Vanity units are the best answer to storage for bathrooms. Here’s an interesting statistic.
"Thirty nine percent (more than one in three) of homeowners in the UK remodel/improve their bathrooms within the first two years of buying their house."
Since a vanity unit is a centrepiece in any bathroom, it’s one of the first accessories to be replaced in most remodelling projects.
The good news is when it comes to choosing a vanity unit, you are spoilt for choice.
Discussed here are 7 things you need to consider when choosing a vanity unit.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Vanity Unit
1. Vanity Style
The vanity style you pick for your bathroom is a matter of individual taste and inventiveness.
It depends on the décor you want for your bathroom – traditional or modern. Either way, your style and colour options are endless – small, large, wall-hung, freestanding, corner, double sink, tallboy, white, grey, combination basin & toilet... The list goes on.
Pick a visual centrepiece that complements the overall décor of your home. Also, since a vanity sink unit is available in different colours, select one that is a nice contrast to the walls and tiles of your bathroom.
2. Vanity Size
As far as the dimensions are concerned, the standard height of a bathroom vanity unit is between 30 to 32 inches (76.2–81.3 cm). The standard depth is between 20 to 21 inches (50.8–53.3 cm). But the range of the standard vanity width varies quite a bit – from 24 to 72 inches (61–183 cm).
The most important dimension you need to consider is the height.
If you are more than 6 feet tall, a standard vanity sink unit will be rather short for you. But this height would be perfect for shorter adults and young children. So select a vanity unit that isn’t too short but also offers you enough storage space.
3. Wall Strength
Wall strength is a crucial factor, especially if you are intent on buying a wall-hung vanity sink unit. Since your wall will need to support the entire weight of the bathroom vanity unit, wall strength plays a huge role.
Consider carefully whether you can nail strong wall studs to the wall for the safe and secure installation of the vanity unit.
4. Bathroom Size
Measure the length and breadth of your bathroom, and calculate the precise workable space.
Even if your bathroom is small, you can still make use of every square inch of available space. Bathrooms in old houses typically have lower depth. So, in this case, a narrow-depth vanity unit would be the right choice. Bathrooms in new houses are more spacious.
With the workable space in mind, pick a vanity that isn’t too large. Ensure there’s no obstruction when you are opening and closing the door.
5. Unsightly Pipework
The downside of unsightly pipework is it can ruin the overall aesthetics and feel of your bathroom. But a strategically placed wall-hung vanity sink unit can conceal unsightly pipework.
Or you could paint the pipes the same colour as the bathroom walls.
You could also consider replacing the old pipes with new chrome, copper or satin finish pipes. These pipes look a lot better. An advantage of installing a large vanity unit is you can quickly access the pipework in case something goes wrong.
6. Plumbing
Check the existing plumbing lines. It isn’t necessary that you need to buy a vanity sink unit that fits these lines to perfection.
Most often, you can adjust the pipes and drain system to fit the taps and outlet on your new vanity unit. You have plenty of choices here. If you are not keen on spending a lot of money on the remodel, then choose a vanity unit that needs minimal plumbing.
7. Additional Hardware
Additional hardware will help you create a statement look in your bathroom. For instance, brass basin taps, chrome taps, brushed gold taps and three-hole basin mixer taps are all pricey options that deliver extra style.
Likewise, brushed gold and chrome finish vanity door and drawer handles are another additional hardware option.
Looking to Buy a Vanity Unit
The options for storage for bathrooms are limitless. From traditional to modern, white to grey, corner to combination units and more, it’s easy to find the vanity unit that matches your bathroom to perfection. And regardless of your colour and storage space preferences, finding the perfect fit at Bathroom City is easy.
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