Having two sinks in a bathroom sounds better than one. Right? Well, maybe…for example, if you and your partner share the primary bathroom at key times of day.
Except, sometimes, the second sink ISthe problem. Yes! There are times when a two-sink vanity is redesigned into a one-sink setup.
Why? Well, each sink takes up counter space. It also affects drawer storage because it adds plumbing and another drain.
However, there really are bathroom designs where a second sink is a “must.”
Follow along with my article below, and I’ll show you what to consider. Let’s dig in!!
Get specific: what’s your daily routine like?
In the morning while you get ready, and at night when you get ready for bed. Do you and your honey have a similar schedule??
If you do, then a double sink is probably a gamechanger. If you don’t, then a two-sink vanity isn’t necessary. But…is it just about using the sink at the same time?
Where do you set your products? What do you have on the counter?
Start by thinking through every motion of your daily routine, then line it up with these key pros and cons…
What are pros and cons of a two-sink vanity?
The biggest advantage is obvious: two people can use the sink at once!! That means:
- You can brush your teeth while your spouse washes up.
- Or, for the kids’ bathroom, two kids can get ready for school or bed at once.
- Even if you don’t use the sink at the same time, each person can have a more defined side of the vanity, with his or her products always set out.
In a large primary bathroom, especially those we work in (like this bathroom in Trophy Club, or this primary bath in Keller, Texas), a double vanity makes sense visually as well as functionally.
But sink number two isn’t free…and I’m not just talking about the investment.
Every additional sink needs:
- A basin
- Faucet
- Drain
- Water line
- Countertop cutout
- Space underneath for plumbing
That means you might end up with:
- Less counter space
- Fewer drawers
- Less cabinet storage
- More plumbing
- Another sink and faucet to clean and maintain
- And, yes additional remodeling costs
In a large vanity, though, I’ll tell you…these compromises barely matter. So, if your primary bathroom is large and your vanity is already a part of the investment, don’t be shy!!
How big should a bathroom vanity be for two sinks?
OK, let’s say you’ve decided that yes, your bathroom design will have two sinks. But if your bathroom isn’t particularly spacious, the next question might be, “OK, how big should a bathroom vanity be to house two sinks? Is my vanity big enough?”
There isn’t one magic number because sink size varies, too (not to mention the counter dimensions and the storage you want). Even the size of the people using the sink matters!!
So, to decide if your vanity can manage, just remember that you needroom between the two sinks. You need usable countertop around them, too. You also need space to stand without bumping elbows. And you need cabinetry underneath that still does something useful besides hiding plumbing!!
So ask yourself (or ask your interior designer, if you’re not sure):
“After we put two sinks in here, what useful space is left?”
THAT’S ultimately going to be the answer to your vanity size question.
Can a bathroom too small for a double vanity?
What about the size of the bathroom itself? Can a bathroom be too small for a double vanity?
Absolutely.
Other than the size of the vanity itself, think about the space in front of it. Can someone open a drawer while another person walks behind them? If not, then you shouldn’t have two people (or two sinks) at the vanity, anyway. No matter how many sinks you have!
Sometimes taking something else out makes the room work better. For example, if you don’t use the tub, there’s NO reason to keep it, unless you’re planning on selling your home in the next 3-4 years and want to focus on resale only.
How much counter space do you lose by adding a second sink?
The short answer: more than the dimensions of the sink bowl.
The basin itself takes up countertop, but you also need usable space around it. Once you’ve accounted for two sinks and two faucets, that beautiful countertop can turn into a collection of small leftover spaces…so, where does the makeup bag to? Where does the hair dryer land? Where do you set your glasses while you wash your face?!
Consider the counter space and have an in-depth, routine-revealing conversation with your remodeler to decide how much counter you need…
Is a double vanity worth it in a kids’ bathroom?
Maybe!
If you try to get multiple children out the door at the same time each day, or get two (or more) ready for bed together, then the idea of two sinks might sound like a wise investment!
And sometimes, it’s one of the smartest investments a family can make.
Just ask yourself: do your kids have to wait to use the sink? Does everyone need counter space and/or a mirror and/or an outlet and/or a permanent landing space to set their stuff? Especially as kids get older, storage becomes highly valuable. Toothbrushes turn into skincare products, hair tools, electric razors, cosmetics…two sinks might help, as might individual drawers and storage zones.
How much does it cost to add a second sink during a bathroom remodel?
At last, the question that most of y’all were waiting for!!
The cost isn’t only the price of another sink. You’ll also want to take into account:
- The second sink and faucet
- Additional plumbing and drain work
- Another countertop cutout
- Cabinetry designed to accommodate the sink and plumbing
- Another mirror or medicine cabinet
- Lighting changes
- Electrical changes
- Additional installation labor
But here’s the good news: if you’re already doing a broader bathroom remodel and the plumbing is being planned accordingly, then adding a second sink is much easier than it would be to add one later. It actually doesn’t take much more at all.
Is the money better spent somewhere else, though? Perhaps. Every remodel involves choices. The dollars that go toward a second sink might be better invested in more drawers or more convenient outlets. These choices all have to compete.
Before I spell out how to sort these competing interests, I’ll point you instead to a worksheet that will help you sort through YOUR specific wants and needs. It’s simple—you just list out everything you would want out of a bathroom renovation, then you sort them into “must have,” “nice-to-have,” and “win-the-lottery have.”
If you choose not to go for the second sink even after determining that it really WOULD be a functional boon for you, then understand what conveniences you’re giving up.
Don’t think about ANY of this through the prism of “what is the bathroom supposed to have.” Think about it through the lens of YOUR routines.
Share your discoveries with me!! Drop a comment here or follow me on Instagram for more bathroom remodel inspiration and know-how.
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for over three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. In 2024 and again in 2025, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.
Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
Leave a Reply