Bathroom Vanity Basic Planning (September 4, 2009)

When was the last time you really checked your bathroom vanity? Many of us are concerned about the appearance of our home, but rarely our bathroom vanities. It would definitely make sense to include the vanity as part of our interior motives; after all, we use it more than we realize. When planning on having a bathroom remodeled or newly built, there are some things to consider. Think about how much space you have, what design and style you want, and the best materials to use.

Space

Space is a very important factor you should consider. Bathrooms tend to be tight or cluttered, so be careful in choosing your fixtures. Remodel based on your comfort. Even if you have massive, beautifully carved European cabinets and mirror, placing them in a tiny space will make them look awkward and you¡¯ll feel claustrophobic. Design and style matters a lot when working with your bathroom space and will be exemplified below.

Design and Style

Design and style matters because you¡¯ll be using your bathroom all the time. So choose according to your personality over what your peers or the salespeople tell you. Consider what¡¯s aesthetically pleasing to you, if you like more or less detail, etc. You can choose from traditional, Victorian, modern and contemporary designs. Since modern styles are often more compact and have cleaner lines, they are great for smaller bathrooms. If you¡¯re only replacing your bathroom vanities, remember to complement your walls and flooring.

Secondly, think about trends twice. Today, there are so many modern, hip and extremely affordable designs to choose from. Modern colors you¡¯ll notice are avocado green, crimson red, and black. However trendy, realize you¡¯ll be having your bathroom for a long time. You might want to check out designs that last a lifetime. For example, you can always go with muted colors like light beige, off-white or butter yellow.

Material

No matter what design and style you go with, durability is important. Consider stain resistance, scratch resistance and water resistance. You don¡¯t have to have all these qualities in one fixture, just base your decision on what you¡¯re very particular about. Some materials available are wood, stone and glass.

Wood is extremely versatile. It has such a wide variety of colors, and its textures can be quite exquisite. For instance, the finish can be distressed to appear antiqued. Stone tops like the granite ones are extremely durable and can give that luxurious appeal. Using glass in fixtures is a very modern approach. It gives a clean and crisp look to any bathroom. Other adventurous materials you can check out are concrete and steel.

Planning your bathroom vanity doesn¡¯t have to cost a fortune. If budget is on top of your priority list, there are now ways to cut down the costs. For instance, a wooden look can now be achieved with lamination and fiberglass can appear like real glass. In fact, inexpensive techniques can simulate just about any material these days. Just remember some expensive materials like the low-maintenance and stronger ones can last longer than others. This means they can also be advantageous in the long run.