One of the most important decisions to make is the style of bathroom vanity. As the focal point of your bathroom, the vanity you choose sets the aesthetic tone for the rest of your bathroom oasis.
Timeless and Trendproof
You want to make sure your vanity is trendproof and able to stand the test of time. This means that you want your vanity to be both durable and practical, in addition to being able to adapt well to any changes you make to your bathroom décor and color palette later down the line. In order to achieve this, there are several key considerations to keep in mind:
- The size and purpose of the bathroom
- The location of the vanity
- The material
- The amount of storage desired
- The kind of sink to install
Size
First, you want to make sure that the size of the vanity is proportionate to the size of the bathroom; the size of the new vanity should not crowd the room, nor seem excessively small for the space. When considering the size of your vanity, you should also consider how it will be used. For example, if the vanity is for a master bathroom, you may want to add two sinks instead of one; or, if it’s a half-bath that doesn’t get a lot of traffic, you may want to consider a smaller vanity with less storage.
Location
Before you’re ready to install a vanity, you have to consider where it will be located in your bathroom. The vanity needs to be placed close to existing plumbing lines unless you plan to spend money on rerouting costs. You should also consider traffic flow and layout, ensuring that you have enough room to easily open the bathroom drawers and doors.
Material
Next, you’ll want to select a surface material. You want the surface to be durable and resilient, able to withstand humidity, water, soap, and the heat of commonly-used hair appliances. Marble and natural stone (travertine) are often sought after because they’re considered luxurious and beautiful, and give the bathroom a classic feel; however, these materials can be pricey and needs consistent upkeep, but is often well worth the additional price and attention.
Other surfaces to choose from are ceramic tile, laminate, solid-surface or acrylic, porcelain, quartz, and wood. The choice you make depends on your budget, visual preferences, in addition to the amount of time you are willing to dedicate to upkeep.
Storage
Another very important consideration is storage. Think about what you typically store in your bathroom–grooming products, hair appliances, cosmetics, towels, first aid necessities–and determine how you want to store them going forward. Do you need custom organizers, or electricity built in to the cabinets and drawers? Making sure you have adequate storage will ensure that you don’t need to crowd your bathroom with additional storage later on, keeping your bathroom clean, open, and spacious.
Sinks
You will also want to see what kind of bathroom sink to install—from vessel sinks to wall-mounted, there is a host of different sink options to choose from. The choice you make ultimately depends on your desired aesthetic, space availability, plumbing options, and material preferences—all considerations a professional designers can help you assess.