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Everything You Need to Know about Modern Bathroom Vanities

One of the most frequently used rooms in your home, aside from the living room, is probably the bathroom. When you wake up in the morning, when preparing for work or school and before going to bed, this is where you will spend time doing the things that you need to do. This is exactly the reason why you need to spend the extra time and effort in making sure that the toilet and bath are both spacious enough, and are designed to suit your needs as a family.

For example, if you are a newly married couple, the bathroom in your master’s bedroom may be big enough – but it is usually better to have his-and-hers vanities so that your toiletries will not be mixed with that of your husband’s. On the other hand, the vanities and the way that the bathroom in the guest’s bedroom is designed should be simple enough to suit the needs of guests who may be staying overnight.

Here, we will take a look at some of the options that you have if you are looking for modern bathroom vanities – depending on the decorating theme that you have for a particular room.

Home Decorating Ideas for Modern Bathroom Vanities

Before dishing out decorating ideas to create that modernist look in your bathroom, let us first define what modern bathroom vanities are. The difference between the traditional, usually bulky vanities with the modern ones is that the latter has sleek, clean lines, a no-fuss design and modern colors. If style is what you are after, modern bathroom vanities will give you a lot of shapes, colours, patterns, designs and styles to choose from.

Next, what are modern bathroom vanities composed of? Basically, modern bathroom vanities are made up of the following elements:

- Mirrors
- Open or closed storage cabinets
- Sinks
- Vanity tops

When looking for bathroom vanities which have a modern style, you can take your pick from a wide array of materials and finishes. If you’re looking forward to creating an elegant, hotel-room ambiance to your bathroom at home, opt for vanities which have a brushed nickel or chrome finish. If you want to create a warmer, homier look yet still retain a modern feel to it, there are modern bathroom vanities which are made from wood or stone – but make sure that the lines are clean and sleek when you look at the structure from afar.

In addition to the modern bathroom vanity itself, you can add unique touches and details like overhead lighting and matching accessories like towel rails and additional mirrors.

Finally, make sure that the material that the modern bathroom vanities are made of can stand the heat and moisture for when you’re using the shower. To get the most value for your money, make sure that the quality and brand of the bathroom vanity that you will buy are good, although not necessarily expensive.

By following these tips, you can get the perfect modern bathroom vanity that will suit your needs as a family and the theme of the décor that you have in a particular room of the house.

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Modern Bathroom Vanities Rising in Popularity

City life is becoming more and more busy and complicated. As a result, more and more homeowners are choosing simplicity over complex designs. Just take the bathroom as an example. The bathroom is a place where you spend time almost every day (at least once). So for sure, you want the bathroom to look pleasing to you.

When it comes to bathroom designs, there are many types of looks you can play around with. For instance, if you prefer a more solid look, you can have your bathroom vanities made from stone. But if you prefer simplicity, then modern bathroom vanities will be ideal for you. Here are some common characteristics that you can expect to see.

Simple shapes.

Don’t expect to see many curves on the vanities. They mostly come in simple shapes such as square, rectangle, circular, or oval. You won’t find any complexities here. Everything is kept simple.

Minimalistic approach.

In addition to keeping shapes simple, the minimalist approach is also adopted. That means there won’t be flowery designs on the vanities. Instead, you get a very functional set of bathroom vanities - a mirror, the sink and tap, and a row of drawers underneath.

Wall mounted.

This is what makes modern vanities different from other types of vanities. Mostly, the furnishing is mounted on the wall. There will not be any legs supporting the furniture. The cabinets look as if it’s floating in the air. This creates an illusion of additional space. In other words, the bathroom tends to look more spacious than it really is.

Variety of designs.

Although the shapes are mostly kept simple, you may be surprised at the variety of designs that you get to choose from. Various designs are created using just simple shapes. Ultimately, you choice will depend on a few important factors.

Number 1, is it a design that you like for a long time to come? Usually, modern vanities come with more lasting looks because the designs are more classic.

Number 2, is it functional enough for you? For instance, the cabinets will have about 4 drawers. Is this enough for the whole family? What about the size of the drawers? Do you need larger (or smaller) compartments to store your personal items?

