The bathroom vanity is the sink-cabinet-mirror combination. It's the showpiece of your bathroom. Here are ten things to avoid when choosing a vanity...you might be surprised.
If you are going to the expense and bother to replace your bathroom sinks and cabinets, choose a vanity that has storage space, not just a plumbing camouflage. If you really don't want cabinets, put in a pedestal sink or a wall hung sink. The general rule is don't try to fake it. It could be embarrassing.For instance, if you are a tall family and the style you love only comes in 33-inch size, create simple inexpensive solutions, such as installing 2 or 3 inch glass bricks under the cabinets to add height. One designer suggests wiring in fluorescent lighting behind the glass bricks for an extra special finish.You've picked the perfect vanity with beautiful cabinets for the main bathroom in your 8 bedroom Victorian built in 1863. It's ordered and delivered and the contractor is scratching his head. It's not designed for the "wet wall" which is the location of the original plumbing. Extending piping around the inside of walls is not a minor consideration and the cost could outweigh the convenience.While standing there holding the handle in your hand along with some of the veneer board it was screwed into, you look at the stylish row of drawer handles. Maybe one opens all or maybe none open at all. You're afraid to guess. Isn't there some kind of truth-in-labeling rule that applies even in the bathroom? This type of cabinet is an economy choice and is often used in industrial settings such as hotels and office buildings. Its dubious charm has become passe;. However, the style is still frequently seen in trade journals and must have a market somewhere.There are also other sizes such as small rooms converted to extra large bathrooms. Such a space takes as much extra planning and design as the space needs. Don't just throw in the same fixtures you might use for the standard spaces. Large round or double kidney shaped counters look nice in large bathrooms but are definitely not appropriate for the corridor or L shaped plans.Tables are also not limited to wood these days, just the opposite. You'll find vast selections of tables in all sizes using glass and marble as the table top with mixtures of wood, chrome, and steel for the legs or table base. You'll even find some extremely 'edgy' or very contemporary furniture being completely made of think resin materials.A vanity is an expensive bathroom fixture. Expect to pay 600 dollars for a good quality counter top, sink, and faucet. Add to this the cost of your cabinets underneath, which depending on size, materials and customization, could easily cost more plus installation. Don't put your whole budget into other fixtures of the bathroom without saving some for the vanity. It is the focal point of the bathroom and a cheap one will reflect the same. Even if you can't afford anything else, a new vanity will spruce up an entire bathroom. Make sure to match it to any preexisting fixtures you decide to keep.No matter how you dine or where you dine in your home, there's a contemporary and comfortable solution just for you. Just narrower it down to size, shape, style�.because the right choice is there to meet your individual character. Here's to dinner!The formal dining room is always the room of choice for special occasion dining; whether it for an intimate dinner for two or a large family gathering. Tables come in a choice of sizes and shapes and should always be selected based upon the room size. Do don't want something too small or too large. It's important to consider a table with the ability to resize when you have a need to accommodate more seating. Whether square, oblong, oval, or round, most dining tables are designed with the ability to expand using a 'leaf' or extension insert.The same lesson can be applied to shower doors, spigots, towel racks, tubs, etc... Decide if you need taller, shorter, wider, or longer. Remember also that two heights are better than one if you have the space to accommodate users of different proportions.Stow away The custom cabinetry is American black walnut. Shelves hold books, carafes, glasses, and, of course, bottles--about 175 in all, including what's in the two GE Monogram wine fridges (monogram.com).As alluded to above, not all dining room tables are constructed of wood. More and more ensembles today use multiple materials to best express a contemporary feel. A great example of how oak veneer panels are combined with highly polished granite can be found in the Bentley collection called Atlantis. The Atlantis dining table offers an earthly feel all its own by combining wood and stone. The table can be finished off with either slatted-back chairs or beautiful faux leather chairs.Faulty Installation.Remember to be exact in measurement and to coordinate everything on paper. You don't want to redesign things in the middle of installation. For instance, be careful to pick the right size sink to match your cabinet, especially if the cabinets are already built-in. Our consultant master carpenter advises that many unexpected costs in installation can be avoided by taking the drafting stage seriously.No