Available from a petite 400mm wide in widths right

Vanity units are also available in different depths. Of course, the depth you choose will in part be related to the style of basin you prefer: a large countertop vessel basin requires a deeper surface to sit on than a semi-recessed basin, which can jut out from the front of the vanity unit, saving on bathroom floor space while still giving you plenty of room to wash your face and brush your teeth.

With depths from as little as 300mm delivering surprisingly capacious cupboard space, and deeper units standing half a metre or more out from the wall and providing massive below basin storage, excellent storage space is an important feature of all vanity units.

And so it should be: in its proposed national housing standards consultation last year, the UK's Homes and Communities Agency prioritised space within the home, commenting that '[homes] should be 'sensibly planned and functional... providing enough space and facilities, such as... storage, to enable residents to live comfortably and conveniently'' (HCA, 2010). The bathroom is the smallest room in many, if not most, homes - so ensuring there's sufficient space in there is a very important consideration for householders, and investing in some fitted bathroom furniture is a good way of maximising your floor space as well as your storage space.

Comfort is another prime factor in bathrooms: vanity units range between 700 and 900mm in height. When buying your new vanity unit, consider your own height and the heights of other members of your household. Ease of access to the basin, with as little stooping or stretching as possible, should be high on your list of priorities. Families with small children can buy a step to allow toddlers to access the basin, as even a lower height unit will be a little tall for them in their first few years.

Of course, if your bathroom is small and space is a major factor in your choice of bathroom furniture, you might like to consider choosing a WC and basin combination unit. These contemporarily designed pieces bring together those two bathroom essentials, the toilet and the wash basin, housing them in one piece of furniture so there's no wasted space in between. There's still plenty of storage space beneath the basin, and there's a handy shelf behind the toilet, too.