The bathroom is a functional space in the home as it’s where taking care of one’s hygiene and grooming happens. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its own role when it comes to beauty, however, as it’s also a space where you have the chance to play with the décor to showcase more of your personality. Taking these two aspects into account, it’s easy to transform the look and feel of this utilitarian room without splurging on a grand makeover project.
The key lies in the vanity as the functional and charming piece it is. No matter how big or small your bathroom may be, you need storage to properly organise essentials like toiletries, grooming and styling tools, medicine, or that extra supply of toilet paper you like to keep out of sight. Luckily, there are various vanity unit options available nowadays, so it shouldn’t be too time-consuming to find something up to your taste and suitable for your budget, as well as bathroom’s size and layout.
But, with so many choices, how to proceed with the shopping? Moreover, how do I choose a good vanity? These are both solid questions most people have when they embark on this bathroom upgrade journey, so here are a few ideas you can focus on to make the most of it.
Determine the Design You Prefer
The reason there are so many options to choose from stems from the fact we don’t all have the same likes and dislikes, or the same sized bathrooms for that matter. While taking a good look at your bathroom is necessary, so is giving your likes and dislikes a thought to determine whether you’re up for a space-savvy timber wall hung vanity or the good-old floor-mounted alternative.
Each of these comes with its own pros and cons. On the one hand, the benefit of adding a wall-hung design is saving up much-needed floor space, something that especially makes a world of difference in a compact bathroom. Also known as floating, besides their minimalist and modern aesthetic, these vanities help create more space visually, and make cleaning chores a breeze as there’s easy access to all the floor tiles.
The floorstanding, on the other hand, also known as freestanding is a more traditional approach that’s perfect in a classic style. It may not save you much space, but it’s great if you have a bigger bathroom, or want a simpler installing option. Although the timber wall hung vanity as an example of a sleek and modern solution offers storage space, the floorstanding offers more and can hide away unsightly pipework. When in doubt, though, consider the plumbing setup with its lines and fixtures.
Invest in a High-Quality Unit
What makes a bathroom vanity high quality? Good question! There’s more to it than merely the quality of the material used for the piece, but if we were to focus on this specific aspect, then solid wood or natural timber veneer from woods like beech, oak, walnut, and acacia are some choices worth mentioning.
Each of these pieces is unique on its own, as the wood has natural variations in the grain colour. This gives a bathroom plenty of natural texture and charm. It’s also the very characteristic that makes timber vanities, both floating and floorstanding units, a versatile solution that can fit right in regardless whether your bathroom is in classic or modern style, or one inspired by the timeless coastal design.
High quality can also refer to the material and sealing of the countertop, as much as the materials used for the hardware. When you get a piece with top-notch hardware, you know there won’t be any worry down the line about the handles coming out, or the spring drawer mechanism rusting and not functioning properly.
Consider the Space and Layout
Size plays a crucial role just as much as the quality, material, and style. It’s important not only to measure up the available space to determine the ideal vanity size, but to consider the layout to find the perfect spot for this feature. Creating a focal point is nice and all, yet not so much if you cram it somewhere that gets in the way of traffic, blocks a certain bathroom fixture or fitting from being used properly, or even the door.
In that case, the solution could be in a corner timber bathroom vanity. It’s perfect as it lets you make the most of a corner that’s otherwise left empty, allowing you to use all the available space without affecting the layout or any feature already present. If that doesn’t work either, then the more expensive custom-made option could be the solution for you. This one gives you lots of flexibility with the choice of design, material, colour, and features (think soft close doors and natural oil finishes), to give you something entirely and uniquely your own.
When there’s need for more storage, a model with more compartments and drawers is a must. Another crucial aspect you can’t leave out here is the single or double sink setting. For those bathrooms where space isn’t an issue, one could always benefit from a double-sink configuration, and even a double vanity with a single sink as that also provides more countertop space for toiletries. And if there’s no room for such a setting, there’s always the space-savvy single vanity.
Stay in Tune with Trends
I don’t say this so you would follow every single trend that appears, rather so you’d get an idea and find something that best matches your personality, the bathroom style and design, and your lifestyle. For the upcoming year, a lot of focus is expected to go on sustainability and natural materials as much as in these recent years we’ve already been through.
This means you can create your own sanctuary by inviting natural timber bathroom cabinet combined with natural countertop (think timeless marble), luxurious tiles for the floors and walls, perfectly matched with a luxurious zen bath or steam shower. As a last touch, don’t forget the proper lighting above the cabinets, and the natural and artificial light components in the bathroom overall.
How Do You Maintain a Vanity?
As much as we would like to avoid adding a chore to the already long to-do list, you can’t get away with not taking care of the vanity’s cleanliness and maintenance. Yes, even if it’s a high-end and high-quality floorstanding or floating timber vanity, especially given that it’s the bathroom we’re talking about – the room that gets humid and dirty easily. Here are a few basic tips to make this chore easier:
Take Photos
Not everyone is up to the cleaning and maintaining chores, and that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up for it, rather motivate yourself by taking good “before” photos, then compare them with the “after” ones and you’d be amazed at how much you get to enjoy this, or how proud you end up feeling. It’s just as great for keeping your items neatly organised and in check, allowing you to timely stock up on essentials, and get rid of those you no longer need.
Dust and Wipe
A little care goes a long way, and this couldn’t be more true for regular dusting. Dust can set in every day thanks to the humidity but it’s nothing a little wiping of the surfaces can’t do with a slightly damp and soft microfibre cloth. The following step would be to wipe them dry with a dry, soft cloth, remembering to do so in the direction of the wood grain.
This goes for the external as much as the internal parts of the vanity, so to make sure you get it all clean remove all the contents on top and inside it. After you’re done with the vanity dusting, pass a cloth over the toiletries and other knick knacks before storing them again.
Promptly Clean Spills
Spills and stains happen, but to avoid leaving marks it’s best to wipe them right away with a dry cloth, then use an all-purpose cleaner and tend to them immediately. Or even better, find a quality cleaner formulated for wood for that ultimate peace of mind with the vanity’s longevity. For marble or granite countertops you can use a mixture of water with mild soap (make sure it’s non-acidic), or if you want to go the extra mile buy specialised non-scratch marble or stone cleaner with a soft cloth.
Refresh the Mirror and Sink
Doing this cleaning bit every day can save you from a lot more cleaning effort later. Use a bathroom cleaner on both to prevent dirt, splatter from toothpaste and shaving cream, dust and grime buildup. A lint-free cloth would make the task easier.
