A Buy Guide for the Bathroom Vanity

How to Guarantee Success When You Buy a Bathroom Vanity Online

You can buy anything online. That doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Cars, prescription drugs, and houses probably fit in this category. But many other items, even ones that seem like you shouldn’t, like furniture or plants are perfectly safe and even rewarding to buy online. 

One item you can confidently  buy online is a bathroom vanity. All you need to guarantee your success when you buy a bathroom vanity online is a little smart thinking and some measurements. Follow this buy guide for bathroom vanity and you’ll end up with a bathroom vanity that fits perfectly in every way.

 Measure for a Bathroom Vanity

You need three measurements before you buy a bathroom vanity online. 

• Width

• Height

• Depth

Measure taking into account where doors swing, where plumbing is located, and any other clearance you might need. Then you’re ready to start thinking about the details.

The width of your vanity will rely mostly on the size of your bathroom. If you like a demure little vanity you can get them as small as 16”. If you want a monster double vanity, you’ll look for something 72” or more. There’s a huge selection of vanity widths in between.

Standard vanity height is 32”. But most people find these a bit low and are more comfortable with a 36” vanity. A 36” height is what you’re used to in the kitchen. If you’re partial to a vessel sink, the vanities generally have a max height of 30”. 

Vanity depths range from 14” to 26”. Once again, the depth will rely mostly on the size of your bathroom. A shallow vanity doesn't mean that it is also narrow. You can get oversized double vanities that are fairly shallow. Remember that depth will have an impact on how much drawer storage space you have. 

Consider Types and Styles

Deciding on a single or double vanity is only the first step in picking the right type and style vanity for your bathroom. For instance, do you want one that comes with a countertop or a topless type so you can hand select your countertop? Do you want an integrated or undermount sink, or maybe a vessel sink? Do you want a freestanding vanity, pedestal, or a wall mounted vanity?

Then there’s the question of styles, colors, finishes, and more. Do you want to buy a modern bathroom vanity online? Rustic, traditional, or country? Have you decided on natural wood finishes or a sleek painted look? Would light neutrals or dark neutrals suit you better? What about a color?

While you don’t have to know exactly what you want before you start shopping online, it helps to narrow down your ideas so you don’t get overwhelmed. Have a general idea of the design style and finishes that would work best with your bathroom and use that as a launching point to find the perfect vanity.

Thinking about Sinks

The sink is a key part of your vanity. There are five types of sinks available for the bathroom.

• Drop-in/self-rimming
• Farmhouse
• Integrated
• Undermount
• Vessel

A drop-in or self-rimming sink has edges that sit on top of the counter. It is secured then sealed to the countertop with caulk. This is one of the most common types of sinks and probably the most basic.

A farmhouse sink, also known as an apron front sink, has an exposed front edge sticking out the front of the vanity. These are very popular in the kitchen but might be just the design aesthetic you want for the bathroom as well.

An integrated sink is a single piece on top of the vanity  that includes the sink and countertop. There is no sealing or caulk to worry about. It’s all one material in a smooth piece. 

The undermount sink places the sink under the countertop. The sink doesn’t rise above the level of the countertop. It has an integrated feel but keeps the two elements separate.

A vessel sink has a solid countertop all the way across the vanity then adds the sink on top. These are usually bowl-shaped, require a tall faucet, and can be made of stone, glass, or porcelain.

Solving for Storage

Though the way a vanity looks will be at the forefront of your mind, don’t forget to think functionally as well. If you don’t have much storage in your bathroom, a large vanity with plenty of storage might be something you need to consider. 

On the other hand, if you have a generous linen closet in the bathroom, then you have the wiggle room to explore smaller, statement vanities. Remember that some of the space in your vanity will be taken up by plumbing, decreasing your storage capacity.  Any drawers in front of the sink are false fronts. There is no storage where the sink has to go (unless you have a vessel sink).

Dig for More Info

You’ll read product descriptions and look at all the pictures while you’re shopping, but there are other ways to get good information that you might have overlooked. 

Read product reviews. These often contain customer’s experiences with products and details that might not be included in the product descriptions. It will give you a broader perspective and maybe even help you make a better decision.

Take full advantage of search, refine results, and filters. Websites have thousands of products and narrowing that down can ensure you don’t miss the perfect vanity. 

Turn to social media to learn more about potential bathroom vanities. Pinterest is a great resource to get ideas and start narrowing down your options. You can even search for specific brands and products there.

Ready to buy a bathroom vanity online? Start shopping today.

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Adapting Mid Century Modern for a New Era

Mid-century modern style has been enjoying a heyday since we came round the bend into the 21st century. Other than a decade-long stint in the 80s, it has pretty much been an ever-present design standard since the mid 1930s when it first began to emerge. 

