Bathrooms With a Double Vanity vs. a Double Entry

Accessibility

• To use a bathroom, you must be able to get into the room easily. A double entry into a bathroom is more accessible for those in wheelchairs or with larger figures. To make getting into a bathroom even easier, choose swinging double doors. These doors open in both directions, so someone with difficulty moving, no matter which side of the door he is on, can simply push the doors open.

Space

• Consider space when choosing between a double vanity or a double entry. Swinging double doors require open floor space inside the bathroom for the doors to open. To save space, consider folding double doors or pocket doors that slide into the wall. A double vanity will require at least 22-by-47 inches of space, but this will depend on the model you choose. You also will need adequate space and access to plumbing to install the fixtures for two sinks and drains or a shared drain.

Shared Bathrooms

• Shared bathrooms are common because most homes have fewer bathrooms than bedrooms. A double vanity can help ease traffic when using the bathroom. Each person will have her own sink and space for toiletries, allowing two people to use the sinks at once. Closeting the toilet in the bathroom will offer privacy for those using it when others are at the vanity. This lets the bathroom be used by three people. A double entry does not help as dramatically with heavily used bathrooms, but it does open wide to allow for people passing through the doorway as the bathroom user changes.

Storage

• Double entries and double vanities offer storage for your bathroom but in completely different ways. Cabinets built under the double vanity can hold toiletries and towels. An over-the-door storage rack can be used with double entry doors. These are designed to hold towels or lightweight toiletries. However, this exposed storage option will make your bathroom look more utilitarian than secreting your towels under the cabinets of a double vanity.