The bathroom vanity is perhaps the most essential piece of bathroom “furniture” and you want to make sure you have the right one.  After all, it will pretty much determine the entire look and feel of your bathroom!  There is a staggering array of vanities out there so we’ve put together this overview on what’s available.  For more information or to start making your choice, speak to your local bathroom supplier.

Main Vanity Styles

There are three main styles of bathroom vanities – shelf vanities, wall mounted vanities, and cabinet style vanities.  Shelf vanities are very simple and they basically just consist of a shelf or shelves mounted near your sink and your mirror.  They are great if you are short on space, or want to make your bathroom look larger.  A wall mounted vanity is of course, fixed straight on to the wall and does not touch the floor in any way.  In a way, they look like they are hanging in space.  Be aware though that your wall may have to be reinforced and this can add considerably to the cost of your new vanity.  Finally, you have the cabinet style vanity which is the traditional style that we all know and love.  These are mounted on the floor along a wall, and generally have a mirror installed just above.

Options in Vanities

The bathroom vanity is pretty much the centrepiece of the bathroom and, as such, you’ll find that they are available in a practically limitless range of sizes, shapes and designs.  Size wise, the vanity can be just wide enough to accommodate the sink, or large enough to encompass the entire length of a wall.  The size is pretty much determined by the size of the bathroom that you have, as you want one in proportion.  As far as shapes go, rectangular isn’t the keyword anymore. While you will still find a staggering range of rectangular vanities, advances in design and technology means that you’ll find vanities that are curved either sharply or gently, that have open shelving, or that have two sinks inset so that two people can share the vanity comfortably.  Of course, you still have a range of designs to choose from and you’ll find that vanities can be one of the following, amongst others:

• French provincial
  
  
• Rustic
  
  
• Minimalist
  
  
• Classic
  
  
• Modern
  
  
• Traditional
  
  
• Country style
  
  
• Art deco
  
  
• Space age

Trends in Bathroom Vanities

With the sheer range of choice that you have, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed.  A good place to start in this case is to look at the latest trends in bathroom vanities.    Colour wise, the classic white is still on top but blacks, browns, and even multi coloured veneers are proving popular.  People are also always looking for vanities that are functional so make sure that you choose a vanity that has lots of storage and that is easy to use!  As bathrooms get smaller, space becomes more of a premium, so look for wall hung vanities that free up floor space and give your bathroom the illusion of being larger.  Of course, the classics are classic for a reason and natural stone is currently becoming more popular than ever!