Granite Tile Countertops

Bathroom Countertop Storage

Bathroom Vanities - Are They Worth The Money?

If one takes it literally, you would think that bathroom vanities are just that, bathroom items that cater to man's conceit, pride or self-adulation. Well, almost but not quite. It appeals not only to our need for aesthetic gratification, but more importantly to our functional needs.

So what is a bathroom vanity? It particularly refers to a bathroom cabinet that covers the water basin, pipes, and drain. It has drawers and shelves underneath that are used as storage spaces for items, usually those that need to be hidden from the guests.

In buying or redesigning a house, a great deal of time, effort and money are given to the living room, kitchen, bedrooms and other more prominent sections of the house. But such is not always the case for other unobtrusive but equally important rooms such as the bathroom, shower room or comfort room.

The bathroom is a very important comfort zone in the house, next to bedrooms. It offers a quite sanctuary for our personal needs. That is why getting the best design, tile materials, and amenities for your bathroom should also be a major consideration in house improvement activity.

One of the most important bathroom amenities is a bathroom vanity. A bathroom vanity is undoubtedly the main aesthetic feature of a bathroom in any house remodeling or decorating project. While it is the best place to keep private things out of the way and sight of the guests, it need not be bare-looking or simplistic. Given the best efforts in design, style, or finish, it becomes an attractive centerpiece for your bathroom.

There is a wide variety of choices of vanity designs, but you can narrow down your options to either a custom vanity or a prefabricated one. If you are a little tight on the budget, you can opt for pre-fabricated vanities that can suit your taste as well. But if you want more room for creativity and would not mind spending a fortune for it, then do not hesitate to scour the local directory to search for custom bathroom vanity maker.

Custom Wood Vanities

Custom wood vanities are the more popular choices in bathroom vanities, and the cabinet is its' most notable feature. If the design calls for a laid-back or conventional look you can have a framed or American-style cabinet. A framed cabinet is framed around the front edges of the cabinet body. This type allows the attachment of hinges to the frame and the door, thereby providing a durable base for attaching hinges. On the other hand, if you want to have a more contemporary touch to your bathroom vanity, go for a frameless or European style cabinet. As the name implies, a frameless cabinet has no frame on the surrounding face of the cabinet's body. This type has its hinges attached to the door and side panel of the cabinet body.

A basic rule of thumb in choosing a design for a custom-made wood cabinet is that it must have to blend effortlessly with the bathroom's design. But do not just be contented with what you see, make sure that you have a functional cabinet with doors, drawers, hinges, or sliders put firmly in place.

For a wood vanity, your decision is not only limited to what is appropriate for the cabinet itself, but to a large extent to the choice of sink countertop, mirror, and other fixtures or accessories that have to be incorporated. Other factors that are as important are the storage space, drawers, size, and other particular details. To get you started, consider the following suggestions:

Make sure that you allot the appropriate storage space for your cabinet. You must have an idea beforehand what types of items are to be placed in which cabinet drawer. Make sure also that the accessories such as knobs, hanger, faucet matches the style of your cabinet.

Your choices become even more varied as you get to the countertops. But again, you can narrow down to wood, ceramic tiles, laminates, and other composite materials, or solid surface materials such as concrete, stainless steel, or stone.

Ceramic tile is the most commonly used countertop surface. It is durable and you can select from a wide variety of sizes, colors and grain. Wood countertops would make a lovely country-style countertop, but can stain easily and requires higher maintenance. The most durable and most resistant to heat, concrete is a wise choice, but there is also the risk of staining and cracking.

Make sure that you use only durable drawer slides. Avoid having vanity cabinets that have center-mounted slides or wobbly plastic slides because these types could not stand up to weight and heavy use for a long time. Get only the best ball-bearing assembly that you can afford.

Because it is a very versatile material, wood is the most common material used for wood vanities. Choosing the perfect wood variety for your vanity would be largely dictated by your personal taste, the over-all design of your bathroom, and the accompanying fixtures and accessories. But it is important to check first on the wood's availability and your budget because wood vanities fetch way higher than vanities made of other materials.

