How to Install a Vanity Basin?

Vanity basins are the signature of any modern bathroom. If you want to renovate or build a bathroom with a vanity basin for your home, this guide is for you. Vanity basins are minimalist, and their contemporary design complements overall interior trendy aesthetics. The basin also hides away plumbing, electrical, and fixtures to give a clean look. Moreover, the added cabinets allow storage space for bathroom supplies, making it the ideal furniture for lavatories.

However, there are many types of vanities, and we recommend exploring all the options to select the one that best fits your interior design. Here, we will introduce all the vanity basin designs, the tools needed to install a vanity basin, and the material required to follow our step-by-step guide properly. So, let's begin!

Understanding Vanity Cabinet and Basin Types

We will elaborate on each vanity basin and cabinet type to fully explain the possible designs and their key features. We aim to mention all the possible installation-associated aspects for each type so that it becomes relevant to follow our guidelines later in the blog post.

First, we must understand the fundamental difference between vanity cabinets and basins. Although buyers use these terms interchangeably, they have subtle differences. We will use each term carefully throughout the blog, ensuring its appropriate use.

Vanity Cabinet: This is a complete assembly that contains drawers, cabinets, an open shelf, a faucet, and a sink/basin. It is the evolution of Victorian-era vanities.

Vanity Basin: This is part of a vanity cabinet used to wash their hands and faces, brush their teeth, etc. It collects all the water and directs it to the drain. The vanity basin term includes the faucet and plumbing works. However, retailers typically sell each item separately. Vanity basins can sometimes be standalone without the cabinet. Here are the main vanity basin types and their short general and installation-associated descriptions:

♦ Variety of Vanity Cabinet

● Free-Standing Vanity: The whole assembly stands on its base. It does not require any wall support for mounting. Installing a free-standing vanity is the easiest. All you need is plumbing work and some alignment.

● Wall-hung Vanity: These are increasingly popular mainly due to their low space requirement. They are ideal for minimalist bathroom designs and for people with limited abilities. Installing a wall-hung vanity will require drilling and installing wall anchor bolts. It is not a one-person job.

● Corner Vanity: The wall supports these vanities on two sides. They are ideal for small bathrooms as they save space and maximize utilization. The installation of corner vanities requires expertise similar to that of wall-hung vanities.

● Pedastal Vanity: These are the most economical and comparatively lighter in weight. Installing these vanities is convenient; a single person can easily install the unit. It consists of a basin and a pedestal that hides away the plumping. Some come with a cabinet that covers the pedestal further.

● Console Vanity: It is sometimes called a metal bathroom vanity. It is usually a frame built with metal and a countertop made from stone resin or acrylic solid surface. It is the most convenient to install as everything is accessible with ease.

♦ Types of Vanity Basins

● Above Counter or Vessel Basin: These are the most popular vanity basin designs as they do not take up space inside the cabinet. The vessel sits on top, while plumbing underneath the basin requires only 6-8 inches of space. Its installation is the most convenient.

● Undermount Vanity Basin: These basins mount from underneath the countertop. A silicon sealant seals the edges, and a metal bracket holds the basin in position from the edges. Depending on the basin's weight and support requirements, there can be four to eight brackets. Bracket installation can require drilling in the countertop to fix metal mounting brackets.

● Drop-in Vanity Basin: Unlike the under-mount basin, the drop-in basin has a top-down approach. The installer drops the basin into the cutout on the countertop and applies the sealant to the edges from the top. Drop-in vanity basins are best for allowing space on the top of the countertop.

● Freestanding Basin: The base of the freestanding basin is directly in contact with the ground. It is the most convenient to install as the manufacturer has already finished the assembly, and only the faucet and plumbing fittings remain for the site.

● Wall-Mounted Basin: It is a high-end version of the vanity cabinet basins. It may or may not feature a cabinet, but it has excellent durability owing to its stone resin build. Some manufacturers make them with solid acrylic surface material, which makes installation and transportation easy. It is the most premium bathroom basin type.

♦ Bathroom Renovation Tool Kit and Material Requirements

Whether you are renovating a bathroom or any other portion of the house, you will need specific tools and materials. Imagine starting a bathroom renovation project and, during the progress, falling short of a tool or material. The frequent unwanted breaks in a renovation project can lead to delays, increased costs, and unnecessary stress. Here is the list of tools and materials that are required to finish a bathroom renovation project:

▎ Tools: Must Have Items in Households

Every household should have the following tools if they ever need to do any DIY renovation project. We will be cutting, grinding, hammering, sealing, and tightening during the installation of the vanity basin. Here are the tools that we will need:

● Hand Tools

Hammer

Chisel

Screwdriver (flat and Phillips head)

Pliers (regular and slip-joint)

