A bathroom renovation is one of the most popular home remodeling projects. This renovation will increase the usability and the value of a home if it is done correctly. This is a project the homeowner cannot afford to get wrong. Mistakes are costly. A bathroom renovation should include licensed professionals in areas such as plumbing and electricity. Don’t skimp on materials or fixtures in bathrooms that will get daily use with showers and meeting personal needs.
Where to Purchase Bathroom Vanities
Today’s homeowner can purchase the bathroom fixtures and vanities at local big box stores, home building superstores, outlet stores, lumber yards, builder centers, or online retailers. Online retailers such as uniquevanities.com have a larger selection of vanities, sinks, mirrors, lighting, and plumbing accessories than local retailers with limited floor space.
Online retailers don’t have space limitations and sell by showing photographs of the products on their websites. Each photograph is accompanied by product information and sizes. The products they sell are stocked in warehouses and shipped to the customer when purchased. The customer pays for the products online in the ways specified. Then, the customer waits for the item to arrive at their home.
Online shopping relies on trust and the honesty of the customer and the retailer. Customers must trust the online retailer to sell good quality merchandise at fair prices. Checking customer ratings of the retailer a person is considering ordering from is one way to avoid disappointment. Ordering products from well-known manufacturers is another way to assure quality.
Online retailers live by their reputations and by customer satisfaction, so they make huge efforts to keep their customers happy with pricing, good return policies, shipping, and the best customer service policies.
Purchasing all or part of the fixtures and materials locally is another option. The flooring, tile for walls, bathtubs, and toilets are good to purchase locally. Bathroom sinks and vanities set the style and atmosphere for the whole bathroom so having a large selection is important and online retailers do a great job with that choice. Homeowners might use a combination of local and online purchases to get just the look they want.
How to Choose the Correct Vanity and Sink?
Choosing the correct sink and vanity should be one of the first design tasks. The vanity style, size, and finish will set the tone for the entire bathroom remodeling project. The design experts have advice for homeowners choosing vanities, sinks, and other bathroom elements.
- Figure out the budget for the whole bathroom remodeling project, find the money, and determine what part of the budget is available for each major fixture. When a money figure is allocated to the vanity and sinks, stick to it. Overspending will mean cost-cutting on another fixture or finish.
- Measure the bathroom and then shop for the size and proportion of vanity that works best. Keep in mind that there needs to be room for the tub, shower, toilet, and traffic pattern. Crowded bathrooms are inconvenient to use. A vanity that is too large and is in the way when opening the bathroom door all the way is not good planning.
- Think about the sink requirements for the family. Are you moving from a single sink to two sinks? Is there room? It may be possible to fit in a two-sink vanity by going for smaller sinks and a narrow depth, such as 18″, instead of the standard depth of 20″ to 21″. The next consideration is the counter space. Will two sinks mean not enough counter space? There needs to be a balance between the sink and counter space.
- Storage is an important feature in any bathroom. Freestanding vanities and sinks provide more storage. Wall-mounted vanities and sinks save space but sacrifice storage. Is there another space in the bathroom to add storage?
- Where is the existing plumbing in the bathroom and what shape is it in? It can save money if the sinks are located where the existing plumbing is. Homeowners going from one to two sinks or moving the location of the vanity and sinks will need to budget for extra plumbing work.
- Don’t make a mistake with the faucets. They can ruin the look of the vanity and sink or the correct faucet style can complement the vanity and make a nice style statement.
- When ordering or purchasing a vanity locally, check to see if faucets and other hardware are included with the sinks and vanity or if they need to be purchased separately. If they need to be purchased separately, what are the requirements? Where are the openings in the sinks? This is when the homeowner will find out about different types of faucets, such as center-set faucets or widespread faucets. What about the sink drain? Does it come with the faucet set or must it be purchased separately to match?
The Other Bathroom Needs
Now that the right vanity, sinks, and faucets have been chosen, it is time to choose the rest of the bathroom to go with them. This will include mirrors, lighting, accessories, toilets, tub and showers, and the floor and wall finishes. Does the homeowner want to use old towels in a new bathroom? It may be time to purchase new towels to compliment the bathroom. And, those new towels must have towel racks to hang on.
When designing and installing the complete bathroom, the homeowner should consider many factors. Having design help or the help of a bathroom contractor is advisable. The feel and design of the bathroom should be coordinated and pleasant. Space should be used to the best advantage. Every bathroom needs adequate ventilation from outside wall windows or ventilation fans.
Lighting is another important factor in bathrooms. They need the right amount of lighting and the right kind of lighting. Most bathrooms need a ceiling fixture and lighting around the vanity mirrors. Consider installing a dimmer switch so people can choose the level of lighting they need as they prepare for the day and inspect their hair and faces.
Living plants are a nice addition to any bathroom as they add color without being overpowering. Adding an additional mirror can make a small bathroom look larger and reflect light. Adding art to the wall in a bathroom is also a good design decision. Use finishes such as ceramic tile or stone for waterproofing surfaces. Protecting lower walls with a tile or beadboard will help the bathroom look new and fresh longer and prevent water damage drying and repair.
