One thing many of our clients make room for in their dressing rooms is a dreamy vanity with all the custom trappings to make morning glam a breeze! We incorporate ample storage for cosmetics, clever conveniences like electrical drawers for tools, and of course lots of lighting. This space is an essential, and unless you have space for a proper vanity in your bathroom, the closet is the next most logical place for it! Depending on your process of getting ready, you might need room for hair accessories, skincare, and even space for a glam team to work around you in your chair. These are all things to consider when deciding where the vanity goes, and designing its inner-workings.

When we design custom vanities, we can really maximize the design to ensure we are utilizing the most valuable real estate in the closet. Sometimes, this means getting creative with flexible solutions — like convertible vanities! A folding vanity top is a great idea for an island or bureau where you want to keep a clean surface, but need the functionality of a vanity from time to time. This maybe isn’t the most practical option if you’re someone who wants to use the vanity daily, but for many this is a great, unexpected way to incorporate a vanity without taking up lots of space in a dressing room!

So you’re ready to design your dream vanity?! The first major decision you need to make is where you want to get ready every day! Maybe this decision is easy for you, as you’re already tight on space, or maybe you have a few options! Bathrooms, dressing rooms, bedrooms, and even hallways are all great spaces to carve out a cosmetic station. If you’re starting to run out of space already in the closet, maybe get creative and consider converting a hall / linen closet, or a nook under a staircase into a luxe little glam station! If you’re primarily going to be using the vanity during the day, consider scouting a spot close to a window with lots of natural light!

If you’re looking to create a functional vanity without the added time and expense of a custom solution, consider a freestanding alternative! With the right accessories and plenty of storage, you can convert a desk, console, or table into a perfect place to get glammed. A few things to look for — pay attention to the height, you want something that will be comfortable for sitting, and isn’t so deep that you have to lean forward to get close to your mirror! Make sure it has adequate storage, and ideally a few deeper drawers for tools like flat irons and blow dryers. And of course, make sure it fits the aesthetic you’re after! If you aren’t sold on the overall look, consider swapping hardware for a more elevated, custom appearance.

A must for any functional vanity — you’ll need lots of lighting! Natural light is great for makeup, but we always recommend plenty of bright LEDs as well. When designing custom, we like to incorporate lighting into the mirrors and cabinetry surrounds, but if you’re doing it yourself, a magnifying mirror and wall sconces can also do the trick! Look for fixtures that complement the look, and don’t have any patterned / faceted shades that could cast unsightly shadows while you’re getting ready. The key is to create soft, even lighting.

When choosing a mirror, you can really tie together the space! Look for a wall mirror with a decorative frame or integrated lighting. You can find endless options for wall mirrors to fit any style and finish, or consider a free-standing mirror that could be mounted to the vanity to create a more custom look and really dress up the existing furniture piece.

Finally, the real functionality of any fabulous vanity is in the details. There are so many upgrades you can make to elevate the custom look of your new vanity, and to make getting ready here ever more convenient! Incorporate cups and holders (either integrated or freestanding) for brushes and cosmetics! Outfit your drawers with custom partitions (contact us for custom inserts), and organize them by the stages of your routine. A rule we like to use for makeup is to separate by face products, eyes, lips, and nails. Haircare and skincare products should also be kept separately. If you have a deep drawer, consider running electrical into the drawer for easy access and storage for your hair tools! This way you’ll never have to untangle another mess of cords!

Share your dream vanity makeovers with us on IG @laclosetdesign! And if you’re looking for a custom glam room makeover, reach out to us any time to get started on your project!