By LAMOO Project Team
A UK renovation contractor needed bathroom vanities for a 12-unit residential refurbishment in the Midlands. The building was a converted Victorian terrace split into separate flats. Each flat had a different bathroom layout: some were compact under-stair spaces, others were standard family bathrooms, and the top-floor units had larger master bathrooms with more wall width.
The contractor could not use one vanity size for every room. At the same time, the developer wanted the project to look coordinated rather than random. The challenge was keeping finishes, basin styles and mirror directions consistent while matching each room's actual width, drainage position and storage needs.
What the Contractor Needed to Solve
The contractor's main concern was not price alone. The project required a vanity solution that could work across four bathroom layouts without creating confusion during installation.
The key requirements included:
- Compact single-basin vanities for two under-stair bathrooms (wall width under 900mm / 35.4")
- Standard-width vanities for six family bathrooms
- Wider vanities for three master bathrooms with more storage needs
- One show unit with a more distinctive design for marketing
- One oak-look finish direction across all room types
- Clear carton labels so the installation team knew which vanity went to which flat
The contractor had previously ordered from another supplier and faced two problems: the finish looked different between two batch deliveries, and the cartons had no room labels, causing confusion when six different vanities arrived on the same day.
How the Vanity Sizes Were Planned
In refurbishment projects, bathroom dimensions are fixed by the existing building. The contractor could not widen walls or move drainage positions. This meant each vanity had to be reviewed against the actual room condition.
| Room Type | Vanity Size | Why This Size | Key Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guest bathroom (small) | 600mm / 23.6" single basin | Wall width 780mm / 30.7", under-stair slope | Space saving, drawer access, wall-hung to clear floor |
| Family bathroom (standard) | 900mm / 35.4" single basin | Standard wall width 950mm / 37.4" | Storage, basin position, mirror width matching |
| Master bathroom (large) | 1200mm / 47.2" wider configuration | Wall width 1300mm / 51.2", more storage need | Countertop space, mirror proportion, drawer layout |
| Show unit (upgraded) | 1000mm / 39.4" with ribbed front | Marketing display, same footprint as family | Visual distinction, finish consistency with other units |
This approach let the contractor compare product directions without forcing one cabinet size into every bathroom. The show unit used the same 900mm / 35.4" footprint as the family bathrooms but added a ribbed front panel for stronger visual character.
Three Questions the Contractor Asked Before Ordering
"Can we use one finish across different vanity sizes? I don't want the master bathroom looking like a different product."
Yes. The contractor selected a warm oak-look finish for all cabinets. LAMOO confirmed the same finish reference would apply to compact and wider models, with grain direction and edge banding checked at sample stage. The 600mm / 23.6" and 1200mm / 47.2" vanities came from the same finish batch to reduce color variation.
"Will the drawers actually close? The last supplier's drawers hit the drain pipe and we had to cut them on site."
LAMOO reviewed basin position, drain location and drawer depth for each size. For the 900mm / 35.4" and 1200mm / 47.2" units, U-shaped cutouts were confirmed in the drawer back panel so drawers could close fully without site modification. The 600mm / 23.6" compact vanity used a shorter drawer to avoid the drain area entirely.
"Can you label the cartons by flat number? Last time we spent half a day opening boxes to find the right vanity."
Yes. Outer cartons were marked with model code, room type and flat number (Flat 1–12). Each carton also included a simple line drawing showing the vanity size and basin position. This reduced installation confusion when mixed sizes arrived on the same delivery.
What Was Confirmed Before Production
Before bulk manufacturing, the contractor and LAMOO locked these details:
- Approved sample board for oak-look finish, signed by both sides
- Basin type (integrated ceramic) and position for each size
- Mirror width matched to vanity width: 500mm / 19.7" for 600mm / 23.6" vanity, 800mm / 31.5" for 900mm / 35.4", 1100mm / 43.3" for 1200mm / 47.2"
- Drawer clearance around drainage, with U-cutout drawings confirmed
- Wall-hung bracket position for the two compact bathrooms (floor slope required raised fixing)
- Carton labels by flat number and room type
- Separate mirror and basin protection, with corner guards for the ribbed show unit
Result: What Happened on Site
The contractor received four vanity sizes under one finish direction, with clear labeling for site handling. The installation team matched each carton to the flat number without opening boxes early.
Two details saved time on site:
- The wall-hung brackets for the compact bathrooms were pre-positioned at factory, so the installer did not need to measure bracket height on a sloped floor
- The drawer U-cutouts meant all drawers slid closed on first fitting, with no site cutting
The developer noted that the show unit's ribbed front helped secure a tenant viewing within the first week of listing.
What This Means for Similar Projects
For contractors working on multi-unit refurbishments, this case shows three practical points:
- Mixed sizes do not mean mixed finishes. One finish direction can work across compact, standard and wider vanities if the sample is locked before production.
- Drawer clearance is a factory question, not a site problem. Reviewing basin position, drain location and drawer depth before production avoids cutting drawers on site.
- Carton labels are part of the product. Clear labeling by room or flat number saves installation time and reduces handling damage from early box opening.
For contractors who need non-standard sizing, finish matching or mixed model review, LAMOO can also support custom bathroom vanity manufacturer discussions before sampling and bulk production.
Planning a Refurbishment Project?
Send your room types, wall widths, drainage positions and finish direction. LAMOO reviews mixed vanity configurations, drawer clearance and packaging before sampling.Send Project Details
FAQ
Can one finish work across different vanity sizes?
Yes. The finish reference is confirmed at sample stage and applied to all sizes. LAMOO uses controlled-batch panel sourcing to reduce color variation between compact and wider models.
Do mixed sizes create installation problems?
Not if three details are confirmed early: drawer clearance around drainage, wall-hung bracket position for uneven floors, and carton labels by room or flat number.
What should contractors confirm before ordering?
Room dimensions, drainage position, floor condition (level or sloped), finish reference, basin type, mirror size, drawer clearance, hardware finish and carton labeling requirements.
