Do you need to attach your bathroom vanity cabinets to the wall? Or can they be set on top of existing cabinetry with no risk of them falling over? If you’re planning on updating your bathroom, you will want to take stock of what you have now, so that you can decide what changes and new features to add. You may even decide that a complete bathroom remodel is in order. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of whether or not your vanity needs to be anchored firmly in place when it comes time for renovations. So let’s get started!
Does Bathroom Vanity Need to Be Attached to Wall?
A vanity is simply a piece of cabinetry that includes a sink. It is usually combined with a countertop so that one can do all their grooming right at the sink. These pieces are available in many different materials and styles, although most are designed for indoor use. When renovating, you will want to know if your vanity needs to be attached to the wall. This is because the weight of the sink and countertop can be so great that the vanity cannot be supported by the legs alone. If this is the case, you will have to add wall supports so that the cabinet won’t topple over during use.
Why You May Need To Anchor Your Bathroom Vanity?
- Weight: The most common reason that you would need to anchor your bathroom vanity is that it is too heavy. A typical bathroom vanity may weigh between 200 and 400 pounds. If it is made from quality materials, then you can be sure that it is heavy.
- Materials: You may need to anchor your bathroom vanity if it is made from materials that are too heavy for the legs to support. For instance, if it has a marble top, it will likely be too heavy for the standard legs to support.
- Sink and faucet location: You may also need to anchor your bathroom vanity if the sink and faucet are located too far from the wall. This is because the water flow will cause the vanity to shift and lean.
How To Tell If Your Vanity Must Be Attached To The Wall?
Whether you have a dressing table in your bedroom or tucked away in the corner of a spare room, some may think you need to be more adventurous with your storage. But no matter how uninspiring it might seem, we all have a place for our vanity and its hidden wonders. The trouble is, that not everyone knows when they need to attach it to the wall. To test whether or not yours needs fixing, check out these seven tell-tale signs that your vanity must be attached to the wall:
The Doors and Drawers Are Falling Off
Vanity doors and drawers can weaken over time if not attached to the wall. If you’ve had your vanity for a few years and notice the doors are more tricky to open and close, this could be due to the weight. Alternatively, if the doors are no longer attaching to the frame at the top or bottom, the problem might be due to the vibrations and the structure of the wall behind the vanity being uneven. If the structure is uneven, you might feel a rocking motion when closing the doors or drawers. If the walls seem to be uneven, you could attach the vanity to the wall to solve the problem.
You Have Heavy Items on the Top
If you have heavy items sitting on the top of your vanity, it’s a good idea to attach them to the wall. This is especially true if the vanity has a wooden top, as the wood can warp or crack when the pressure of the weight is applied. Wall-mounting the vanity will also increase the longevity of the tabletop, as well as prevent it from warping due to humidity. If you have a heavy mirror, vanity, or another heavy object on the top of your vanity, it’s a good idea to attach the vanity to the wall. This will prevent the top from bowing due to the weight.
Your Toiletries Keep Disappearing
If you keep losing your shower gels, creams, and perfumes, it could be due to them being pushed back by the door, or falling behind the drawers. If you have a slide-out drawer in your vanity, this might happen more often. To prevent your toiletries from disappearing behind your vanity, attach the vanity to the wall. This will keep the doors and drawers open to prevent your items from getting pushed back. If you have a vanity with a slide-out drawer, it might be a good idea to attach the vanity to the wall to prevent your items from falling behind the vanity.
There’s a Lot of Creaking and Cracking
If you notice a lot of creaking and cracking when opening and closing the doors or drawers, it might be a sign that the vanity needs to be attached to the wall. The constant opening and closing of the doors and drawers can cause the frame to bow and the joints to weaken, especially if the vanity wasn’t built to be wall-mounted in the first place. If your vanity is constantly creaking and cracking, it might be a good idea to attach the vanity to the wall to strengthen the frame and prevent damage.
The Vanity Is Overloaded With Stuff
If you have a lot of stuff on your vanity, it might be a good idea to attach the vanity to the wall to prevent the frame from sagging and the joints from loosening. This doesn’t just apply to the bottom of the vanity, but to the sides too. Any extra weight can put a strain on the joints and the wall behind it, so it’s a good idea to make sure the weight is evenly distributed. If you have a lot of stuff on your vanity, it might be a good idea to attach the vanity to the wall to prevent the frame from sagging and the joints from loosening.
You Feel Uncomfortable While Sitting There
If you feel uncomfortable while sitting at your vanity, it might be a sign that the weight is unevenly distributed. Attaching the vanity to the wall will ensure the weight is distributed evenly, which may make your vanity feel more stable, and therefore more comfortable to sit at. If you feel uncomfortable while sitting at your vanity, it might be a sign that the weight is unevenly distributed. Attaching the vanity to the wall will ensure the weight is distributed evenly, which may make your vanity feel more stable.
Your Room is Dark While Using It
If your room is always dark while using your vanity, it could be due to the lack of proper lighting. If your vanity is not attached to the wall, it might not be getting enough light to adequately illuminate your room as a light source. If the room is always dark, it might be a good idea to attach the vanity to the wall so the light can be distributed more evenly. If your room is always dark while using your vanity, it could be due to the lack of proper lighting. If your vanity is not attached to the wall, it might not be getting enough light to adequately illuminate your room as a light source.
Pros Of Having An Attached Vanity
Better organization: Perhaps the biggest advantage of having an anchored bathroom vanity is that it helps with organization. The sink, faucet, and storage will all be in the same place. This makes it easier to keep your bathroom tidy and clean.
- Better construction: Another advantage of an anchored bathroom vanity is that it is built with better construction. Since the weight is supported by the wall, it can be built with more weight and materials.
- Better safety: Another advantage of having an anchored bathroom vanity is that it is safer. This is especially true if you have small children in the home.
- Better resale value: Another advantage of having an anchored bathroom vanity is that it has better resale value. This can be very beneficial if you are ever planning on moving. – Better functionality
Another advantage of having an anchored bathroom vanity is that it is better for functionality. This is especially true if you have a larger family or those who are handicapped.
Cons Of Having An Attached Vanity
Longer renovation time – Another disadvantage of having an anchored bathroom vanity is that it will take longer to install. This is because you will have to install the wall support and then the vanity.
- Higher renovation cost: Another disadvantage of having an anchored bathroom vanity is that it will cost more to have installed. This is because it will take more work and materials.
- Doesn’t work well with an open concept: Another disadvantage of having an anchored bathroom vanity is that it doesn’t work well with an open concept. This is because you would need to build a wall to support it.
- More demolition needed: Another disadvantage of having an anchored bathroom vanity is that you will need to do more demolition. This is because you will need to build a wall to support it.
Conclusion
The vanity and bathroom sink are exposed to a lot of daily wear and tear. They are also susceptible to a lot of damage, especially if they are not properly anchored. So it’s always good to make sure the vanity is anchored properly; especially because it’s a piece of furniture that will stay in the bathroom for a very long time. When renovating, you will want to know if your vanity needs to be attached to the wall.
