Installing a new vanity in your bathroom has a lot of benefits. Not only will this addition create more space in your bathroom without requiring a complete remodelling, but it can also provide that extra storage you need to de-clutter your bathroom and allow for easier bathroom routines.
Unfortunately, there are so many bathroom vanities in the market that choosing the ideal one can be an uphill task. That is why we have put together these few tips that will make it easy for you when next you are shopping for bathroom vanity.
Find out your plumbing requirements
This is the first thing you should do before considering buying a vanity because where the plumbing in your bathroom is will determine where the vanity will go, and may also determine the type of vanity you will buy.
Even though moving plumbing is not impossible, it entails a huge amount of work and will cost a lot in materials and labour, which is why you have to be sure that your current plumbing arrangement is right for a bathroom vanity.
Even switching from an existing floor mounted vanity to a wall-mounted unit may require changes in your bathroom plumbing – a situation that could cause unnecessary delays, expenses, and even require that you get consent from the house owners or local building council.
Determine placement and size
The size and placement of your bathroom vanity will be determined by several factors. Some of the things you will have to consider include:
- The direction of door swing: If your bathroom door opens inwards to the right, you may have to place your vanity to the left. You don’t want your bathroom door swinging inwards and hitting your brand new vanity. This could mean early dents and damages.
- Position of the shower: If you have a really small bathroom space, you will need to get a really effective shower curtain otherwise you risk damaging your new vanity with water sprays from the shower. If your bathroom is large enough, then you will be able to place the vanity where water from the shower will not touch it.
- Position of the toilet: If your bathroom is one of those dual bathroom/ toilet spaces, you will have to determine how far from the toilet it will be. You don’t want to be bumping into the vanity every time you get up from the toilet.
- Ease of access: The bathroom is one of the most visited rooms in the home, and it is important that you allow for free flow of foot traffic. A new vanity should not make moving into and out of the bathroom a bother. If you are constantly bumping into the vanity when going to and from the bathroom, you may have to consider other placement options.
Ultimately, the uniqueness of your bathroom space will influence the size of your bathroom vanity and where it will be placed. If you don’t have much room, a corner bathroom vanity can be a good idea. This addition is meant to make things easier in the bathroom and not cause complications.
Determine the size of storage you want
One of the benefits of bathroom vanity is that it allows you to easily declutter your bathroom and provides enough space for storage. But before getting all excited about the amount of storage you will be getting with a new Bathroom Vanity, you have to first determine exactly how much storage you need, and how much space your bathroom can give up.
Depending on the size of physical storage you need, you may have to mix and match a few things, but this can actually be a good thing and will improve the aesthetics of your bathroom. Thankfully, you will find tons of mix and match bathroom vanity designs that will be a perfect fit regardless of the size of your bathroom space.
Pick materials that will complement your bathroom
Bathroom vanities can be made from a variety of materials, meaning that you have lots of choices to choose from. However, consider that due to that fact that it will be in a bathroom, your vanity will come in contact with lots of water and moisture, so while looking for something that perfectly complements your bathroom, it is also important that you chose materials that will handle wear and tear well.
Bathroom vanities can be made or finished with materials like wood laminate, veneers, thermofoil materials, porcelain, stainless steel, and even plastic. Your choice should be easy to maintain, durable, practical, and durable.
Other features to consider
You already know that a standard vanity comes with a sink and water faucet. But what you may not know is that the storage cabinet beneath can be customised to your unique taste.
For instance, you can install lights and fixtures in the side of your bathroom vanity to allow for easy visibility. You can also install electric sockets on and inside the cabinet for charging handheld devices like dryers, or for charging mobile accessories.
All-in-all, the secret to the ideal bathroom vanity is to either buy a pre-built one from a reliable store or have an expert build one for you. You may not exactly get what you want if you construct one as a DIY project unless you have the skills and tools to do so.