Number 3, is the price within your budget? Most modern vanities are available at affordable prices. Many can be bought for less than $1,000. Don’t let price be your sole deciding factor though. Always remember to keep in mind the other 2 factors - design and functionality.

The difficulty is always in balancing between the design and the practicality of the furnishing. Large set pieces may look more elaborate and attractive. But is it really practical to install such large items in the bathroom? Do you really need the space? These are issues that you need to consider before purchasing modern bathroom vanities.

Learn more about bathroom vanities and bathroom remodeling - www.homedesignoutletcenter.com

Mosaic Tiles For Your Bathroom

Mosaic itself is just a name given to a specific pattern. When you hear the term “mosaic”, you tend to think of the little squares that you so often see in bathrooms. If you are looking to redesign or renovate your bathroom, perhaps you may wish to consider using mosaic tiles. In general, there are 3 types of tiles that you can consider using.

Type 1: Travertine mosaic.

Travertine, like marble, comes from limestone. So you can expect the properties to be similar to marble. You can’t expose it to highly acidic fluids. Otherwise, the tiles will be damaged. You can also expect the appearance to be rather similar to marble. In fact, Travertine can be more versatile when it comes to textures and colors. You can easily find the type of color and texture that you are looking for. For instance, the tiles can come in ivory, gold or beige. You can also choose to have texture tiles or polished tiles (smooth surfaces) for your bathroom.

Type 2: Marble mosaic.

As mentioned, marble comes from limestone as well. So in many ways, it is similar to Travertine tiles. You can also find polished or tumbled surfaces (tumbled gives a rougher matte look) for marble tiles. Regardless of whether you decide to use marble or Travertine, you will eventually have to make up your mind on the type of tile surface that you want to use. Smooth and matte surfaces can create drastically different looks, mainly due to the fact that a matte tile doesn’t reflect as much light as a polished tile.

To make a decision, you need to be clear about the type of look that you are looking for. Some homeowners prefer to have a brighter looking bathroom. So they choose polished marble mosaic tiles. For example, let’s say you are going for the luxurious look. You want your bathroom to look like it’s built for a king. In this case, you can choose to use marble of Travertine mosaic tiles with a polished surface. You should also choose beige or gold as the primary color. That way, when light gets reflected on the smooth surface, it looks as if the entire bathroom is made from gold!

These are definitely ideas that you can play around with. Remember that you will be spending a lot of time in the bathroom as you use it everyday. So it’s important that you choose a design that you like.

If you are not the kind who enjoys flowery displays, then perhaps you may wish to adopt a more modern approach. Modern designs involve simplicity. You can choose polished black marble tiles, and match them with modern bathroom vanities. The overall look will be one that is simple, clean and classic.

Type 3: Glass mosaic.

Finally, you can choose to have glass mosaic installed. Usually, glass tiles are used for contemporary bathroom designs. They come in many different colors such as grey, brown, beige, and even green. If you don’t like the natural patterns on Travertine or marble, glass would be your best choice.

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Marble Tiles For a More Luxurious Look

Marble is a very unique building material. For years, contractors and builders have used marble tiles widely in many different ways. You can use marble tiles in living rooms, dining rooms, resorts, hotel lobbies, and bathrooms. This is a statement of the versatility of the marble as a building material. It can be used almost everywhere and the effects will be great. If you are considering marble as a possible bathroom tile, perhaps having a basic understanding of the stone will be useful.

Marble comes from limestone, and is extracted using commonly known quarrying methods. It is available in many different parts of the world such as Turkey, France, India, Brazil, China, Spain and the United States. Because marble comes from limestone, you can expect it to have similar characteristics as limestone.

For example, if marble is left unprotected, it can be easily stained by anything that is acidic or alkaline. Fortunately, this problem can be easily overcome by applying a finish, which acts as a protective layer, over the surface of the marble tiles.

The marble tile that you see in the market for bathrooms are actually polished tiles. Polished marble tiles reveal a smooth and sparkling look. In fact, some tiles can be so well polished that you can even see your own reflection in the tile. That is the reason why when you walk into a posh hotel, you get a grand and majestic feeling. The chandelier in the lobby can create interesting effects that you have never seen before.

As a homeowner, you probably don’t need such stunning effects. Simplicity, practicality and affordability will most likely be what you are looking for.

