| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | a tiny corner bathroom that you added to your |
| The bathroom vanity is the sink-cabinet-mirror | | | | Victorian gingerbread house by eliminating the closet |
| combination. It's the showpiece of your bathroom. | | | | under the eaves. You still want a vanity but the roof |
| Here are ten things to avoid when choosing a | | | | slant really limits you space. Create a sweet |
| vanity...you might be surprised. | | | | bathroom which maximizes the confines of the space |
| You are redoing your bathroom and there are a zillion | | | | by installing a giant mirror along the long tall wall at an |
| details. After getting lost in the practicalities, you stop | | | | appropriate angle, i.e. not facing the toilet, over a |
| for break. Something catches your attention. You | | | | small colorful sink. Add elaborate rococo corners to |
| take a careful look at the new mirror you've just | | | | the mirror for definition. Corners are much less |
| installed. You notice that you're looking straight | | | | expensive then frames. |
| at...your chin. You wonder if they delivered the wrong | | | | Add a narrow cabinet under the sink, or wire wall |
| size. Then you remember that you were sitting in a | | | | units or carve a cabinet into the wall itself to save |
| chair at the showroom when you decided that this | | | | space. Toothbrush holders and soap holders can also |
| was your dream come true. Why didn't you think to | | | | be carved out of the wall. The facing of the cabinet |
| check if you could use it as well standing up? | | | | should be in a paintable surface for remodeling ease. |
| Choosing the Floor Model's Sizing. | | | | Paint the walls white for a feeling of space but if you |
| Many, maybe most people choose style and design | | | | need color, paint just the ceiling. The large size mirror |
| without considering height. Height is often a more | | | | together with the small sink fools the eye and |
| important element of the vanity for daily use. The | | | | actually creates the illusion of space. Remodeling such |
| common 30 inch size bathroom counter is just not | | | | a bathroom is inexpensive as well. Just change the |
| optimum for people over 63 inches tall. However, | | | | mirror corners, the cabinet facing, the ceiling or |
| vanity size is not at all standard. Some floor models | | | | border paint, and, if you have extra money, the color |
| are even lower than the usual 30 inches which might | | | | of the sink. Buy a white toilet because it goes with |
| be ignored in the quest for the perfect design. Such | | | | everything. Tenacious attention to detail makes the |
| a decision means you may end up having to bend | | | | difference in solving complicated design problems. |
| down to wash your hands. This is only poor planning | | | | Using the Wrong Lighting. |
| and completely avoidable. | | | | Lighting your bathroom is one aspect of design that |
| Just remember that the height of the sinks, mirrors | | | | really needs a thoughtful and creative touch. You've |
| and cabinets should be customized to their users, | | | | decided on a lavender bathroom off the master |
| according to their actual size. Not that they have to | | | | bedroom. It's finished and everything looks fabulous. |
| be custom made. Customized only means chosen to | | | | The extra large lavender tub, the lavender toilet, the |
| fit the bathroom at a user friendly height. If it takes | | | | lavender sink are even nicer than you imagined. The |
| going to 6 stores to browse, do it. Drive the | | | | hand painted border around the ceiling is really elegant |
| salespeople crazy with your questions. If what you | | | | as well. You've ordered fluorescents for the ceiling |
| want is not there, ask to see more. | | | | and hand-blown sconces in the same lavender shade |
| If you can't find a vanity according to your | | | | around the vanity. You are very pleased. You switch |
| proportions, don't give up. Even kitchen cabinets | | | | on the sconces and look in the mirror. Oh no... Your |
| might provide workable alternatives if bathroom | | | | skin has taken on a brownish purple hue; you look |
| cabinet selection is limited. And don't be afraid to | | | | again. You're sure you're not sick. Horrors! It's the |
| improvise. | | | | lights! Be very careful with your lighting. |
| For instance, if you are a tall family and the style you | | | | In general it is best not to use colored lighting in the |
| love only comes in 33-inch size, create simple | | | | bathroom. Think to enhance and soften. There are |
| inexpensive solutions, such as installing 2 or 3 inch | | | | so many options available to give personality to your |
| glass bricks under the cabinets to add height. One | | | | bathroom and the choices in style and material are |
| designer suggests wiring in fluorescent lighting behind | | | | endless. Choose carefully with an eye on ease of |
| the glass bricks for an extra special finish. | | | | maintenance and upkeep. Remember that the |
| The same lesson can be applied to shower doors, | | | | cheapest fixtures are often the most difficult to |
| spigots, towel racks, tubs, etc... Decide if you need | | | | maintain. |
| taller, shorter, wider, or longer. Remember also that | | | | Under Budgeting. |
| two heights are better than one if you have the | | | | A vanity is an expensive bathroom fixture. Expect to |
| space to accommodate users of different | | | | pay 600 dollars for a good quality counter top, sink, |
| proportions. | | | | and faucet. Add to this the cost of your cabinets |
| Buying For Looks Not Function. | | | | underneath, which depending on size, materials and |
| You're a guest at a friend's house in the Pocono's for | | | | customization, could easily cost more plus installation. |
