Thanks bigreader. I am leaning that way as well, except all the off-the-shelf ones I've seen seem to have the basin in the centre. Because of the bathtub, I need a basin that is on the right. Has anyone seen one which is about 140cm and have a basin on the right?

Hi olldroo, you've given me some food for thought. I will definitely look into using kitchen cabinets and laminate benchtop, perhaps combined with a ready-made vanity as suggested by bigreader. I hear the newer high-end laminates are very good quality now.

Yes, the bath is bigger than average. Replacing it with a smaller one (especially as we all shower anyway) would open up more possibilities. However, it doesn't bother me and I am not in a position to redo the whole bathroom for some years yet.

The layout works well though: everything is where it should be, given the size, orientation of the room and where the door is. The proportions possibly look weird because the photo was taken by real estate people, using a super-dupa wide angle lens!

I wanted to replace the vanity because I don't like the black of the granite benchtop, the bulky-looking vanity, and there is some water damage on the side. With semi-recessed sinks, I guess it depends on how far the sink protrudes. I have had one previously and it wasn't a problem for us.

Thanks again for your help.

OK, no wonder the photo looked weird.

The kitchen supplier would be able to do the whole thing for you, so you don't have to try to match anything and the hole for the basin could be cut into the bench top anywhere you want it. The only problem is the plumbing, the cheapest way to relocate that is by extending any pipes and that takes internal space from your vanity. Glad you have lived with the semi-recessed sink, I've heard many others complain. Have you checked out basins though - there is a good range of sizes and shapes now.

I bought an off the shelf-vanity-for my main bathroom, but it was still made up fresh for me so I had the option of the colour, bench top colour, size and style of the basin and where I wanted it for no extra charge - have you double checked on that?

Check out Laminex's range online and phone them for samples - they are very happy to do this. I went back to Laminex to save money on my kitchen reno and used the Diamond Gloss Polar White. It always looks stunning and I really love it now.

Have you also checked the existing vanity will come out ok without damage to the wall tiles? Also is the floor tiled under the vanity - that will present problems for you if it has not been done. Theoretically it should be, just depends on whether corners may have been cut.

Good luck with it all - oh to not have to think about budgets!!

Love a semi recessed vanity and put one in a previous bathroom for a similar situation. I think it would work really well here. I would spend my money on the custom narrow cabinetry + semi recessed basin. You can get a larger more luxurious-feeling basin as it's set further back against the wall. My budget compromise would definitely be to forego the stone/caesarstone benchtop. But hey, that's just the choices I would make : )

Reece vanities have the option for the offset side basins.

hope this helps :)