Image Source: Pexels – CC0 License
Most people don’t really think about it, but designing the vanity area in your bathroom is critical if you want to turn it into a functional and useful room.
But what should you be doing, precisely? How can you make it work for you in a way that makes sense?
That’s the topic of this post. We look at some of the design tools you can use for your vanity so it is something you look forward to enjoying every morning.
Assess Your Space Needs
The first step, of course, is to assess your space needs. You want to make sure you have room in your bathroom for a vanity in the first place. Not everyone does.
If you don’t have enough space, you can always place it in the bedroom. You can also use a room planner to see if you could fit one in. There are now plenty of these tools available online and on various app stores, and most are free to use.
Also, consider your budget. How much you spend really depends on you.
Choose A Base
Next, think about the base of your vanity. In the bathroom, you actually have more options than you might think.
One of the best places to start is with a sink cabinet. These give you additional storage space.
You could also go to a thrift store to find a vintage dresser. These are inexpensive and provide you with all the drawers and spaces you need to build a proper vanity. Most will also come with a mirror (or several).
Get Professional Help
You might also want to get professional help if you’re dealing with a particularly tricky space you want to make practical. Consultations aren’t inexpensive, but they can be a godsend if you get someone good who understands the ins and out of effect vanity placement.
These professionals can do 3D renderings for you. These are handy when you’re not sure what the final product will look like, or whether you’ll actually enjoy it being there in the room.
Install Light Fixtures
Image Source: Pexels – CC0 License
When you use a vanity, you need to be able to see what you’re doing. You can rely on ambient lighting, but it is often better to build it into the vanity itself for clearer direction.
How you do this is up to you. These days, you can get vanity mirrors with in-built backlights that will shine directly on your face. These are great if you’re applying makeup or skincare products. You can also put recessed lighting under or behind the vanity, or actual moveable and adjustable lamps, depending on your requirements.
If you do install custom lighting on your vanity, ensure you use a dimmer. Make sure you’re able to adjust the temperature of the light so it makes sense for your application and the time of day.
Find The Right Countertop Material
Next, you’ll want to think about finding the right countertop material. Quartzite is a great option, but you could also go for marble (which has slightly higher maintenance).
When you pick countertop material, aim to create as much space as possible. This will give you the room you need for all your items, allowing you to have everything out and usable at the same time.
If you can apply a premium matte or finger-print-resistant coating at the same time, that’s also a good idea. This prevents things from slipping around or for the surface to look grubby. Make sure you seal it if you are using natural rock, especially if you install the vanity in the bathroom.
Ensure You Have Plenty Of Storage
Adding custom pull-out trays for your Rayban Glasses or finger-print scanners to access high-value jewelry can be a nice touch. These technologies and integrations now exist, so you might as well splash out and get them if you can.
Storage is often a bottleneck in vanities. Therefore, keep it top of mind. You need extra room for all the items you need to keep, from makeup to general toiletries and shampoos. Being able to keep everything in one place makes your life so much simpler. Plus, you can replace ugly medicine cabinets if you get it right.
Add A Unique Mirror
Combined with the proper lighting, adding a unique mirror to your new vanity is also a good idea. You want something that will provide you with the proper backlighting and show you accurately.
Things like adding side panels and anti-fog elements can also help. Especially if you’re in the bathroom. You don’t want condensation getting in the way, or having to constantly wipe the mirror to see what you’re doing. That’s a surefire recipe to ensure it becomes grubby quickly.
Custom engravings on the mirror are a nice additional touch, but they’re not essential. They just remind you that you have something unique and special.
Increase Vertical Space Usage
If you don’t have much horizontal space for the vanity in your bathroom, then use more of the vertical dimension. With this, you can add more features and storage without limiting yourself.
For example, you might want to include marble or quartz ledges for things like jewelry and towels. You could also build cable management into the back of the vanity so you’re not having to run any ugly wires anywhere.
Add Polish
Image Source: Pexels – CC0 License
Finally, you’ll want to ensure you add all the right polish and finishing touches to your vanity. These can take it from good to great.
For example, adding professional grade sealants will help it last longer. Even if it gets wet or is made of wood, it won’t rot or decay. Instead, any water will remain on the surface until you wipe it away.
Adding underfloor heating is another option. While it might not be part of the vanity unit directly, it can be a great way to encourage you to want to use it more.
So there you have it: how to design a vanity area for your bathroom, even if you don’t have much space.
Add Comment