What Are Custom Bathroom Vanities?

A custom bathroom vanity is one that is made to suit the consumer’s exact specifications. While they tend to be more costly than standard vanity designs, they still represent a large share of the total bathroom vanity market. Custom designs are sought out for a number of reasons.

Many consumers have in mind the exact vanity that would work best in their new or refurbished bathroom. It may be driven by their love of marble countertops, preference for dark wood, and desire for an undermount sink. Others may prefer a stone composite counter bearing a unique color combination, light wood, vessel sinks, and stainless steel accents. In any case,custom bathroom vanities allow consumers to hand pick each component of the vanity to best suit their needs and preferences. From the counter material, to the sink style, to the material used for the handles on the cabinets, a custom piece is truly a one of a kind creation.

Contrary to popular belief, as long as your preferences don’t involve some exotic wood from overseas, paired with a custom hand blown glass vessel sink, custom pieces can actually be affordable. Many manufacturers offer a type of mix and match option with their bathroom vanities that provides custom capabilities, not far above standard vanity costs. This is accomplished by their ability to mass produce the most popular choices in counter material, standard sized vanities in a range of wood colors, and bathroom sinks in the most popular styles. For the most part, being able to pick and choose these basic options fulfills most consumers needs.

If they are seeking a true custom piece, however, with hand carved wood decorations, custom sculpted sinks, or other labor intensive specifications, there will be an added cost to pay. Other custom vanities are designed in non standard sizes or shapes, intended to better fit unusually shaped rooms or odd sized spaces. These custom pieces will also carry a higher price tag than most with them.

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What Are Small Bathroom Vanities?

Standard single cabinet vanities typically range from three to four feet in length. Double vanities end to measure any where from five feet to larger, often spanning on entire wall of the bathroom. In small bathroom spaces, neither of these is a feasible option. For consumers dealing with tight fits, there are a wide section of small bathroom vanities on the market that measure 18 to 24 inches in width, perfect for areas where minimal floorspace is available for use. These smaller fixtures offer the perfect amount of space to fit a sink, while still incorporating a cabinet that can hide the plumbing as well as store a few essential bathroom items. Since these sizes do not offer the counter space that other models do, wall shelving is a common add-on to make up for the lack of space around the sink.

What Are The Advantages Of Small Vanities?

If you were to look underneath the bathroom sink in your master bathroom right now, you will most likely find an assortment of half full bottles of various bathroom cleaners, at least one hair dryer, perhaps a curling iron or two, along with several other bathroom related items. There is a good chance that none of the items are very organized, as they were most likely tossed in there when cleaning off the bathroom counters in preparation for company coming to visit. So, while larger vanities do offer more storage space, most consumers don’t utilize it the way it was meant to be.

Small vanities, on the other hand, are perfect for holding a single bottle of all purpose bathroom cleaner, a can of air freshener, and perhaps some spare rolls of toilet paper and a few extra hand towels. By offering less space, consumers are more likely to make the best of it. Since small vanities are most common in powder rooms or guest bathrooms, there is often little need to store as many products as you would keep in a primary bathroom.

Small vanities are also ideal due to their ability to accommodate nearly any types of modern sinks. Undermount sinks, perfect for eliminating the overlapping rim common in standard sinks, are ideal for making the most of the little counter space that is available. Vessel sinks, particularly the smaller bowl shaped designs, work extremely well with small vanities, as they tend to better present the look of a pedestal for the sink, as opposed to a standard vanity.

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What Is A Bathroom Vanity?

A bathroom vanity is the unit designed to incorporate your bathroom sink into a storage area and support system. They are multi-purpose pieces, offering cabinet style compartments that also serve as an effective method to cover up unsightly plumbing lines that may distract from the overall look of the bathroom. Contemporary bathroom vanities are often easy to install, requiring basic home improvement knowledge and the ability to do minor plumbing work.

What Is A Modern Bathroom Vanity?

