Today’s Trends in Bathroom Vanity Sinks

March 6th, 2010

A sink is a sink, right?  Wrong!  As more people focus on redecorating their bathrooms as a part of a total home makeover, sinks are becoming more important.  They are functionally important and can be visually striking.  Let’s take a look at the current trends in bathroom vanity sinks. 

1) The drop-down sink.  This is the one you’re most familiar with–the bowl that sits down inside the opening of the vanity.  But even here, you have the opportunity for some creativity.  For instance, you could go with an always-acceptable white acrylic sink, or perhaps for a more contemporary look, a tempered glass sink.  

2) The vessel sink.  If you want something that really lends an air of elegance to the bathroom, you can choose a vessel sink.  This is literally an attractive bowl that sits on top of the vanity.  It looks amazing in either a modern or contemporary bathroom.  And under the right circumstances, can even work with an antique theme.

3) Double-basin sinks.  If you have the space for it, consider getting a vanity with a double sink layout.  This is nice for a master bedroom, since it allows husband and wife to take care of their morning get-ready rituals at the same time.  Also, if you have a lot of children who need to get ready for school at the same time, a double-sink works well in the main bathroom–again, provided there is the room for it.
5) Brushed metal faucets.  We can’t talk about sinks without discussing the most important part–the faucets.  A popular trend in home decoration today is that of brushed-metal faucets.  Fixtures of muted copper, silver, chrome or gold not only look great, but they are easy to clean.

6)  Wall-mounted sink.  While not technically a vanity sink, we have to mention this.  If your bathroom is little more than a closet with a toilet and shower, then you might be forced to use just a wall-mounted sink.  If this is the case at your home, do what you can to spice it up a bit.  Perhaps a different colored sink other than standard white would make it stand out.  Also, you can use the brushed-metal faucet we discussed to give it some personality.  

The bottom line is that, if you want a bathroom with personality, you cannot ignore the sink.   Being choosy in selecting your bathroom vanity sink will pay off with a room that is not only functional, but dazzling as well.

www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com

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Bathroom Vanity Sets

March 1st, 2010

If you’ve got an extra large family, or an extra-small home–or maybe even both–you might find that the best thing you can get for your bathroom is a bathroom vanity set.  A vanity set performs the function of a cupboard, mirror  and sink (or sinks) all in one package.  In fact, while some people wonder if they have the room in the bathroom for a vanity set, the truth is that the less room you have, the more you need one.

Let’s examine what the bathroom vanity set does and what you need to consider as you’re choosing one.

You’ll find vanity sets in a large number of sizes and shapes.  As you’re deciding which you want, it’s best to start with what you and your family need.  If you have several family members trying to use a single mirror at once, then a double unit, with either double mirrors or an extra large mirror might be the way to go.  This way, you can have two or more people using the mirror at once.  

If you don’ t have the money or the inclination for a full bathroom makeover, then you’ll want to select a bathroom vanity set that matches the current color scheme and style of the bathroom.  If you plan on a bathroom makeover, then your options increase.  Now you have more freedom to select style and color.  Dark, rich colors work well for a traditional or antique style, whereas lighter colors work well for contemporary bathrooms.

Consider exactly how you and your family will use the vanity set.  Don’t get so caught up in the aesthetics that you forget functionality.  It’s pointless of you get a set that looks amazing, but then you don’t have enough storage room.  

Remember to preserve as much open space in your bathroom as possible.  Sometimes you might need to settle for the smaller, more compact vanity set if the larger one leaves no walking room.

Never take your eye too far off your budget.  Sometimes it’s tempting to get the most deluxe, beautiful bathroom vanity set that you can find.  But is that really something you can afford?  A bathroom is an important part of your home, but it’s not something worth taking food off the family’s table.  So budget carefully.  Yes, get a nice vanity–but get the nicest you can afford.

Do you have a lot of small things cluttering up the bathroom?  We’re talking about combs, brushes, deodorants, shampoo bottles, etc.?  If so, select a vanity set with two or three big shelves.  This will make sure that you have enough space to store all of this mess.  And eliminating clutter does a lot to improve the overall appearance of your bathroom.

www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com

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Better Interior Design With Bathroom Vanity Furniture

February 26th, 2010

If you think of the bathroom vanity as just a place that holds the sink and your hygiene products, it’s time to rethink.  In fact, those who are redesigning the bathroom are unanimous:  the new design must start with your bathroom vanity furniture.  That’s because the first and most prominent thing that a person sees when they enter the bathroom is usually the vanity.  So the visual impact it makes can either make or break the overall look of the bathroom.

