Design Dilemma: My Off-Centered Bathroom Vanity is Driving Me Crazy—Here’s How I’m Dealing With It
As someone who’s admittedly a little OCD when it comes to design symmetry, I’ve hit a serious snag in my bathroom remodel. My handyman recently installed the new vanity, and to my horror, it’s not centered under the light fixture or where the mirror is supposed to go. When I pointed it out, he shrugged and said it was “impossible” to center it because of the way the vanity drawers are built—they’d interfere with the plumbing if we moved it. I understand the logistics, but that doesn’t make it any easier to live with visually. Now, the mirror and light will also be off-center, and I’m struggling to make peace with it.
If you’re anything like me, you know how one little imbalance can throw off the entire aesthetic of a space. I walk into that bathroom and instantly zero in on the fact that nothing lines up the way it should. But rather than rip it all out and start over (as tempting as that sounds), I’ve been brainstorming some design tricks to make the asymmetry feel intentional—maybe even stylish.
First, I’m thinking of adding something to the right side of the vanity to balance it out visually. A narrow shelving unit or tall plant could do the trick. Something vertical that draws the eye upward and fills the visual void might help the vanity look more centered than it is. If I go with shelves, I could style them with rolled towels, candles, or decorative jars to make the space feel finished and curated.
Another option I’m exploring is installing an oversized mirror that spans the full width of the wall or extends further to the right. That way, even though the vanity itself isn’t centered, the mirror will give the illusion of balance. Same idea goes for the light fixture—if I swap the single fixture for a bar light or a pair of sconces, I might be able to fake the symmetry that’s missing.
Art is another clever way to cheat the eye. A framed print or two to the right of the vanity could create visual equilibrium. It’s about distributing the visual weight so no one element feels awkward or like it’s floating in the wrong place. Even a bold wall treatment like vertical paneling or wallpaper on that one side could help disguise the imbalance.
At the end of the day, I know this isn’t the end of the world—but it’s definitely one of those things that’ll bug me every time I walk in unless I do something about it. So if you’re in the same boat with an “impossible to center” vanity, don’t panic. With a little creativity and some smart styling, you can make it look intentional—and maybe even love it more than if it was perfectly centered.
Want to tailor this more to your voice, add photos, or brainstorm specific items to use? I’d love to help you design around it!