matter what, you should choose the right table for you home understanding what will work well within the space and within the overall design and style you are planning for the best of your home. Choose the table based on the shape, design, and size that will be pleasant to the eye, work with the elements of the space, and make your dining room feel inviting to family members and guests alike.You are redoing your bathroom and there are a zillion details. After getting lost in the practicalities, you stop for break. Something catches your attention. You take a careful look at the new mirror you've just installed. You notice that you're looking straight at...your chin. You wonder if they delivered the wrong size. Then you remember that you were sitting in a chair at the showroom when you decided that this was your dream come true. Why didn't you think to check if you could use it as well standing up?If you can't find a vanity according to your proportions, don't give up. Even kitchen cabinets might provide workable alternatives if bathroom cabinet selection is limited. And don't be afraid to improvise.Awkward Door Swing.Just remember that the height of the sinks, mirrors and cabinets should be customized to their users, according to their actual size. Not that they have to be custom made. Customized only means chosen to fit the bathroom at a user friendly height. If it takes going to 6 stores to browse, do it. Drive the salespeople crazy with your questions. If what you want is not there, ask to see more.Losing Out on Details.Using the Wrong Lighting.Buying For Looks Not Function.Forgetting to Customize to Floor Plan.If you seek to furnish your home in the rich tones of walnut, the Tokyo range is a beautifully crafted sleek design using veneers and solids of American Black Walnut. The collection includes a beautiful dining table with cleverly concealed drawers. The drawers also form part of the top overhanging panels of the sideboard, coffee table, and lamp tables. With more and more dining areas becoming less formal to accommodate busy lifestyles, perhaps you'll find the Tokyo Coffee Table to be your perfect dining spot!21st-century modern CB2's zincplated iron-wire Reed chairs ($119 each; cb2.com) and white-oak Teepee dining table ($369) add a touch of neo-retro whimsy and warmth to the tasting area.Because bathrooms require special attention to detail, don't neglect the amount of space you need to open and close your vanity cabinet doors. Make sure they can even open at all. Provide at least 30 inches in front of the sink for an average person to get down on the floor and into the cabinets. Keep the toilet at least 14 inches away from the cabinet sides to accommodate door swing. More if you have extra wide doors. If the vanity is installed along a wall near the bathroom door, make sure the door swings away from the sink. A little planning with a tape measure and some thought avoids this nuisance and saves your cabinet doors from unnecessary wear and tear.In general it is best not to use colored lighting in the bathroom. Think to enhance and soften. There are so many options available to give personality to your bathroom and the choices in style and material are endless. Choose carefully with an eye on ease of maintenance and upkeep. Remember that the cheapest fixtures are often the most difficult to maintain.Since 'size matters,' it's important to measure the space you are looking to fill. A round table will comfortably fit four to six people, but typically square or rectangle work best in a defined room. Perhaps your space is intimate and small, maybe a bistro table for two is appropriate. More kitchens are being designed with small dining nooks and use of a high pedestal table is a fun place for your morning coffee or evening glass of wine.You're a guest at a friend's house in the Pocono's for the weekend. You're in the bathroom and you need a towel. You check to see if a fresh towel is in the cabinet and... Oh no! The cabinet handle comes off in your hand! The cabinet door didn't open because it's not there. It's an imitation cabinet just for show, hiding the plumbing.As lifestyles and especially dining has become more informal, so have our choices for furniture. In most homes today, you'll find the kitchen nook, kitchen bar, or even dining in front of the television much more of the norm. Although formal dining room ensembles are still very prevalent, you'll find the majority of dining tables being made with some type of base wood covered by a veneer that mimics the appearance of a more attractive wood grain. Hence less money is being spent on dining room furniture because in many cases, less time is being spent in the formal dining room.Choosing the Floor Model's Sizing.
Finally, don't wait to find out if your vanity cabinet can actually be put in its place. Measure the path, especially the bathroom door. Your installer may not be prepared or even able to disassemble and rebuild the vanity quickly to get it in place. Our advisor had to laugh remembering how often people measure the bedroom door but not the bathroom door. "It happens all the time," he chuckled.
Author: Bob Williams
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