Why you need a vanity unit
Your bathroom sees a lot of usages. Whether it accommodates a single person or a family of five. The bathroom has a lot of things to store in it. Cosmetics, cleaning products and toiletries all add up to take up valuable storage before spilling over to ledges, windowsills and on your basin. If left unchecked, all this build-up can quickly turn into a big clutter!
What a vanity unit does is give your bathroom a central space where you can locate all your absolute essentials. Somewhere where you can carry out all your bathroom rituals and not have to worry about hunting for the cotton buds you swore you left on the shelf. It’s a space that streamlines your whole bathroom routine into one stylish place.
A vanity unit is one of the most important pieces in any bathroom. It’s the focal point of the room and is often where you do your morning routine. Choosing the correct size can be tricky because there are so many options with different dimensions. The style or type of unit you choose will depend on the space you are trying to fill along with your storage needs.
So, If you’re in the process of re-styling your bathroom space. One of the first things you should consider is what kind of unit your bathroom needs. But more importantly, YOU could use it. Read on to find out some of the things to consider when shopping at Bathroom Planet.
Picking your perfect size
What size of vanity unit you opt for depends on a number of factors. The first is probably the most limiting of all. How big is your bathroom? It’s important to scale your unit based on this question. Purchasing one that is too big could really throttle your bathroom’s sizing. While going too small can leave your unit feeling lost in the space and throw off the balance of your room.
Your second consideration should be how much storage do you need? This can boil down to the number of people that use the bathroom and how many products they use on a daily basis. With answers to this you can start to consider your storage needs. A single person may only need a smaller unit with a single deep drawer for their own bathroom belongings. While a full family of people may need a larger unit with two drawers to not only fit all their individual products. But also keep them separated for less whose is whose arguments.
Choosing your style & finish
Modern vanity units come in a plethora of different shapes and finishes. So much so that it can be overwhelming when you’re presented with such a large choice. But it can be broken down into a few simple choices. The first is the silhouette of your unit. Maybe a simple square unit with sharp corners can tighten up the look of your bathroom. Or a smoother shapelier unit might tie in better with a bathroom’s chic styling. There are no hard and fast rules so look around and experiment with what works best for you.
Another choice that can influence your unit’s look is how it is fitted. Furniture units like this can come in floor standing or wall-mounted models. The former is a more traditional method and can appear more conventional. The latter provides a modern feel that also makes the wall it is fitted on feel more open. Now, this is a feature that can be dictated by your bathroom layout and even the structure of your wall. But if you have the facility for both, is worth taking into consideration.
The last and maybe most influential element when thinking about style is finish and colour. Changing the colour of your unit’s skin can turn it on its head in terms of style. The days of standard white gloss being your only choice are gone – though it’s still a very appealing option. A very popular trend right now is grey bathroom furniture. Modern and undeniably cool. Shades of grey can be as universal as white but with a subtle edge. Something that’s becoming ever more popular is raw wood finishes. With touch-friendly surfaces. These finishes give a lovely organic feel that also appears more premium.
Smaller spaces & smart storage
What if you have a particularly small bathroom or a washroom that needs a little something in terms of storage? Well just because the space is smaller it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or practicality. Your first option is dedicated cloakroom vanity units. These pieces tend to have much slimmer profiles to fit in narrower spaces where a bulky unit could hamper movement. Because of their thinner shapes, the included basin’s tap hole is usually moved to one side. Despite this decrease in size, you keep a workable storage area for holding any necessities.
Another option would be to go for a corner unit. These units usually come in more standard sizes. But by corner fitting the unit you make the most of a smaller area’s available space. You can even have the option of two drawers – that thanks to their shape – can host more than the admirable volume of your bathroom goodies.
Tips for Picking the Correct Vanity Unit
Let’s run through a few pieces of advice that will help you make the right choice for a vanity unit.
Consider the Space you Have Available
The first thing to consider is how much space you have available. This will help narrow your search and focus on the models that will fit your purposes. Vanity units come in a wide range of shapes and sizes to suit all needs, so regardless if you are tight on space or have a very expansive bathroom there is a unit for you.
Think About Who Will be Using it and Their Needs
You will also want to consider the level of storage you need and who will be using it. Everyone will be looking for a place to keep their toiletries, especially in busy households.
There is also a choice between wall-hung or freestanding units that could also influence your decision with freestanding offering a higher capacity since it goes all the way to the ground. Some models even have the choice between doors or drawers. This can be very helpful to take full control of your storage.
Another aspect of storage you should consider is if you want to have anything on hand. Such as on a shelf or worktop. Some vanity units (especially the smaller ones) have the basin going the full width of the unit. This doesn’t offer any extra space to keep toiletries without using the ledge of the basin. However, if you have a bit more space, having a shelf or worktop can make it far easier to keep your bathroom organised. Of course, the other solution is to add other smaller storage solutions like wall mounted soap dispensers, a small shelf or baskets.
