Choose the Right Bathroom Vanity
2008-08-27

As today’s bathrooms starting to look more and more stylish, the days of using old fashioned wood and melamine countertops are almost gone. Vanities are available in a range of styles like traditional, antique, contemporary, extra wide, double sink and lots more. You can have your own style imparted into your bathroom vanity.

Once you have decided the style of your vanity, the next step would be to decide the materials. Common materials such as wood, natural stones, concrete, glass, porcelain and stainless steel are often preferred due to their anti rust and robust appeal as well as ease of cleaning.

The following tips may help you when choosing bathroom vanities.

1.  The first decision is for you to consider what type do you prefer? Your bathroom's overall theme will determine the first step in your choice of bathroom vanities. For example, a bathroom with a sleek new modern design will require a different choice in bathroom vanities that will an "antique" or "period" looking bathroom.

2.  Make sure you choose a vanity of the right height and right weight. Most bathroom vanities are built at a standard height of 30 inches. You should spend some time in your local store looking at vanity units to decide what height is right for you. So make sure that your vanity takes up the required space well. Don't buy one too short, or too long. Too short looks wrong and too long can be a real problem.

3.  You need to decide on what style of countertop, sink, mirror, medicine cabinet and fixtures you'll need as well. Make sure that the countertop you choose will fit the bathroom vanity, some special countertops will not securely fasten to the cheap vanities available at most home improvement retailers so if your countertop is a marble facsimile for instance, make certain your vanity will accept this kind of countertop.

4.  Your bathroom vanity has to be tough enough to weather drastic changes in heat and humidity as well as stand up to soap scum, toothpaste, and makeup.

5.  A bathroom vanity will not only beautify your bathroom but also make your bathroom more comfortable to use and tidy. A vanity cabinet for instance will be able to keep your things in the bathroom in an orderly manner.

6.  Select one with good materials.

Natural stones are widely used than wood, stainless steel and glass. Natural stones are known to look nice, are easy to maintain, do not tend to corrode or break easily and hence are preferred more for vanities. Bathrooms tend to be more humid and hence wood would not be a good option. Stainless steel though not known to corrode easily, the possibilities of scratches is always there. As for glass, maintaining glass is not easy and the chances of breakage are greater.

However, many of the modern vanities do come in more than just one material. Stainless steel sinks or glass sinks are very commonly found nowadays. The countertop is almost always made of natural stone as it is more durable and wood is used for the drawers and the cabinet doors.

7.  You must consider you money as well. Some ones are too expensive that you can not afford it.

All in all, the bathroom vanity can bring warmth interest and drama to any bathroom and should be carefully considered as part of any home decorating plan.