I do not have a proper vanity but prefer to stand to do hair and makeup anyway. I love the idea of it and it always looks so perfectly chic.

I have a couple of Simple Human mirrors that I like very much. One is a stand mirror that I hold (I know that doesn't make sense) and the other is a travel mirror. I would like a wall mounted pull-out style but this is working so it's not at the top of my priority list.

I have a vanity that's built into my bathroom. It has a lighted magnifying mirror and drawers that store my makeup / hair products. I slide my vanity stool underneath it. Love it and it makes getting ready fun!

I do not. I don't spend all that much time on hair and make up so standing in front of the bathroom mirror is fine by me. At some point I do think I'd like a lighted, magnifying make up mirror - maybe post Covid when I actually wear makeup again.

In past homes I have had a counter in the bathroom designed to be a vanity area where one could put a chair or stool. I never used it that way. I prefer to stand.

In my current home I have a large full length mirror directly behind my sink/counter. I have a wall mounted swing arm regular/magnifying mirror by the sink, which makes it easy to see my rear view/back of my head. I also use the magnifying mirror to apply mascara, but tend to use the large mirror across from the sink to apply other eye makeup. I like that I can easily get closer to it than the mirror above the sink.

I had one years ago - wanted a place to do hair, makeup, 'test' jewelry.... It became a show piece in short order. Could not light it properly without the bedroom looking like a bulb factory, had to keep jumping up to rinse my hands from applying makeup and prefer to do my hair while standing so I can turn easily and see the back of my head with mirrors set up for that in the bathroom. I'd also prefer to keep the hair fallout from styling in the bathroom on a tile floor for easy pick up as opposed to rug or carpet in the bedroom.

I don't, although I can envision that having one would be something of a luxury that I could get used to! I have a lighted magnifying mirror that I just hover over at the sink to do my makeup. My makeup is fairly minimal, so that suffices. My hair, being so short, is super easy to style standing up (actually, I flip my head upside down to blow dry, then round brush into place), but I'm thinking of growing it out a bit -- although maybe just into a short bob vs. my current pixie, so it still won't require much effort.

I grew up having one in my bedroom. One of those kidney shaped ones with a fabric skirt. It had been my mom’s when she was single. I was spoiled having one and so, when we built this house, I had one built-in in our master bathroom. I love it and use it every day! It has drawers for my makeup, hair setter, brushes, etc. As for lighting, I have the overheads and then a lighted Conair mirror that sits on its counter, with a magnifying side. That, is a must IMO! Sorry, the Conair isn’t in either of these pics. I can‘t imagine putting on my makeup without it, though. If you do get a dressing table, my advice is to get one with several drawers. It’s so convenient to have what you need right there. And to be able to put them away out of sight when you’re finished.

I just did a search on Amazon and was surprised at how many of their available dressing tables had little or no storage! But I did find this one from Boahaus, the Christina model, and it’s only $160 with free shipping. What I like about this one, and this is just an example, is that it has a number of drawers and the cubbies below them where you can put nice baskets to hold taller larger items, but out of sight.

I have a spot in my bedroom where I sit and do my makeup, in front of a window. Because of the natural light, I don’t use a lighted makeup mirror but do use a magnifying mirror. I do my hair in the bathroom. Thankfully neither of these daily rituals take long 😂

I have a faux bamboo vanity with mirror. In our last home, it was in the master bath. Currently it's in the MBR. Sometime I use it, sometimes I just stand at my sink. Next house, don't know yet, but the bathroom there has a built in vanity, so I might just use the mirror there and use the vanity as a desk or table elsewhere.

Since I do not wear make-up, no, I don't have one, nor do I need one. I did have one as a teen, but I just am not so fussy about changing or 'improving' how I look. It is fine for others who want one, but just not me.

I have one because it's part of a depression era bedroom I've had since I was a kid. I use it for its drawers and nice big mirror but not as a vanity. Nearby there's a built in vanity in the passage to my bathroom, with full 50s fluorescent lighting. I use the drawers...

I grew up with a vanity in my bedroom. (This was back when I rolled my hair every night before going to bed.)

I have a vanity in our bathroom, but usually stand up to blow dry my hair and apply makeup. I have to lean in to see myself in the mirror, and turn to reach the sink for rinsing my hands.

Mine's in my office, a small desk I refinished.

