Vanity Unit Sizes: A South African Guide

Most vanity units in South Africa come in widths of 400mm to 1200mm, with 600mm the most common single-basin size. Standard depth is 450mm to 500mm, and the basin rim usually sits 800mm to 900mm off the floor.

The right size depends on three things: the wall you have, the space you need in front of it, and how many people use the basin at once. This guide gives you the sizes in millimetres, then shows you how to measure.

Vanity Unit Sizes at a Glance

Wall width needed assumes roughly 100mm clear on each side of the unit.

400mm–500mm — Cloakroom

Small units for guest loos and tight en-suites. Many come in a shallow depth, so they leave more floor space in front. Examples in our range: Clear Cube Enzo 400, Clear Cube Milan 450, and the Gio Bella Simplicity 460, which is only 225mm deep.

550mm–650mm — Standard Single

The default size for a South African family bathroom. A 600mm unit fits a full-size basin, a mixer and a drawer for daily essentials. Examples: Clear Cube Milan 600, Gio Bella Simplicity 600 (600 x 480mm), Duravit D-Neo 65cm.

700mm–1000mm — Wide Single

The extra width goes to counter space and storage, not a second basin. Choose this when one person uses the basin but needs room to put things down. Examples: Duravit D-Neo 80cm, Geberit Smyle Square 880mm, Clear Cube Santorini 900, Gio Bella Messina 1000.

1200mm — Large Single

The largest common single-basin size, and the point where a double starts to become possible. Most 1200mm sets have one basin and two drawers. Examples: Clear Cube Santorini, Lazio, Venice and Madrid 1200, and the Gio Bella Simplicity 1200 (1200 x 480mm).

1400mm+ — Double

Each basin needs about 600mm to 700mm of width to be comfortable, so a true double vanity starts at about 1400mm and is easiest to use at 1500mm or more. Wide consoles such as the Duravit Happy D.2 Plus (1600 x 550mm) suit large master bathrooms.

Vanity Depth and Height

Depth: Standard vanities are 450mm to 500mm deep. Slim units of 220mm to 400mm suit narrow rooms, but the basin is shallower, so splashing is more likely. In a narrow bathroom, losing 200mm of depth can matter more than losing 200mm of width.

Height: Set the top of the basin 800mm to 900mm from the finished floor. Around 850mm suits most adults. Go lower, closer to 800mm, for children's bathrooms, and higher, up to 900mm, for tall users. A countertop basin sits on top of the vanity, so subtract the basin's height from your target when you choose the cabinet.

Wall-hung or floor-standing: A wall-hung unit lets you set any height and shows more floor, which makes a small room look bigger and is easier to clean. It needs a solid wall or a frame behind it. A floor-standing unit is simpler to install and usually gives more storage for the same width.

How to Measure Your Bathroom for a Vanity

1. Measure the wall width. Measure wall to wall, or wall to the edge of a shower or toilet. Subtract about 200mm, which leaves roughly 100mm clear on each side, and the result is your maximum vanity width.
2. Check the space in front. Leave at least 700mm of clear floor in front of the vanity so you can stand and bend at the basin. Open each drawer in your plan: drawer depth plus your standing space must fit before the opposite wall, door or shower.
3. Allow for the toilet. Keep about 200mm between the edge of the vanity and the centre line of the toilet pan, so the two don't crowd each other.
4. Find the plumbing. Note where the waste and water supply come out of the wall. Wall-hung units with drawers need these points to fit inside the cabinet's cut-outs, or the plumber may need to move them.
5. Watch the door swing. Make sure the bathroom door and any shower door open fully without hitting the vanity or its handles.

Single or Double Vanity?

A double vanity only makes sense if two people regularly use the basins at the same time and you have at least 1400mm of wall. Below that, a 1000mm to 1200mm single with a long counter is usually more useful: you get more surface and storage, and one fewer set of plumbing to install.

Basin type changes the fit:

• Integrated basin (basin and top in one piece): the cleanest look and the most predictable dimensions. Most vanity sets work this way.
• Countertop basin (sits on top): adds 100mm to 180mm of height, so pair it with a lower cabinet.
• Under-counter basin (fitted below a stone or quartz top): gives the most usable counter space, which helps on narrower units.

See under-counter basins and bathroom basins if you are buying the basin separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard size of a vanity unit in South Africa?

The most common size is 600mm wide by about 460mm to 480mm deep, with the basin top around 850mm from the floor.

What is the smallest vanity unit I can get?

Cloakroom vanities start at about 400mm wide. Some are as shallow as 225mm, which suits very narrow guest loos.

How much space do I need for a double vanity?

Allow at least 1400mm of vanity width, and 1500mm or more for comfort. Add roughly 200mm for side clearance, so plan for a wall of 1600mm to 1700mm.

How high should a wall-hung vanity be mounted?

Mount it so the top of the basin sits 800mm to 900mm from the finished floor. 850mm suits most adults.

How deep should a vanity be in a small bathroom?

A depth of 350mm to 400mm saves floor space while still fitting a practical basin. Below 300mm, choose a unit designed as a cloakroom basin.

Do vanity sets include the basin and tap?

Most vanity sets include the cabinet and basin. Taps are usually sold separately, so check each product listing.

Browse by Size

Browse all vanity units and filter by vanity length, or go straight to vanity sets (cabinet and basin together) or vanity cabinets (cabinet only, for a separate basin). Planning a full bathroom? Read our freestanding bath sizes guide.

Not sure which size fits? Send us your measurements, or visit our Kramerville showroom and ask our team. We work with homeowners, interior designers and contractors on everything from guest loos to master en-suites.