Transform Your Bathroom

The style of your bathroom should reflect your unique personality and taste. However, before you begin selecting styles and colors, you need to determine how the vanity will be used and the frequency. You should also consider the look of other bathroom fixtures when purchasing a vanity.

The four major style trends in home décor are listed below, but the real key is to use a combination of materials, furnishings and accessories to create a style that is truly your own.

Classic lines and decorative trimwork are the cornerstones of traditional style. With furniture-style cabinets, ornate moulding and subdued color schemes there is no question why traditional décor never goes out of style.

Textures and finishes are generally smooth and metals are classically sculpted and polished, creating a harmonious balance of tranquility and sophistication.

More than modern, contemporary style is highlighted by smooth cabinetry, sleek faucets and symmetrical arrangements. The absence of clutter, clean unbroken lines and minimalist décor lend a Zen-like Asian influence to many contemporary designs.

Colors are generally monochromatic with a mix of smooth textures and sleek materials, characterized by unique curves and angles.

Natural, relaxed and uncomplicated, casual décor is laid-back simplicity defined. Warm, cozy and inviting casual style tends to be intentionally more functional than decorative by design.

Colors are usually similar in hue and can range from soft pastels to warm, natural shades. Textures and finishes have more detail while metals and cabinetry tend to be charmingly worn or aged.

An assorted blend of styles, textures and colors, eclectic style mixes a variety of looks to create a unique and interesting design statement. This freestyle design isn’t a random hodgepodge of ideas, but a planned look that is integrated with one or more common elements that tie everything together.

Colors are complimentary and provide bold contrasts. Textures and finishes are varied but when merged form a balanced blend.

How the vanity is used and how frequently will greatly affect the type of material you choose. Some materials provide a wide range of colors and design patterns while others ensure durability and stain resistance. When it comes to cabinets, look for materials that are sealed to protect against water so they won't warp.

With cabinetry you really do get what you pay for. Particleboard is a common material for stock cabinet cases, especially those covered with laminates and vinyl finishes. You’ll pay more for high-pressure laminates or thick veneers coated with a multi-step polyurethane varnish process, but over time it will be worth the expense.

Bath cabinets and vanities made of wood may be solid, veneered or laminated. Oak is by far the favorite cabinet wood of choice, however maple and cherry are also quite popular. With most veneer and solid cabinets, the wood has typically been stained or dyed to achieve the perfect finish and tone.

Wood veneer cabinet doors are a popular alternative to solid wood. Veneered panels are less expensive than solid wood, and they have the advantage of permitting the same pattern across all adjacent doors.

Laminate cabinets have a synthetic finish that’s attractive, rugged and easy to care for. The durability and affordability of laminate construction make this type of cabinet perfect for children’s baths and second homes.

Your bath countertop endures just as much use as flooring. For countertops, you'll need to weigh style and color considerations against the ability to resist scratching, chipping and staining. Water, soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, acetone and alcohol-based liquids may come into contact with bathroom countertops, so it needs to be durable, spill-resistant and easy to clean.

In addition to how the materials will wear, you should also select a countertop based on the style of your bathroom. Countertops will overhang cabinets on both the front and sides, so be sure to compensate for the extra width and depth when measuring.

