By Meike van Dongen · Veem, Amsterdam · 7 August 2026
Most vanity returns have the same cause: the cabinet fits the wall, but not the room. Use this rule instead of guessing.
The 20 cm walkway rule
Measure the free wall width, subtract the swing of your door and shower, and keep at least 20 cm of walkway on the passing side. What remains is your maximum vanity width - not the wall itself.
Quick sizing table
| Bathroom | Typical free wall | Vanity width |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet / cloakroom | < 90 cm | 40-60 cm |
| Compact bathroom | 90-140 cm | 60-80 cm |
| Family bathroom | 140-200 cm | 80-120 cm, single basin |
| Large bathroom | > 200 cm | 120 cm+, double basin |
Three checks before you order
1. Water points: the drain can move ~10 cm with a flexible hose; more means plumbing work. 2. Wood in a wet room: choose lacquered fronts and wipe standing water; ventilate after showering. 3. Wall-hung? Check your wall can carry it - hollow walls need heavy-duty anchors.