| the weekend. You're in the bathroom and you need | | | | Don't put your whole budget into other fixtures of |
| a towel. You check to see if a fresh towel is in the | | | | the bathroom without saving some for the vanity. It |
| cabinet and... Oh no! The cabinet handle comes off in | | | | is the focal point of the bathroom and a cheap one |
| your hand! The cabinet door didn't open because it's | | | | will reflect the same. Even if you can't afford |
| not there. It's an imitation cabinet just for show, | | | | anything else, a new vanity will spruce up an entire |
| hiding the plumbing. | | | | bathroom. Make sure to match it to any preexisting |
| While standing there holding the handle in your hand | | | | fixtures you decide to keep. |
| along with some of the veneer board it was screwed | | | | Awkward Door Swing. |
| into, you look at the stylish row of drawer handles. | | | | Because bathrooms require special attention to detail, |
| Maybe one opens all or maybe none open at all. | | | | don't neglect the amount of space you need to open |
| You're afraid to guess. Isn't there some kind of | | | | and close your vanity cabinet doors. Make sure they |
| truth-in-labeling rule that applies even in the | | | | can even open at all. Provide at least 30 inches in |
| bathroom? This type of cabinet is an economy | | | | front of the sink for an average person to get down |
| choice and is often used in industrial settings such as | | | | on the floor and into the cabinets. Keep the toilet at |
| hotels and office buildings. Its dubious charm has | | | | least 14 inches away from the cabinet sides to |
| become passe;. However, the style is still frequently | | | | accommodate door swing. More if you have extra |
| seen in trade journals and must have a market | | | | wide doors. If the vanity is installed along a wall near |
| somewhere. | | | | the bathroom door, make sure the door swings |
| If you are going to the expense and bother to | | | | away from the sink. A little planning with a tape |
| replace your bathroom sinks and cabinets, choose a | | | | measure and some thought avoids this nuisance and |
| vanity that has storage space, not just a plumbing | | | | saves your cabinet doors from unnecessary wear |
| camouflage. If you really don't want cabinets, put in a | | | | and tear. |
| pedestal sink or a wall hung sink. The general rule is | | | | Faulty Installation. |
| don't try to fake it. It could be embarrassing. | | | | You've picked the perfect vanity with beautiful |
| Settling For Less. | | | | cabinets for the main bathroom in your 8 bedroom |
| Maybe you want a stone counter over your vanity | | | | Victorian built in 1863. It's ordered and delivered and |
| instead of the traditional laminate finish but you don't | | | | the contractor is scratching his head. It's not designed |
| have the extra money for stone? Install it yourself | | | | for the "wet wall" which is the location of the original |
| using the best local home improvement store to take | | | | plumbing. Extending piping around the inside of walls is |
| you through the steps. They love to help, so use | | | | not a minor consideration and the cost could |
| their expertise. This way you will get the counter you | | | | outweigh the convenience. |
| want at a price you can afford. There is always a | | | | Better to coordinate the sink and vanity fixtures with |
| creative solution to most bathroom design problems. | | | | the rough plumbing. Especially in an older home, |
| Don't settle for less. | | | | where plumbing is always an expensive and tricky |
| Forgetting to Customize to Floor Plan. | | | | business and could even be a recipe for disaster. Try |
| There are only a few standard bathroom shapes. | | | | to finesse your exquisite taste around the plumbing |
| Each type accommodates different styles. Corridor | | | | that's already there. |
| shaped bathrooms look best with all the fixtures on | | | | Of Course It Fits! |
| one wall. The L-shaped bathroom is designed for a | | | | Remember to be exact in measurement and to |
| discreet place for the toilet with the roomiest area | | | | coordinate everything on paper. You don't want to |
| reserved for the bath and vanity. The U-shaped | | | | redesign things in the middle of installation. For |
| bathroom is the most spacious and can fit extra large | | | | instance, be careful to pick the right size sink to |
| or customized fixtures in a choice of locations. | | | | match your cabinet, especially if the cabinets are |
| There are also other sizes such as small rooms | | | | already built-in. Our consultant master carpenter |
| converted to extra large bathrooms. Such a space | | | | advises that many unexpected costs in installation |
| takes as much extra planning and design as the | | | | can be avoided by taking the drafting stage seriously. |
| space needs. Don't just throw in the same fixtures | | | | Finally, don't wait to find out if your vanity cabinet |
| you might use for the standard spaces. Large round | | | | can actually be put in its place. Measure the path, |
| or double kidney shaped counters look nice in large | | | | especially the bathroom door. Your installer may not |
| bathrooms but are definitely not appropriate for the | | | | be prepared or even able to disassemble and rebuild |
| corridor or L shaped plans. | | | | the vanity quickly to get it in place. Our advisor had |
| Losing Out on Details. | | | | to laugh remembering how often people measure the |
| Most of us want to make the most of our bathroom | | | | bedroom door but not the bathroom door. "It |
| space, and hate to feel like a bull in a china closet. | | | | happens all the time," he chuckled. |
| Detailing can make the difference. Suppose you have | | | | |