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Single or Double Vanity? The Width Where Two Sinks Actually Works
A double vanity starts to work at about 60" wide, and it’s genuinely comfortable at 72" or more. Below 60", two sinks crowd each other and leave almost no counter space, so a single sink with a wider counter is usually the better choice. Between 60" and 72", it comes down to whether two people really use the sink at the same time.
The Width Ranges at a Glance
| Vanity width | Typical layout | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 24"–36" | Single sink | Small baths and powder rooms |
| 42"–48" | Single sink | Room for counter space on one or both sides |
| 54"–58" | Single sink (recommended) | Double fits on paper but feels cramped |
| 60" | Double sink (tight) or single with lots of counter | Works for couples on different schedules |
| 66"–72" | Double sink | Comfortable for two people at once |
| 84"+ | Double sink with a center drawer bank or makeup area | Room for real storage between the sinks |
Sink Spacing: The Number That Matters
The width of the vanity matters less than the space between the two sink centers.
- Tight but usable: about 30" between sink centerlines
- Comfortable: about 36" or more between centerlines
Two people standing side by side take up roughly 30"–36" each at the shoulders. At less than 30" between sinks, you’ll be bumping elbows.
You also want some counter at each end. Leaving at least 4"–6" from the outside edge of each sink to the end of the counter keeps water from running off the edge and gives a place to set things down.
A quick example
On a 60" vanity with two 17" oval undermount sinks centered 30" apart:
- Each sink center sits 15" from its end of the vanity
- Each bowl reaches 8-1/2" from its center
- That leaves about 6-1/2" of counter at each end and about 13" between the bowls
It works, but there’s not much room to set things down. On a 72" vanity with sinks 36" apart, you get about 9-1/2" at each end and 19" between the bowls. That’s a noticeable difference.
When a Single Sink Is the Better Choice
People often assume a bigger bathroom needs two sinks. Not always. Consider a single sink if:
- Only one person uses the bathroom at a time most mornings
- The vanity is under 60"
- You want a big drawer bank for storage
- Counter space for hair tools and toiletries matters more than a second basin
A 60" single vanity with the sink offset to one side gives you a lot of usable counter and room for a full drawer stack.
Plumbing for a Double Vanity
A second sink needs its own drain and its own hot and cold supplies. If you’re converting from a single to a double, plan for:
- A second drain branch in the wall, or a shared drain with a continuous waste setup (your plumber will know what’s allowed locally)
- Two sets of shutoff valves
- Correct drain locations at each sink centerline
This is plumbing work, and it may require a permit. Check with your city or county building department and have a plumber rough in the new locations before you order the vanity.
Storage Layout Options
Two sink bases with a center drawer bank
On 72" and wider, this is the most popular layout. Each sink sits over a door cabinet, and a drawer stack between them gives shared storage.
Sink bases with side drawer banks
Drawers on the outside ends and doors under the sinks. Works well when the sinks need to be closer to the center.
All drawers
U-shaped drawers that wrap around the plumbing give you drawer storage under each sink. It costs more in build time and complexity, but it’s the most usable storage.
One Long Vanity or Two Separate Ones?
In larger bathrooms, two separate vanities with a gap or a tower between them is another option. It gives each person their own space and lets you set different heights. It needs more wall width, typically 84" or more, plus two separate tops.
FAQ
What is the minimum width for a double vanity? About 60". It works, but 72" or more is noticeably more comfortable.
How far apart should two sinks be? At least 30" between sink centers, and 36" or more if you can.
Is a 48" vanity big enough for two sinks? Not comfortably. Two sinks on 48" leave almost no counter space. A single sink is the better choice.
Does a double vanity need two drains? Each sink needs a drain connection. Your plumber will decide whether that means two separate drain lines or a shared one under local code.
Choose Your Layout
Browse single and double options in our Vanities category and request finish samples to see colors and wood species in person. If you’re on the fence at 60"–66", email your measurements to information@craftedcabinet.com and we’ll help you work out sink spacing and storage before you order.