Before you embark on a bathroom remodel, you should choose a theme or style. Whether your taste leans toward a modern bathroom or a traditional powder room, knowing what you want ahead of time will help create a cohesive bathroom design style.
Your bathroom’s vanity design will lend a lot to the feel of the room, so you really need to get it right. With DIY bathroom vanity ideas that combine features ranging from trough sinks to luxurious marble countertops on high-end cabinetry, you can create a custom bathroom vanity to fit any budget.
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Table of Contents
1. Embracing Modern Design
To create a modern vanity in your bathroom, you need to create sleek lines with a clean design. There shouldn’t be lots of detailing or clutter. To achieve this look, consider installing a floating bathroom vanity that leaves the space under it open.
A modern bathroom should follow specific design cues. The counter and cabinets should have smooth slab or shaker drawer fronts. Try to create long continuous lines that encourage the eye to flow through the entire bathroom. Embrace minimalism with low-profile lighting and plumbing fixtures.
Consider using lighting fixtures that are hidden, such as LED lighting in the bathroom mirror, LED strips that illuminate the underside of the floating vanity, or recessed lighting in the ceiling.
2. Timeless Elegance
To create a traditional feel for your vanity, aim to create a furniture-style vanity with ornate details and design. Look for bathroom vanity cabinets with legs, trim, and molding. Even old dressers are an option. The mirror should also have a matching ornate frame. You could add some old-world opulence and opt for a gilded frame.
Install a wall sconce or two and a chandelier for the lighting, as well as vintage-inspired ornate plumbing fixtures. Cabinet hardwareis a must, and it should be sculpted with fine details. The cabinet doors and drawers should have plenty of raised panels and trim work. The great benefit of these cabinets is they can provide lots of storage space for a small bathroom.
3. Natural Beauty
When most people think of a marble or stone vanity, they assume you’re using a wood vanity with a stone or marble top. You can take this a step further, though. Skip the wooden bathroom cabinet and use stone or marble for the entire vanity.
Use tiles and stone veneers to create a vanity that looks like a single large block of stone mounted to the wall. This construction gives it a floating vanity look. You could then use the same stone as the backsplash and wall behind the vanity for a cohesive look. You have a few options when choosing a stone for your vanity.
- Slate
- Soapstone
- Limestone
- Travertine
- Marble
- Granite
Keep in mind that a stone vanity will be very heavy. You should have a professional do the installation to ensure the right support system is put in place. Here are some other ways to use marble in your bathroom.
4. Rustic Charm
Create a country-inspired rustic vanity in your bathroom by embracing the use of wood and other rustic materials. The cabinet should have some trim detail but should not be as ornate as a traditional bathroom vanity design. Cabinets can use a combination of drawers, doors, and open spaces.
You can then use the open spaces for baskets or tubs as storage space. The goal is to create a warm, welcoming, and comfortable space. Create an easygoing casual style by using natural materials, matte finishes, and fixtures that inspire a sense of nostalgia.
To really embrace the country style with your rustic vanity, consider adding a farmhouse sink. A white trough sink will add a unique element to your bathroom while clearly defining the aesthetic.
It would help if you also looked for fixtures, faucets, and hardware that aren’t considered sleek but aren’t overly ornate either. If you can describe it as simple or unpretentious, then you’re on the right track. Don’t feel limited to a black finish either; you can achieve a country look with silver or gold-colored fixtures.
5. Doubling the Style
A double-sink vanity means you have two areas for use in the same space. This creates two vanity areas for people to use at the same time. These days, a double vanity is in high demand, especially in master bathrooms.
To create a double sink vanity in your bathroom, you need to have enough space to add two sinks and still comply with local building codes. Consider how close you want the sinks to be and the amount of usable counter space surrounding them.
You also need to have enough space to create lighting for each area. This could be a wall sconce or lighting around each mirror. Keep in mind, this can be difficult in a small bathroom.
As for the mirror, you could further define each vanity area by hanging two mirrors. Or you could tie the entire vanity area together by using one large mirror that matches the length of the entire counter.
Try to maintain visual balance by having the same features on each side. This means lighting, cabinet design, hardware, and plumbing fixtures.
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6. Reflecting Brilliance
Your bathroom vanity needs to have a mirror. Guests will use it to get ready or check their reflection after using the restroom. You could choose a basic round mirror that functionally does the job, but this can look boring and generic.
Instead, dress your bathroom up by choosing a mirror that complements the rest of the bathroom. A popular choice is to place one large mirror that takes up a majority of the wall. This will help your bathroom look and feel larger.
One large mirror also looks beautiful if the vanity counter has double sinks. You can extend the mirror across to both sinks and give people room to utilize the entire counter space between the sinks.
Another option is to create two defined areas by placing a mirror above each sink. This works well if you need the wall space to hang vanity lighting. The separate mirrors allow you to place lighting on either side of the mirrors.
If your vanity has a single sink, then you only need one mirror. You could have the mirror take up the entire length of the wall. You can also have a mirror that’s shaped and hung. Get creative and consider using a round mirror.
For an ultra-modern look, consider a mirror that has lighting built into it. This eliminates the need for additional lighting fixtures and creates the best shadow-free lighting for women applying makeup.