Fortunately, there are so many option in bathroom vanities today that you can achieve almost any look you want for your bathroom.  There are single-basin vanities and double vanities; there are contemporary vanities, modern vanities, traditional vanities and even antique vanities.  They come in a variety of colors and with different styles of faucets.  You can even have a vanity custom-made if you’re a good enough craftsman.  Caution:  Making your own vanity is only for someone who is sure of his handyman skills, otherwise you risk allowing a leak in the plumbing or building a vanity that does not fight mold and moisture.  For most people the better option is to research the many styles available online.

You’ll be surprised that, vanity manufacturers have enough designs that you’re sure to find something to love.  And by searching online, you can almost certainly find something that fits your budget.

So let’s talk about picking the perfect vanity furniture for your new bathroom design.  If possible, it’s always a good idea to select a solid wood vanity.  If that’s not in your budget, then at least make sure it has a sturdy plywood frame and durable joints that won’t rust easily.  Also, make sure that the inside is well-finished, so that it will be resistant to moisture damage.  The drawers and shelves also need to be inspected for solid construction.

Remember that large vanities are great–for large bathrooms.  But also remember that in any design context, space is king.  Better to go with a smaller vanity than one that creates a cluttered look in the bathroom.  Because a basic rule of design is that clutter looks ugly.

And finally, decide which is more important to you:  the looks of the vanity or space.  Sometimes the best-looking vanities might have fake drawers or shallow drawers.  If you don’t need as much space, this is fine.  But if space is as important as the look, then you’ll need something that not only matches your bathroom theme, but something with bigger drawers and cabinets also.

 www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com

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Where to Buy Bathroom Vanities

February 25th, 2010

Walk into any home that has been tastefully decorated, and you’ll notice that a key element of the bathroom is a magnificent bathroom vanity.  Those who truly care about the looks and functionality of the bathroom know that there is no better investment than in a top quality vanity.  But where exactly do you shop for one?  There are several options.  We’ll discuss a few of them and then finish with the one that is probably smartest for the most people.

The first obvious place where vanities are found is at your local home improvement stores.  While we won’t name names here, these are those huge warehouse style stores where you find lumber, doors, paint, and all matter of products for fixing up you home.  Many of these stores also offer bathroom vanities for the person who wants to create a new look in that all-important room.

Increasingly, there are also physical brick-and-mortar stores that focus specifically on the bathroom.  Normally, so there’s no mistaking them for something else, these are the stores with “bath” in the name.  You can find these in the Yellow Pages under “bath” or by doing a Google search under your city name and ‘bath.”

There’s a problem with shopping at these local stores, however.  Shopping for new bathroom furniture is not like shopping for clothing.  You can try on clothes at the store, but how can you “try on” the bathroom?  You have to know specifically the space that you have and the colors that you want to match with your bathroom.  It’s hard doing this from memory, and sometimes also hard getting the measurements exactly right.

This brings us to the better option:  shopping on the Internet.  When you shop for your vanity online, you’re able to walk right over to your bathroom and compare your needs with what you find on the website.  Plus there are additional advantages: There is usually a larger variety (since you don’t have to ship the products to a physical store) and lower prices. Obviously a good example of this is Home Design Outlet Center (www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com).  There are other good sites too, although even if this blog were not affiliated with that site, we would recommend it as one of the tops in bathroom vanities. 

Ultimately, where you buy your vanity is up to you.  Just make sure you’ve explored all the options available to you so that you get the best bathroom vanity at the best price.

www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com

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The Glass Mosaic Backsplash

February 24th, 2010

There are so many things to consider when decorating your bathroom or kitchen that sometimes it’s easy to forget the little things.  For instance, have you thought about installing a new backsplash for your sink area?  This is an important feature for both the bathroom and kitchen, both functionally and for the look of the room.  One idea we’d like to suggest:  a glass mosaic backsplash.

Obviously this is not a new concept.  In fact, although there are many options available in backsplashes these days, the clear glass mosaic was probably the first.  It also remains the most popular. For those who don’t know the terminology, a glass mosaic is a simple clear glass that measures about an inch square or perhaps an inch by two inches.  It has actual colored paper which adheres to the tile back.  This gives the tile its amazing color.  The glass mosaic comes in both 8 mm and 4 mm thickness.

One of the chief benefits of the glass mosaic is that it cleans so easily.  Because of its smooth surface, cleaning it off is often just a matter of rubbing a damp  cloth across it.  

Another important benefit is that glass doesn’t absorb moisture.  That’s because it’s a non-porous material. This is significant in a bathroom and kitchen, because these are the rooms where moisture most often leads to mold and mildew problems.  The glass mosaic backsplash at least helps to lower the risk of a moisture problem.

Keep in mind that small mosaic tiles tend to make a small space look bigger.  The result is that if you use them in a small kitchen or bathroom, they make the room look bigger.  In most cases, this is a good thing, since space is generally a design plus.  However, if you’re striving for small and intimate, you need to know that small tiles might fight against that goal.

