Bathroom vanities and cabinets come in many different styles!

Modern bathroom vanities and medicine cabinets come in a huge
variety of styles and finishes, from the simulated antique look
to sleek modern designs. Your choice of vanity unit and storage
cabinet can have a big influence over the look and feel of your
bathroom, so it’s worth putting some thought into your decision
to make sure you get it right. Think about the theme of your
decor, as well as the layout of your bathroom. The positioning
of your bathroom cabinets and vanity set plays an important role
in the overall appearance of the whole room.

A well designed bathroom sink vanity can be adapted to store all
sorts of items to help you keep your counter tops neat and tidy.
You could have partitions in the drawers for small things such
as makeup, with shelving for larger toiletries, and perhaps a
pull out trash can to save space. Door racks for holding hair
dryers or electric shavers are another useful feature of many
contemporary vanity units. Similarly, bathroom medicine cabinets
can hold all kinds of accessories, from towels to toothpaste.
They can rest on the floor or be wall mounted or situated in a
corner, depending on the best use of the space available.

Bathroom sinks can be made from a number of materials, from
traditional porcelain to rustic looking stone or fashionable
glass. Vanity tops can be custom made from your choice of
material, including polished marble and granite. As well as
choosing whether to have a furniture style vanity with legs or a
block cabinet design, you can select all kinds of finishes, from
unfinished wood to glazed maple or distressed paint. Attention
to details such as your bathroom cabinet hardware can make all
the difference to the end result. Try to find hinges and handles
that match to the style and finish of your bathroom fixtures,
such as your faucets.

Vanity units and cabinets are relatively easy to install and can
work wonders at transforming an outdated bathroom. Vanities and
cabinets for bathrooms are available in loads of different
designs and can be the icing on the cake when remodeling your
bathroom.

Things to Look for When Buying a Bathroom Vanity

Replacing bathroom furniture is different from replacing an old couch or table. The majority of bathroom furniture is usually connected to the wall and might have a water hook up. So when shopping for your bathroom remodel there are certain things you want to keep in mind when looking online.

Whether you are looking for contemporary bathroom vanities or an antique style vanity, there are a few things to look out for. The first thing to look out for is the vanity construction. Make sure that the vanity is built to withstand the normal wear and tear that a bathroom vanity would see. Make sure the vanity has a plywood frame to ensure stability. Industry standards call for a five layer plywood so anything above that is probably a well constructed vanity.

When upgrading or replacing your existing bathroom vanity, you may want to replace any MDF or particle board bathroom vanities with solid wood since it is a nice material to work with and use in your home decor. One thing to keep in mind is that wood does not do well with water so when looking for wood make sure that it is a kiln-dried wood to prevent moisture from seeping in and warping the wood. Even contemporary vanities use wood but just bake on the finish to conceal any wood grains. Regardless of the finish, make sure that it is properly seal to prevent water from ruining your bathroom furniture.

The bathroom vanity top is just as important as the vanity cabinet. When choosing a top choose one that will fit the decor of your bathroom. Also make sure that the vanity top has been properly seal as well. No one recommends having sitting water on granite, marble or tile but in case it happens you want to make sure that the vanity top can withstand that. A properly sealed vanity top will look great for years to come.

So if you happen to stumble upon the vanity that is aesthetically pleasing and just what you had hoped for, run it through this check list first before jumping to any decisions! If it doesn’t meet your standards, then keep on looking. You’re bound to find a bathroom vanity that is perfect for you in no time.

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Bathroom Vanity Options

 

Not too much time is spent in the bathroom, yet bathrooms and kitchen carry much of the room value in a home.  An updated beautiful bathroom can me make the difference between a desirable home and an average looking house or between a room of necessity and a room of desire.  Choosing the right vanity for your bathroom space can be a good place to start in optimizing the maximum potential of this most overlooked of rooms.

 

An elegant vanity will add flair and pizzazz to a dull room.  A commode and shower are necessities and therefore often get more attention in the decorative world, but the vanity will be where you stand to pluck eyebrows, brush teeth, shave beards, or even apply cosmetics.  Some of the more remarkable features of some vanities on the market include marble tops, ornate custom cabinetry, and even functional cabinet space.  Vanities can hide unsightly plumbing, keeping the bathroom elegant and lovely.  Wood stained or painted, vanities sporting elegant marble tops will blend nicely with the cabinet bottom half and add an air of royalty to the “throne room.”  This royal treatment can fit into a small bathroom, but a larger space may be necessary for the more ornate of vanities.

 

Conversely, a rustic country themed home could benefit from something simpler.  Wood tops surrounding porcelain or even ceramic sinks melt into the supporting wood cabinetry for a charming old world feel that complements a small bathroom either in a wood stain or painted finish while still providing all the modern comforts.  Painted finishes may lighten up a room that is windowless, whereas dark stains can compliment light tiles but should only be placed in rooms with enough light to avoid a feeling of lost space that sometimes accompanies dark colors.  Be sure to take into consideration the color of the tiles, flooring, or paint in the bathroom.