Wood Types

Wood vanities are made from a variety of wood types, the same materials than can be used for other household fixtures made of wood. They may also be either wood veneer of laminated. Different wood species fetch different prices, depending on its availability and overall appearance. There are so many materials to choose from: maple, oak, cherry, hickory, yellow birch, or pine. While oak is the all-time favorite for an earthy and conventional looking wood vanity, the use of maple and cherry wood materials have increased.

Exotic wood fetch higher prices as these are the more rare varieties. Among those belonging to this category are mahogany, ebony, and walnut. Mahogany is mostly come from tropical rainforests. Its' reddish brown color and regular grain qualities make it a perfect alternative to old oak wood. Walnut colors range from dark brown to a purplish shade of black. Ebony wood generally refers to very dark wood or black wood.

Every home decoration or designing project is an investment. As such, it needs to be carefully planned and executed. To protect you investment, work with professionals in the industry. You do not have to compromise comfort, style and taste for money.

SPA-TASTIC bathroom remodel

Taymor Chrome Six Drawer Storage Tower with Frosted Acrylic Drawers Sale Price: $29.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description A greet addition to any home. This six drawer storage tower has a variety of uses from the home office to the bathroom as it can hold paper clips and post-its to cotton balls and cotton swabs. Features Sits conveniently on countertop or mounts to wall Fully assembled Mounting Hardware and Instruction included Removable drawers for easy cleaning Wipe with a clean damp cloth, do not use abrasives

Acrylic Drawer Tower Organizer (Clear) (17 5/8"H x 5 3/8"W x 4 7/8"D) List Price: $30.50 Sale Price: $28.99 You save: $1.51 (5%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Organize almost anything in our attractive Tower Organizer! This clear acrylic 10 drawer organizer is the perfect place for artists and crafters to store their small supplies. Great for bathroom organization to hold cosmetics, hair bands, cotton balls, etc. Use in the garage for nails, screws and small parts, or at your desk for all those small odds and ends office supplies. The drawers measure 1.5"H x 4"W x 4.5"D on the inside and are removable and adjustable so that you can use fewer drawers and space them farther apart to accommodate taller items. When all the drawers are removed, this organizer will also hold 30 CDs! Assembly level/degree of difficulty: No Assembly Required. Made in America Features Color: Clear Size: 17 5/8"H x 5 3/8"W x 4 7/8"D This clear acrylic 10 drawer organizer is perfect for bathroom, office, garage. Great for art and craft supplies and for jewelry organization. The drawers measure 1.5"H x 4"W x 4.5"D on the inside and are removable and adjustable.

simplehuman Countertop Trash Can, 1-1/2 Liters, Stainless Steel List Price: $16.99 Sale Price: $14.99 You save: $2.00 (12%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Our 1.5 liter counter top trash can is made of brushed stainless steel with a swing top lid that easily pulls off for emptying. No need for a liner! Its sleek aesthetic, small size and non-skid base is perfect for use on desktops, countertops, buffet tables or condiment stations. Features Countertop mini trash can with a 1.5-Liter capacity Swing-open lid helps keep contents hidden and odors contained Lid pulls off for easy emptying; lined interior means no need to add a bag Non-skid base for secure placement; brushed stainless-steel housing Measures 5 by 5 by 7-2/5 inches; 5-year warranty

York Fingertip Towel Stand - (White/chrome) Sale Price: $22.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description For the perfect blend of modern design and classic grandeur, bring home the YorkTM Fingertip Towel Stand by InterDesign®. Made from a unique combination of soft white ceramic and alluring chrome metal, this towel stand is designed to complement every bathroom décor, blending in with your ceramic tiles and metal fixtures. This stand features a T-shaped design, letting you hang napkins or washcloths on its horizontal arms, and a wide, weighted base for much needed stability. Its freestanding nature makes it ideal for placement on a countertop or by the sink for easy access. The chrome-coated arms ensure that the stand is protected from rust and corrosion from being in constant contact with damp towels. Features White ceramic and chrome metal construction Holds 2 hand towels, washcloths, napkins Freestanding Size: 14 1/2"tall x 5"diameter