There are several places where you can buy the tiles for your glass mosaic backsplash.  The obvious choice for many people is the local home improvement store.  Although this seems convenient, we would suggest you first explore the options available on the Internet.  You can often find these materials for less money and in greater varieties.  Plus there’s nothing like the convenience of shopping for your bathroom or kitchen right from home, where you can see those rooms  as you shop.

www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com

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Shower Panels: A Nice Final Touch in Your Bathroom

February 23rd, 2010

Once you’ve re-tiled your bathroom and installed a lovely new bathroom vanity, the bathroom overhaul is not quite done.  To bring your outdated shower into the 21st century, you’ll want to install a modern shower panel.  The shower panel gives your bathroom a sense of luxury, and is surprisingly affordable.  

A good shower panel will include state-of-the-art features that control the entire shower experience.  This could include a massage setting, a thermostat to monitor the water temperature, and more.

Although each shower panel is different (more features come with more money), generally you’ll have three options for the water spray.  The shower panel is meant to be a space saver in your shower, with most being just about six to eight inches wide and around 60 inches in length.
Attached to your shower panel will be the shower head.  It’s common for these to be hand-held units, meaning you are able to focus the water where you’d like it and when you’d like it.  The water jets act as a body massage. Most units have several of these, with six being the average (Note:  You can only use one water function at one time).

Of course, not all of the features on your shower panel are high-tech or even water related.  There are also often places where you can store items such as soap, shampoo, wash cloth, etc.  The key thought in any shower panel is convenience.

Once you’ve purchased your shower panel, installing it is fairly easy.  Most of them have a rear connector which attaches easily to your existing water pipes.  The panel mounts on the wall and can be adjusted to the height you want.  You can also place it in a corner with included brackets.

Not sure if the shower panel will blend well with your bathroom theme and color scheme? Not to worry!  They’re made to blend in with nearly any bathroom look.  They look nice with almost any current bathroom fixtures.  You can find them in stainless steel, chrome, or aluminum.  You can get one that looks futuristic for a more modern bathroom or something that has a more subtle appearance.

The best source for shower panels is a top-rated Internet store www.homedesignoutletcenter.com.  This way, you get an affordable product and are able to easily compare it with your bathroom by taking as many trips as you need into the room–to be sure you get just the right one.

www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com

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The Many Uses of Marble in the Bathroom

February 21st, 2010

Pity the poor bathroom in the average American home.  It’s relegated to a remote corner and when it comes time to redecorate, it’s often left out of consideration altogether.  It should not be this way, because the bathroom is one of the most important places in your home.  Not only does it play a role in your home life, but it’s also the one room that helps you get ready for your life at work or school.  So let’s remodel the bathroom, and let’s give it a magnificent new look.  One of the best ways of doing this is by using that most amazing of stones known as marble.

Marble in the bathroom creates an atmosphere of sophistication–almost royalty, in fact.  And contrary to what you might think, marble is not expensive.  It’s very accessible to most of now, thanks to better technology.

Marble is also available in a greater variety than we often think.  There are different pleasing designs and colors, making it easy to match any theme and color scheme you have or want in your bath.  Here are a few of the ways you can use marble in your brand new bathroom:

A MARBLE FLOOR:  Marble tiles or slabs on the floor will give the bathroom a sense of grandeur.  It instantly creates a feeling of modernity, style and cleanliness.  

 MARBLE ON YOUR VANITY:  Most likely, the base of your bathroom vanity will be made of wood or something akin to it, but you can add a marble counter for some extra elegance.  This matches nicely with any vintage bathroom decor.  

MARBLE SHOWER TILES:  Want to bathe in luxury?  Replacing your dirty, chipped tile with marble tiles will make you feel like a queen (or king) in the shower or bathtub.

As you’re considering the marble possibilities in your bathroom, consider the possibility of travertine tile. This is a type of marble, but with more swirls of whites and light grays.  It’s often a good idea to have a lighter, brighter look to your bathroom, since light colors make a room feel bigger.  Travertine is one way to achieve that.

www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com

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NY Bathroom Vanities

February 19th, 2010

New Yorkers are a practical bunch, and we expect our homes to reflect that practicality.  At the same time, this doesn’t mean we like our homes to look sparse.  The tasteful New York resident, like tasteful homeowners anywhere, like their homes to be charming and attractive.  Including the bathroom.  So just for you, New Yorkers, here are some tips for getting a practical yet attractive NY bathroom vanity.

Even if New York’s high costs leave you with a smaller house, you can still make it look wonderful by developing a consistent theme throughout.  Your bathroom, including the bathroom vanity, should match.  There are traditional vanities, antique vanities, and contemporary vanities to match traditional, antique and contemporary themes in your home.

