Choosing Bathroom Vanities

Your bathroom vanity is likely the most visual centerpiece of your bathroom. Bathroom vanities come in a wide range of choices. This guide will highlight different bathroom vanities and things to consider when choosing one.

Usage

When choosing a vanity, you should take into account its usage and purpose. For example, if you’re remodeling an en-suite for you and your partner, consider a double sink vanity, especially if you’ll need a sink at the same time in the morning. If you live alone, you could make do with a single-sink vanity.

Additionally, someone who likes to do their hair and makeup in the bathroom will probably need more storage and counter space to accommodate supplies and should consider larger bathroom vanities with sinks.

Location of the Plumbing

Your plumbing will most likely dictate the location of your vanity. Unfortunately, making changes to plumbing costs time and money. Unless you decide to move your plumbing, the current setup will also determine your choice of style.

Placement

You can always change bathroom designs. However, altering doors and walls requires time and money that may eat into your remodeling budget. This limits the places you can install your bathroom vanity. Consider the following factors when determining bathroom vanity installation and placement:

• The toilet
• The shower
• Door swing

You don’t want a vanity that makes navigating the rest of the bathroom a struggle. Bathroom vanities with sinks allow for more efficient use of space.

Amount and Type of Storage

Bathroom vanities can offer additional storage. However, depending on the space available and what you want to store, you may have to compromise or choose between drawers and cabinets.

Remember that drawers extend out in front, and doors will swing out and to the side. Depending on your bathroom’s layout and placement, one may work better than the other, or you may choose to mix and match.

Style

The vanity style that best suits your home depends on your personal taste and creativity. Vanity styles fall into three categories: freestanding, floating, and corner.

Freestanding vanities work well if you want to create cohesion with the rest of your home. A floating vanity has a modern appeal and opens up extra room under the vanity. Meanwhile, a corner vanity is perfect for smaller bathrooms where it would fit snugly into a corner.

Design

Vanities offer infinite ways to add interest and personality to your bathroom. Your choice of hardware, countertop, cabinetry, and backsplash all combine for a unique reflection of your unique style.

For example, one of the best ways to brighten the space is to install a white bathroom vanity. White reflects light, creating an illusion of more space.

Materials

Your vanity will come into contact with all types of substances throughout its life, such as water, cleaning products, and spilled makeup. Bathrooms also tend to be more humid than other rooms in your home, so you want a vanity that can hold up against whatever life throws at it.

We recommend choosing a durable vanity top and trying to avoid any grouting that will make cleaning more challenging.

Vanity Lighting

Regardless of the type of vanity you choose, proper lighting matters. A light over the shower and tub and another over the toilet should provide sufficient light for a guest bath or large master. Additionally, using scones rather than the typical lighting fixture over the mirror or sink can avoid the problem of shadows on your face.