80 cm cabinet: why is this the ideal standard size for a family bathroom?

The right balance between storage space and space taken up

Large enough for a family, without taking up too much space in the room

An 80 cm unit is generally suitable for a bathroom measuring 4 to 6 m², the most common size in Belgian homes. At this width, the drawers are deeper and more numerous than in a 60 cm model, which makes a real difference to family life: children’s toiletries, bathroom towels and everyone’s personal items finally have their own place without being crammed together.

A solution that will do the job before considering a bespoke option

For families who still find themselves short of space despite this width, there are additional solutions, such as vertical units or storage tips designed specifically for small spaces, but these remain secondary to a well-chosen 80 cm unit, which already covers most of a household’s day-to-day needs.

A width designed for use by several people

Switch between them freely in the morning

The vanity top of an 80 cm unit provides enough space for an adult and a child, or two adults taking turns, to get ready without getting in each other’s way. It is precisely this ability to accommodate sequential use, rather than simultaneous use, that sets the 80 cm unit apart from narrower sizes, without requiring the double basin of a 120 cm unit.

The best-selling format – and not by chance

This is not an isolated figure: of all the widths of vanity units available on the market, the 80 cm option remains consistently the most popular choice for renovation projects, precisely because it fits into the majority of existing bathroom layouts without the need for complex plumbing work.

A wider washbasin – real comfort for everyday use

Space for everyday activities

A washbasin mounted on an 80 cm unit is generally between 50 and 60 cm in size, compared with 40 to 45 cm on a 60 cm unit. This difference, which seems minor on paper, makes a real difference in everyday life: washing your hands, brushing your teeth or helping a child wash becomes more comfortable, without splashes spilling over the washbasin.

A proper kitchen worktop, not just a sink

Around the washbasin, the space left on an 80 cm-wide vanity unit is enough to hold a toiletries bag, a cup and a few toiletries without them constantly ending up in the sink. This is a detail that matters particularly in a family bathroom, where several people use the same vanity unit at different times of the day.

The most versatile format on the market

Hanging or standing, depending on the desired effect

The 80 cm model can be installed either wall-hung or floor-standing – a level of flexibility not always offered by the extreme sizes available on the market. When wall-hung, it leaves the floor clear and makes cleaning easier – a principle already widely adopted in contemporary bathrooms. When floor-standing, it remains a solid and reassuring choice, particularly for families with young children who sometimes lean on the unit.

A width that allows for additional storage

Its standard width also makes it easy to combine with vertical solutions, slim columns or tall shelves, for households wishing to further optimise space without changing the width of the main unit. It is this compatibility that explains why the 80 cm width remains the starting point for most projects, even those that subsequently incorporate additional storage solutions.

Materials designed to last

A width well represented among the leading brands

An 80 cm unit, widely available in the ranges of major brands such as Delpha or Sanijura, generally features the same moisture-resistant finishes as other widths: panels treated to prevent swelling, and easy-to-maintain synthetic or ceramic vanity tops. This manufacturing standard, already tried and tested on this very common size, remains a guarantee of reliability for intensive family use, which is far more exposed to moisture and splashes than a bathroom used by just one person.

A choice that doesn’t compromise on durability for the sake of style

Collections such as Refuge, which are available in 60, 80, 100 and 120 cm sizes, or Pupitre, available from 80 cm, clearly illustrate this continuity: the family-sized range features exactly the same synthetic or ceramic vanity tops, the same full-extension drawers and the same finish options as the larger units, without compromising on quality simply to achieve a more practical width.

A budget that remains under control given what the furniture offers

Value for money, which also explains its success

The 80 cm model generally falls within an affordable price range compared to models measuring 100 cm and above, whilst offering a significant improvement in storage space and comfort compared to the 60 cm model. This balance between the initial outlay and the real-life benefits on a day-to-day basis largely explains why families naturally gravitate towards this width rather than giving in to the temptation of a larger size that would exceed their actual needs.

A choice that prevents regrets after the building work is complete

Choosing a unit that’s too small to begin with, just to save a few centimetres, often ends up costing you dearly later on, once the drawers are overflowing and the washbasin becomes too small for several people to use. Conversely, a well-chosen 80 cm unit from the outset avoids this sort of frustration without representing a disproportionate investment relative to the actual size of the room.

A style to suit every taste

A range of finishes rarely equalled

The 80 cm model is available in a particularly wide range of finishes: natural wood, matt lacquer, classic handles or sleek fronts with no visible handles for a more minimalist look. This variety means the unit can be adapted to suit any bathroom style, from the most classic to the most contemporary, without ever being limited by the width itself.

Details that make a difference in everyday life

Opening mechanisms are also evolving in this size: alongside traditional handles, more and more 80 cm units feature push-to-open fronts, with no visible handles, for a cleaner look that is particularly popular in contemporary interiors. This choice of finish is independent of the unit’s width, allowing you to create a truly personalised bathroom without having to compromise on the practical benefits of the family-sized format.

What difference does the 80 cm actually make in a group routine?

The morning – the time of day that really reveals a piece of furniture’s limitations

It’s often in the morning, when several members of the household are getting ready at almost the same time, that the width of a vanity unit really comes into its own. A unit that’s too narrow leads to all sorts of friction: a toiletries bag falling over, an elbow knocking over a glass, a toothbrush with no fixed place. The 80 cm unit alleviates many of these little everyday frustrations, simply because it offers enough space for everyone to keep their belongings within easy reach without encroaching on others’.

Storage that grows with your family

Storage needs also change as children grow older: specific bath products for very young children, followed by a greater number of toiletries during adolescence. An 80 cm unit, with its deeper drawers than those in a 60 cm unit, is better suited to this gradual change in needs, without the need to completely redesign the bathroom layout at every new stage of family life.

The 80 cm unit therefore owes its status as a family standard to a rare balance: wide enough to organise storage for several people, compact enough to fit into most Belgian bathrooms, and common enough to offer a choice of styles and materials that few other widths can match. It is this combination, rather than simply a passing trend, that explains why it remains the first choice in a renovation designed for the whole family.

Key points to remember

The success of the 80 cm unit is no coincidence: it ticks almost all the boxes for a family bathroom, from ample storage to a comfortable washbasin, whilst being fully compatible with the most common home layouts in Belgium. It’s a design that doesn’t set out to impress, but simply and effectively meets the real day-to-day needs of a household.