If you want to transform the look and function of a bathroom without a full remodel, a vanity replacement is your best single investment. It's often the focal point of the room, it controls most of the storage, and it's the element most likely to reveal the age of a bathroom to a visiting guest or prospective buyer. Here's everything homeowners across Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Palatine, and the northwest suburbs need to know about bathroom vanity replacement.
Types of Bathroom Vanities
Freestanding vanities sit on the floor with a furniture-style profile. They're versatile, widely available in almost any style from traditional to ultra-contemporary, and can be moved if needed. Most freestanding vanities have an integral top (countertop built into the unit) or accept a separate countertop. They tend to look higher-end than builder-grade alternatives and are the dominant choice in remodeled bathrooms across the northwest suburbs.
Wall-mounted (floating) vanities are attached to the wall with no floor contact. They create a clean, contemporary look, make floors easier to clean, and make small bathrooms feel larger. They require robust blocking in the wall to support their weight — ideally installed when the walls are open during a remodel. A wall-mounted vanity for a 36-inch bathroom runs $600–$2,500 installed, plus $200–$500 for proper wall blocking if not already present.
Built-in vanity cabinets are frame-and-panel cabinets custom-built to the space — more common in high-end primary bathrooms and whole-bath renovations. They offer the most storage customization but at significantly higher cost.
Choosing the Right Size
Standard bathroom vanity widths run 24, 30, 36, 48, 60, and 72 inches. In a master bathroom, 60 or 72 inches (double sink) is the target when space allows — two sinks significantly improve daily function for couples. In a 5×8 standard bathroom, a 36-inch single vanity is typically the largest that fits while maintaining comfortable traffic flow.
Height matters too. Standard vanity height is 32 inches (traditional) or 36 inches (comfort height, comparable to kitchen counter height). Comfort height vanities are preferred by most adults and have become the standard in new construction and remodels across the northwest suburbs.
Countertop Options
Integrated porcelain or ceramic tops: Built into the vanity unit, these are easy to maintain, no-seam designs that resist moisture well. Standard in mid-range vanities.
Cultured marble tops: A cost-effective synthetic option with good durability and a clean appearance. Available in many colors and configurations including undermount sinks.
Quartz tops: The premium standard for vanity countertops. Non-porous, durable, stain-resistant, available in hundreds of colors and finishes. Cost: $400–$1,200 for a custom-cut vanity top depending on size.
Natural stone (marble, granite, quartzite): Beautiful and distinctive, but requires regular sealing and careful maintenance. Particularly susceptible to etching from acidic products (toothpaste, makeup, facial cleaners) in bathrooms — consider a honed finish, which hides etching better than polished.
Single vs. Double Sink
In master bathrooms with two users, a double sink vanity is one of the highest-rated functional improvements in homeowner satisfaction surveys. The question is whether your bathroom has space for it. A 60-inch double vanity fits comfortably in most master baths; a 48-inch double vanity works in tighter spaces. Keep at least 15 inches of counter space on each side of each sink for usability.
What Does Vanity Replacement Cost?
In the northwest Chicago suburbs, bathroom vanity replacement (including the vanity unit, countertop, sinks, faucets, and installation labor) typically runs: $1,200–$2,500 for a standard 36-inch single vanity with quality fixtures; $2,500–$5,000 for a 60-inch double vanity with quality countertop and fixtures; $5,000–$10,000+ for a custom built-in or wall-mounted double vanity with premium stone countertop. These ranges include removal and disposal of the existing vanity. Call Hammer Remodeling LLC at (331) 231-2157 for a free in-home estimate.
Hammer Remodeling LLC has served homeowners across Chicago's northwest suburbs for over 20 years. We specialize in bathroom remodeling, kitchen renovation, tile & flooring, and home repairs — with a licensed crew that does every project ourselves, no subcontractors.