What is a wall hung vanity unit?
A wall hung vanity unit, often called a floating vanity unit, is a bathroom cabinet fixed directly to the wall with no legs or plinth touching the floor. The basin sits on top or is set into the worktop, while the drawers or cupboard below hide the waste pipe and bottle trap and give you somewhere to keep toiletries, towels and cleaning products. Because the floor carries on uninterrupted underneath, the room reads as larger than it really is. That is the main reason wall hung units are such a common choice for en-suites, cloakrooms and compact family bathrooms in Irish homes, where every bit of floor space counts.
Why choose a wall mounted vanity unit?
The biggest difference you will notice is the floor. Leaving 150–250mm of open space below the unit makes a narrow bathroom feel wider, and your floor tiles run right back to the wall instead of stopping at a plinth. If you are retiling at the same time, our guide to small bathroom tile design shows layouts that work well with floating furniture.
A clear floor is also much easier to keep clean. You can mop straight under the unit, so dust, hair and splashes have nowhere to gather, and there is no plinth sitting in water after a shower and slowly swelling. If you have underfloor heating, a wall hung unit leaves more of the heated floor exposed, so warmth reaches more of the room. You also get to decide the height. Because the unit is not resting on the floor, it can be fitted higher or lower to suit the people who use it most, rather than accepting the fixed height of a floor-standing cabinet.
Choosing the right size
Start by measuring the wall, then think about the space in front of it. You need room to stand at the basin comfortably and to open the drawers or doors fully without hitting the toilet, bath or shower door. As a rough guide, 500mm units suit cloakrooms and small en-suites, 600mm units are the standard choice for most family bathrooms, and 800mm to 1210mm units give you a wider basin area and noticeably more storage where the room allows it.
Depth matters just as much as width in a tight space. The units in this range run from about 390mm to 465mm deep, and choosing a slimmer model can free up valuable walking space in front of a toilet or shower. Every product page lists the full height, width and depth, so you can check the measurements against your room before you order.
Colours, finishes and styles
The range covers wood-effect finishes such as light oak and tobacco oak, gloss white and matt white, and darker shades including anthracite and shadow black. For a softer, more current look there are coloured units in sage green, savannah green, dusky blue and terracotta. Wood tones sit well beside stone-effect or neutral porcelain tiles and bring warmth to an all-white bathroom. The green, blue and terracotta units work best against plain white or pale walls, paired with brushed brass or matt black taps. To narrow the choice quickly, use the filters on this page to sort by colour, width, height, finish, material, style, range and brand.
What to check before fitting
A vanity unit filled with toiletries and topped with a ceramic basin is heavy, so the wall behind it needs to carry the load. Solid block or brick walls take the fixings well. Stud partition walls need timber noggins or a plywood backing board fitted between the studs before the plasterboard goes up, which is far easier to plan in at the start of a renovation than to add afterwards.
Agree the fitting height before the waste and water pipes are positioned. Most installers set the top of the basin between 800mm and 900mm from the finished floor, and moving the pipework later means opening the wall. If the wall is already tiled, use a diamond or tile drill bit and drill without hammer action so the tile does not crack. Our guide on how to drill through tiles explains the method step by step. Tile Merchant supplies bathroom furniture only and does not provide fitting, so we recommend using a qualified plumber or bathroom fitter for installation.
Planning the rest of the bathroom
A vanity unit is rarely chosen on its own. It usually sits beside a toilet, a bath or shower and a mirror, and the bathroom looks more finished when the styles, colours and proportions match. Choosing them together also helps you check that everything fits around the door and the window. Our guide on how to choose a bathroom suite walks through matching styles and sizes across the whole room.
Frequently asked questions
Are wall hung vanity units good for small bathrooms?
Yes. Keeping the floor clear below the unit makes the room look larger, and slimmer depths of around 390mm leave more space to move around. A 500mm or 600mm unit suits most small bathrooms and en-suites.
How high should a wall hung vanity unit be fitted?
The top of the basin is usually set between 800mm and 900mm from the finished floor. Fit it nearer 800mm for a household with children or shorter adults, and nearer 900mm for taller users.
Can a wall hung vanity unit go on a stud wall?
Yes, as long as the wall is reinforced. Timber noggins or a plywood board fixed between the studs give the fixings something solid to grip. This is best done before the wall is boarded and tiled.
Is a wall hung or floor standing vanity unit better?
Wall hung units save floor space, are easier to clean under and suit underfloor heating. Floor-standing units are simpler to fit on weaker walls and usually offer a little more storage height. The right choice depends on your wall and how much floor space you have.
Do you deliver wall hung vanity units across Ireland?
Yes. We deliver nationwide, and each product page shows the expected delivery time and whether the unit is available for collection.