All of these factors can play a role in the vanity unit you choose.
Consider the Style of the Rest of your Bathroom
Often when buying a new vanity unit for a bathroom it needs to fit into the current decor. This means considering the appearance of your bathroom before buying your new unit is imperative if you want it to all blend together.
Traditional vs Contemporary Design
Start asking yourself a few questions such as; does your bathroom have a contemporary or more traditional design. There are solutions to suit each of these styles from many premium brands such as Roca or VitrA for more modern spaces or Burlington or Bayswater if you have a more classically influenced space.
Your Current Colour Scheme
Next up, think if your bathroom has a defining colour scheme. If so, you’ll want to try and find a unit to tie into it. Is everything neutral? That’s okay too. It actually gives you a lot of space to get creative and add a dash of colour.
The Style of Other Furniture Elements
Are other elements of your furniture floor standing? Or are they wall hung. You will want your new unit to tie in with everything else. So, if you have a wall hung toilet and wall mounted storage in your bathroom already you will want to stick to that with a new unit.
Do you Have any Worktops or Other Surfaces?
Sometimes you can have other surfaces in your bathroom such as worktops or shelving already in place. These can be in a variety of materials such as stone, wood, marble, Minerva, or even glass. Luckily vanity units don’t only come in all shapes and sizes but there are also models that come in a wide variety of worktop materials. With this wide array of finishes available you will want to tie everything together in style.
Sometimes these worktops can have splashbacks too which can help protect the part of your wall immediately above your basin.
Type and Size of Vanity for Different Types of Bathrooms
Now that we have covered some of our top tips on selecting a vanity unit we will give you a little insight into specific considerations to buying a vanity unit for the different types of bathrooms.
As you’d imagine not all bathrooms have the same considerations. Each brings its own traits and general use cases that impact your decision but don’t worry we have you covered. Let’s run through the three most common spaces and what you should think about.
Selecting a Vanity Unit for a Cloakroom Bathroom
This style of vanity unit is generally reserved for the smallest models. Take a look at 400 or 500mm wide models for suitable units – or sizes in this area. Though quite compact you can find models with a variety of basins to choose from such as countertop or wall hung options.
Along with smaller rectangular units, there is also the possibility to have a corner vanity unit. This uniquely shaped unit has been designed to work in awkward or small spaces. A great solution for oddly shaped bathrooms.
Alternatively, if you are looking for something a bit more minimalist you can always opt for a washstand or just a plain old wall hung basin and pedestal combination.
Selecting a Vanity Unit for an Ensuite
Ensuites are quite similar to cloakroom bathrooms but can have a bit more space to play with depending on the size of room. Some can even be as large as a general family bathroom.
If you are looking to get a unit for a smaller bathroom circle back to the advice on cloakroom bathrooms above – it works here too. However, if you have a larger space to fill your in luck. You can easily get a vanity unit above 500mm all the way up to in excess of 1200mm wide. Often this size of unit features two basins and is often referred to as a “Jack and Jill unit”. Perfect for a couple who want to get ready at the same time. Although you will need quite a large space to accommodate it.
Family Bathroom Vanity Unit
The third and final style of unit we are going to cover is one for a family bathroom. Generally, these are a decent size measuring between 600 and 1200mm wide depending on the space you have. The most common sizes you’ll see include 600, 800, 1000, and 1200mm although there are many sizes in the middle of these.
As noted above storage can be a bigger deal in bathrooms like this. Again consider the layout of your bathroom and any specific need for those who will use it. Even if your bathroom is an odd shape that can only accommodate a smaller vanity unit, that is okay just supplement your unit with other solutions such as shelving or wall cabinets. You do have the option to add in fitted furniture instead if you prefer too.
Finish off your vanity unit
Now that you’ve nailed down exactly what you want from your vanity unit and how you want it to look. What else is there to consider? Well, your basin is going to need some brassware to allow it to do its job. Most vanity furniture includes only a single central tap hole. So your main source of water is going to be a mono mixer basin tap. These taps allow you to blend hot and cold water in a single tap to create your perfect flow. Available in a range of styles and finishes. These taps are as diverse as the units themselves.
Once you have a tap selected. Don’t forget to pick up suitable basin waste. And suitable is dependent on the type of basin your unit has. If it includes an overflow hole. You’ll need a slotted waste to allow that excess water to drain into your existing plumbing. If not, an unslotted waste will do the job. These wastes are available in many colours and finishes. So, you can match the waste to your overall style.
The final touches needed for your unit include subtle visual and practical add-ons. One option that can really brighten up your unit is LED light strips. These strips illuminate the spaces in between drawers for a more striking look. In practical terms, a set of drawer dividers can help keep your drawer space tidy. Something you’ll want to be doing once you have your new unit!