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If you’ve ever had to choose between doing your makeup under the unforgiving lights of your bathroom or on the floor by a sunlit window, then you probably understand the value of a dedicated, functional place to get ready every day. (My perpetually asymmetrical eyeliner would tend to agree.) But we also know that a decked-out makeup vanity can feel like a luxury reserved for those with a Hollywood glam team—or at the very least, a little extra square footage to work with.
As someone who is constantly grappling with an overflowing makeup collection, yellow fluorescent bathroom lights, and very limited closet space, let’s just say I get it—which is why I searched the corners of the internet for makeup vanities that tick the boxes for aesthetics, functionality, and space-effectiveness. (Seriously—we’re talking vanity tables that convert into desks, and others that feature hidden drawers or adjustable lighting.)
Whether you’re looking for all the bells and whistles or prefer a more minimal look, let’s level up your beauty routine with the makeup vanity options below.
Best makeup vanity with lights
Big on features and compact in size, this white-washed vanity wins major points for versatility. Use the touch switch to customize the lighting to your preference, and take advantage of the drawer space for any makeup overflow.
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Best makeup vanity for tiny spaces
The vintage look is everything, but this cute vanity is a major space-saver, too: Shut the mirror over the makeup compartment, and tuck in the stool to transform it into a rattan side table that fits easily in tight corners.
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Best travel makeup vanity
Taking your look to go? This hardy vanity case from Calpak was made to tote all of your makeup and skincare safely to your final destination—TSA regulations and surprise shampoo explosions need not apply.
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Best vanity-desk combo
The walnut finish of this vanity is sure to satisfy midcentury modern aesthetes. But this piece also knows how to multitask—flip the top down, and you have a perfectly functional desk. (If you’re working from a bedroom-office, you know what a gamechanger that is.)
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Best makeup vanity for teens
This stunning option was created by Los Angeles designer Sarah Sherman Samuel in collaboration with West Elm Kids and PB Teen. Am I the target demographic? Not quite. Am I still coveting it for my own space? You bet.
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Best vintage-inspired vanity table
From the gilded finish to the hand-embossed floral print, this piece looks like it could have been scored from a European flea market. Our pro tip: Round out the functionality with an arched mirror, like this frameless option from Pottery Barn ($299).
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Best minimalist vanity table
Can you spot the storage in this sleek vanity? Hint, hint: You push on the side of the table to make a roomy drawer appear. (Perfect for those who prefer the cleanest of lines.) Slip it along the wall of your bedroom, or set it up in your entryway with a mirror for last looks before you head out the door.
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Best Statement Vanity
I couldn’t leave you without this showstopper. Between the Viennese cane backing and the minimalist (but still functional!) storage, this stunning vanity is destined to be a focal point of your room.
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Don’t forget the drawer organizers!
Take it from someone who learned the hard way: Makeup pigment can easily stain wood finishes. Protect your new vanity (and build even more functionality) with some choice organizers. I’m a big fan of KonMari’s Bamboo Drawer Organizers ($35) to contain all my various tubes and compacts, which easily wipe clean. (I’ve also had luck with these lucite stacking trays from The Container Store.)
For tabletop organization, I like to remove all signs of clutter with decorative boxes and vintage containers found at flea markets and thrift stores. This agate-inlaid box ($56) from Perigold feels one-of-a-kind, but is utilitarian enough to stow away hair-ties and bobby pins—and Ferm Living’s Scape Bowl ($235) is the perfect catch-all for rings and earrings. And as for the more display-worthy beauty accoutrements, like perfume bottles? Believe it or not, marble serving trays, trivets, and cheese boards make for great fragrance stands—I scored mine at Goodwill, but this Le Marche Cheese Tray ($103) is a deadringer.
Eyeing some other key bedroom updates? Start with our definitive bedding guide, which includes sheets for every season and every preference. (The Sijo Eucalyptus sheets have singlehandedly gotten me through this steamy Los Angeles summer—even while sharing a bed with another human and two giant dogs.)