 

Regardless of the design of your ideal “oval office,” you should never compromise functionality for style.  Even in a small bathroom space your vanity should have at least some cabinet space under the sink, including one or two drawers if possible. The sink top space should be wide enough to support a toothbrush holder and a couple bottles of soap and lotion.  If you must sacrifice space, optimize what space you do have with added shelves or portable storage option.

 

Even though not a whole lot of time is spent in a bathroom, it is a place where people go to find solace, privacy, and often comfort.  Warm baths are associated less with getting clean and more with relaxation.  Pampering such as shaving, facials, or waxing is often done in the bathroom.  A box of hair dye will be applied in the bathroom.  Such traditions of self comfort should be done in a room whose style brings about feelings of ease and relaxation.  Choosing the right vanity for your bathroom can make the difference between needing to use the bathroom and wanting to use the bathroom.

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Bathroom Remodeling- Tips for a Bathroom to Suit Your Style

A lot of people ask us about bathroom remodeling. Cost, functionality, style- all these questions arise. When we go into a customer’s home to get an idea on how they want us to remodel their bathroom one of the first points discussed is the amount of money they wish to spend. (We encourage our customers to keep in mind they are making an investment in their home that will increase its value). The second is the style.

Aside from the usual bathroom features- the sink, counters, toilet, shower and tub the next thing we try to do is to match the style of the bathroom to that of the client. Here are some questions to ask yourself to begin your bathroom remodeling experience:

1. Do you like the size of your bathroom? Perhaps you’d like to add a second sink?

2. Do you want to add a beday? A Jacuzzi?

3. Do you want simplicity or something more?

4. Do you require more storage space than what you now have?

5. Do you want a large vanity, or something simple?

6. Privacy- do you want see through shower doors or a more private, enclosed feel?

7. What is your style? Do you prefer: traditional, contemporary, Mediterranean, tropical or maybe even Victorian?

8. Do you want tile, granite, Caesar stone, travertine or marble?

9. For the flooring do you prefer tile or maybe even hardwood flooring?

When these questions are answered it gives us more of an idea on what types of tiles, flooring, shower doors and sinks to suggest to our clients. Keep in mind you want to match the color and style of each feature. For example if you want a white, bright bathroom, hardwood flooring won’t match.

Some people like a more ornate feel to their bathrooms. So we suggest things such as gold fixtures, intricate carved cabinetry or perhaps marble.

Some clients like a modern style for example a vessel sink that sits atop the tiles which would call for a more fashionable feel that might even include modern fixtures and colored tiles. Or, some people just want a more simplistic sink and white, plain tiles which would be a more traditional bathroom design.

When you answer these questions for yourself and settle upon your bathroom’s size, style, and colors, it helps us envision what you want so we can offer you a more efficient and satisfying bathroom remodeling experience. Thanks for choosing us to help your dream bathroom come true!

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An Old World Look in a Modern Bathroom: How to Accent

You’ve selected the perfect antique bathroom vanity. Carefully coordinating the marble or granite top with the solid wood carved cabinetry, you’ve placed it as the focal point to the room.  Now comes the challenge.  How to make modern life, with its toothpaste tubes, its electrical appliances, and its packaged products fit the aesthetic you are trying to create? Using some accents in the bathroom, along with some tips for “hiding” some of life’s aesthetic challenges can keep your new room the way you envisioned it to be- a retreat that complements the rest of your home.

One of your first concerns after a vanity sink has been purchased is the hardware, which is usually sold separately.  Choose hardware that matches the sink style and complements its colors.  Black granite or dark woods look especially nice with warm metals, while white is often seen with stainless steel accents, softened by white porcelain knobs.

For lighting, make as much use of natural light as possible, which means keeping window treatments to a minimum.  A single chandelier can be used for the evening, or wall sconces can be chosen.

The vanity sink itself offers storage options for toilet paper, toothpaste, and other supplies that are most convenient to store here.  For other items, consider alternative storage ideas. You can use small metal tubs that sit on the floor or on a low shelf for the small appliances you use everyday such as hairdryers and hair irons.  Hand-painted enamel buckets can be placed on a shelf or other flat surface to hold hand-towels for your guests. In place of the built-in medicine cabinet, you can find glass and metal trays and use apothecary style jars for storage of bath oils, salts, and liquid soaps. You can also find Victorian style bottles etched with floral patterns or cut glass details.

A small cupboard is also a great choice for additional storage.  Custom cupboards can usually be designed to open to either side of the room, so think about the room’s layout and use- entryways, accessibility, etc. before you order something custom made. The top of the cupboard can be accented by a small vase of lavender, a bouquet of wildflowers, or a pitcher and bowl seen in traditional guest rooms in earlier times. An antique chamber-pot can serve as an accent piece as well.

Products are also available that recall another time and place. Pumice stones, glycerine soaps, and natural stone accessories are all items that will blend well with the surroundings you have created.  Toothbrushes with beech-wood or clear plastic handles can be found, as well has brushes and combs that are made of natural woods.  Not only are they more visually pleasing, they are often times better quality and longer lasting than their plastic counterparts!

In the end, the choice about how much “modernity” makes it to your bathroom is yours.  The market exists for all types of preferences, which should make it a breeze to find your level of comfort between the old world and new.