Whether you are building a new house, or renovating, one of the most important decisions you have to make is buying a bathroom vanity. What is a vanity? A vanity is a combination of sink, mirror and cabinet. Of course, every bathroom needs a sink, but the added benefit of storage and counter space makes buying a bathroom vanity set a very wise use of resources.
Bathroom vanities can make or break bathroom functionality as well as décor, so it is important to choose carefully. Often this choice is left to the last minute. Many times, bathroom vanities and sinks can become a casualty of price or budget constraints. This is unfortunate. Often, more time is spent in front of the vanity and sink than in the bath or shower.
Each day, every person in your household spends time in front of the vanity; brushing teeth, shaving, putting on or taking off makeup, fixing hair, and many other daily tasks. The size, shape and efficiency of the vanity is important to starting and ending the day right. The wrong vanity can result in frustration, and put you in a bad mood from the get-go.
So how in the world do you make the right decision without breaking the bank? By taking time to plan ahead and know exactly what you want, you can buy a bathroom vanity that will bring you simple joy for many years to come.
Assess Your Bathroom Vanities Needs
Functionality is the single most important aspect of any bathroom fixture, especially bathroom vanities. It is best to assess both needs and limitations before you think about style. Unless you have unlimited resources, bathroom vanities and sinks should be assessed according to need first.
Parenthetically, if you do indeed have unlimited resources, congratulations on your hard earned income. A quality vanity is an excellent way to increase both the value and the enjoyment of your home. The subtle air of quality modern vanities can make a difference in the overall favorable impression of each bathroom in your home.
But, if you are like most people, you need to be careful about budgeting your resources. Be on the lookout for discount bathroom vanities, but be careful that you don’t compromise quality and functionality. Here is a list of things to consider when buying bathroom vanities:
Who is going to use the bathroom you are building? If it is the master bathroom, or for other family members, storage is much more important than it is for a vanity in a guest bath. Will children be using that bathroom or teenagers, (especially teen girls)? If it will be children, storage will also be important. If teens, remember that wide counter space is important for them to spread out as they get ready for the day. Also remember that a large drawer where everything can be easily swept away is a must for teens, while compartmentalized organized storage is more important for the master bath.
What kind of bathroom is the vanity going into? If it is a simple no-frills bathroom, you still need to consider the features of even cheap bathroom vanities. Is storage available? Is there enough counter around the sink to accommodate toothbrush holder, razor storage and hand soap? Is the vanity part of a large dressing area? If so, the need for larger counter surrounding the sink is paramount. Is it going into a half-bath to be used by guests? Making it comfortable for your guests to wash their hands in style is important. Style can trump storage or counter and make a good impression as well.
What is the overall environment?This may seem like an unusual question, but it is very important. First, look at where in the house the bathroom is going to be, and next look at:
If the bathroom that the vanity is going into is on an outside wall, it is important to have a fully enclosed vanity to protect the under-vanity storage from any extreme weather that might affect the room. If it is to be on an inside wall, a three-sided vanity will suffice, though a fully enclosed vanity usually is a better quality vanity.
If the house is being built in a warm, humid or tropical location, there are several things to consider. Termites are often difficult to eradicate, so be careful to buy cabinetry that has been treated to be resistant to pests. If the water is particularly hard, try not to choose a counter or sink that is dark because water spots will become a frustration. If the house is being built in a cold climate, consider adding a heated towel rack to the vanity.
Assess Your Bathroom Vanities Design Style
Often the thought of design is that of visual aesthetics, but in reality, design encompasses so much more. Not only the overall look but the total function and efficiency needs to be considered. By first assessing your needs as mentioned above, you are armed with necessary information to make additional decisions.
The next information you need to have on hand is bathroom dimension. The standard height of most vanities is 30 inches while the standard depth; (distance from back wall) is 24 inches. Keep in mind that custom made vanities are always available. Alternately and more economically, you can build in adjustments before the vanity is installed to make it higher. A bathroom vanity as small as 18 inches is available. Sizes usually increase in 6 inch increments. Below is a general guideline for bathroom and vanity size ratio.
| Full Bathroom | 5x8 feet | 36 - 60 inch vanity |
| Small Bathroom | 6x6 feet | 36 - 72 inch vanity |
| Half Bathroom | 4x5 feet | 18 - 48 inch vanity |
| Small Half-Bath | 3x6 feet | 18 - 36 inch vanity |
Keep in mind that these guidelines are just a starting place. Other factors to look at when choosing the size of bathroom vanities include placement in the bathroom and what kind of bath, shower or shower bath combo will be used. Spa bathrooms have their own specifications and design. The bottom line is scale.
By measuring the space you will be using, you can avoid buying a vanity that is out of scale with the bathroom. If the vanity is too large for the room, you risk feeling crowded while using the space. If it is too small, it will not fill the space appropriately. If you will completely fill up one wall with the vanity component, opt for larger end of the scale in the chart above. If you are lining the vanity up along a wall with other bathroom fixtures, look at the smaller models. If possible, put the vanity in place before you decide. Some retailers will let you check it out and then exchange it if necessary.
It has been said that “form follows function” and in the case of bathroom vanities it can be interpreted “design follows dimension.” After you consider measurements and scale, you need to consider function.
How much storage is needed and what kind? The advantage of buying a vanity is the storage that is included. Even the most basic of bathroom vanities includes under-the-sink storage. Some may include drawers, organizers, and towel racks. Other specialized features may also be available as well.
How will the vanity be used on a daily basis? Some bathroom vanities include a mirror in the unit, and that can be very important. Will the vanity be used for personal grooming? If it is being used by a woman for makeup and hair, top of the counter organizing shelving units surrounding the mirror might be nice.
If it is being used in a family bathroom, it would be beneficial to have space for each personal toothbrush, hairbrush and hand towel. Use this type of rationale as you think through use, and you will be sure to make wise decisions.
Assess Personal Desires of Bathroom Vanities
Only after all the above considerations are decided should you begin to think about style and aesthetic appeal. That is not to say that you should ever buy bathroom vanities that are not visually appealing. There is such a wide variety of modern bathroom vanities these days that there is something for every décor style.
It is important that you choose a style that is cohesive with your bathroom style. In other words, you would not want to choose a rough natural pine vanity with blue enamel sink if you have a classic style bathroom. On the other hand, that vanity would fit perfectly in a country or primitive décor. You would also want to plan the décor of your bathroom to flow with the rest of your house.
Finally, if you have considered the important characteristics such as size and scale, dimension and design, functionality and features, there is one more consideration when buying bathroom vanities- and this is the most important one. Do you love it? Does it make you happy and streamline your daily grooming? Can you feel good using it every day? Is it available for a price you can afford? If you can answer yes to these questions, it is the right vanity for you.