Better Living Products Touchless Dispenser Soap Dispenser, White Sale Price: $29.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The most attractive, practical, convenient way to �de-bottle� the Shower! Better Living Products', The Dispenser, is the quality leader and stands at the forefront of this category throughout the world. The new Touchless Hands Free Dispenser has infrared sensor technology that provides "touch free" activation. It is perfect for bathrooms and kitchens in homes, offices, factories, schools, hospitals, senior homes and restaurants. Features Each Bottle Holds 16 Ounces Includes Amenity Labels and Installation Kit with your Choice of Silicone Adhesive or Mounting Screws Perfect For the Kitchen or Bathroom Hands Free Operation Minimizes Risk of Germs Installs In Minutes without Tools and Adheres to any Wall Surface.

simplehuman Mini Step Trash Can, Plastic, White Sale Price: $19.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The 6 liter plastic step can has a sturdy pedal and removable inner bucket. Its small size and durable plastic construction makes this can ideal for a bathroom or kid’s room. Available in black and white. Features 1-3/5-gallon step can made of durable fingerprint-resistant plastic Compact size fits perfectly in small spaces like a bathroom or kid's room Plastic lid opens smoothly and closes to hide trash and contain odors Steel-accented foot pedal; dent-proof inner bucket removes for easy lining Measures 10-1/2 by 8 by 12 inches

Lipper International Bamboo Over-The-Sink Shelf Sale Price: $17.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Free up counter space in your bathroom or kitchen, and keep necessities high and dry. This durable Over the Sink Bamboo Shelf by Lipper International provides 30 inches of convenient storage which is just right for soap pumps, spice racks, cookbook holders or plants. Features Shelf for placing over a kitchen sink; 30 by 6-1/4 by 9 inches Constructed of ecologically responsible bamboo for natural look and feel Perfect for storing handsoap, potted herbs, and cooking accessories Also great for the hobby area, mudroom, or workshop sink Easy to clean with mild soap and water; minimal assembly required

48" Old Fashion Style Marble Top Bathroom Sink Vanity - Q036M Florence Sale Price: $695.00 See Reviews For This Product Description The beautiful Florence sink vanity is great for your bathroom an upscale of beauty and luxury appearance. The quality finish brings out the luster of the wood, with great carving detail. The piece is carefully handcrafted. Cream marble counter top is made of the highest quality that will resist prolonged exposure to humid conditions and long life durability Have questions, call 800-838-3867 Features Cream counter top Bisque under mount basin Faucet sold seperately, 8" spread 3 holes Fully assemble Dimensions: 48.5 x 22 x 36''H

Umbra Mezzo Trash Can, Nickel Sale Price: $13.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The Umbra Mezzo Waste Can is made from bio-gradable plastic with a brushed metallic finish. Swinging removable lid allows for easy disposal and cleaning. 2.5 gallon capacity; 9 inches diameter x 14.5 inches tall. Designed by David Quan for Umbra - the worldwide leader in casual, contemporary and affordable design for the home. Features Polypropylene waste can with 2.5 gallon capacity Made from bio-degradable polypropylene with a brushed metallic finish Swinging, removable lid Design: David Quan Size: 9 x 9 x 14.5 inches

Acrylic Vanity Organizer - 5 Compartments List Price: $42.50 Sale Price: $19.30 You save: $23.20 (55%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Acrylic vanity organizer will keep your daily use cosmetics products like shampoo,oil bottle,body lotions,comb and other cosmetics products Features Dimensions: 9-3/4"W x 6-3/4" D x 4-1/8"H Vanity organizer has 5 block