I wear makeup (more or less) everyday. I hate standing while I'm doing it and I need really good light (natural or artificial) and a magnification mirror. My current setup isn't pretty, but it works. Big magnification mirror in front of a gooseneck lamp. It shows me the reality of the situation. Hair gets done in the bathroom where I don't mind standing or being un-magnified.

Mine is in my bathroom. Since my DH has his own bathroom, I have the entire sink and counter and built ins. I have a lovely antique bench that slides in under my sink. I very rarely use it. If I think about why, it's about depth. A vanity is not as deep as a sink counter, so the mirror is kind of far away. I stand up to do my hair and makeup. YMMV

Thanks Lynn! That would work. I was looking more at desks because they offer more storage than a typical vanity. I love your little make-up nook. I would have to remodel the bathroom to incorporate a vanity between the two sinks. Not out of the realm of possibility, but not ready to do it yet.

Not that I plan to sit at a vanity for 30 min fussing, but it dawned on me that I was rushing through hair and makeup because I didn’t like standing in one spot longer than just a few minutes.

DLM—-great points about being near a sink to wash makeup from hands and hair in the bedroom. Also your take that it sounds better in theory than practice gives me more to think about.

I was looking more at desks because they offer more storage than a typical vanity.

Joanie, exactly. Mine is a smallish junior desk my daughter had in middle school. It's got four drawers that store all my extra makeup, etc.

Bunny and DLM—-you gave me an idea. I have a small desk in the guest room. Think I’ll set up in there and try it out to see if I like it before I invest in a desk for the master bedroom.

Thanks all!

Great idea, Joanie!

I don't because my hair and makeup routine is pretty simple. Put on moisturizer after shower or washing face. Blow dry hair with a round brush after it's about half air dry. Curl eyelashes and put on mascara. Done. Every now and then I might throw on some eyeshadow or eyeliner but it's very rare. Maybe if I did have a nicely lit, seated vanity area I might be more capable of doing something with my hair or makeup. I've always been both low key and clumsy in terms of trying to do hair or makeup.

We created a vanity in our MBath by removing the middle section of a run of ten feet of cabinetry underneath the countertop and trimming it out. I use the round, adjustable height vanity stool I have had for twenty years and sit there to do my hair there every third day. I also sot there for facial care, but the little makeup I use I apply standing. We replaced the vanity lights when we moved in and there is a 4’ x 5’ window just behind my vanity stool, so I have either type of light available. It’s very convenient.

Growing up I had that white and gold French provincial furniture all young girls me have-canopy full size bed, dresser, desk and hutch, night stands, vanity and full size pivot mirror—-very matchy 😎 My vanity opened in the middle with a lighted mirror that turned on when you pulled that section up. I thought it was very chic and grown up!

I need to be able to wash my hands while applying make-up and to dampen the sponge when I go all out. Ergo, I put on my make-up in the bathroom.

ABSOLUTELY! Since I was 11 or 12 I have. My dad bought an old desk, stuck it on our bedroom, put a mirror on it and told we three girls this is where you will do your hair etc. We each got a drawer to hold our brush/comp and later make up. Dad knew with five kids and one bathroom no one could spend any more time than necessary in the bathroom primping. I learned to do my hair and make up sitting down so can't imagine standing in a bathroom that long. It's what I HATE most about travelling. Now I have a make up mirror/curling irons/blow comb (hot curlers once upon a time) extra plug in via extension cords all there at my left at the ready in drawers. A large tri-fold mirror on top that when I stand up I get a full view of my outfit was required. DH made our bedroom furniture and a vanity was on the list from the outset. My 'vanity' has always been an old desk or what someone else would mistake for a desk. I have always had 6 drawers of different depths used for make up/hair products/nail polish storage. One has always been for socks and then the ubiquitous miscellaneous junk drawer that is an archeological dig of cast off bobby pins/hair combs/pony tail holders....

Here's the youngest making one last swipe before prom picture at my 'vanity'. I got my first lighted mirror from my God mother when I turned 13. It fits in a drawer and is pulled out each morning as I set up. One side is 'normal' and the other magnifying. As I have gotten older the magnified side has to be stronger and stronger LOL. Since the first gift I have never found one I liked as much. I still have just the mirror I carry in my travel bag so I can set up when not at home. It's INSANE what they want for lighted stand alone make up mirrors!!!

Lynn, me too! Was it similar to this one?

