Makeup vanity tables are the perfect place to store makeup, face creams, and hair products, and they also provide a dedicated area to use these items every day. Makeup vanities are also known as dressing tables or desks, and they come in a range of sizes to suit the differing needs of the user.
Here we explore the average size of makeup vanity tables and look at the functionality of vanity units in different sizes. Makeup vanity dimensions can affect the practicality of the piece of furniture, so this is an important consideration before you make a purchase.
How Big Should a Vanity Unit Be?
Makeup Vanity tables come in various sizes so that they can work in various spaces within bedrooms and dressing rooms of different dimensions. If you have a small dressing room and need to accommodate a makeup vanity, you’ll need to opt for a compact unit, whereas if you have a generous space to fill, a large vanity unit can be more functional and look more balanced in the room.
Many of us will have a specific area to work with, and in this case, it’s best to work backward from here to find the right size of makeup vanity. For example, if you have a width space of 50 inches available on your dressing room wall, then you’ll need to find a makeup vanity table that measures less than 50 inches wide.
If space isn’t an issue, then you can instead look at what practical elements you need from a vanity table. For example, if you have a lot of makeup to store then having a makeup vanity with drawers on both sides will be best. If you like to keep your jewelry on the counter of your vanity table, then you’ll need enough surface space to accommodate a number of jewelry boxes.
At the very minimum, a makeup vanity should be wide enough to fit a stool or chair beneath it so that you can sit down to apply makeup or get ready for the day.
Standard Makeup Vanity Size
There is no set industry standard for the size of a makeup vanity; however, on average, most vanity units will have a similar height and depth measurement. The width measurement of a makeup vanity is the most variable dimension. The average height of a makeup vanity is between 30 and 31 inches.
It’s rare for this measurement to vary much outside of this range because the height of the table has to be suitable for the user to sit on a chair tucked beneath it. The average depth of a makeup vanity is between 16 inches and 18 inches. This allows for fairly deep drawers where you can store lots of makeup and toiletries without the furniture occupying too much space in the room.
In terms of width, a makeup vanity can measure anywhere from 26 inches wide to 48 inches wide. This allows for the variation in room sizes in homes so that a suitable makeup vanity can usually be found to work in almost any space.
Small Vanity Table Size
Not everyone has a lot of space to work within their bedroom or dressing room. If you find yourself in this position but still want somewhere to store and apply your makeup, there are some compact vanity tables available. The IKEA BRIMNES dressing table is one of the most compact makeup vanity units on the market, with a width measurement of 27.5 inches and a depth measurement of 16.5 inches.
The height measurement is the standard height of 30.4 inches, which means the table will work with standard stools or chairs. Most makeup vanity chairs will have a width measurement between 16 and 18 inches at their widest point, so this will allow roughly 5 inches of margin at either side of the chair when you tuck it beneath the table.
The absolute smallest size that a makeup vanity could be is 20 inches in width, as this will still allow a chair to fit beneath it. If it is any smaller than this, you will struggle to use a chair with your vanity table.
IKEA Makeup Vanity Dimensions
IKEA offers a number of dressing tables that can be utilized as makeup vanities, including the BRIMNES dressing table, the HEMNES dressing table, and the MALM dressing table. These cover small, medium, and large makeup vanity dimensions and are popular in modern homes.
BRIMNES dressing table
TheBRIMNES dressing table is the smallest of all IKEA dressing tables, yet it offers superior functionality. There are two drawer spaces for storage of small makeup items, but one of the drawers is actually not a drawer at all. Instead, it lifts up on a hinge to reveal the items stored inside and holds an internal mirror.
This is ideal for anyone with limited space or a limited budget who wants to get the most out of their makeup vanity in terms of practicality. The BRIMNES dressing table measures 27.5 inches wide, 16.5 inches deep, and 30.4 inches high.
HEMNES dressing table
The IKEA HEMNES dressing table comes with a built-in oval mirror, a large storage drawer, and two smaller storage drawers. The table height is 30 inches, but the overall height, including the mirror, is 62.5 inches, which should be taken into account if you have windows or fixtures on the wall.
The depth of the HEMNES dressing table is 19.5 inches, and the width is 39.5 inches. This is a medium-sized makeup vanity that offers plenty of storage and surface display space.
MALM dressing table
The MALM vanity unit is sleek and simple for those who prefer an understated look. It is a large makeup vanity, measuring just under 31 inches high, 16 inches deep, and a little over 47 inches wide. It offers a large pull-out drawer for storing makeup, or it could double up as a desk in the home office.
