A great way to add a classy look to your bedroom, bathroom, powder room, or hallway is with a vanity. From traditional to contemporary and antique bedroom vanities to one-sink and double-sink bathroom vanities, here’s the 411 on both.
They date back before the Victorian era but this is also a period where vanities were most elaborate. The pieces were created for women as a “sanctuary,” where they could admire themselves in the mirror, apply makeup, jewellery, and “pretty” themselves for the day.
This is why bedroom vanities are also known as make-up vanities and also why many of those on the market are antique-style. Today’s bedroom vanities are used in the same way and are also great design accessories that can really add a touch of glamour to the bedroom.
Classic bedroom vanities are elaborately carved from solid wood, often with curved cabriole legs, rounded feet, an oval-shaped mirror, and matching stool. More contemporary pieces are a mix of the classic and modern: squared, straight lines in simpler finishes and sometimes use metal. Many bedroom vanities also have drawers for storage of makeup, accessories, jewellery, and etc., and range in size from small and simple to elaborate and wide.
If you’re looking for furniture for a hallway or front door area, opt for a simpler bedroom vanity.
Some bedroom vanities can be used as a bathroom vanity, for example in the case of smaller bathrooms that act as powder rooms.
However, the difference between the bedroom and bathroom vanities is that bathroom vanities will include sinks. A bathroom vanity will often be the centrepiece of the bathroom, so it’s important to choose something that fits your bathroom design.
Bathroom vanities are usually sold as single units that include a small sink and counter or double units that include two sinks and counters. Additional pieces sometimes included in a bathroom vanity set are mirrors, medicine cabinets (with mirrors on the front door), and attached or individual shelving units or cupboards.
Finishes are limited and often are black, light or dark woods, and white.
Most are sold on their own without fixtures, so be sure to consider what kind of fixtures like faucets or towel holders, you prefer, for example, brush nickel, stainless steel, traditional, contemporary, two handles for hot/cold or just one to control both, and etc.
It’s also very trendy to have a counter-top vanity sink, rather than the traditional in-counter sink. Decorative bowls and modern square-counter top sinks allow for another contemporary touch to your bathroom and your bathroom vanity.
Related Article: Bathroom Mirrors – Modern Times Requires Modern Furnishings