10 Vanity Ideas for Small Bedrooms

If you’re searching for vanity ideas in a small bedroom, this article is a great starting point to your search. Small spaces can be challenging because of the limited square feet (square meters) available in a bedroom; especially, a woman’s bedroom.

We’ve seen funky things. For vanity storage ideas, we’ve seen people with a dower-chest vanity used in double duty mode as extra storage and make-up center with a modern mirror on top. Kind of messy for our tastes but for that any room kind of feel, it might be the only way to make sure you have enough space to store all your products.  Still, we don’t like it because it’s patchwork and unnatural. 

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What is a dowry chest, hope chest, or “glory box”? It was a piece of furniture that unmarried younger women used to store their clothing or household items, before married life. Seemed like a great idea.  And larger than your typical storage containers.

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We know how frustrating it can be when you can’t find what you need because the vanity is too cluttered with skincare items, beauty supplies, and vanity tables that are not functional. The lack of space is always a challenge for women. We will cover some cool vanity ideas for that empty corner in your bedroom because we want you to create that perfect room look for the ultimate make-up spot.

There are many types of vanity and we’ll discuss some favorite vanity ideas.  Depending on your budget, maybe you have a friend or know a good, local interior design firm that can help you consider some storage options, even if you only have room for a petite vanity setup.

Table of Contents

1. 1. Simple Vanity Area
2. 2. DIY Makeup Vanity Ideas For Small Spaces
3. 3. Glam Vanity Table
4. 4. Add Different Textures to Your Space
5. 5. Make Use of Your Powder Room
6. 6. Make Use of All Available Space for Decorations
7. 7. Make Use of your Cabinet Shelf
8. 8. Add an Accent Wall to Make it More Interesting
9. 9. Look for Places to Purchase Your Vanity Unit
10. 10. Ask for Advice from Your Family or Friends
11. Conclusion
12. Frequently Asked Questions
    1. Where is the best place to put a vanity?
    2. How do I choose a vanity table?
    3. How tall should a makeup vanity be?
13. What is the most popular bathroom vanity color?

1. Simple Vanity Area

In a small bedroom where square footage is limited, the vanity table area might be located in an alcove or small bathroom that doesn’t have enough space for an adequate countertop. If this is the case, you can use furniture-like shelves to maximize the storage and functionality of your small bedroom vanity area.

Simplicity is a beautiful thing, so any new look helps improve any imperfections to the overall design. If you live in a small home, then you are more like to have a small vanity table with tiny shelves and possibly, a built-in drawer. Adding mirrors on the wall not only makes an otherwise drab room more attractive but brings more natural light into tight spaces.

You may even consider mirror light bulbs which are perfect if you have a simple black makeup vanity, for example. A typical vanity will use pastel tones which is really any hue with a high degree of lightness and low to medium saturation from the color. We’ve seen colors like mint green, mauve, egg blue, coral and light shades of pink enhance the room and make it feel like a much cozier space.

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If you’re looking for a more bohemian look in your bedroom, then the perfect bedroom decor considers a wooden vanity desk for that dramatic touch. A lot of manufactured woods are used for a vanity desk today and some even come with built-in lighting. You can also go with any color as long as it matches all other colors that are incorporated into this design.

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You can add an old chair and a small table made of wood and add it to a vanity desk that has a long mirror attached to it. You can also add a couple of plants, photo frames, and fresh flowers beside the vanity for an earthy look or even a faux fur pillow.

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Home Depot sells many bedroom vanities where the side of the sink is usually on the left side while having plenty of storage to boot! A pedestal sink will not work in the bedroom but a  bathroom-based pedestal sink and/or vanity can work if the layout supports it. You are less likely to find towel hooks for bedroom vanities compared to those made for bathrooms.

Bedroom vanities can be well-designed and include extra room for the hairdryer, linen, and other makeup products.  They can have better options when it comes to vanity tables. The type of vanity depends on the room, its size, and available rooms nearby.

2. DIY Makeup Vanity Ideas For Small Spaces

When you are on a budget, you can DIY (do it yourself) and create your own vanity with a dressing table or auxiliary table. If you’re not in the mood for too much do-it-yourself work, consider that there are tons of IKEA vanity ideas that can feel like DIY with some installation instructions. You can make a pretty makeup station with some simple materials from around the house and by adding in a few pieces of furniture.

You can also seek out deals at flea markets or thrift stores for a vanity desk, vanity tops or old dressers. This will save you money if you’re on a budget.  A makeup vanity desk can be upcycled with a little sanding and paintwork.  Millennials have adopted upcycling by storm, saving older, quality furniture from going straight into the landfill and rebuilding them.  Some have even turned it into a side hustle called “furniture flipping”.

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A vanity dressing table or chest to hold all your beauty products will be needed. You’ll need something for storage so take out any old jewelry box or drawer to organize all your make-up.

You can find an old dining table for a nice vanity top, then add some storage space underneath it by using some wire baskets and crates. These empty spaces can serve as storage for your vanity necessities like a hairdryer.

3. Glam Vanity Table

Do you want to feel like a celebrity whenever you are in front of your mirror? With a vanity dressing table, you can own that feeling of your own backstage room like a luxurious Hollywood dressing room and make-up artist’s studio.