You will come across two sizes - 12″ by 12″ and 18″ by 18″. You may be surprised to learn that using larger tiles cost just about the same as using smaller tiles. The price difference applies when there is a difference in quality, pattern, or country of import. Obviously, marble from China will most likely be more affordable than marble from European countries.

Marble tiles come in interesting patterns and colors. You will come across colors such as crema marfil,emperador dark, lotus beige, honey onyx, or white carrara. The color that you choose depends very much on the overall design of the bathroom, as well as your own personal taste.

Honey colored tiles tend to give a more expensive look because the tiles look golden. Grey will go with almost anything, and white can be used to create a modern and classic look.

Due to the unique characteristics of marble tiles, it is very difficult to duplicate the look. That’s why, after all these years, marble has been able to hold its prices quite well. That means homeowners still like marble tiles very much, and marble is still in demand.

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Travertine Tiles For the Bathroom

What are Travertine tiles? Travertine is the name given to a stone that comes from limestone. Marble is another type of stone that comes from limestone. Usually, when deciding on building materials for your bathroom, you will come across these 2 types of stone. In terms of characteristics, both are very similar.

For instance, it’s helpful to know that both travertine tiles and marble tiles don’t go well with anything that’s acidic or alkaline. That means if you are considering using such materials for your bathroom, you shouldn’t be storing acidic liquids in your bathroom. Sealers will offer a certain degree of protection. But it is still better to avoid having acid liquids come into contact with the stones.

So what is so special about Travertine tiles and why is it gaining popularity with homeowners?

Travertine, after processing, comes in many different colors. You can find tiles in such colors - ivory, beige, walnut or gold. The finishing can be very different too. A finished tile can be matte or shiny. A tile with a polished surface will reflect the most amount of light, while a tile with a matte (textured) surface will reflect the least amount of light. You can use the different surfaces to help you create the look and feel that you want. Here are some tips that you may find useful.

Tip 1: Consider the lighting.

Due to the reflective nature of the tiles, light plays a very important role. The bathroom can become too bright if you have strong lighting, coupled with polished Travertine tiles. If you have strong lights, it’s best to downplay the light a little by installing textured tumbled travertine tiles.

Tip 2: Use different tiles for different purposes.

The surface of the tile can serve practical issues as well. For instance, for floor tiles, many homeowners like matte tiles better as there is more friction. Friction can help prevent unwanted accidents in the bathroom. You don’t want your flooring to be slippery, especially if you are in a hurry during the morning rush! In this case, you can use the polished surface for the construction of your bathroom vanity, and use the textured tiles for the flooring. By mixing the two types of tile, you create a different look, and a more functional bathroom.

Tip 3: Consider the colors.

The surface is just one important element. The other crucial element is the color of the tiles. What color do you think is most appropriate for your bathroom? Remember, you can choose from these colors - gold, beige, white and grey. These are the most common colors. The entire bathroom can be constructed with one single color, or a few colors. It is advisable to keep to just 2 colors. More colors will just complicate the design. Choose matching colors for your tiles and your bathroom vanities and you will get a great looking bathroom!

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Natural Stone Tiles For Your Bathroom

As building materials become more affordable with widespread adoption, it is more common to find personal bathrooms looking those that you see in a posh hotel. The reason why it is possible to create such looks in personal homes is because of the clever use of materials such as natural stone tiles.

Ever walk into a hotel bathroom and wonder why you get such a grand feeling? That’s because the tiles are looking sparkling clean and have been well polished. In fact, you get the feeling that you are a VIP, walking into a luxurious room. Such is the feeling that homeowners are trying to duplicate in their own homes.

In general, there are four types of looks that you can achieve with natural stone tiles.

Look 1: Simple and smooth look.

This is a contemporary look, and is most ideal for modern bathroom designs. These tiles go best with modern bathroom vanities. They are smooth to touch, and do not have complicated patterns on them. The only decision you have to make is the color. Choose something that will go well with the overall theme.

Look 2: Smooth tiles with patterns.

An alternative to the first look is to use similar tiles, but with patterns on them. Patterns can be swirls that create a more elegant and classy look. Such tiles can help prevent the bathroom from looking too boring. Some homeowners like to use these tiles because they create a contrast with the simple looking bathroom vanities.

