Bathroom Vanities 101: Where Functionality Meets Style

The average home bathroom is designed to be economical rather than comfortable. But what if you can have the best of both worlds by choosing the right vanity?! It will not only provide storage for extras but will also set the tone for the new design of your space.

Since, there is a staggering variety of styles, sizes, materials, shapes, and configurations on the market, to make your shopping experience less overwhelming, more fun, and relatively simple, check out the following guidelines before making a purchase.

Vanity Pre-Buying Considerations

To take your bathroom to the next level with a modern and functional bathroom vanity made of premium materials, there are some important pre-buying considerations to keep in mind.

Size

Since bathroom vanities are long-lasting pieces of furniture, cramming a large vanity into a small bathroom is not a wise decision to make, and a small vanity in a large bathroom may blend in with the decor or not be a helpful storage option. Therefore, finding the right size is critical in terms of functionality and aesthetics.

When replacing an existing vanity, start by measuring the old one to use as a benchmark. One common error is to measure the cabinet’s width but not its depth or height. Take a thorough measurement of all three dimensions and write them down. Also, take note of the location of nearby doors, windows and other features that may influence your buying decision.

Another important aspect to take into account when making the right size choice is your bathroom space. Is it narrow, wide, or open? For instance, larger vanities in a bathroom with an open floor plan look good when they are proportional to the room’s other features, like the bath or shower alcoves.

A wall-mounted unit, on the other hand, will offer the appearance of more space overall in a small, galley-shaped bathroom, but you will give up storage space in exchange. The key is to keep the vanity’s apparent weight in proportion to the available space. A small space calls for a little cabinet, but a wide, open area can accommodate a larger unit.

Layout

Whether you are working with a contractor or performing the job yourself, it’s good to know where the bathroom’s other existing elements, such as the plumbing, windows, doors, electrical switches, and outlets are located!

For instance, a bathroom vanity joins the sink and faucet to the home’s water supply lines, thus any new unit needs to have adequate clearance to go around the pipes, electrical wiring, and plumbing without creating any obstructions. Besides being cost-effective, finding a vanity that works with the existing plumbing configuration also cuts down on the overall time needed to finish your bathroom renovation job.

Styles

With so many options available, finding the ideal style that will best renew your bathroom without remodelling might be a daunting task. Just remember to choose a design that offers the functionality your household needs and the look that complements your space.

Freestanding bath vanities, whether single or double, provide solid storage alternatives in addition to the sink area. These cabinets’ self-supporting construction allows for creative design freedom. No matter the position, these cabinets give storage and utility alternatives, from countertops for décor to drawers and cupboard cubes for organizing. They are self-supporting and frequently do not require anchoring to a wall, giving them more flexibility to accept water supply lines.

Simplicity is the most favoured quality when wall-mounted units are in question. These floating vanities anchor to the wall to conserve space and create a sleek, modern appearance that expands the bathroom’s overall visual area. A lot of wall-mounted styles provide drawers and cabinets as storage options. For bathrooms of all sizes, these designs are a great alternative if there is a wall with enough stud support.

To save space in a tiny bathroom look for corner styles. These weirdly shaped cabinets which provide basic storage options and fit any sink form, including vessel and recessed sinks, are frequently installed as freestanding, wall-mounted, or hybrid fixtures. They can aid in expanding a confined layout and preserving the floor space for simpler access to the other bathroom regions.

Sink Types

Regardless of the installation technique, there are various sink types available. The sink is directly built into the vanity top with recessed or integrated sinks. These sinks are made in one piece and are designed to fit the vanity’s type, allowing for either a deep bowl made of the same material as the vanity top or a shallow bowl for quick rinsing.

The surface area of the vanity is largely taken up by console sinks, leaving only ledges for the faucet installation and a little amount of storage for soap or other frequently used things. They typically balance on two front supports and are wall mounted. These sink options, in contrast to conventional styles, offer little to no room for storage.

The drop-in sink is yet another option. It fits into a hole drilled in the vanity top and is raised above the counter to lessen spillage. Installed beneath the counter, under-mount sinks produce a smooth, vertical edge. Sink combinations like a porcelain sink below a marble vanity top are also available since the drop-in and under-mount styles are frequently manufactured from materials other than the vanity top and cabinet.

Features

Since the contemporary vanity offers much more than just a place to keep the sink, look for fixtures loaded with extra features and options that will ease the burden of daily tasks.

Therefore, an outlet space is always in demand in a family bathroom. Everyone has a device that has to be charged, including phones, electric toothbrushes, and hair dryers. To plug in such requirements conveniently where they may be used, some vanity cabinets now come with concealed outlets tucked safely away from bathroom dampness and moisture in drawers and cabinet corners.

On the other hand, it can be challenging to keep track of the many little bathroom accessories and toiletries. Hair ties, brushes, and other small objects are kept more readily accessible and with less space to get misplaced by adding drawers with varied depths or slanted separators between drawers.

Vanities and medicine cabinets now have speakers and charging ports for phones and smart home sound systems thanks to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatibility advancements. Depending on the options you select, you can use your favourite music, podcasts, or more to kick off your daily morning ritual.