Choosing a vanity might not seem like a big deal, but have you looked at the choices that are out there today? There are so many styles of sinks, faucets, and vanity cabinets, that you could spend months mixing and matching them and never come up with the same combination twice. And then there are the pre-arranged selections that are already matched for you. Which one is right? What options do you have?
These are popular questions, and knowing what options you have is the first order of business when it comes to selecting a new vanity style for your family’s bathroom. This saves you a lot of time in the showroom because it allows you to tell the representative what vanity cabinet style you want, what purpose it will serve in your family’s home, and any other pertinent details.
A Vanity Style for Every Family
Here is a list of five popular vanity styles that are currently trending. Also listed are additional details about each one, as well as some of the benefits each style offers.
- Built-in Step Stool – A built in step stool is a real boon for families with small children. You can have it designed to fit in the bottom of the cabinet, so that it pulls out like an upside-down drawer that holds the weight of a child. This allows them access to the sink and mirror for hand washing and teeth brushing with less risk of falling off a mobile step stool.
- Double Sink Storage – If you like the uncluttered look, then consider putting a wall-mounted vanity in between two wall mounted sinks. This achieves the look of having a double sink look without having the massive vanity cabinet taking up a lot of space in a small bathroom.
- Floating Vanity with Undermounted Sink – This look is one that is popular in expensive hotels. Every day can feel like a spa day when you adopt this look for your family’s bathroom, or especially in a master bathroom. The undermounted sink allows you to sweep toothpaste splatters from the granite counter into the sink, while the space beneath the vanity is free and uncluttered.
- Open Shelf Vanities – These vanities have shelves instead of cabinet doors or drawers. If you are of the mindset that there is a place for everything, and that everything should be in its place, then this look might appeal to you. It forces you to toss clutter because, like kitchen cabinets with glass doors, you can see everything stored in the vanity at all times.
- Vanity Cabinets with Feet – These vanities look more like pieces of antique furniture. You can switch out the hardware to match your bathroom faucets, shower head, and other hardware in the room. This works really well in guest bathrooms, such as tiny areas tucked beneath a stairway.
Another thing to consider is the material of your bathroom vanity cabinet. Selecting sub-par materials could mean your new vanity not lasting as long. You might think that you are saving now by selecting a vanity cabinet for your bathroom that shaves a few extra dollars off your bathroom renovation budget. The real way to save, however is to invest in a vanity cabinet with good materials now so it will last.
For example, choose a vanity that is strong enough to support the weight of a heavy-duty countertop and a sink. The vanity cabinet materials also have to stand up to humidity and moisture, which are prevalent in a bathroom where people use the toilet, brush their teeth, and take showers or hot baths. Some good materials include hardwoods like oak, cherry, and maple.
Does Height Matter?
The height of your vanity cabinet might not seem like a big deal. After all, the traditional height of thirty inches and countertop height of thirty-six inches might not seem like that much. If you are a towering adult forced to hunch over a traditional vanity or a parent of a small child who needs help accessing the top of a counter height vanity, then it is a big deal.
When selecting the height of your bathroom vanity cabinet, talk to the showroom representative about some of the benefits of each. Consider who will be using the bathroom, as well as how the height of your vanity could impact the resale value of your home. This is especially important if you are renovating in order to put your home on the market at some near future point in time.