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Original poster

Sink vanity in bedroom?

40 replies

UsernameN0Tavailable · 10/11/2020 22:10

We have a sink vanity in our spare bedroom that was installed when we bought the house. 4 years after moving in we are now redecorating and had planned to remove it because I think they are old fashioned.

However, we only have one bathroom in the house, and every guest we've had to stay in the last 4 years has said they liked it. A relative who is our most frequent overnight guest said it was a shame we were planning to get rid of it.

Are they really out of fashion? I am considering replacing it with something like this: www.wayfair.co.uk/furniture/pdp/ebern-designs-ved-820mm-free-standing-single-vanity-unit-u001910033.html

OP posts:
Sometimesonly · 10/11/2020 22:12

I wouldn't like one but in a guest bedroom it could be handy.

Apandemicyousay · 10/11/2020 22:14

If it’s a guest room definitely worth keeping. My parents have one in a spare room and it’s great for staying over. Not sure if I’d want it in my own bedroom but for a guest suite, perfect. Not even sure why!

buckleten · 10/11/2020 22:15

I wouldn't install one, but I wouldn't get rid of one either - it is actually a really nice thing to have in a guest room. My parents have one, and I really appreciate it now when staying!

PigletJohn · 10/11/2020 22:27

boys will pee in it.

Maybe that's why guests like them.

But it also enables them to wash at their leisure without worrying about hogging the bathroom.

Probably handy if you have someone who is ill, too.

NewHouseNewMe · 10/11/2020 22:28

I have to understand this as I'm going to acquire a number of these in my new house Grin
Why are they good in a guest room?

NewHouseNewMe · 10/11/2020 22:29

@PigletJohn

boys will pee in it.

Maybe that's why guests like them.

But it also enables them to wash at their leisure without worrying about hogging the bathroom.

Probably handy if you have someone who is ill, too.

Stop!!! I can't unhear that first part.

They're going.

RandomUsernameHere · 10/11/2020 22:31

They're definitely out of fashion, but I reckon only because modern houses now tend to have multiple en suites. In your situation I would keep it, especially as the main people using the room have said they like it.

parietal · 10/11/2020 22:36

my parents old fashioned house had this. It is useful to be able to brush your teeth / wash your hands / wash your face without taking up the bathroom in the morning. if it fits with the age & style of the house, I'd keep it.

you can also have a screen or curtain around the basin so you aren't looking at it all the time.

Original poster
UsernameN0Tavailable · 10/11/2020 22:40

@PigletJohn

boys will pee in it.

Maybe that's why guests like them.

But it also enables them to wash at their leisure without worrying about hogging the bathroom.

Probably handy if you have someone who is ill, too.

No boys in the house apart from DH, but I was concerned about this as we do have one male relative that would be disgusting enough to do this! He hasn't stayed in the 4 years we've been here though.

The room is most frequently used by an older female relative so as long as I can make it look better (plywood cabinet with a plastic avocado sink at the moment!) I think we'll keep it. We have no opportunity to add another bathroom so it is a good extra facility.

OP posts:
rorosemary · 10/11/2020 22:41

Both my brother and me had one in our room growing up. It really helped getting ready in the morning without having to wait till the bathroom is free. We'd just shower in the evening and in the mornings we'd brush teeth/wash face/do hair and make up at the sink in our room. Our dad hogged the bathroom. I'd keep it.

theonlywayisup33 · 10/11/2020 22:45

The one you have linked is a contemporary one so def keep that.

LionLily · 10/11/2020 22:52

I always wondered how useful they were without an accompanying toilet.
At bedtime people want to have a wee, brush their teeth and cleanse their face.

Original poster
UsernameN0Tavailable · 10/11/2020 22:53

@theonlywayisup33

The one you have linked is a contemporary one so def keep that.
That is what I'm thinking of putting in, not what I currently have. What we have now is definitely not being kept!
OP posts:
DianaT1969 · 10/11/2020 22:55

In Google images 'Mango Washstand Tikamoon' you'll see a contemporary one that I'd love and the styling of the wall would be easy to copy. Sorry MN doesn't let me post post photos. Link here
www.tikamoon.co.uk/art-liv-mango-vanity-cabinet-100-2346.htm

PigletJohn · 10/11/2020 23:03

I like the idea of a vanitory unit with a fold-down lid so it turns into a dressing table or worktop. I haven't seen one though. Don't know how you'd deal with the taps sticking up.

CrystalMaisie · 10/11/2020 23:06

There’s one in the bedroom we sleep in at my mil‘s house (avocado green 😁). I always think it’s a bit naff, and because I still have to use the main bathroom to go to the loo, I don’t really see the point.
But if your guests like it, and you do, keep it. The one you linked to looks nice.

ozymandiusking · 10/11/2020 23:12

May I ask, Don't those wash hand basins, ( like the one the op posted)
Mean you have leaky elbows?

Anordinarymum · 10/11/2020 23:14

We had one in a bedroom when we moved in. It took up much needed space, and did not get used so it was removed.
If yours is used then keep it. Simples

Mosaic123 · 10/11/2020 23:22

My friend had one built into a wardrobe when I was growing up (1970s). When the doors were shut it just looked like a wardrobe in a run of wardrobes.

Original poster
UsernameN0Tavailable · 11/11/2020 09:47

@ozymandiusking

May I ask, Don't those wash hand basins, ( like the one the op posted) Mean you have leaky elbows?
What on earth are leaky elbows? Grin
OP posts:
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 11/11/2020 10:07

They were once fairly common in 4+ bed houses which back then would usually have only one bathroom.

My cousins’ house had one in their spare bedroom. I thought it very swanky at the time, but this was in the very Olden Days. They also had a brick built Wendy House in their garden - I was rather more envious of that!

I dare say some people would still find them useful during the morning bathroom rush, e.g. anyone who showers before bed instead of first thing. Though I know that those hyper-hygienic MNers probably think it gross not to do both!

GiraffeNecked · 11/11/2020 11:00

We had sinks in the bedrooms of the very old house I grew up in. You've just reminded me! I think it's a great idea. Means as a guest you can brush your teeth, put make up on etc and not worry you are hogging the main bathroom.

Thinking about it we might put one in our spare room....

irregularegular · 11/11/2020 11:05

They do seem to be very much out of fashion, but as someone else said that is because houses usually have more bathrooms now so they are not needed. I had a sink in my bedroom as a child/teen and wouldn't have been without, but there was only one bathroom in the house.

If you only have one bathroom and guests have said how useful it is then I would keep/upgrade. I hate those little bowl sinks on vanity units though! They are usually too small/awkward and I think they are getting dated already. You can get vanity units with proper sinks.

I would also have a strong preference for a hard floor in any room with water in it. Perhaps another reason why sinks in bedrooms seem dated now? Carpets in bathrooms are well and truly out, but bedrooms are still usually carpeted.

RandomMess · 11/11/2020 11:15

Could you actually reconfigure and fit a WC in as well?

WhereOnEarthDoIStart · 11/11/2020 11:57

If you could find the space to close it off somehow, it could be an en-suite.

I've seen some houses with a whole shower cubicle in too - open to the bedroom. Not sure I would like that though.