Vanities
Bathroom Vanity Basics
By: Danielle McVicar
Vanity furniture is a necessity for any bathroom. Many of your basic bathroom needs are satisfied by a simple vanity, and common features include drawers, cabinets, sinks, towel racks and mirrors. They provide storage space and can also hide protruding pipes or other flaws. Vanities also can add to your overall interior décor, enhancing the appearance of your bathroom.
There are many different types of vanities to choose from, but the most common types are wood, glass, stone, ceramic and double sink.
Wooden vanities are very popular and come in a wide range of styles. Common types of wood used for vanities include cherry, oak, teak and mahogany. Each type of wood offers different ranges of craftsmanship, luxury and price. Since wood is not water resistant, wooden vanities must be sealed in order to prevent water damage.
Glass vanities give a bathroom a contemporary and sophisticated touch. Many types of glass vanities are wall-mounted and combine glass with other materials such as wood or steel. This type of vanity is highly stylized and goes well in a high-end bathroom. Glass is durable and water resistant but requires regular cleaning in order to prevent water marks and streaks.
Stone is another option for your bathroom vanity. Stone is very stylish and luxurious but can also be quite expensive. A stone vanity is extremely resilient and very easy to clean. If you want to add elegance and durability to your bathroom consider using a stone vanity.
Ceramic is another popular choice among bathroom vanities. Ceramic tile is consistently found in bathrooms due to its water resistant and decorative qualities, so it only makes sense that bathroom vanities would also be available in a ceramic material. Ceramic is more traditional than other vanity options, but do not think that means it is boring! Ceramic is available in an array of colors and styles, making it very good choice for bathroom vanities.
Double sink vanities are usually restricted to larger bathrooms. These long vanities contain two sinks instead of just one, making them perfect for bathrooms that are shared by multiple people. They come in a wide variety of materials and styles just as single vanities do.
Choose a vanity that best meets your bathroom’s needs; it will benefit your bathroom both practically and decoratively!
***
Keeping Bathroom Vanities Clean
By: Kelly Goldthorpe
Despite being a relatively small room, bathrooms make a large statement about your home. Their decoration, cleanliness, and overall aesthetics speak volumes to visitors about your style and how you maintain your home. If your bathroom vanity is getting cluttered or dirty it may be time to do some minor home renovations.
A bathroom vanity doesn’t necessarily consist of just the sink and counter, it also incorporates the cabinets below the sink and any you may have installed. Utilizing these bathroom cabinets to their full potential is a way to limit the amount of miscellaneous odds and ends that end up on your bathroom countertop. The area below the sink is often just filled with extra toilet paper and maybe some additional shampoo bottles or a blow dryer. This is a tall space, but these small products fill the surface area, leaving a large void of underutilized storage space. To get use of the entire cabinet purchase some bathroom storage solutions, like tiered plastic drawers. You can also use baskets to round up all those products into one well organized area. This will help clear space in your bathroom cabinets, as well as create an efficient method for retrieving your belongings.
Once you have freed up some space below your sink you can move on to the more noticeable areas of your bathroom vanity. A clean and clear countertop is essential for your home bathroom. If there are items that don’t fit below the sink or that you use regularly, consider other storage options. Install a medicine cabinet if you do not already have one. This can be a great place to put a makeup bag or shaving kit, along with manicure sets and perfume bottles. For other bathroom items, like q-tips, makeup wipes, or other small objects can be housed in decorative containers. Unlike simple bathroom storage that remains out of site, these are an opportunity to add to your bathroom décor. A medicine cabinet or set of decorative containers will clear up that bathroom vanity while adding extra space and design to the room.
Finally, keep your bathroom clean. Before guests come make sure your bathroom vanity, sink, faucets, and mirror have all been wiped down. Organize your toothbrushes in a holder that goes with your bathroom decorating and keep that soap bar in an elegant dish. Your bathroom should be a continuation of your home design, which is inviting yet functional.
