Buying Guide: Bathroom Vanities
One of the most common complaints we hear from homeowners is that their bathroom has limited storage, which in turn makes the space less functional and may make your bathroom look messy since you don’t have an assigned place for your toiletries.
While there are many ways to increase your bathroom storage, one of the most effective ways is by adding some cabinetry or adding a bathroom vanity that will accommodate all of you things.
Bathroom vanities are not only essential for space, but they also need to be functional for you and your family. From brushing our teeth in the morning to removing the make up at night, our vanity plays a role in it.
With several different vanities in the market, it is hard to choose which one will be the best option for you. With that in mind, we have created a vanity bathroom buying guide to help you!
Things to Consider Before You Buy a Vanity
Available Space
It is absolutely essential to find out how much space you’ve got available in your bathroom to fit your new vanity. We recommend you get the measuring tape out to ensure the precise physical dimensions. As they say, “measure twice, drill once”. When considering the space, you will also need to think about how much space your vanity drawer or door will occupy when opened.
Our specialist bathroom renovation friends at recommend you get expert advice when planning your bathroom layout, including the placement, size and style of your vanity. There are many things to consider, such as the opening and closing of the bathroom and shower doors, and the spacing and proximity of heated towel rails and towel rings next to your vanity. You should also think about what is going to sit above your vanity, what tiling or splashback are you looking for And what style of mirror and vanity light, and how will all these piece together. Bay Bathroom Design & Build can help you with this planning execution, if you are based in the Bay of Plenty.
Height of the Vanity
Often overlooked, you will need to consider at what height your vanity should be placed. Typically, a vanity height will be around 900mm but you will have to check what is the best option for you. As you want to make sure you don’t have to slum or strain or back by train to reach the sink every day.
Consider not just the height of everyone in the family but also the accessibility. For example, consider if a person in a wheelchair would be able to access the vanity/countertop for their grooming activities.
Vanity Countertops
Selecting the right vanity countertop will translate into a piece that complements the rest of your bathroom making the design feel more cohesive. Here are some of the countertop options available in the market:
- Composite Stone Countertop: A countertop that is made of more than one material is often referred as a composite. These could be made of engineered stone, recycled glass, resin, acrylic and more. Composite stone countertops are resistant to stain, heat, and offer a cheaper alternative to natural stones like marble or granite.
- Vitreous China Countertop: Vitreous China is a technique that involves glazing either porcelain or ceramic with an enamel that is made from powdered glass, making the material more durable and glossier. Vitreous China is well-known for being a scratch and abrasive-resistant material.
- Porcelain Countertop: Porcelain countertops are highly durable materials to heat, scratch and UV resistance. Since porcelain is a man-made material, you can have a great variation the colour and design look.
- Granite Countertop: Granite is a natural stone that is resistant to scratch, heat and stain. This is a beautiful and unique material, that certainly adds value to your bathroom. On the downside, granite countertops are not cheap, and are more prone to chipping.
Storage
As mentioned, lack of storage in a bathroom is a pain point for many homeowners. We usually store many things in our bathroom such as towels, toiletries, and even medicines for some. If this is the case for you, be honest with yourself and think how much storage you will need to place your things.
On the other side, for people who are minimalistic, having a vanity that has a lot of storage might not be that appealing or useful. And they might go with a floating one-drawer vanity or a pedestal/basin only. More on the different types of vanities soon!
Price & Quality of Materials
Of course, price and quality of anything you buy should be always considered. There are many vanities out there that are on the more budget friendly side that are of good quality, but make sure you do your own research. When shopping for a vanity, or any product, for that matter – we always recommend looking for product reviews and what kind of warranty is offered by the vanity supplier.
With a huge range of vanities available in New Zealand, the costs can vary wildly. You can expect to pay the following price depending on the range:
- Budget Friendly Vanitiesto $1000
- Mid-Range Bathroom Vanities: $1000 to $3000
- High-End Bathroom Vanities: $3000 and above
Types of Vanities
Free Standing Floor Vanities
Floor standing vanities offer more storage than other vanities, so they are suitable if you have a big family or just a lot of things that need to be stored in your bathroom! Free Standing or Floor Vanities can have one single sink or two sinks – which makes them a great option for master bedrooms. They are available in different shapes such as oval, round, rectangular, and square, and in many colours and styles. The cons of floor vanities are that they take up a lot of space in your bathroom and may make the bathroom look smaller. This is especially true if you’ve got a small bathroom.
Floating or Wall Hung Vanities
Wall-hung vanities give the impression they are ‘floating’ and lend a modern look to your bathroom as well as extra floor space underneath. The floating vanities give the impression that your bathroom is bigger, and it makes the cleaning of your floor easier. The cons of wall-hung vanities are that they offer less storage space rather than floor vanities and they may require nogging within your bathroom wall if it is not structurally strong enough.
Vessel Sinks
This free-standing vanity displays a basin that sits above the countertop. These can have either single or double basin/sink options. These are easier to swap out than an under-mounted sink vanity, which is typically wedged and sealed beneath the countertop. Vessel sink vanities can be very stylish and imaginative, but they are a little bit trickier to clean.
Photos Source: Canva
Under Mounted/Sink Vanities
An under-mounted sink features a built-in basin below the countertop of your vanity. This style offers a modern look and offers more counter space but on the other hand, they take up more of the cabinet space. The under-mounted sink vanities are more complex to install, as the sink needs to fit perfectly with the cut-out of the countertop. Rest assured, that Newline vanities come with fitted tops to ensure the perfect fit.
Corner Vanities
As the name suggests, corner vanities are placed in the corner of your bathroom and make excellent use of your available space. Depending on their size, they can offer a great amount of storage.
If you are still unsure as to what type of bathroom vanity is suitable for you, then give our friendly team a call on 0508 639 5463 & we will be glad to discuss some options with you.
If you are in the Bay of Plenty, and need to plan an entire bathroom reno, we recommend you contact our expert bathroom renovation friends at Bay Bathroom Design & Build.
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