Things to consider when designing a Vanity Unit

A carefully designed vanity can be the single defining feature of your bathroom. It is important that the style of the vanity unit is synonymous with the style of the home, and that functionality is also considered.

Adina Designed Interiors can design, construct and install bathroom cabinetry, vanities and other stylish storage solutions for your bathroom using a range of materials, fittings and finishes. Our cabinet makers and custom furniture creators share some general guidelines to help you choose the best bathroom vanity in our latest post.

What sort of look are you trying to achieve?

Are you going for an ultra-modern or classic country look? Your vanity should suit the style of the bathroom and the amount of space you have to work with. Consider the colours of your tiles when selecting the colour scheme. Will the style of the existing tapware suit your new bathroom, or will you need to replace the taps? Be sure to select basins to suit the tapware – for example if you have flick mixers you will need a basin with one tap hole, and if you have combination taps, you will need a basin with 3 tap holes. Should you choose a vessel-type basin, ensure your tapware is tall enough to stand above the basin, or consider wall mounted taps.

If you are renovating the entire bathroom you will have a clean slate to work with, however a new vanity can transform an existing bathroom without spending a fortune, and can be easily crafted to match your existing bathroom design by Adina Designed Interiors.

SIZE OF THE ROOM:

The size of the room is a major consideration when designing a vanity. It can’t be too large that opening doors and drawers becomes a challenge, nor should it be too small that it’s not functional. While a larger vanity gives more storage and bench space, it should be relative to the size of the bathroom you have. If going from one basin to two, remember the plumbing inside the vanity will mean there is less room for storage. Also make sure the vanity is long enough to leave enough space between the basins and either side to maintain functionality.

FUNCTIONALITY OF THE VANITY

Double sinks – These are ideal for a busy family where there is more than one person getting ready at a time. Many vanities feature under-mount basins which are mounted below the counter. Under-mount  basins give a clean, minimalistic look.

Vessel–type basins are raised above the counter and can be an eye catching feature available in vitreous china; clear, coloured or slumped glass, or other finishes. It is important that the vanity surface is lowered when using vessel-type basins so that they do not end up being too high

Shaving cabinets that double as a mirror. These can be a fantastic way of achieving more shelving space for medicines, makeup, shaving creams, deodorants etc. It is also possible to have a power point within the shaving cabinet for electric toothbrushes or razors.

Drawers, shelves and cupboards. If you have limited space, open wall mounted shelves can be a great alternative for extra storage and a place to inject character with some personal touches and placement of accessories. Drawers cut around under sink plumbing assist in making better use of space that is otherwise often wasted.

CURRENT TRENDS IN BATHROOM VANITIES

Current trends in bathroom vanities include a variety of different mix of materials and finishes. Solid surfaces for vanities are proving popular as they are not only easy to clean, but are also ideal for wet areas as they are non absorbent. While Marble is beautiful and highly sought after, it is quite porous and great care should be taken when spillages occur. Re-constituted stones are proving to be extremely popular and in many cases are more economical than natural stones. They are also more consistent in colour and grain.

Wall mounted vanity units are becoming very popular offering a slim-line minimalistic look. The installation of LED strip lighting to the underside of the vanity provides a soft light that is ideal for night time trips to the bathroom.

Soft close hardware to doors and drawers can make the world of difference, especially when there are noisy teenagers in the house! Wall mounted boxes with lift up doors are an ideal way of housing hairdryers, electric razors and hair straighteners, and can include power points so that the appliances are ready to use.

A carefully planned bathroom can save precious time for a busy family and can make a bathroom much more practical and functional for the aging or disabled. At Adina Designed Interiors, we take the time to discuss your lifestyle and needs in order to design a vanity to compliment your requirements. Call us today on (07) 4132 7755