One of the most common remodel projects is the bathroom. When moving into a new home, people want to infuse the space with their personality and style. Each element, particularly the bathroom vanity, speaks to your needs for efficiency and function while providing visual appeal into the space.

There is an array of choices, styles, designs, sizes, to accommodate practicality for your household.

Planning and preparing your bathroom for a new vanity can be daunting considering the many factors to account for such as vanity top, sink, and the measurements for the cabinet. This combination works cohesively to make your daily routine efficient.

Let’s look more in-depth at the bathroom vanity to ensure you’re informed and can make the best decision for your needs.

The fundamentals of a bathroom vanity

Image by Michael Gault from Pixabay.

The bathroom vanity can be a stylish and functional focal point in the space. Whether you plan a full remodel or merely want to upgrade this piece, your choice can make all the difference in the room.

Learning the latest trends in design will allow you to not only improve the room but add to your property value. More prospective homeowners appreciate a space that’s modern, sleek while keeping with efficiency and practicality. The current trends include:

  • Smart features: These have built-in lighting, touchless faucets, and electrical outlets.
  • Floating vanities: The floating vanity consumes minimal space and offers a modern aesthetic.
  • Minimalist designs: The modern look encompasses minimal hardware integrated sinks, and clean lines.
  • Natural materials: Many people want to bring nature indoors. Materials like stone and wood give this feel and look.
  • Bold colors: More people are leaning toward vibrant colors such as emerald, navy, and black with their vanity cabinetry.

Choosing the right size s critical to ensure the piece balances the space and proves functional. You want to measure the area where the vanity will be installed considering depth, height and width. You should have room to freely move around the space and that there are no obstructions when opening doors and drawers.

Small guest bathrooms or powder rooms benefit from a compact piece roughly 24 to 30 inches wide. In a large space, sizes can range up to 60 inches to accommodate double sinks and offer a layer of luxury to the room.

The recommendation is to leave approx. 18 inches from the vanity edge to other appliances. This gives you comfortability and allows easy care and upkeep. Visit – 12 Astonishing DIY Bathroom Vanity Makeovers — The Family Handyman – for DIY vanity makeovers.

Single or double sink

The decision between a single and double sink is largely based on the room’s space and personal preferences.

  • Single sink: A smaller bathroom benefits from a single sink. Space is usually limited in powder or guest bathrooms. These offer more vanity top and give the illusion of a larger space.
  • Double sink: A double sink is ideal for a master bath where more than one person is trying to get ready each morning. These are convenient and highly efficient in avoiding morning battles over the bathroom.

The recommendation is to have roughly 30 square-inch area in front of the sinks for optimal comfort. If you measure and a double sink can meet this criterion, it’s a wise investment. There should be plenty of counter space between the sinks to accommodate daily essentials and you want to account for plumbing for each sink.

Vanity style

The vanity should complement the room’s aesthetic and really flow cohesively with that of the rest of the house.  Consider the bathroom color palette and select a finish to balance it harmoniously. The hardware such as the cabinet knobs should accentuate the bathroom fixtures. Here are a few tips:

  • Accessories: Lighting, mirrors and other accessories should enhance the bathroom design.
  • Color scheme: Contrasting the color can be done harmoniously but it can be a slippery slope. You want a scheme that complements and doesn’t battle against the other elements in the room.
  • Consistency: For a unified look, you’ll choose similar styles and finishes throughout the space.

The materials

Material selection is a critical aspect of choosing your bathroom vanity. The best material will be durable and strong to hold the weight of the vanity top and essential daily items.

  • Solid wood: In a bathroom, humidity and moisture are a primary concern. When choosing solid wood, you want to ensure the cabinet is adequately sealed to protect against these concerns. Solid wood is a timeless look, classic.
  • Metal: Metal sets a modern and sleek tone in the room. It’s incredibly durable but is at risk for dents and scratching.
  • MDF – medium density fiberboard: This is a budget-friendly choice and is less prone to warping compared to solid wood; however, it doesn’t have the same level of durability.
  • Laminate: Laminate is easy to maintain and available in an array of color schemes and finishes. Moisture is, again, a concern with this material and it’s more susceptible to damage.
  • Plywood: Plywood is a good option as a middle-of-the-road material. It has good durability and moisture resistance. Most people favor this as their material of choice.

Vanity tops are available in an array of materials including solid surface which is popular for easy care and upkeep and high durability. Marble is a favored choice for those looking for a more luxurious feel but it requires constant maintenance to prevent etching or staining. Read here for tips on choosing a bathroom vanity.

Final Thought

Many factors go into a choice for a bathroom vanity from function, style and size. The process in selecting the most suitable for your needs can be involved. By addressing your primary concerns, you can find a vanity that meets your daily needs efficiently and effectively.

Aside from practicality, you also want to focus on the overall aesthetic. The bathroom vanity should cohesively flow in the room with other features and align with the home’s design. The right vanity will not only improve the bathroom but also add to your home’s property value, something homeowners strive for when making upgrades.