A
well-sized and properly positioned vanity can make or break a bath’s look, feel
and functionality. The key factors to consider when selecting a vanity include:
- style and
aesthetic preferences
- the materials
used to make the vanity
- countertop
material
- desired number
of sinks/bowls
- placement
- storage space
required
- existing
infrastructure and available space
When selecting a bath vanity for the master bath, powder room or
any other bathroom, the pieces should complement the home’s existing décor.
While there is a benefit to adding an occasional piece or accent that contrasts
stylistically, putting a modern European vanity in the powder room of a
Victorian home would seem awfully out of place.
Vanities made specifically for bathrooms account for fixtures
and plumbing, and they are crafted with moist environments in mind. The height
of the vanity influences plumbing fixtures needed to meet your goals. For
example, vanities that are less than 34 inches tall are best suited for a
vessel-style sink.
Another critical factor in selecting a vanity is the finish used
to seal and decorate the cabinet. Finish refers both to the process used to
seal the wood and the materials used to change the appearance of the wood.
Finishes used to seal bath vanities can withstand moist and humid environments.
The countertop selected for the bath needs to account for
functional and practical considerations. Bathroom countertops come into contact
with nail polish remover, cosmetics,
toothpaste, shaving cream, hygiene products, hairdryers, curling
irons and more! Many bath products can damage a countertop that is not
appropriately sealed or not made to withstand abuses that occur in the daily
use of the bathroom.
Aesthetically, we advise our clients to pick a countertop before
selecting tile or other floor and wall covering materials. It's generally
easier to match surfacing materials, e.g., tile, stone, wood, to a unique
countertop material or design than the other way around. The goal is to select
materials that compliment, as opposed to compete, with one another.
Most of our clients select a vanity that features two
bowls. With two bowls, those using the bath have their own space.
Separate grooming stations make it easy for multiple people to prepare for the
day at the same time. However, in bathrooms where space is at a premium, a
double bowl vanity might not be possible. The size of the vanity should work in
the area. You don’t want to order a vanity that blocks doors or limits movement
if the cabinet drawers and doors are open.
A well-designed bathroom is an organized bathroom. To maximize
the efficiency of a bath, homeowners should identify the products and
accessories that they use daily, e.g., curling iron, hairdryer and cosmetics.
This exercise helps you determine what needs to be stored and identify possible
storage locations inside and outside of the vanity cabinet.
The existing infrastructure also can influence the type of
vanity you select and its placement. If you want to replace what exists in the
same location, selecting a vanity of similar size should not create issues.
However, if you need to reconfigure plumbing, electrical and ventilation, that
could add to construction costs if not accounted for in the initial planning
phases.
If you would like additional information on how to select the
perfect vanity for your bath, please call our showroom at 513-722-3490
(Loveland) or at our Plainville Showroom at 513-271-3490 or stop in and see us
at one of our showrooms.
Loveland Showroom
920 Loveland Madeira Rd # 3, Loveland, OH 45140
513-722-3490
Plainville Showroom
4120 Plainville Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45227
513-271-3490
