Bathroom Vanities

Functionality Considerations

A bathroom vanity is a functional fixture, first and foremost. It is basically a cabinet, with a countertop, and a sink. You will want to consider how much use your vanity will get, what type of bathroom it is going into, and who will be using it. A family bathroom may see use from everyone in your home, while two people may only use a master bathroom, and a spare bathroom may be lightly used at best.

If there will be multiple people using the vanity (and you have the room) you may want a large, double-sink vanity with ample countertop and plenty of cabinet space. Double sinks will take away from countertop space but increase bathroom efficiency, so you will want to consider which is more important.

Bathrooms seeing less traffic will probably want a single-sink vanity. This will offer the most countertop and cabinet space, as sink plumbing does consume some of the storage space within your vanity.

Cabinets play a big role when it comes to the functionality of your vanity. You can select a vanity with drawers, doors, or both. Drawers are great for organizing smaller items like small bottles, hair brushes, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Doors allow for storage of larger items like bottles of cleaning supplies, towels, and packages of toilet paper. Think about what you would like to store in your vanity when choosing what type of cabinetry your vanity will have.

The vanity top is another important consideration when it comes to functionality, but the choice is sometimes made for you depending on the vanity you are purchasing. Marble or glass make for striking, decorative vanities, but are probably not a good choice for bathrooms which see a lot of traffic or are being used by children. There are plenty of choices for durable, solid surface vanity tops that are also very attractive if your vanity will see a lot of use (and possibly abuse).

Vanity styles and types

Now that you have taken into consideration all of the functional aspects of your bathroom vanity, it is time to choose the type and style.

The floor-standing vanity is the most common type and is essentially built like a kitchen cabinet. It will offer the most amount of cabinet space and typically has a more traditional look, although many modern versions are available. These bathroom vanities are durable, functional, and will be the heart of your bathroom.

For smaller bathrooms, or a more modern look, you may want a wall-mounted vanity. These vanities can make for a modern-themed bathroom, but typically have less cabinet space, and the installation will be more complicated.

Another option for a smaller bathroom is a corner vanity. These can be found in both floor-standing and wall-mounted versions.

A vessel sink vanity can be highly decorative and is found in both traditional and modern themes. A vessel sink is essentially a bowl mounted on the countertop of your vanity. This will raise the sink height and may require a special faucet. While these types of vanities are very attractive, they may not be the most functional if it is to be your primary sink or will be used by small children.

Build.com is proud to offer the widest selection of bathroom vanities from premier manufacturers. If you need assistance choosing your vanity, please contact Build.com, and our professional staff will help with your selection.