slim tower.

I’ve seen this layout fix storage problems without sacrificing that open feeling. It’s honestly the “grown-up” way to design a bathroom.

Why This Works

Vertical storage uses height instead of width, which keeps the floor plan feeling open. It also helps you separate categories of storage, so your vanity doesn’t become a chaotic mix of hair tools, cleaning products, and extra toothpaste.

A tall cabinet also creates balance. Instead of one long heavy vanity wall, you get a more intentional layout.

How to Do It

• Choose a single vanity that fits comfortably without crowding the toilet area
• Measure wall height and pick a cabinet that goes tall but not bulky
• Place the cabinet on the opposite side of the vanity if possible
• Use baskets and shelves inside the cabinet to organize items
• Keep frequently used items at eye level for convenience

These steps matter because tall cabinets can feel awkward if they’re too deep or too wide. You want slim and vertical, not a giant pantry cabinet that dominates the bathroom.

Style & Design Tips

Stick to white or light neutral cabinets if you want maximum openness. If you want contrast, use a light wood cabinet that matches the vanity so the room feels cohesive.

Avoid open shelving towers unless you’re extremely disciplined. Open shelves look amazing for about two weeks, then real life happens.

Pro Tip or Budget Hack

A basic IKEA-style tall cabinet can look expensive if you swap the hardware and add soft-close hinges. It’s one of the easiest “cheap upgrade” moves that actually looks legit.

Final Thoughts

A single vanity bathroom doesn’t feel open because it’s bigger, it feels open because it’s designed smarter. Once you stop letting the vanity dominate the room, everything starts flowing better, from storage to lighting to daily use.

If you only change one thing, I’d start with the mirror and countertop clutter because those two upgrades give you the fastest payoff. And if you ever feel stuck, just remember: in bathrooms, lighter always wins.