Whether you go with a traditional or contemporary vanity, there will be plenty of variety, plenty of possible choices.  For instance, your traditional vanity could come with a granite top or a natural marble top.  There is also the option for a wide range of colored stones.  If you prefer a vanity that is more contemporary, there are also different choices.  Maybe you’d prefer a basin that sits on top of the counter and cabinets…or perhaps you prefer something that sits inside like a standard sink / vanity combo.  Both are available in contemporary styles.

Size is always an important consideration for the NY bathroom.  That’s because New York homes tend toward one of two extremes:  the large home and the compact one (such as in an apartment).  Fortunately, vanities also are available in these extremes:  the very large double-basin vanity or the narrower, single vanities.  A double-sink style often goes up to 72 inches in width, with single units often available as small as 24 inches wide. 

Whichever size you opt for, remember that the two important elements for selecting your vanity are:  function and form (i.e., looking good with the design you have or are creating in your bathroom).  This means that, A) It’s important that there be enough storage space in the cabinets and forms, and B) make sure that the style matches the style in the bathroom and the house.  And regarding color, however you decide to decorate, remember that darker colors make a room seem small and cozy; lighter colors give the illusion of more space.  So if you’re one of those with a typical cramped New York bathroom, think light and bright.

 www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com

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South Florida Bathroom Vanities

February 15th, 2010

The most important element of your new dream bathroom:  Selecting and installing a wonderful new bathroom vanity for your South Florida home.

One of the most important tips for building your dream home is to give it a consistent theme throughout. Your bathroom, including the bathroom vanity, should match. There are traditional vanities, antique vanities, and contemporary vanities to match traditional, antique and contemporary themes in your home.

One excellent choice to consider is the wood bathroom vanity. This lends both elegance and an air of comfort that few other items could. Popular wood vanities include oak, mahogany and cherry.

If space is a consideration in your bathroom, there are several space-efficient models available at better home design retailers such as Home Design Outlet Center. Some options if you’re worried that a large vanity might not leave you room to move around include the single-basin vanity, the wall-mounted vanity, and even the pedestal sink.

To add some extra zip to the bathroom, consider doing something different for the vanity top. No need to settle for a Formica top when you can now do something a bit more elegant such as having a marble top.

If you have the luxury of having an extra large bathroom (particularly in the Master Bathroom), then the world of bathroom vanities is truly without limit for you. A nice double vanity will ensure that two people (husband and wife?) can accomplish their morning and evening rituals at the same time. Plus the double vanity gives you lots more space for your linens and hygiene items. Plus, to be frank, when you’re incorporating a beautiful oak vanity in a stylistic design, it just looks incredible when it’s double sized.

Your bathroom vanity will be the item which most singularly creates the look of your new bathroom. In addition, it will help to provide organization and to cut down on your bathroom clutter. Because it’s such an important piece of furniture, make sure you spend the time and money necessary to get the right one. You might regret getting the wrong one; you’ll regret getting the right one.

www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com

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Wood Bathroom Vanities

February 12th, 2010

It almost seems incongruous, but more people are selecting elegant wood bathroom vanities to give the bath more of a “homey” feel to it.

First, let’s talk about the vanity itself. Your bathroom is absolutely not complete unless you have the right vanity. When well-chosen, it can give your bathroom a stunning look that makes it positively a joy to visit the room.

But your vanity is not just a decorative piece. It provides you with essential countertop space and storage area for hygiene items, linens, and the like. Storage space is one of the most needed things for any bathroom, and the vanity is one of the key storage items.

Consequently, when you’re selecting your bathroom vanity, you’ll need to keep in mind several things: Does it meet my storage needs, does it have enough room for my family’s morning or evening clean-up chores, is it too big for my bathroom–and does it enhance the bathroom’s theme and appearance? And for the last question, wood does wonders.

There are many different kinds of wood that are used in the creation of elegant bathroom vanities. There are those made of walnut, maple, cherry, and probably the most popular, oak. In fact, we suggest you take a gander at all of the wonderful oak vanities available at www.homedesignoutletcenter.com. Most of these have a nice glossy lacquer finish that enhance the wood’s natural finish. Choose the wood which best enhances the look you’re trying to create with your bathroom. Some of the more ornate wood bathroom vanities look best when you’re creating a traditional or even antique look. Other wood vanities look best with a contemporary or modern theme.

There are several types of vanities. There is the wall-mounted vanity unit (looks similar to a medicine cabinet), the open-shelf vanity, and there is the standard floor-based vanity which features full storage space in drawers and cabinets. To truly get the best effect of an oak vanity, consider going with the floor model. It looks at great as the best piece of furniture anywhere in your home.

Remember that an investment in the look of your bathroom is an investment in your home’s value.  Most importantly, though, it’s an investment in your family’s enjoyment.  And wood vanities do this job marvelously well.

www.HomeDesignOutletCenter.com

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