A bathtub may be the crown jewel of a new bathroom, but the vanity is the workhorse. It’s where we get ready for the day, the place where teeth brushing and face washing happen, and it is often the main storage centre. Don’t let it be an afterthought.
When supplying Art and Matilda’s new bathroom and ensuite, the team at Athena helped the family decide which vanity would work best for their family bathroom.
“We went into their showroom, and they gave us a really comprehensive explanation of all the different materials we could use, all the finishes,” says Art. “The wall-hung aspect of the vanities was really cool for us.”
We spoke to Vivien Bayer, Athena Bathrooms showroom consultant, about what to consider when upgrading your bathroom vanity.
Start with your space
Viv says considering your bathroom proportions should be one of the first things.
“Many families come in with grand ideas, but are working with a smaller bathroom. That said, there are plenty of clever solutions for compact spaces and most people are working with an existing layout rather than starting from scratch.”
Check your plumbing
Whether your pipes come through the wall or floor will dictate what type of vanity you can have.“This is an important consideration early on, as changing your plumbing configuration can add significantly to the overall cost. It also determines whether you’ll be looking at a floor-standing or wall-hung unit.”
Drawer configuration
Viv says to consider how your family actually functions day-to-day. “Athena’s most popular size is the 1200mm Array or the Verto vanity because the plumbing runs through the middle, leaving room on either side for an upgrade, such as an internal cosmetic drawer.“Also, don’t assume that a large drawer front means generous storage inside. Always check the actual internal heights and depths of the cabinet.”
Choose materials wisely
“We have two front panel finishes at Athena,” says Viv. “Melteca is a cost-effective option that still looks great, while Thermoform sits at the higher end, with different drawer-front details and a more modern look and feel.”
Match your aesthetic
Viv says, “You can coordinate your vanity fronts with your kitchen cabinetry or other tones throughout the house for a cohesive look. Cabinets and tops are interchangeable, so you can tailor your vanity. If you love a particular cabinet, but aren’t sold on the benchtop, it can often be swapped. Visiting a showroom or browsing a website makes a real difference because you can see all your options in one place.”
Athena vanities are on display at leading plumbing retailers nationwide. Visit the Auckland showroom to see the full range in person and keep an eye out for the Christchurch showroom opening late 2026.
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