Keys to Selecting the Perfect Vanity
A well-sized and properly positioned vanity can make or break a bathroom’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 your 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 choose 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 Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath 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. 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, identify the products and accessories that you 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’d like additional information on how to select the perfect vanity for your bath, call our Design Center at 401-463-1550 or visit us at 139 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI.