• Wide variety of colors, including pastel shades

• Cultured marble, onyx and granite designs

• Easy to clean

• Resist stains and mildew

• Accommodates integrated sinks

• Scratches and chips can be difficult to repair 

• Quality varies between different types and styles

• Fired and glazed clay tiles

• Durable and easy to clean

• Wide variety of colors and patterns

• Moisture-resistant

• Excellent do-it-yourself project

• Grout needs to be sealed periodically and may stain

• Use scouring powder or bleach to keep grout clean

• Cost can vary based on type of tile selected

• Made of composite resins

• Highly durable

• Wide variety of colors and patterns

• Accommodates integrated sinks

• Stains, scratches and burns can be sanded out

• Impervious to water

• Require larger up-front investment

• Should be professionally installed

• Requires a firm, sturdy base

• Slabs or tiles of granite, marble or other natural stone

• Highly durable

• Easy to clean and maintain

• Impervious to water

• Available in a variety of visually rich colors

• Should be sealed and polished regularly

• Granite is resistant to stains and scratches

• Less porous stone provides greater durability

• Usually made of quartz and silica

• Available in a variety of colors and finishes

• More durable than natural stone

• Resists stains, mildew and bacteria

• Available in a variety of visually rich colors

• Similar in cost to natural stone

• Cleans easily, low maintenance

• Available in multiple patterns, colors and textures

• Resistant to water and stains

• Can be scratched and chipped

• Cannot be repaired if damaged

• Affordably priced, economical

Practically any storage cabinet beneath the sink can be considered a vanity. Knowing how much storage space you need will help you in choosing the right vanity for your bath. If your design includes a long vanity, consider flanking the mirror with a pair of matching cabinets for personalized storage.

Double vanities allow occupants to store items in their personal areas rather than sharing storage. You can choose a vanity with more depth if you need extra storage space. Finding a good balance between cabinets and drawers can also maximize space.

For the best in long-lasting, durable cabinetry, look for units made with heavy-gauge plywood cases, substantial and solid door and drawer construction, and heavy, smoothly rolling drawer glides.

Frameless or Euro Vanities provide a sleek and simple contemporary look. There is no frame and the doors are hung directly on the side of the cabinet, so make sure you leave enough room for doors and drawers to open.

These units are great space-savers because they are generally installed much closer to the wall, making them a great choice for small bathrooms or powder rooms. Frameless vanities may also feature hidden, easily adjustable hinges.

Framed vanities generally have a more traditional appearance. Resembling kitchen cabinets in their construction and feature recessed end panels and a rigid box-like frame. The doors hang on the front of the box, and the unit can be installed without having to butt up against a wall on either side.

In some cases, the door and box may be made from different materials, so make sure you provide both with the same stain to ensure a uniform appearance.

Intricate carvings along with distinctive hardware and rich finishes make furniture style cabinets and vanities a popular choice for bathrooms. These well-designed pieces usually offer ample storage space and multiple drawers to accommodate a variety of toiletries and bath supplies.

If you don't like to get down on your hands and knees to dig around at the back of your cabinets for the last roll of toilet paper, look for a vanity that features tilt-down drawers that put all of your bathroom supplies within easy reach.

Sinks bring a great deal of personality to a vanity or bath. Your sink choice should favor function just as much as fashion. Consider how much use your sink will get before choosing the perfect model.

When it comes to styles, less durable, sculptural glass vessel sinks may be best for powder rooms or guest baths that receive less use. In frequently used family baths, larger, deeper porcelain-enameled cast iron may be ideal because it is durable and reduces splashing and countertop cleanup.

Also called surface-mount sinks, rest on the top of the counter after the sink is inserted into a hole cut in the countertop. These are the easiest to install because the counter hole does not need to fit the sink exactly and is completely covered once the sink is dropped in.

These sinks are attached to the underside of the countertop, giving a very clean and customized look. This type of installation is more difficult because the hole will remain exposed so it must be cut precisely. This type of sink is more suitable for solid-surface or natural stone countertops.

For a clean custom look, integral bowl sinks are an excellent solution. The sink is formed from the same material as the countertop to create one unit with no visible joints. Making installation and clean up easy. However, any damages could result in the replacement of the entire sink and countertop.

Vessel or deck-mounted sinks make a bold visual statement, and they can work in either a full or powder bath. The basin sits on the countertop, and the faucets and spout are typically wall mounted for convenience but can also be mounted on the countertop.

Console sinks can give your bathroom a more open and spacious feel. It is a table-like fixture supported by ornamental legs or brackets resembling a small vanity table. Some styles also come with drawers for additional storage.