7. Illuminating Spaces
The vanity is considered a task area in the bathroom. You should have lighting that makes using the sink, counter and mirrors easier. This means having bright light that illuminates the person and sink area.
Common places for vanity lighting are at face level on either side of the mirror or above it. You could have lights placed on the counter, but this isn’t as common. Having lights placed low puts them at risk of getting splashed by the sink and creates weird upward shadows.
Another popular lighting option is to mount the fixture above the mirror to cast the light downward. You could mount your lights on the wall, but you can also hang them from the ceiling as pendant lights.
Sconces on either side of the vanity mirror can create a traditional and elegant look. Consider choosing a traditional fixture that has a light shade. A retro or vintage style is on trend right now but only works if the rest of the bathroom embracesthe vintage look.
For modern bathroom lighting options, look for LED fixtures that are sleek, minimalist, and embrace clean lines. Modern fixtures tend to blend in with the decor as light bars.
When hanging your lights, look at where the light gets shown. You don’t want the light to cast ugly shadows on the person. It should create a bright light that makes using the sink and mirror easier.
8. Countertop Inspirations
The bathroom countertop you choose for the vanity needs to be impervious to water. Bathrooms are full of moisture, and the vanity needs to survive this moist environment. A smart choice is using a stone, such as marble or granite.
A common choice is to use a thin layer of marble granite on top of your wood cabinets. Then your sinks will be dropped onto the counter. If you want to create a unique and bold statement, consider using a thicker piece of stone.
You could use a thick slab of stone and then have a matching sink constructed from the same material. This creates one continuous-looking material from the counter to the sink.
If you’re looking for something more affordable than natural stone, consider using a concrete countertop. This common building material can give your bathroom a modern feel. A concrete countertop gives you complete freedom because you can form it into almost any shape you want.
The right type of wood can also be used to create your countertop. Teak is the best; there’s a reason it’s the wood of choice for use on boats. However, you can also use hardwood such as cedar for a wood vanity.
Whatever wood you use, make sure it’s properly treated to extend its life. You should also choose a vessel sink that sits on top of the counter to prevent excess water from splashing onto it and ruining the finish.
9. Hardware and Fixture Ideas
Choosing the right fixtures is about picking the right finish, style, and connection. The popular finishes are black, brushed gold, and copper, but don’t feel obligated to use a trendy finish. You should use a finish that you like and look beautiful.
Once you choose a finish, you need to pick a style that matches the rest of the bathroom and your home. You shouldn’t put an ultra-sleek and modern faucet in a traditional or rustic bathroom, just like you wouldn’t put vintage-inspired fixtures in a contemporary or modern bathroom.
Before you settle on a favorite fixture, you need to make sure it’s compatible with the connection on your vanity.
A sink faucet could attach as a single unit, as three pieces to the sink or countertop, or onto the wall above the counter. Look for holes and plumbing lines in the sink, counter, or wall to know what style of fixture you should buy.
If you want to change the location of your fixtures, this is possible but requires more work and a plumber. You’ll need to have the plumbing lines moved and replace vanity components that have holes in the old fixture.
Don’t forget about the cabinet hardware. If you have flat slab cabinet fronts, then you could skip the hardware. But most cabinets look better with knobs or pulls. For a cohesive look, try to match the finish of the plumbing and lighting fixtures with the cabinet hardware.
10. Stylish Walls and Backsplashes
Tile and bathrooms go hand in hand, so it’s natural to use tile in the vanity area. You could use it on the countertop and the backsplash area on the wall. Tile can make it easier to keep your bathroom clean and protect the area from excess moisture.
Large tiles with thin grout lines create a continuous look, which can make your small bathroom look bigger. Tiles that are smaller than 4 inches square will create a mosaic look. Be careful with these tiles, there’s a lot of grout to keep clean, and the numerous tiles can look overwhelming in smaller spaces.
Keep the color of the tile and grout light and neutral to help brighten the bathroom and keep the mosaic from enclosing it and making it feel small.
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Bathroom Vanity FAQ
What is a bathroom vanity?
A bathroom vanity is a piece of furniture designed for bathrooms, typically consisting of a countertop, sink, and storage space. It serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, providing a surface for daily grooming activities and offering storage for toiletries and other essentials. Vanities come in various sizes, styles, and materials to match different bathroom designs and preferences.
How do I choose the right bathroom vanity size?
Choosing the right bathroom vanity size depends on the available space in your bathroom and your personal needs. Measure the area where you plan to install the vanity, considering factors like door swings and clearances. Ensure there’s enough room for comfortable movement around the vanity. If space is limited, consider a smaller wall-mounted or corner vanity. For larger bathrooms, you might opt for a double vanity for added convenience, especially in shared spaces.
What materials are bathroom vanities typically made from?
Bathroom vanities can be made from a variety of materials, each with its own benefits. Common materials include wood (such as oak, maple, or walnut), which offers a classic look and durability. Plywood and MDF (medium-density fiberboard) are often used for more budget-friendly options. Stone countertops like granite, marble, or quartz not only look elegant but also provide durability. You can also find vanities made from metal, glass, and even concrete for a unique touch.
