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Understanding the Purpose of a Bathroom Vanity
Are you considering adding a bathroom vanity to your renovation project and unsure what it’s for or how to choose the right one? Don’t worry; you’re not alone!
Ahead, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about bathroom vanity: from choosing the various types to deciding on materials that will fit both your style and budget preferences. Ready to level up your bathroom design? Read on!
What is a Bathroom Vanity?
A bathroom vanity is a specialized furniture piece found in bathrooms, featuring a countertop, a sink, and storage space below.
Its main purpose is to provide a convenient and organized area for daily personal care routines, including washing hands, brushing teeth, applying skincare products, and grooming.
In addition, a bathroom vanity significantly enhances the bathroom’s overall aesthetics. With various designs, materials, and styles available, bathroom vanities can complement any bathroom decor, from traditional to modern or rustic themes.
Moreover, the ample storage space offered by the vanity allows for the orderly arrangement of bathroom essentials, reducing clutter and promoting a cleaner, more organized bathroom.
Various Bathroom Vanity
There are various bathroom vanity types available on the market today. Check them out!
Modern Bathroom Vanities
Characterized by sleek lines, minimalist aesthetics, and innovative materials, modern bathroom vanities exude a sense of sophistication and elegance.
Usually, marble or quartz surfaces are used for this type of bathroom vanity. However, some people also opt for concrete as an alternative.
On top of that, modern bathroom vanities can also come in floating or corner style, making your bathroom looks simpler and more spacious.
Double Sink Vanity
Whether you’re a couple, siblings, roommates, or anyone sharing a bathroom, double sink vanities can make you bid farewell to share woes. Just as the name suggests, this vanity type features two sinks that can be used all together at the same time.
However, if you’re planning to remodel your single-sink vanity to the double one, it is a must to ensure ample space.
Bathroom Vanities With Tops
Opting for a vanity that includes the top and sink can be cost-effective. These vanities come pre-drilled and assembled, making it a straightforward DIY project. By avoiding the need for a contractor, you can save money to allocate elsewhere in your renovation.
However, it’s essential to consider that the material options may be more limited with a vanity combo, as you won’t be able to choose the top according to your preferences. Also, you must adjust your vanity decorations, such as bathroom vanity lights, to the default vanity model.
Small Bathroom Vanities
If you have a small bathroom, opting for small-sized vanities is the best decision. You can opt for floating or corner vanities, as these options will give a more spacious feel to your bathroom.
Note that due to their small sizes, they also come with smaller countertops area; hence it’s less suitable for people who move around often.
Explore Your Options
You can explore your bathroom vanities options from sizes to hardware. Learn more below!
Size
Small and big bathroom requires different bathroom vanities sizes. For smaller bathrooms, it is wise to choose single vanities so they won’t take up too much space. On the other hand, larger bathrooms have more flexible options to choose between a large vanity or two small vanities.
The decision depends on your preferences and the available space, allowing you to customize the setup to suit your needs.
Wood Type
Bathroom vanities offer a variety of wood types to suit different budgets and styles. Options range from basic engineered wood, birch, or pine to more luxurious materials like oak, Asian hardwood, oak, maple, etc.
Whether you prefer a budget-friendly option or desire the elegance of premium wood, there’s a perfect wood type to enhance your bathroom’s aesthetic.
Color and Finish
Bathroom vanities come in various color and finish options that significantly impact your bathroom’s overall look and style.
Common color choices include classic white, versatile gray, warm espresso/dark brown, bold black, and natural wood tones like oak and walnut. However, you can customize other color options to match your bathroom’s color scheme.
As for finishes, you can choose between glossy for a modern touch, matte for easy maintenance, stained to highlight wood grain, distressed/antiqued for a vintage feel, laminate for various colors and patterns, and veneer to achieve a solid wood appearance at a more affordable cost.
When deciding, consider your bathroom’s style, color scheme, and maintenance preferences, ensuring the selected options complement other fixtures and decor.
Hardware
The common hardware options include knobs, which offer a classic and minimalist look; handles that provide a grip and come in various styles and materials; and pulls, which add a decorative touch and come in both simple and elaborate designs.
Cup pulls are a great choice for a vintage or rustic-style vanity, while finger pulls provide a discreet and clean look. On the other hand, appliance pulls work well on larger drawers and offer a modern feel.
Additionally, backplates can add elegance and protection to the surface, and hinges, though not visible, play a crucial role in how the cabinet doors open and close.
Other Vanity Considerations
There are more aspects to consider beyond just color, finish, and hardware. Faucets, storage, accessories, and coordinating collections are also on the list.
Faucets
Faucets are a crucial consideration when choosing a bathroom vanity, as they significantly impact both functionality and aesthetics. These fixtures come in various styles, finishes, and configurations.
Consider the configuration that best suits your needs, whether it’s a single-handle, double-handle, or wall-mounted option. Pay attention to the spout height and reach to ensure convenient usage.
Additionally, opt for a WaterSense-certified faucet for water efficiency and invest in a high-quality, durable fixture for long-lasting performance.
On top of that, make sure the chosen faucet is compatible with the vanity’s installation requirements, and choose one that’s easy to clean and maintain.
Storage & Accessories
Adequate storage space, including drawers, cabinets, or open shelves, is crucial for keeping toiletries, towels, and other essentials in order.
Look for well-designed drawers with dividers or compartments for better organization. Adjustable cabinet shelves allow for customization according to item heights. Meanwhile, integrated medicine cabinets or mirrored cabinets offer additional storage and convenient mirrors for grooming tasks.
Also, consider the available countertop space for daily items and opt for vanities with built-in towel bars or rings for added convenience.
In addition, pull-out organizers and drawer organizers are also good considerations as they enhance storage efficiency, while built-in waste bins promote cleanliness and reduce visible clutter.
Coordinating Collections
It’s vital to ensure every element of your bathroom vanity is coordinated, including the collections.
These collections include a range of bathroom fixtures and accessories, such as vanities, mirrors, faucets, towel bars, and more, designed to complement each other in terms of style, finish, and design.
By choosing a coordinating collection, you ensure a consistent design style and matching finishes throughout your bathroom, simplifying the decision-making process and creating an effortlessly coordinated look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to build or buy a bathroom vanity?
Buying a pre-made bathroom vanity is usually cheaper and more cost-effective due to economies of scale. It offers convenience, professional craftsmanship, and easy installation. However, building a custom vanity may be preferred for unique designs and DIY enthusiasts, even if it comes with a higher cost.
What type of vanity is most cost-effective?
Pre-made or ready-to-assemble vanities are generally the most cost-effective option, especially the small, single ones. They benefit from economies of scale, have affordable pricing, and offer various designs.
How much should I expect to pay for bathroom vanity?
On average, pre-made vanities can range from $200 to $800, semi-custom ones from $800 to $1,500, and custom-built or designer vanities from $1,500 to $3,000 or more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a bathroom vanity is much more than just a piece of furniture. It serves as a functional and practical element in our daily lives, providing essential storage space for our bathroom necessities and helping us stay organized.
Beyond its utility, a well-chosen vanity can elevate the overall aesthetics of our bathrooms, becoming a focal point of design and style.
So, whether it’s a sleek and modern pre-made vanity or a custom-built antique piece with timeless charm, the right vanity can elevate our bathrooms to new heights of functionality and design.
