Last Updated on September 14, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
A bathroom vanity is more than just a cabinet for holding the sink. It’s where you wash your hands and face, brush your teeth, shave, style your hair, and put on makeup, hence the importance to get it right.
If it lacks adequate storage, uses low-quality or mismatched materials and misses essential features, it will impact not only your bathroom design but also your daily routine.
How to Choose the Right Vanity Unit?
Choosing the best vanity for your needs and space sometimes takes some preliminary steps before going out and shopping. It is important to consider factors such as your needs, the reason for getting a new vanity, the material type, and so on.
Aside from practicality, the right vanity can also help give the appearance of more space in your bathroom as well as add more style and glam. It all depends on your search criteria.
If you’re in the market for a new bathroom vanity, consider the following factors to help you make the best choice.
Your Bathroom Size
Nowadays you can buy vanities in all sizes and shapes. In light of this, you must ensure that the vanity’s measurements match those of your bathroom.
Two crucial factors—your floor plan and the total space—must be taken into account for this. Measurements should be taken of width, depth, and height. Avoid adding a double vanity if your bathroom is small. Remember to account for things like faucet height, medicine cabinets, mirrors, and lighting when measuring the space.
Access Your Needs
Before you go out and buy a new vanity, think about what you need from the piece. If you want it to help improve the look of your bathroom, then design, style and the overall vanity appearance are important aspects to consider. If you’re upgrading because you need more space, then features like shelves, drawers and sink space should be your priorities. Knowing what you require can assist you in determining what to look for and what to include on your checklist.
Consider Who Will Use the Vanity
The measurements for height and depth may also be affected by who is using the bathroom vanity. You don’t want to stoop too low to reach the sink or lean over to reach the mirror, so choose a size that’s both comfortable for you and appropriate for the space.
Also, how you intend to use the bathroom vanity will influence its size. Consider whether you’ll need space to plug in appliances such as hairdryers, use products such as makeup or brushes, or have access to plenty of storage for cleaning supplies, towels, and other items.
Choose Durable Materials That Also Look Good
Your vanity will be exposed to a range of materials during the course of its duration. Examples include water, spilt makeup, and cleaning supplies.
Due to our love of steamy hot showers, it will also be in a room that is more humid than usual. You should therefore choose a vanity that can withstand any abuse that life may deal out. Some materials work better in hot, muggy environments than others.
Even if a material or finish catches your eye because of how it looks, it could not be waterproof or scratch-resistant. Thermofoil, laminate, and wood veneers are materials that look nice and durable in the bathroom. Additionally, it is suggested that you choose a durable vanity top and stay away from grouting that will be challenging to clean in the future.
Vanity Features
To make life’s daily routines a little bit easier, there are certain features your vanity should include:
- Electrical outlets – These can become handy for charging your electronics, from hair dryers to shavers, electric toothbrushes to phones. Some models include electrical outlets that are concealed in cabinet corners and drawers, safely away from bathroom moisture and humidity.
- Shallow drawers – keeping track of small bathroom toiletries and accessories can be difficult. Hair ties, brushes, and other tiny objects can be kept more accessible and less likely to go misplaced by storing them in drawers with different depths or using slanted dividers between drawers.
- Planners – Look for vanities with integrated metal cup holders and cross pieces that help create space for the various odds and ends found in every bathroom. Shelves or hanging racks could be used to store towels.
What Are the Different Types of Bathroom Vanities?
It may seem challenging at first, but the various styles of vanities available mean you can find the perfect match for your bathroom. The secret is to find a design that provides the functionality your household requires while also complementing the look of your space.
Freestanding Installation
Aside from sink space, freestanding vanity cabinets, both single or double models, provide sturdy storage options. They also offer design freedom due to their self-supporting structure.
No matter where they are put, these cabinets offer storage and utility alternatives, from countertops for décor to drawers and cupboard cubes for organization. They are not usually anchored to a wall and can stand on their own, giving them more flexibility when it comes to accommodating water supply lines.
Wall Mounted Vanity Installation
The most enticing aspect of wall-mounted models is their simplicity. These floating units anchor to the wall to conserve space, giving the room’s visual area in the bathroom a crisp, modern aesthetic. Wall-mounted vanities, which come with various storage choices including cabinets and drawers, are a great choice for bathrooms of all sizes where there is a wall with enough stud support.
The vanity cabinet and vanity top are now sold separately by manufacturers in order to provide clients with more customizing options. The sink (or sinks) and countertop are located on the top, and some models also include a brief backsplash.
The vanity top is often made of a heavier, water-resistant material, including stone, granite, acrylic, ceramic, or acrylic. It’s typical for vanity tops to have an overhanging edge that extends beyond the cabinet bases by at least an inch. It’s important to get the top for your cabinet in the proper size, so keep that in mind as you shop.
When it comes to style, choose it based on your aesthetic preferences. Here are some of the most popular.
Contemporary Style
Contemporary vanities are characterized by sleek finishes, vibrant colors and veining, and a clean appearance. Because it offers a touch of luxury and the ideal amount of pattern, marble is a favorite finish for this design. The dramatic contrast between white and black is perfect for the look. Finish with straightforward chrome hardware to add one more touch of gleaming metal.
Traditional Style
Vanities with a classic aesthetic are traditional. Pick a solid or distressed-finished, clean-lined wood base to keep the design timeless. The finest foundation colors for this style are cooler ones like white, black, pewter, or blue, with silver hardware as the final touch. For a special touch, think about including patterned wallpaper and bath mats.
Coastal Style
By combining a ceramic or quartz countertop with a distressed wood vanity base, you can maintain the seaside style. You can totally commit to the oceanside vibe with a navy blue background. Simple designs in silver or brass will keep your hardware looking classy.
