i think that's about what I'm planning for my mstr bath next yr. don't remember all of my figuring right off...a single sink in about a 18" base w/ a 15" drawer base on either side of it (3 drawers each) = 48". That should do for your dd also. I was going on bath cabs at HD. they might have 12" drawer bases also.
i had planned on mine a bit bigger to have 2 sinks then decided that was way too much - I'd prefer the drawers for make up, hair stuff etc. i only need 1 sink so why pay for a 2nd one plus plumbing for it.

You may want to check with the kitchen designer at Lowes or HD, all of the cabinet companies manufacture bathroom cabinets as well, and on some you can order different sizes. The quality is going to be much better than what you'd find with most of their stock cabinets. When we bought ours (5 boxes total) there was a 20% off sale which was a good savings & we had the linen cabinet we got sized down from 24 inches deep to 18, surprisingly the cost difference was not that significant. The typical overhang for the counter is 1.5 inches so that it can keep spillage from landing on the cabinet, I do think it would look strange to have a ledge smaller than an inch. Also, you'd be surprised at how reasonable it can be to have a custom cabinet made. One way to keep costs down would be to have the box made custom, but buy the doors/drawer fronts separately and have the stain matched. Also, if you shop around a bit, you may be surprised, when you compare quality w/price, more times than not, Lowes & Home Depot are not the least expensive available, especially when it comes to fixtures. I have been able to buy ours, (Moen's) from online sources for a much better price at Faucetdepot.com and Faucetdirect.com. Many of the other posters have recommended several other sites as well. I hope that's some help, 3 bathrooms! Wow, good luck!

Mrsculley,

Also consider that leaving 6 inches of space on either side would mean routinely cleaning that narrow area, when it could instead be pressed into use as storage if the cabinet ran the full width.

Sometimes having what you actually need built is the most cost effective decision in the long run.

If I were not going to have custom, I would consider leaving all of the space to one side, rather than centering. Then the 12" space could be used for some thing functional like a waste paper basket or your scale.

If yo do look at custom, look for a custom countertop. when dealing with an area that small, they are not overly more than HD, and because yards can use scraps from other projects, quite reasonable. I promise you will appreciate the extra space. I would suggest still having the 36" vanity to one side with the sink opening placed appropriately, then canterlevering the extra countertop using a cleat along the back and a bracket underneath the end. Plus, you still have the open 12" underneath area for storage of wastebaskets, etc.

Just my 2 cents.

Are you anywhere near an IKEA? Do you like contemporary design? They have two integral 47 1/4" countertops, the Bravikan with two bowls and (my favorite)the Norrivken with one bowl. Both fit their four drawer 47 1/4" Godmorgon cabinet. Or you could get a different top and do a vessel sink. Check their web site.

I second the idea of having the full 12" on one side, rather than 6 & 6. You could do a tall tower for storage, or maybe even a lowered section with a coordinating counter material, to look like a separate piece. I would also consider pricing out custom or semi-custom. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you can get for the $$$. Our cabinet guy works with Custom Cupboards, and we've been very happy with their product. Also, even if the cabinets turn out to be your "splurge" item, there are lots of other areas where you can save more $$$.

Here is a link that might be useful: Custom Cupboards

another thing to consider being it's dd's bathroom - the option of having part of it lower - like a dressing table height and empty under it for a bench/chair. that would be usable for her make up and nails. depending on her age...teens can spend hours at it! lol!

yrs ago (in my 20's) our big bathroom had the at least 48" vanity done with half of it that way. I used it every day. and there was room underneath for the waste basket.

HD has cabinet parts to make this part also. they have a booklet in the store with breakdown of 'parts' etc and sample designs.

We just were on the hunt for a 48" vanity ourselves. I don't know where you are located, but where I live near San Jose, CA, we found several warehouse-style cabinet stores that offered 48" vanities for $300-400 (much cheaper than what we saw at Lowe's and Home Depot). The catch is that the selection is very limited. Essentially, we had to choose from 4 styles. So, while the vanity style is probably not the one I would have chosen if I had more options, it is nice looking, has solid cherry doors, nice dove-tailing on the drawers, etc. The best part is that (again, because of the limited selection), they carry everything in stock, so we can pick it up next-day.

Anyway, just thought I would pass along the tip! If you happen to be in the Bay Area, I'd be happy to give you the specific address of the place we used. Good luck!

kwb1999,

I live in San Jose, too! Please let me know where you found the vanities.

Thanks so much to everyone for your suggestions. You've given us lots of ideas to consider.

You CAN get a 48" ready-made vanity if you have the countertop trimmed to fit. That's not such a big job, especially since those sides don't even have to be finished, and it will give you an extra 12" of very usable cabinet space and avoid narrow gaps that are impossible to clean.

If you're handy, you can even buy a small handheld diamond blade wetsaw (new for $80 or used on eBay for $30) and cut the tops yourself.

How funny that you are in SJ! We went to Almaden Kitchen and Granite. Their address is 2050 S. 10th Street
San Jose, CA 95112; they have a website, too: http://akg.tritigerdesigns.com/index.php
If you need a countertop, they also carry a bunch of inexpensive granite and marble slabs that are already bullnosed. We ended up going to Jerong in Hayward for our counter, though, because their selection was much more extensive.

If one of the four options at Almaden Kitchen and Granite doesn't work, I think KWW Kitchen Cabinets at 1090 N 7th Street, San Jose, CA 95112 does the same sort of thing, though I've not been there personally.

Best of luck! I hope one of these places works!!!

I have been told that you want to watch out for the lower end construction with MDF rather than plywood in a shower room where there is lots of moisture. So a low price, if it is not plywood, may not be durable.

Construction varies , kind of drawer runners and what the box is made of.

I have an awful 30 year old particleboard vanity in my bathroom, and while it's short and ugly and hideously 70s looking, it's as structurally sound as the day it was put in.

I had not thought about where to put the scale and trashcan. The 12" of space would be ideal for that with maybe a shelf for the scale and trashcan underneath that if I used a 48" top with a 36" vanity. Great idea.

Just keep in mind that aesthetically it will look a bit odd for the vanity to be pushed to one side rather than centered under the vanity top. This is a function vs. form issue - no right or wrong answer.