A modern bathroom vanity is one that conveys a sense of visionary style, as well as a high level of function. As the minimalist movement grew in popularity for bathroom design, consumers looked for ways to maximize the bathroom space they had, while minimizing the loss of function and features. A contemporary bathroom vanity can offer just that, a sleek and sophisticated design with a range of functional capabilities.

What Makes Modern Bathroom Vanities So Unique?

One of the key factors that sets modern vanities apart from the rest is often the materials they are constructed from. While wood and porcelain were the materials of choice for many generations, modern vanities are breaking free from that mold as much as possible, utilizing non-traditional bathroom materials, such as stainless steel and glass. Steel finishes and accents are quite popular, primarily for their ultra modern appearance, combined with the high levels of durability. Glass, as well, has always conveyed a sense of modern style, further allowing bathroom fixtures to be created in substantial sizes, while still giving the illusion of taking up less actual square footage. Whether they are used in conjunction with one another or one their own, steel and glass are the materials that form the basic building blocks of modern bathroom vanities.

The overall design and style of modern vanities also helps set them apart from the rest. Antique vanities relied on heavy detail work cut into massive pieces of fine woods. They were topped with heavy counters, often made from marble, granite, or other beautiful stone materials. Over the years the flowing nature of the vanity design has remained popular, creating a very organic feeling in the bathroom. Vanities that opted for cleaner lines also relied on larger sizes to offer the maximum storage space and counter area possible for the size of the bathroom. Modern vanities, however, are recognized by their compact designs, which are also designed to maximize storage potential with their interior construction. They still possess the same clean lines, but strive for a much more streamlined appearance.

Modern vanities also incorporate some unique features, including sliding doors in place of traditional cabinet style doors. They are also designed to work with the largest variety of sink assortments, including many popular modern designs. From vessel sinks to undermount sink, modern vanities can be found to incorporate the hottest sinks on the market. Even with their high end look, they are also manufactured in a range of price points, allowing them to be an option for consumers shopping in nearly any price range.

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What Makes Antique Bathroom Vanities So Unique?

Modern bathroom vanities are designed and built for function, storage, and visual appeal. They are designed to be relatively affordable, while also being manufactured to be durable and long lasting. Advances in mass construction and synthetic materials have allowed modern designs to provide increased strength at reduced costs. While antique pieces may not have the same presence on the lower end of the price range as modern vanities do, many people would be surprised at the quality and craftsmanship these unique pieces possess.

The main proof of the durability is seen in the simple fact that the pieces are still intact. While many of them will require refurbishing before they can be installed as a finished product, as well as retrofitting to accommodate modern plumbing design, the pieces have stood the test of time, often for hundreds of years. Even with the advances we have made in bathroom fixture construction today, many consumers will expect approximate a ten year lifespan from an average bathroom vanity, nowhere near the potential life span of a pieces crafted sometimes more than centuries ago.

One of the main reasons that many fine examples of antique bathroom vanities are still on the market today is the quality of the materials that were used in their construction. Modern design is well known for the ability to create synthetic materials to be used in place of more costly natural resources, such as granite and marble. In the time periods the antique pieces were created, genuine stone surfaces and counters were common, including those made from quartz, marble, slate, and other similar materials. The woods used to create the base of the vanities were also of extremely high quality as well.

Another key factor was the method by which antique vanities were crafted. There were no assembly lines and no high tech production machines involved in their creation. Antique bathroom vanities were almost always handcrafted and intended to be one of a kind pieces. Instead of being assembled in a matter of hours. Like many designs today, they often took weeks of stone cutting and polishing, along with wood carving and finishing.

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What Is A Bathroom Vanity?

A bathroom vanity is the structure in which the bathroom sink is fitted. The most common types of bathroom vanities are created in a cabinet style, offering space beneath the sink that can be used for storage of smaller bathroom items, such as cleaning supplies. Aside from somewhat unsightly bathroom supplies, the cabinets are designed to conceal the plumbing lines that run to the sink and the drain line that runs from it. The vanity is also fitted with a counter top that surrounds the sink, offering an area around the sink that can be used for placing decorative or functional items and accessories, such as soap dishes, toothbrush holders, or decorative candles.