Look 3: Marble tiles for a more luxurious look.

Whenever marble is mentioned, you immediately get an idea of how the design is going to look. That is because we have all been exposed to marble tiles - they are so widely used! The patterns are somewhat subtle. Hence, these are the best tiles to use if you are going for a more luxurious and contemporary look.

Look 4: The mosaic look.

There are two types of mosaic tiles that you will find in the market. The first type is, of course, the traditional tiles that you commonly come across in bathrooms. They are available in many different colors and you can use them to create elaborate designs and patterns if you want to.

But if you want something more out of the ordinary, you can consider using the second type of mosaic tile - glass mosaic. Glass mosaic looks similar to ordinary mosaic tiles when installed. The key difference is that there is a shine that you can’t find in any other type of tile. Also, keep in mind that glass reflects light very well. Imagine light being thrown on the tiles and you will immediately get a good idea of whether the overall look is something that you want or not.

When it comes to glass tiles, playing with the lighting is the key to success. Creativity plays a huge role here. Consult your bathroom designer to see if (based on his or per professional experience), the tiles will look good in your bathroom with proper lighting.

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Installing That New Vanity

If you’re reluctant to buy a new bathroom vanity because you’re afraid of the installation process, don’t be! Even without a professional installer, a halfway decent Do-It-Yourselfer can do this.

Start by taking the relevant measurements: width and height and the location of your bathroom pipes. Remember before starting the installation, you must shut off the water and disconnect all supply lines. Now loosen the caulk between the wall and the old vanity.

Being careful not to harm the wall, remove the countertop. You might need an extra pair of hands to help you with this. Grab a screwdriver now and take out the screws attaching the vanity to the bathroom wall. You can now move the old vanity out of the way.

Cut pipe holes in the back of your new vanity, making sure there’s enough room for all pipes. Now find your wall studs, marking them for the new holes that you’ll make for the new vanity. Make sure you use colors that you can easily identify later, putting the marks just above the new vanity’s top. This will make sure the vanity is balanced and straight.

Now, if you’re changing the sink, install the new faucet. This way, after the vanity is in its place, there will be no need to get back under the sink.

Next, position the vanity solidly against the wall and attach it to the wall studs by using a vanity nailer (the piece of wood on the cabinet back). A 3 inch wood screw and washer are used to attach your vanity and to hold it together. Once you’ve made sure the vanity is level, use tile caulk to secure the top properly.

If you’re changing out the counter top, and if the sink is built-in to the new vanity, make sure you install the faucet before either the vanity or countertop. If, however, you have a separate sink, then you’ll want to install the countertop prior to installation of the faucets. Then you’ll install the sink into the countertop.

Finally, caulk around the faucet base and around the area where the top of the vanity will lay against the backsplash. The final touch is to put moldings around the base of the vanity and reconnect the plumbing.

Congratulations! In no more than an hour or two, you’ve installed your beautiful new bathroom vanity–and it’s now ready for years of use!

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Options in Bathroom Vanities

When you’re ready for a new look for your bathroom, one of the most fun parts is shopping for the perfect vanity. If you think that you’ll have to settle for something that resembles a cheap cabinet box topped by a pre-formed laminate construction, guess again. There are better options available. Here are a few:

Furniture Style Bathroom Vanities. These beauties give your bathroom some decorating pizzazz, especially if you’re looking for something with a touch of class. These vanities resemble other furniture items, such as a dresser, buffet, chest-of-drawers, and other similar items. Some sit on legs like other pieces of furniture.

Vessel or Integral Sinks. You can decide whether you want a more conventional sink which drops down from the bathroom vanity top, or if you want to add a bit of decorative flair through the use of a vessel sink. A vessel sink resembles a bowl as it sits on top of the bathroom vanity. Remember, though, that this style will raise the level of your sink, and also needs a different kind of plumbing.

Antique or Reproduction-Antique Vanities. This is perfect for those who prefer the appearance of older, classic furniture. You can buy an actual original vanity or, for the sake of saving some money, buy a reproduction. An original antique will need to be modified to accept the sink, your new counter and plumbing. A reproduction piece has all the beauty while avoiding these hassles. They’re already designed to be a vanity, while still retaining the classic look.

