Weedy - That's an awesome idea! I have toyed with the idea of dropping that wall to counter height.. Far better idea to use the space for a vanity. But what to do with the vanity/counter space behind the door? Closet?

The vanity behind the door seems pointless, unless you were to switch to a pocket door. I would much rather use that space for a linen closet.

I like weedyacres idea of putting in a larger double sink area, maybe 72" and keep the other side for the make up area. (win win situation)

My question is more about the budget. I don't know what you plan to spend but it usually cost less when you're not moving, adding, or relocating pipes.

I have a 90s house too that I just started working on. Our master bath has a 72" double sink and I would much prefer one sink with a make up area but I knew most people prefer two sinks (especially in the master) so I left the sinks. For a kids bathroom or extra bathroom I find one sink plenty. I would never not buy a house because a bathroom had only one sink. But that's just me.

My 90s house has the two bedrooms upstairs (master is on the main) and the bathroom upstairs between the two bedrooms only has one sink, but has plenty of counter space (I think it's 60" vanity). I love the design up there. I would rather have some counter space then cram two sinks in.

Yes to two sinks in the master bath, but I honestly have to say that I can't remember our two kids ever using the bathroom sinks at the same time. Having said that, they liked having their own sink because then it was not their sibling's "nasty mess" they had to deal with.
So weedyacre's suggestion may be the way to go.

For the lower budget option, could you repaint both vanities, replace both counters, but just don't install the sink in the one behind the door? When you go to sell the house couldn't you just cut a hole in the counter and set the matching sink?

Thanks everyone! Budget is a concern, because the master bath remodel is likely to suck our savings dry. Weedy's suggestion is a good use of the space, but the least likely outcome due to the cost of removing the wall, installing a header, replacing the vanity, and re-plumbing.

In our last (1950s) house, the hall bath was smaller, but had the same layout. The area behind the door was a very useful closet. Our 10 year old REALLY likes the make-up counter idea. This plan could be mostly diy (remove vanity, wall repair, painting, install new counter) but would require a plumber to cap off the pipes. Also, the flooring would have to be replaced. Maybe we could take that on. The estimate for the MB tiling has made me consider taking up tiling as a career. Mucho $$!

Errant_gw: The space could become a linen storage area in the future but, for now, I have to support the make-up counter, due to DD's cute, pleading, puppy-dog face.

mrsshayne: DH and I are never in the bathroom together, so I would prefer a single sink in the MB too but, resale... In the hall bath - I think storage trumps the extra sink.

nosoccermom: LOL! The second sink is used during sleepovers - not a reason to keep it!

benjesbride: Yes - that is the simplest solution, especially if we go with laminate counter tops.

I have two sinks in our hall bath. I cannot wait to be rid of one. In almost 40 years not once have we or anyone else used both sinks at the same time. Even during my kids sleepover days when we often had a house full.

watchmelol: Thanks for the input. I'm feeling pretty good about the plan to remove the extra vanity now. Thanks all!

Re: the cost on my proposed design, it doesn't have to be expensive.

Demo the wall yourself. I expect there's nothing in there but a light switch, and it's low probability that it's load bearing and thus requires a header. Just truncate the tub wall.

You could then add a makeup area to the end of that sink (instead of a 2nd sink) and leave the behind-the-door sink where it is. The makeup area could have a lower counter than the sink, so you wouldn't need to replace the counter.

Weedy: Yes, just a light switch. I have also thought about cutting a "window" into the wall between the sink and "empty space" to allow some light into the inner sink area. DH is very skeptical about all of these ideas. I may have to wait until he's travelling this summer ;)

DD10 and I have discussed tall storage in the area labelled "empty space" in the sketch. But, if we do the makeup area there, we could convert behind-the-door sink area into floor-to-ceiling storage and I could get all the linens out of my closet. Hmmmm....

If you are still receptive to comments--I suggest

1--take out the one sink behind the door--add vertical shelving w/mirror behind and maybe a counter space w/room for bench/stool under it for your daughter to use as makeup table...There is probably an electrical feed there to use for a lighted makeup mirror. Space would only be in use when the door was closed and she was there so access should be OK. You can go all the way to ceiling with shelving and even use bench with storage feature.

2--lengthen counter on opposite wall and add trough sink w/two faucets if you think two people might be using snk at same time. If not, then lengthen counter and move sink toward toilet to gain some room away from the door. You probably could add set of drawers at the end of counter or a cabinet tall enough to screen the toilet and make a pseudo-wall. I find drawers more helpful than open shelving most of the time because they control and conceal better.

3--if you want to increase the "open" look of the room, instead of having counter space along wall w/toilet--consider tearing existing out and using two free standing cabinets w/glass doors on top and drawers on bottom to bracket a free standing sink...you can get them with a towel bar around the basin area...Cabinets are often more shallow than built in vanities so that would free up floor space...

loves2read: #1 is most likely scenario. I like #3 too. We hadn't considered a pedestal/console. That would certainly open up the space. Thanks!

Our hall bath is exactly like was suggested. On the right side there is a 72" vanity with double sinks. It ends at the toilet. The other side, behind the door is a very useful linen closet, and next to the linen closet is the tub. The plumbing for the tub is in the wall of the linen closet. Very functional.

Be careful not to get drawers on the left side of vanity if they will hit the door molding. We are replacing ours with 2 36" vanities that have drawers that will all be in the center. (Current ones have no drawers) I know they sell some 72" vanities, but it was more cost efficient for us to get 2 36". I haven't seen 72" in person, only online. I suppose fancy plumbing places have them, but I assume for more $.

FWIW--I have seen/read blogs where people did just that--two smaller vanities butted together to look like 1 built-in unit...

If you go with pedestal sinks just make sure you add some cabinet space and/or drawer unit for storage...can also do a nice ledge along the wall above the sinks for stuff...Pedestals just don't have much room on top...

I forgot to add, I would find a sink or counter behind a door really annoying. You have to go all the way in and shut the door to use it., even for a quick touch up. What's the point of a separate counter for makeup anyway? You need water to clean up the mess.

My two boys have used separate sinks since they were little. They each have their stuff on their side. When they were little they could brush their teeth together without elbowing each other. They are responsible for own mess.

There is plenty of room between the 2 sinks in a 72" counter. Here is a picture of mine. Pardon the mess, my kids are In their 20's and I am not their maid. I clean it for company or when they pay me. They clean it when i yell at them or they get too grossed out. I am getting new vanities and granite in

there as soon as I find granite in a low price,