What Are Double Bathroom Vanities?

For larger master bathrooms, many consumers choose to have the area fitted with two separate sinks. This is ideal for couples who may be on similar work schedules and find themselves needing to use the bathroom facilities at the same time on a regular basis. The twin sinks can be designated for his and her’s use, allowing each person to keep their frequently used toiletries separate.

Double sinks also means a larger vanity structure is needed, referred to as a double bathroom vanity. By mounting the sinks into a double vanity, each person is also afforded with their own storage area beneath the sink. Since the sinks are typically spaced somewhat apart from each other, they offer extra counter space in between as a work area. They also provide ample room for placing functional bathroom accessories on each side of the sinks, with plenty of room for more decorative accents in the area between the two sinks. Most double vanities will also have a middle storage section, equipped with an additional cabinet area for storage. Many people find this extremely useful for storing non personal items, such as cleaning supplies or spare bathroom supplies that both parties use.

Double bathroom vanities also add a greater sense of elegance and grandness to a master bathroom. In order to cut costs, some consumers do choose to have dual single vanities installed, however, the majority of people are more interested in the added storage area and counter surface that a double vanity can provide and are willing to pay a slightly higher price for the added features.

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What Is A Bathroom Vanity?

A bathroom vanity can refer to two basic bathroom fixtures. The term can be used to describe the bathroom sink and corresponding cabinet or structure it is built into, or it can refer to the cabinet or structure alone, with the sink itself considered a separate component. More often than not, the latter description is the case when manufacturers or retailers are categorizing or describing their products.

What Is The Basic Bathroom Vanity Design?

Bath vanities are most often built in a cabinet design. The bathroom sink component is sunk into or mounted on top of the upper portion of the vanity, where the counter top component is fitted. The cabinet itself serves as both a support structure for the sink and counter top, as well as an area that can be used for storage of small bathroom items. Bathroom vanity units are also ideal for concealing the often unsightly plumbing lines that connect the sink to the water source. Regardless of how many advances have been made in plumbing over the years, the visual appeal of PVC and stainless pipes has not improved all that much.

Bathroom vanities are most often equipped with a single or double door design, while some feature sliding doors, an increasingly popular feature on more modern designs. Some may have shelving installed, while others are simply open space.

What Types Of Bathroom Vanities Are There?

For discerning consumers, bathroom vanities can be found in a range of style and size options. After all, manufacturers must be able to offer a range of products suited for anything from a small guest bathroom or powder room, to a grand master bathroom.

Traditional Bathroom Vanities

The most traditional bathroom vanities come in two basic designs, single cabinet and double cabinet. These units are designed to be fairly timeless in design, suited for changing times and able to blend in with nearly any décor theme.

Single Cabinet Vanities

Single cabinet vanities are ideal for small bathrooms and offer storage space for cleaning supplies or other bathroom items best kept out of sight. They can range in size from as small as 18 inches wide, ideal for compact bathrooms or guest bathrooms, up to several feet in width, designed for basic master bathrooms or secondary bathrooms with floor space available. Single cabinet vanities can accommodate one sink, in a variety of designs. They are also ideal for vessel sinks, as the smaller models can appear more as pedestal than actual vanity units.

Double Cabinet Vanities

Unlike single cabinet vanities, double cabinet models are slightly more versatile when it comes to sink pairings. Double cabinet vanities are often found in two scenarios, standard master bathrooms, or secondary bathrooms which may have multiple frequent users.

In the case of a master bathroom installation, the double cabinet designs will sometimes accommodate two sinks. Intended as his and her’s sink, each fixture would have their own accompanying cabinet beneath it. This allows for concealment of plumbing for both of the sinks, as well as separate storage areas for each person.

