Make sure that fancy new vanity is a fit for your bathroom
There's a lot more to choosing a bathroom vanity than you might think. First and foremost, do you even want one? Pedestal sinks are pretty, popular and don't take up much valuable floor space. However, the downside is they don't offer much space for storing bathroom essentials like toilet paper and extra hand towels.
“Even the ledge space on a pedestal is limited,” says Meredith Getty, showroom manager at the Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery in Rochester, N.Y. “They tend to work best in powder rooms, unless there are other storage options available, like a closet.”
Vessel sinks — the decorative sink bowls that sit atop the counter — might also be better suited for less-trafficked powder rooms because they require more maintenance.
“An undermount porcelain sink is easier to take care of than a glass or stainless steel vessel sink that will show water spots,” says Leslie Fine, president of Leslie Fine Interiors Inc. in Boston.
Function also trumps form when it comes to selecting the bath cabinet itself.
Height is a big decision. Thirty-three to 34 inches is typical, but Fine has used vanities up to 36 inches for taller customers. Steer clear of shorter vanities, even for kids' bathrooms. “Children grow quickly, and vanities are meant to last a long time,” Fine says.
Also, don't forget to consider the height of the sink. A vessel could raise the working height of the vanity quite a few inches, making that nice 33-inch bath cabinet unintentionally uncomfortable to use.
“I've had customers use vessels on a higher vanity, and something about the overall angle means they end up with water running down their arms as they are washing their faces,” Getty says.
Countertop material is largely a personal preference. Granite and marble continue to be favored for their good looks, Getty says, but a lot of people go with easier-to-maintain options.
“People put makeup and other products down on the countertops, so it can be good to have something like quartz that doesn't stain,” Getty says.
Recycled glass and polished concrete also are becoming more popular countertop materials. Both are eco-friendly, modern and low maintenance.
For the cabinet itself, a big trend is using furniture-like styles — and actual pieces of furniture — to add character to the space.
Before converting that vintage dresser into a vanity, though, have a professional take a look. Sometimes, the piece will have a top drawer that's too shallow for the depth of a sink, or not enough space front-to-back to accommodate both the sink and faucet. Consider the arrangement of plumbing coming through the walls, since changing the pipes can be far more expensive and time-consuming than just choosing a different vanity.
“I've seen some people make mistakes because they didn't think it through,” Getty says.
No matter your aesthetic preference, carefully consider how you want your sink and vanity to function (and get some professional advice) to avoid renovation regrets.