Conventional Vanities. There’s nothing wrong with sticking with the tried and true. Traditional vanities are essentially bathroom cabinets, with storage space for towels, wash cloths, etc. They are built much the same as kitchen cabinets, with either a framed or frameless construction. These conventional vanities are normally mounted on the floor like base cabinets in your kitchen are. They are typically solid and dependable and get the job done at an affordable price.

So which is the one for you? That’s a personal matter. It will be dictated by what your budget allows and how much added flair you want in your bathroom. And sometimes you have to balance out the two, design and budget. But shop carefully on our website and you’ll find the bathroom vanity that’s perfect for you.

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Suggestions When Buying Your New Vanity

Your bathroom vanity is used numerous times each day by everyone in your house. It’s also seen–and evaluated–by your house guests. Therefore, it’s important that you get the right vanity. It must be both functional and, for the best visual impact, attractive. In selecting the right vanity, keep in mind the following:

1) You must consider your bathroom’s primary users. They will determine which kind of vanity you should select. Do you have lots of people using it, and how often is each person in there?

If you have a lot of bathroom traffic, this translates to a lot of wear and tear suffered by your bathroom vanity. If this is the case, you need to shun the delicate vanity tops and the furniture-like models, as they will be unlikely to endure the beating that your family unleashes. Instead, go for a durable surface and sturdy cabinetry.

Another thought, if you have multiple users, is to choose a vanity with two sinks so that, for instance, two kids could use it at once, or husband and wife should double up.

2) Also consider the height of the people who will be using that bathroom. All vanities do not come in a standard height. Some are lower than others. The typical kitchen base cabinet is around 34 inches from the floor. If your bathroom vanity is much lower than that, very tall people will find it a pain to bend down to use it. However, if children will be the primary users, then a lower vanity might be just the thing.

3) Consider what items you’ll want to store inside the vanity. Remember that a bathroom vanity is basically just a cabinet with extra functions, and added beauty. So think about what you need to store inside and whether or not the vanity you’re considering has ample space inside. And remember, even though vanity cabinets that are reproduced to look like dressers or buffets look like they have a huge amount of space, they typically have a lot less than you might expect.

These suggestions will help ensure that you won’t face a bad case of buyer’s remorse after purchasing and installing your bathroom vanity.

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Choosing the Right Bathroom Vanity

A friend of mine recently decided he needed to upgrade the bathroom vanity and thrilled his wife with the decision. However, at the end of his do-it-yourself project, neither was very thrilled. That’s because Mike made 4 common mistakes that many people make when buying and installing a vanity. I share those mistakes with you now so that hopefully you can avoid his mistakes.

1) He liked the floor model so much, he chose its size without considering his own bathroom. Bad mistake. Height is often more important than even the design or style of your vanity. The typical 30 inch bathroom counter is not best for people taller than 63 inches. But not all vanities come in the same standard size. While 30 inches is normal, some are even lower than that. That’s what happened to Mike. He wound up needing to bend down just to wash his hands thanks to his poor planning.

2) He bought his vanity based only on looks and not on function. Mike told me the first day his wife tried to find a towel in the cabinet–only to have the handle come off in her hand. The door didn’t open because it’s there for decoration, not to open. Sure, it looks stylish, but ask “Mrs. Mike” and she’ll tell you that she wishes Mike had paid more attention to function than design.

3) And finally, Mike greatly under budgeted for his vanity. We take pride in the affordability of our bathroom vanities, but a product so practical and beautiful can only be so cheap. You’re going to have to pay some money for it, and it’s going to be more than just a couple of dollars. Mike underestimated how much money he needed to spend to get the vanity that both he and his wife wanted.

At most places, you can expect to spend $600 to $800 for a decent quality counter top, faucet and sink. Add to this price the cost of the cabinets and you have a few more hundred dollars. You might be tempted to skimp, but please don’t. Your vanity is your bathrooms focal point. That means, by all means, get the vanity that matches with your overall bathroom scheme. The one with style and class. But also get the one that works right for you (and for your spouse). If you go cheap, it will show.

Just ask Mike.

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