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A glam vanity table has two drawers for storage space, as well as a large mirror with lights that will help illuminate your face properly.  We’ve seen some astonishing mirror lights that really strike the balance for make-up and show-time (going out for the evening). This vanity space can also have a countertop with storage for hair appliances and styling tools.

4. Add Different Textures to Your Space

Textures can add a certain richness to any space. Take advantage by incorporating different textures around the vanity drawer, such as painting the walls and using fabrics on furnishings or faux fur pillows for example.

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Paint all of the walls with one color but use two different shades; you can also paint some of the surfaces with pink accents – this will make the space feel more like a woman’s bedroom and have a feminine touch. 

Use textures on furniture as well.  Place an upholstered vanity chair next to a delicate-looking desk, for example. This is also a great way to add texture without adding a lot of clutter. You can also add a fluffy faux fur chair rug underneath the vanity chair. This will make it feel cozier and welcoming when you get home.

5. Make Use of Your Powder Room

If you don’t have enough space for your vanity set in your own bedroom but have much space in your powder room in the same floor space, consider making it your vanity area.

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You can find a nice mirror and set up some lights above your small pedestal sinks to make this small space work for you. You can add a small shelf beside it for storage if you need to.

This can be a great option if you don’t want the hassle of going downstairs for everything– from beauty supplies to get ready for work!

6. Make Use of All Available Space for Decorations

If you are an artist and have the ability to work with a variety of colors, use this space for artistic expression.  A positive vibe in a non-spacious bedroom is always welcome.  Going for colors helps to brighten what may already be a grim, dark space.

Add some decorations in your makeup vanity space such as picture frames with drawings done by you or family members. You can also put your favorite pictures and paintings to decorate the makeup table as well.

Decorate or paint your makeup vanity desk with your favorite color scheme or patterns.

You can also add some trinkets from trips you’ve taken on the vanity to make it more comfortable and welcoming.

7. Make Use of your Cabinet Shelf

If you have a small bedroom with a small workspace and a cabinet shelf, you can make use of the cabinet doors as your vanity area. That will be the perfect place for your vanity.

This type of vanity space is perfect for a tight space but offers plenty of space inside a cabinet shelf. You can use the deep drawer of your shelf as additional storage for your vanity needs.

If you have a lot of clothes and accessories, these items can be stored neatly inside your cabinet. The vanity area at the door will act as your makeup mirror and for hair styling. The top part of the vanity could also work as a small shelf so that you can place anything such as your makeup kit, scarf, or anything else you need during the day.

Make sure that it will not block anything such as natural light coming inside the room. 

8. Add an Accent Wall to Make it More Interesting

Adding an accent color to a tiny bedroom is not only aesthetically pleasing but can also help make space feel more spacious. A simple way to do this would be by simply painting one wall with your chosen hue and letting the rest of the room remain white or another neutral shade. This will give a stylish look to your vanity space and it will also make your room feel larger.

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9. Look for Places to Purchase Your Vanity Unit

A modern vanity or personalized vanity unit can be expensive due to customization and storage capacity features. A great way to save on cost is to buy secondhand or from many retailers that offer customization such as IKEA. There are many ideas for vanities with additional searches online.

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To save even more money, look for vanity units that come with a mirror and sink. This means you’ll only need to purchase the countertop separately which is often much cheaper than buying it as part of a vanity set. Find a garage sale near you for cheaper deals.

Alternatively, don’t buy your vanity unit at all. Instead, find existing pieces of furniture that have a top surface and are large enough to use as a makeshift vanity table for makeup and beauty products on the side. Plenty of vanities can save you time and money. Furniture recycling is a hot theme and organizations like Habitat for Humanity allow you to avoid the expense of buying something new

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Vanity ideas for small bedrooms may not be your first choice if budget is an issue. However, with some creative thinking, you can avoid expensive accessories and find creative ways to develop your dream vanity idea. 

10. Ask for Advice from Your Family or Friends

Ask family and friends for advice. They probably have vanity ideas that you haven’t thought about yet, and their own experience could help in finding a solution.

If this fails, just hired a professional.  Professional designers have many ideas from a classic vanity design, to a classic vanity alternative, to a wooden vanity table or white vanity that works with your particular room and color seat.

Conclusion

So now what? You’re set! Give your room an update with these ten tips and you’ll be able to make the most out of your space!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to put a vanity?

There are no set rules on location, but you should ask yourself what is your most convenient location. If there’s an adjacent mirror in your bedroom already then this might be a good place to start. Otherwise, we typically suggest putting it next to the door or near both of the windows, if possible.

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How do I choose a vanity table?

When you choose a vanity table, keep in mind the size and shape of your bedroom. If you have a small room, then you’ll want to avoid bulky furniture that takes up too much space. But if you have a spacious bedroom then the rectangular shape of the vanity table is best.

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How tall should a makeup vanity be?

The height of your vanity should be determined by your vanity stool. The height of the top surface on a vanity is typically 36 inches from floor to the front edge of the countertop or sink, and 17 inches between legs. A typical makeup table stool will add 12-14 inches in total height for comfortable access to this type of desk space.

What is the most popular bathroom vanity color?

The most popular bathroom vanity color is white. It goes with any décor and can maintain a modern look over time because of its clean, simple lines.

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White vanities are a popular choice for small bathrooms as well since they don’t take up all the space in the room as dark wood or mahogany do.