I don't have a vanity now but I did find a way to be comfortable while doing a decent job putting on makeup or plucking my eyebrows. Getting older it's harder to see, especially curling my lashes.

On my bathroom counter is a small basket, about 6" x 4", and about 4" in depth. That's where I keep my current go-to makeup so I don't have to search through my makeup case.

I take it to my nightstand along with my super duper magnifying mirror, and I prop up on my side close to the lamp and put on makeup. I won't go back to standing unless I have two seconds to get ready.

I got the idea a couple of years ago when I remembered sleep-overs at my BFF's house where she and her gorgeous older sister would put their makeup on (in their own rooms) sitting on the floor in front of a full length mirror on the front of their closet doors.

Keeping the makeup in a little basket makes it easy. I also pluck and shape my brows there too. That's how I found the 10 foot hair on my chin one day. lol

Arcy——no problems with using hair spray in the bedroom—-does it get on the furniture? What about fallen-out hair?

Love that pic of the kidney shaped vanity. My aunt had one. I’ve seen them on FB marketplace—-pretty but not enough storage.

I need to be very close to a mirror to apply make up. Sitting down wouldn’t work for me.

instand doing my hair and make up. But....my makeup routine has always been just eyes and cheeks. Hardly ever lipstick and never a foundation unless for a special,occasion.

LOL, I'm constantly looking for ways to make my routine shorter and easier, not longer.

I used to have a vanity in my bedroom when I had roommates and didn't want to hog the bathroom. In one other case it was because I had a studio apartment so tiny, there wasn't even a sink or mirror in the bathroom! oh, the good old days.

the downside to bedroom vanities is the lack of sink, so I switched back to getting ready in the bathroom once I had a better apartment situation.

Oakley, yes, that’s exactly how it looked (but with a prettier skirt-LOL)!.

"the downside to bedroom vanities is the lack of sink" I (of course) wash my face in the bathroom and I do put my moisturizer, serum, night cream, WHATEVER, on there. But I don't need a sink to put on make-up.

I need water to do my hair, or sometimes clean an applicator or spilled makeup.

I do like the idea of having a vanity. it seems like a fancy lady thing to do, like in the movies. I'm just not fancy.

Oh me either, I'm not fancy. I do my hair in the bathroom. I like to be seated to do my makeup. :)

Bedroom vanities aren't meant to be used to wash your face or put product on your hair. Vanities are a good place to sit while brushing your hair, hence the vanity comb and brush sets. That's where my mom would brush my long hair while the lights were off so we could watch the static. Fun memories.

Vanities are used for some makeup, perfumes and colognes, a few pieces of jewelry you wear often, nail polish and accessories. Just general girlie stuff.

Vanities are a great place to file or polish nails. Store mani and pedi items in a drawer.

Had a vanity in the bathroom at my old house. Loved it, used it everyday. Miss it. I stand at my current house, neither my bedroom or bathroom have room for a vanity.

Yep water is often needed. Spray bottles and a plastic capped have always worked well for me. The humidity and heat in a bathroom--not so helpful when trying to keep curl in my hair.

We had a built in vanity in the master bathroom in our previous house and was thrilled to rip it out when we remodeled. I don't spend enough time doing make-up or my hair to make it worth while. When we moved here and remodeled we installed a lighted mirror on the wall next to the mirror for DH to use while shaving. It pulls out and I find it helpful for applying the little make-up that I use.

Yes I have a nook in my bedroom outside the walk-in closet that was designed to fit my old vanity. I told the architect that if my vanity didn't fit, he was fired! The vanity I got when I was about 8 years old...part of a french provincial bed set, white with gold trim. In the 80s, I refinished it, marbelized the top and changed out the hardware. The mirror and the wall sconces were salvaged from the old house that was here before we built. The capiz shell sconces were over the fireplace. In covid days, I rarely do makeup any more, but I've used the vanity a lot. The angled lighted makeup mirror is key for seeing one's face and making the set up work.

Annie's photo reminded me that I do have a vanity. It's part of an Art Deco bedroom set that we purchased at an antique store for our DD to use when she transitioned from her crib to a bed. It's in one of the guest rooms in this house and I often use it as a small desk. I love the mirror and the wood veneer and there's a matching bed and nightstand.

This photo is from my DD's bedroom at our previous home. I don't dare post a photo of how it looks at the moment since I'm working on my end-of-year statements and it's covered with my work.

Annie—-great job refinishing.

Maire-Cate——gorgeous furniture.