Larger designs may also have a third storage section built into the area between the two cabinet units. This not only offers additional counter space on the top side of the vanity, it also offers extra storage space underneath. The area is typically fitted with a third cabinet, ideal for storing cleaning supplies and other joint items, or with a set of pull out drawers, able to hold smaller items that need to be better organized than would be in a cabinet set up.

The second area a double cabinet vanity can be found is in secondary bathrooms that still receive frequent use. The double cabinet design, once again, adds available counter space to the bathroom, while also creating extra storage space. These units are also frequently found in apartment dwellings, typically installed in place of a linen closet or bathroom closet.

Antique Bathroom Vanities

For people interested in a more stylized design, reminiscent of days gone by when decorative elements were just as highly regraded as functionality, there is an entire market for consumers seeking antique bathroom vanities. Depending on your intended price range, as well as level of hands on work you may be interested in doing, there are two main types of antique bathroom vanities. These are true antique pieces, often dating back several hundred years, or antique inspired designs, crafte by modern day artisans to resemble the designs of the past.

Refurbished Antique Vanities

If you want a true antique bathroom vanity, there are several ways to go about acquiring one. If you are handy with home improvement projects, you may want to consider buying a fixture from a local estate sale or auction house. These sources typically offer high quality antique pieces, however, they may require a great deal of work. Estate sales especially will tend to sell pieces that show a great deal of wear and tear and will require time to bring back to life. This can often involve stripping off old finishes, repairing damaged wood, re-staining the piece, and then resealing the vanity in order to help protect it from future damage. The upside to this method is the cost you will save by doing the refurbishing work yourself. The downside is that the process can often be very time consuming and will require some basic knowledge of woodworking and furniture repair, particularly centered around handling antique pieces.

If you prefer immediate gratification, and are willing to pay the price for such, there are many people that shop the estate sales and auction houses for antique vanities in need of repair and take the time to refurbish the pieces themselves. This not only saves the time and hassle of doing the repairs, it also allows the immediate installation of your piece as soon as you purchase it. The downside is that the price associated with these refurbished pieces tends to be somewhat steep. You are, however, paying for the quality and skill of the person doing the work as well.

Vintage Inspired Antique Vanities

If you are looking to save time and money, the next option is a vintage inspired antique vanity. These pieces are created using modern construction processes and materials, but designed to mimic the overall appearance f true antique designs. If you are still willing to spend a bit more, you can also commission custom pieces that possess the exact time period and design you are searching for.

Modern Bathroom Vanity Designs

While there are consumers who prefer vintage styles, and other who prefer a more timeless design, many people reside on the other end of the design time line, seeking the hottest trends in modern bathroom design. Two of the most common materials used for ultra modern bathroom vanities are glass and steel.

Glass Bathroom Vanity

Glass has long been an accessory in many modern design decors. While it may seem somewhat neutral in design, its transparent nature always seems to provide a sense of modern style and elegance. Glass bathroom vanities are ideal for people who prefer minimalistic designs. Not only do the glass vanities possess a very sleek and streamlined appearance, their transparent nature also contributes to their sense of illusion.

The majority of glass vanities are created from thick tempered glass, designed to withstand much heavier impact than standard glass, with the added safety features of its smooth pebble shaped fractures if breakage does occur. The glass is typically clear in nature, but can also be found in more opaque colors and frosted designs. The combination of frosted and transparent glass is also very common in modern vanity designs.

Stainless Steel Bathroom Vanity

The second popular choice for modern bathroom design is stainless steel. With its rich silver luster and its high level of durability, stainless steel has long been popular in kitchen design. As more consumers move towards modern designs, stainless has quickly moved into the bathroom as well. Stainless steel offer a metallic finish with a brushed satin appearance. It also work well when paired with glass vanities in order to create a dual material modern vanity.

Whether you are looking for a luxurious sanctuary with a touch of antique style, or an ultra modern haven inspired by visionary design, there is bound to be a bathroom vanity to suit your needs perfectly. They are also available within nearly every range of the price spectrum, as well as created in a variety of sizes to accommodate any size bathroom.

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