When renovating your bathroom, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is what type of vanity to install. There are couple of basic designs available in Toronto, and an almost limitless choice of colors and materials from which they can be made. To help you choose the perfect vanity design for your bathroom, we are going to discuss the two basic types of vanity unit available and what you need to consider in the way of aesthetics and practicalities when choosing one for your home.
Buying a Vanity for Your Bathroom Renovation Project: Points to Consider
The two basic types of vanity unit available are freestanding and built in. Before you hit the shops or make an appointment with a local renovation expert, think about the following points:
- Your Bathroom’s Dimensions – Homeowners with spacious bathrooms generally tend to favor built-in vanity units. This is because, although they take up more space, they provide a greater surface area as far as the countertop is concerned and more storage space than their freestanding counterparts. If, on the other hand, you are starting a bathroom renovation project that involves a particularly small or oddly dimensioned room, you will probably find that custom-built, freestanding units offer greater flexibility as far as designs that make the most of the available space are concerned.
- Aesthetics – If you prefer more contemporary styles as far as home décor is concerned, a built-in unit will result in cleaner, more minimalistic lines so will probably be your best choice. For those who like traditional or period interior design motifs, freestanding vanities will look more authentic and blend in with the rest of the décor more effectively.
- Location of Plumbing – Assuming that you are going for a vanity unit with an integral basin, you need to consider the positioning of the existing hot and cold water pipes when making your selection. Moving existing pipes or installing new ones will add a fair amount to the overall cost of your bathroom renovation so this is something you should avoid doing unless absolutely necessary. Usually, freestanding units offer a little more flexibility in this regard, especially if you have one custom made to your specifications.
- Durability – A well made, built-in vanity unit will often last longer than a freestanding vanity of a similar quality. This is simply because the surface area that is exposed to wear and tear from passing traffic is naturally smaller. For homeowners with young children, this is a factor worth considering. On the other hand, if you are confident that nobody in your house is likely to damage your new furnishings through clumsiness or boisterous behavior, durability will not be a major consideration when choosing a new vanity unit for your bathroom renovation.
Budgeting for Your Vanity Unit
While you can find a good selection of mass-produced units in local stores, a lot of homeowners in Toronto are choosing to have their vanity units made to order nowadays when starting a new bathroom renovation project. Although this obviously costs a little more, it gives you much greater freedom of choice as far as the design and construction of your new vanity is concerned.
If you have plenty of money to spend, you will probably want to choose a unit that features either a natural stone or manufactured quartz countertop, as such vanities will be able to withstand many years of ordinary wear and tear with no outward signs of damage. However, if you are working with a small budget, laminate surfaces are an acceptable alternative worth exploring.