How To Fix a Gap Between Vanity And Wall
Vanity cabinets are seeing a huge leap in popularity, and rightfully so. They are beneficial and provide a focal point for almost every bathroom design imaginable.
The best way to fix a gap between your vanity and wall is to first make sure your vanity is as flush to the wall as possible. After, you can fill the gap with silicone caulk. Additionally, you may add a backer rod or backsplash to close the gap. Or, you can tile a sidewall.
If you were worried about getting a vanity due to the notorious gap issue, knowing your options can help you make the right decision for your bathroom installation. Here’s what you need to know…
Related Content: Should The Bathroom Vanity Be Against The Wall? | Bathroom Vanity Dimensions | How To Caulk A Bathtub With Wide Gaps
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Do All Vanities Have Gaps?
Whether or not a vanity will have a gap between walls depends on the build of the vanity as well as the installation you need to do. Most vanities will have gaps. That being said, not all vanities will have gaps, and gaps can be prevented through careful planning. Selecting a cabinet that isn’t prone to gaps is a significant part of the battle.
How Do Gaps Between Vanities And Walls Occur?
A vanity will have a gap if the actual structure of the vanity has something that pushes the main portion of the cabinet away from the wall. It also can occur if you need a particular sink installation procedure that requires space between the vanity and the wall.
Measurements can play a big role in gapping, too. At times, vanity cabinet gapping can also happen due to a measuring error or as a result of not being able to find a cabinet that works with your bathroom measurements.
How To Fix Gaps Between A Vanity And Back Wall
There are two types of gaps that are commonly cited here. There are gaps between the back of the vanity and the adjacent wall and gaps that can occur on the sides of a vanity. Let’s start by talking about how to get rid of the gaps between a vanity and your back wall first…
Use A Bathroom Sealant Tape
The easiest way to fix medium-to-small gaps between walls is to use a bathroom sealant tape to help get rid of small (but noticeable) spaces between a cabinet and the back wall. Using it is simple. Just apply the tape on clean surfaces to lock out moisture and smoothen your vanity’s lining.
Use Caulk And A Backer Rod
Another easy want to ensure that you get medium-sized gaps out of the way is to place a backer rod in the cabinet’s gap. Once the backer rod is in place, use caulk to seal the rod and help blend the rod in with nearby surroundings.
When using caulk to stop a gap between vanity and wall, it’s best to use color matching caulk to do it. This reduces the chance of having a visually jarring border around your vanity. If you can’t find caulk that matches the cabinetry, using clear-drying caulk is your next best choice.
Caulk Small Gaps Together
If the gap between your vanity and wall is small, then the best way to seal away the gap is to grab some transparent caulk to do it. Smaller gaps won’t need a backer rod to fill things in. To get an extra crisp line, use tape on your walls to prevent smearing.
Like with the backer rod option above, using caulk exclusively as a way to fill in a gap is best done with some color-matching in mind.
Invest In A Thicker Backsplash
One of the easiest ways to make a gap between a vanity and a back wall disappear is to use a backsplash to get rid of the gap. Thicker backsplashes can make gaps appear almost entirely nonexistent while still giving you the look of having a cabinet that’s flush with the wall.
If you are worried about the aesthetics of sealant tape or similar techniques, using a backsplash might be the right way to keep your bathroom’s look perfect. It’s also worth noting that thick-set backsplashes can cover larger gaps than most other solutions out there.
How To Fix Gaps Between A Vanity And A Side Wall
Sometimes, you might end up with a vanity cabinet that leaves you with extra room between one side or another side of your bathroom. This can be visually jarring, but thankfully, there are ways to make good use of that space. Here are some of the best methods to use…
If you’re dealing with a small gap between your vanity and one corner of your bathroom’s wall, then you can usually use any of the methods used for back walls with a fair expectation of seeing good results.
Add A Smaller Side Cabinet To Cover The Gap
With gaps that take place between a vanity and a wall corner, there’s a good chance that you may have a much larger gap than what you’d expect from a back wall gap. If you are stuck with several inches of space, you should consider adding a small pull-out cabinet to bridge the gap.
The trick to making this work is to make the top of your vanity match the top of the side cabinet. It’s possible to make your own cabinet addition that fits most vanity styles. However, it might require a little woodworking knowledge and craftiness to make it work.
Use Shelving As A Stopgap
If getting a full cabinet is too much for you, another option would be to install additional open shelving to give the gap an additional purpose in your bathroom. The shelving alone will add extra storage space.
This option will require you to get a small cut of countertop that matches your vanity’s top to work. After all, you will need to “lengthen” your vanity’s counter to make the shelving look neat.
Add A Trash Can
Another good option for larger gaps is to use the space to put your bathroom bin. After all, garbage cans are a necessity for any bathroom layout. That gap can offer a perfectly sized nook for it in many situations.
Video: Here’s How to Do It
How Much Space Should Be Between Vanity Sink and Wall?
According to the plumbing code, there must be at least 15 inches of floor clearance between the center of the vanity sink and any neighboring walls.
Although most experts advocate at least 20-30 inches of clearance, these specifications are the bare minimum. However, this does not preclude you from installing the vanity flush with the wall if you so desire.
Can I Have a 2-inch Gap Between my Vanity and Wall?
A 2-inch gap between the vanity and the wall is not acceptable. When installing a vanity, you must either put it flush with the wall (so that nothing falls into the gap). Or, leave a four-inch gap between the wall and the vanity’s edge if you’re going for a freestanding installation.
How to Measure Gap Between Bathroom Vanity and Wall
It’s not difficult to determine the distance between the bathroom vanity and the wall. A tape measure and a piece of paper are all you’ll need.
1. Measure from the Center of the Vanity to the Wall
Measure the length of the vanity and mark the center, then the from depth of the vanity and mark the center. The center of your vanity is the junction point. This point must be set at least 15 inches away from any walls.
Measure the distance from the center of the vanity to the back wall and make any required changes – this step is only necessary if you wish to install a bowl sink on top of the vanity. This is because it allows you to comply with the International Plumbing Code. According to code, the sink is already positioned in most vanities with recessed sinks.
2. Measure the Gap Between the Vanity and Wall
Using the aforementioned measurements, place your vanity so that the center of the sink is at least 15 inches away from all walls. Measure the distance between the wall and the vanity with your tape measure.
On a piece of paper, write down the distance. Caulk can be used to close a gap of 14 of an inch or less. Alternatively, if you need to fill a greater gap, look into the options listed above.
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Our Final Take
Gaps between vanities and walls are commonplace, but that doesn’t mean they should dissuade you from getting the vanity you want. There are plenty of ways to fill in those gaps based on the size of the gap and your vanity’s position in your bathroom.
The bottom line is that you always have options when it comes to creating that smooth, clean, and effortlessly chic look that a gap-free bathroom vanity has to offer.
Sure, some methods may require additional building or expensive materials, but the truth is that it’s always doable. It just takes a little creativity and effort.
Check Out These Bathroom Vanity Guides
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