The vanity is an essential bathroom element. It is where you can find the bathroom mirrors, toiletries, medicine, grooming tools, and cleaning materials. Without this storage space, all bathroom paraphernalia will be out in the open gathering dust. Imagine how cluttered and unhygienic a bathroom must look without it! Like the kitchen cabinet, bathroom vanities play a vital role in having a functional, orderly, and elegant bathroom. Its design, style, and orientation can make or break the overall look and accessibility of your bathroom so make sure that what you choose is a perfect fit for you and your family. It should also be able to withstand moisture and bacterial buildup common in damp areas as bathrooms.
Find the perfect vanity that suits your lifestyle
From mere practical spaces to fashion hubs inside homes, bathroom vanities have come a long way. There is a plethora of options that could overwhelm homeowners when shopping for a vanity. To make sure you are on the right track, you must keep these factors in mind.
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Your Needs
What do you do when in front of the bathroom vanity? Who is going to use it? Do you share such with your kids, grandparents, or are you on the look-out for a single-serve version? How much time do you spend in front of it and how big a storage do you need? What components do you need to make it as functional as you would like it to be? Drawing out answers to these questions could help homeowners decide what type, size, or materials to look for. Many people commit the mistake picking out a vanity just for the heck of it — a big mistake since it can be costly to buy these. Plus, a vanity that does not serve its purpose well is a waste of money and bathroom space.
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Cost of Plumbing and Electrical Works
A bathroom vanity is usually made of a sink, a mirror, a faucet, and a cabinet. Since there is plumbing involved, it could only mean one thing: any plans on repositioning your vanity could cost you serious money. Ripping out your old vanity is considered a major renovation which requires you or your contractor to break down walls, add additional pvc fittings, or fix electrical wiring. You can skip this step and go for a less expensive option to breathe life into your old vanity. If you are tired of the way your current vanity looks, you may repurpose by refacing or painting its cabinet, adding moldings, or replacing old handles and pulls with new and sleek contemporary choices. They are cheap but can transform your old vanity’s look big time.
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Materials
Choose bathroom vanities made out of materials that are durable, stain and chip-resistant. As much as possible, they should also be resistant to elements which are present in the bathroom, such as moisture, chemicals in the form of soap, toothpaste, makeup, cleaning agents and a whole lot more. To make sure that you are choosing right, you should ask your depot salesman to show you vanity options whose materials are impervious to these items. In addition, you should opt for those that are easy to clean and should require low maintenance, otherwise, they could be very inconvenient and costly to keep. Among the top choices include stone, granite, tiles, laminates, veneers, and concrete.
Some people commit the mistake of using hardwood. Who can blame them? The look of wood is timeless; even vehicle manufacturers mimic its look to adorn dashboard and car interiors. However, there is always a time and a place for everything, and a bathroom counter is not one of them. Some might argue that cork, bamboo, and teak qualify since they withstand water; however, they are still a challenge to maintain since they cannot repel medicine, alcohol, makeup, and other substances and as a result, they warp, expand, chip, or stain. Therefore, instead of doing routine maintenance and repair, skip the hassle and better pick more materials that can take the long haul without boring a hole in your pocket.
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Size, Height and Orientation
How big is your bathroom space, and how much area are you willing to dedicate for your bathroom vanity? Fitting in a big vanity inside a tiny bathroom does not make sense so choose one that is in proportion to the size of your bathroom. Most bathroom vanities come in standard sizes measuring 29” to 31” in height; however, people who are too tall or too short might have trouble using this with comfort. The same problem arises when bathrooms come in irregular layouts or when the space is a tad too small. To address these concerns commonly faced by condo unit owners, cabinet manufacturers have begun offering custom-made cabinets to fit any space or style preference. They can also create designs specific to your requirements so that every inch of available space is utilized to your advantage.
Your vanity should be placed in a spot that is non-obtrusive to any other component such as the shower swing, the bathroom door, or your toilet. Its mirror should not also block any window or exhaust fan. You should be able to open and close your vanity drawers and doors with ease; plus, it should provide ample space for you to move around and clean without feeling restrained or constricted.
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Style
Options range from furniture-style, cabinet-style, shelf-style, and vessel-style vanity. As the name suggests, shelf vanities are very straightforward and simple wherein you just have a shelf mounted near your sink and mirror. They utilize very little square footage which makes them the perfect choice to fit small living spaces. They make small bathrooms appear roomier. Wall-mounted styles are similar to shelf-styles in the sense that they do not also take much floor space. You can build them with mirrored doors, glass shelves, or long cupboards. Sizes and styles of wall-mounted vanities can vary. A classic example of these is your medicine cabinet which has a storage and a mirror on its door, usually mounted above the sink. You can buy medicine cabinets at almost any home depot, and on some occasions, you can find them even at grocery stores. However, I think that Home Depot is your best option, as you can easily find coupon codes online by just going to https://www.raise.com/coupons/home-depot.
Mounting a wall-style vanity can be pretty easy. You just need to make sure that it you anchor it to the wall securely to prevent the cabinet and its contents from falling off, causing serious injuries.
A furniture-style vanity, on the other hand, is a free-standing vanity designed like furniture, which means there’s mounting involved. They can be made of real wood or laminates, which may be custom-fitted to your bathroom’s size, or delivered as rta cabinets. These are convenient because you can move them around anytime. You can shop for small ones or choose styles which have more storage; the decision is yours. Cabinet-style vanities are traditional and the most common option when choosing vanities. They have a lot of storage spaces, best for large families. They are somewhat similar to the furniture-style in terms of looks. The only difference is that cabinet-style vanities are fastened from the floor onto the wall while furniture-types are free-standing.
Finally, vessel-type vanities are the latest in vanity style and are used for bathrooms built with contemporary design elements. They are also free-standing. You can choose cabinets with bigger storage space, multiple shelves, and drawers to accommodate toiletries, towels, and other items. Most vessel types are intricately-designed and modern — ideal if you want to make a statement but in a subtle way.
To make things more attractive, you can add decorative features on your mirror. Some mirrors have carved wood cornices while some have brass sides — classic and timeless. If you prefer minimalist styles, pick vanities with simple metal side moldings.
Bathroom remodeling is one of the most exciting remodeling journeys. Here is where you can infuse your personality, needs, and style preference to make the project worthwhile and exciting. A perfect bathroom vanity can transform a bathroom’s look and feel so choose with care.
About the Author:
Marie Christine Sing-Umali is a blogger and home improvement enthusiast working for Kitchen Cabinet Kings, a leading online distributor of discount bathroom and kitchen cabinets nationwide. If you’re looking for high quality birch, maple, bamboo, and oak kitchen cabinets, you can find quality RTA cabinets at Kitchen Cabinet Kings for cheap. Claim your free kitchen design service, discounts and know more about financing options by visiting their website.