Hacksaw

Utility knife

● Measuring and Leveling Tools

Level

Measuring tape

● Power Tools

Portable Drill

● Plumbing Tools

Pipe wrench

Caulk Gun

Water Collection Bucket

● Protective Gear

Safety goggles

Work gloves

● Measuring and Aligning Tools

Tape measure

Stud Finder

▎ Materials: Sealing and Fixtures

Ensure you have the right material supplies before starting the sealing and fixing procedure. You will need silicon sealant and, in some cases, grout. Fixing the wall is usually done using wall anchors or fasteners, depending on the type of dwelling. The assembly is stable and solid after sealing and fixture. Here are the necessary material supplies:

● Sealants and Adhesives

Silicon sealant

Adhesives (tile adhesive, grout)

Wall Putty

● Anchors and Fasteners

Wall Anchors

Anchor Bolts

Fasteners Framing Screws 

Step-by-Step Guideline to Installing a Vanity Basin

Every type of vanity basin is unique and may require varying installation techniques. We will ensure that all of them are covered, but our focus is on wall-hung vanity basins and vanity cabinets, as they need the most sturdy installation. Following similar steps for other types will only make the final product sturdy. Before we get into the actual steps, let's go through some precautions:

Step1: Precautions

We must emphasize using protective gear to ensure safety during our vanity basin installation project. Also, we need to be aware of local regulations. Here is a quick reminder:

➔ Use safety Google and working gloves throughout the process.

➔ Protect flooring using soft materials like styrofoam or tile protection sheets.

➔ If there is plumbing work, ensure you get the local permit per regulations.

➔ Try working between 8 AM and 3 PM. Take care of your neighbors.

Step2: Removing the Old Vanity Basin

If you install a vanity basin during house construction, skip this step. Otherwise, continue reading. There are total connections from your wall to the vanity basin. Drain, hot water, and cold water connection. Keeping these aspects in mind, let's begin removing the old vanity basin:

● Turn off the mains water supply.

● Open the faucet to get rid of any pressure in the lines.

● Place a bucket underneath the connection points to collect any draining water.

● Use the utility knife to cut off all the silicon sealant around the vanity basin edges and fittings.

● Remove the doors, drawers, and any excess weight to allow space for work.

● Remove the waste, cold, and hot water pipe connections. You may need a pipe wrench to do this. Label or color the connections to identify them later.

● Now, unscrew all the fasteners that keep the vanity basin in place and carefully remove your old vanity basin.

Step3: Measurements and Markings

Now, we need to measure our new vanity basin and make markings on the wall for fitting and fastening. Always use a level while making the markings so that all the markings are well aligned with the floor. Follow these points:

● Find the fixture points of your new vanity basin.

● Using a measuring tape, find the center of the fixtures.

● Measure the height of the vanity from the floor to see if it's freestanding. However, if it's wall-hung, the standard height from the countertop to the floor is 850-900mm. An above-counter vanity basin should be 950mm from the floor to the top.

● Translate those markings on the wall and make markings using a carbon pencil.

● Measure the location of the piping fixture on the wall from those markings.

● Translate those markings back onto the vanity cabinet or basin to drill holes.

● Use a stud finder for Wood Frame House Construction to locate support points. The stud should be underneath the fixture points. If not, cut through the wallboard and install wooden supports between the studs underneath the fixture points.

● Paste back the wallboard by applying silicon through a caulk gun.

● Fasten the wallboard to the wall and seal the edges.

Step4: Drilling Holes

● Simply drill holes large enough to allow plumbing connection points through the cabinet.

● Use the marking from the previous section.

● Drill holes in the wall at the fixture points.

● Ensure that the drill bit has a smaller diameter than your fastening screws.

● For a concrete wall, drill a hole and hammer in fastening anchors, which can be plastic or wood.

● Now is an excellent time to fill all the previous holes with sealant or putty and, if necessary, paint over the section.

Step5: Fastening and Securing Vanity Basin to the Wall

● Carefully place the new vanity, aligning the plumbing and fastening points.

● Use framing screws and a portable drill to screw in the vanity with the wall.

● Apply silicon sealant using a caulk gun around the vanity basin to prevent water from getting trapped between the wall and the vanity.

Step6: Final Plumbing Works

● Install the faucet back and connect the pipes. Tighten the nuts using a pipe wrench.

● You may need to cut some pipes using a hacksaw to adjust with your new vanity. The P-trap may require some adjustment. Apply sealant along the joints between pipes.

● Install all the vanity basin parts, and you will be all set!

Final Thoughts

The process is easy to complete with pre-built vanity basins. Modern wall-hung vanity basins are easy to install, lightweight, and require minimum skills to secure. Free-standing vanity basins are also popular due to their minimum fastening and installation requirements. However, use the right tools during the complete vanity basin installation process. Always prioritize safety before starting any work. We hope you found value in our guidelines and that your new vanity basin is an excellent addition to your bathroom interior!