Vanity and Storage

Somewhere for everything

Storage is one of the most common frustrations in older bathrooms. Toiletries crowd the vanity top, spare towels end up in the hall, and cleaning products have nowhere to go. A good vanity and well-planned storage make a bathroom easier to use and keep it looking tidy.

We supply and install vanities, shaving cabinets, shelving and tall cabinets as part of bathroom, ensuite and powder room renovations in Morwell and the Latrobe Valley, and we also replace vanities on their own where the rest of the room is in good condition.

Choosing a vanity

Wall-hung or floor-standing

Wall-hung vanities show more floor, which makes the room feel larger and makes cleaning easier. They need solid blocking in the wall, which we install during the renovation. Floor-standing vanities offer more storage and can suit traditional rooms.

Size

The vanity should suit the room and the people using it. In small bathrooms, a narrow-depth vanity can save space. In family bathrooms and ensuites, a wider vanity or double basin can ease busy mornings.

Drawers or doors

Drawers make it easier to see and reach what is stored, while doors suit taller items. Many vanities combine both.

Materials

In the Latrobe Valley’s damp climate, moisture resistance matters. We recommend vanities built from moisture-resistant board, solid timber, or other materials that will not swell, with quality hinges and runners.

Benchtops

Benchtops can be stone, engineered stone, solid surface, ceramic or laminate. Each has a different look, durability and care requirements.

Basins

Basins can be integrated, undermount, semi-recessed or above-counter. Each affects cleaning, splash and bench space.

Shaving cabinets and mirrors

A mirrored shaving cabinet provides storage at eye level for everyday items. Recessed cabinets sit flush with the wall, saving space. Mirrors with built-in lighting or demisters are also popular.

Shower niches

A recessed niche in the shower wall holds shampoo and soap without bulky caddies. We plan niche positions to suit the user and line up with the tile layout.

Tall cabinets and shelving

Where space allows, a tall cabinet can hold towels, toilet rolls and cleaning products. Open shelving can display towels and decorative items.

Towel storage

Heated towel rails, hooks and towel bars all have a place. We position them so towels are within reach of the shower and bath.

Storage in small bathrooms

In small rooms, we look for every opportunity: recessed cabinets, niches, shelves above the toilet and over the door, and slim cabinets in unused corners.

Accessibility

For accessible bathrooms, we can install vanities with knee space, lower mirrors and lever taps, and position storage within easy reach.

Replacing a vanity on its own

If your bathroom is in good condition but the vanity is worn or swollen, we can replace it on its own. We check the plumbing and wall behind it, and repair any damage before installing the new vanity.

Caring for your vanity

• Wipe up water promptly, particularly around the basin and edges.
• Run the exhaust fan to reduce moisture.
• Avoid harsh cleaners on benchtops and cabinet finishes.

Common questions

Can you install a vanity I have bought?

Often yes. We check that it suits the room and the plumbing before installing.

How high should my vanity be?

That depends on the users and the basin type. We help you choose a comfortable height.

Can you add a double basin?

In many bathrooms and ensuites, yes, with some changes to the plumbing.

Vanities for the Latrobe Valley climate

Bathrooms in Morwell and the surrounding towns spend much of the year in cool, humid conditions, and that is hard on cabinetry. Standard particleboard can swell at the edges where water sits, and low-grade hinges and runners can rust. We recommend vanities built from moisture-resistant board with edges sealed, or from solid timber, plywood or other durable materials. Quality soft-close hinges and runners last longer and make daily use more pleasant. A vanity that is lifted off the floor, either wall-hung or on legs, also stays drier and is easier to clean beneath.

Matching the vanity to the basin and tap

The basin and tap must work together. A tall tap on a shallow basin will splash; a short spout may not reach far enough into a deep basin. Wall-mounted taps free up bench space but need careful planning in the wall framing. We check that the combination you choose works before ordering.

Custom joinery

In some bathrooms, a custom vanity or built-in cabinetry is the best way to use an awkward space, such as an alcove, a sloping ceiling or a room with an off-centre window. We can arrange custom joinery made to measure, in finishes that suit the rest of the room.

Storage for families

Family bathrooms need storage for everyone. Separate drawers for each person, a high cabinet for medications out of reach of children, and hooks at different heights for towels all help. A laundry basket built into the vanity or a tall cabinet keeps dirty clothes off the floor.

Storage for ensuites

Ensuites often need storage for hair dryers, straighteners and shavers. A drawer with a built-in power point, or a shaving cabinet with a power outlet inside, keeps appliances charged and out of sight. We plan power positions with the electrician.

Storage for powder rooms

Powder rooms need only a little storage, for spare toilet rolls, hand towels and soap. A small vanity, a recessed shelf or a slim cabinet is usually enough.

Linen storage

Many bathrooms rely on a linen cupboard in the hallway. Where there is no linen cupboard, or it is too small, we can include a tall cabinet or open shelving in the bathroom, or suggest a change to an adjoining cupboard.

Installing heavy vanities

Stone benchtops and large vanities are heavy, particularly when wall-hung. We install timber blocking in the wall during the renovation so the vanity can be fixed securely. For floor-standing vanities, we check that the floor is level and solid.

Mirrors with storage and lighting

A mirrored cabinet with integrated lighting provides even light on the face and keeps everyday items close. Some models include demisters, which keep the mirror clear after a shower, a useful feature in the Latrobe Valley’s winters.

Making the most of corners

Corners are often wasted space in bathrooms. A corner shelf in the shower, a corner cabinet above the toilet or a curved vanity can make use of them without crowding the room.

Vanity heights

Standard vanity heights suit many people, but not everyone. Taller households often prefer a higher vanity to avoid bending, while a lower vanity can suit children or seated users. With an above-counter basin, the vanity itself needs to be lower so the basin rim sits at a comfortable height. We discuss these details at the consultation and set the height to suit you.

Plumbing behind the vanity

Wall-hung vanities need the waste and water connections set at the right height in the wall, so pipes are hidden inside the cabinet. We plan these positions before the walls are lined, so the finished vanity looks clean and the plumbing is easy to access for maintenance.

Can you replace my vanity without retiling?

Sometimes, if the new vanity covers the same footprint. If it is smaller or wall-hung, tiles may need patching.

Where we install vanities and storage

We supply and install vanities, shaving cabinets and bathroom storage across Morwell, Traralgon, Churchill, Moe, Newborough and the surrounding towns. Many clients come to us after a vanity has swollen or a cabinet door has dropped, and while a replacement on its own is sometimes the right answer, it is also a good moment to check the plumbing, silicone and wall behind the old unit. Where the vanity has been damaged by a long-term leak, we look for the source before installing the new one, so the problem does not repeat.

Power at the vanity

Hair dryers, straighteners, toothbrushes and shavers all need power. A power point inside a drawer or cabinet lets appliances stay plugged in and out of sight. All outlets near water are installed by licensed electricians to the wiring rules.

Book a design consultation

If your bathroom lacks storage or your vanity has seen better days, book a design consultation. We will visit your home and help you plan storage that works.

Areas we service

• Boolarra
• Churchill
• Glengarry
• Hazelwood North
• Hazelwood South
• Jeeralang Junction
• Moe
• Morwell
• Newborough
• Toongabbie
• Traralgon
• Tyers
• Yallourn North
• Yinnar