When the world wars forced European power-house designers like Bauhaus out of Germany and they landed in America, a whole new design style was born. America was primed to receive something totally new after an era of conflict. Modern design was born.

The late 70s and all through the 80s, designers shifted their focus to “different” styles but never truly escaped modern design with its organic lines and use of colors. The late 90s brought the reawakening of the modern and dubbed it mid-century modern. Just after the launch of Mad Men it was suddenly everywhere we looked. 

Now nearly 20 years later, is mid-mod on its way out? Some say it is. But they fail to realize just how entrenched the style is in design culture. The Brady Bunch style we love so much has been revamped again and again over the years for each new era of modern design. 

Mid-mod is not finished; it’s just evolving. In the words of Alessandra Wood of Modsy, online interior design house, “don’t sell your Eames chairs yet—just throw a sheepskin over the backs of each of them and add a bunch of houseplants to your bookshelves.”  If you understand a few current design trends, it’s easy to adapt your favorite  mid-century modern wall scones, modern furniture, and color schemes. Here are some ideas.

Boho-ize It

The Boho-chic movement in fashion was characterized by loose, flowy, carefree clothing. Sort of the opposite of the put-together and precise style of mid-century modern. However, that’s what makes it a perfect way to adapt mid-mod. Just take your modern design elements and find a way to soften them; make them more earthy. 

The organic curves and shapes of mid-mod are already well suited to a Bohemian style. Play up those features in your design then add some softer elements: high pile rugs, fuzzy throw pillows, macrame and crochet textiles, neutral colors. 

The design industry has already coined the term “mid-century boho” as a design style so you should be able to find furniture and accessories with the clean lines of mid-mod in Bohemian fabrics, textures, and colors. Add an accent chair to your space in light fabric or earthy color. Or use your existing modern furniture and add a few boho pillows.

Go 80s

We are in the middle of an 80s resurgence. Adding any element of the 80s to your mid-mod design will surely take the edge off, so to speak. Many of the styles of the 80s, especially those that are popular again, blend seamlessly with mid-mod. 

Lucite, or acrylic was a favorite of the 80s. It was a carryover from the modern design era, which played with man-made materials like plastic and glass liberally. Add some lucite to your design. It doesn’t have to be a large piece of furniture to have an effect, a few bar stools will do. 

Some 80s color is a great addition to a mid-mod design. Neon, pastels, and mauve (lately renamed millennial pink) are all a go for updating a modern style. You could also try chintz and large-scale florals. Multi-colored florals are easy to blend into an existing color scheme and soften clean-lined modern styles in an instant.

Embrace Biomorphism

Biomorphism is a design that lets nature take the lead. Think coffee tables that follow the natural shape of the tree from which they were cut. Or a fluid, amoeba-esque sofa. Whether naturally occurring or by design, these organic shapes slide right into mid-mod design with ease and have the benefit of easing it up a bit. 

Once again, you don’t have to go big to get the benefits of biomorphism. Vases, statement mid century modern wall sconces or floor lamps in more organic shapes all get the job done. Look for ergonomic furniture pieces. They generally have the organic shapes you’re looking for. 

Loosen Up On Minimalism

Mid-mod is about as minimalistic a style as there is. The easiest way to adapt is to let your “stuff” show a little. Don’t be afraid of a few knick knacks. Bring out your collections. If you feel like looking at it, put it where you, and everyone else can see it.

The key to making “stuff” work is to be sure it ties into your design in some way. Make sure it has some of the colors or textures already in your space. It needs to play nicely with everything else but doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy.

Warm It Up

Use of warmer colors and metallics helps mid-mod adapt without interrupting it. The 70s and 80s latched on to this concept with the introduction of cozy oranges, reds, pinks, and plenty of gold and brass.

Introduce warm woods to your space. Mid-mod likes no-fuss light or dark woods, but some warm woods like oak or cherry will warm things up quickly. Add some new cabinets or flooring for bigger changes or for smaller changes, try a credenza or built-in shelves.

Gold-toned fixtures are an easy way to achieve warmth in the kitchen or bathroom. You don’t have to embrace the brassy look of the 80s (unless you want to). The muted gold finishes available now not only warm things up but soften them too.

Green Up Your Space

Mid-mod is pretty sterile. House plants make it a cheap and easy way to soften things up. Just bring in several plants of different sizes and watch your design come to life (literally). 

Tropical plants are a favorite to introduce into mid-mod. They can be bushy and big or they can be demure and orderly but they all bring in some organic shape and natural color that works wonders. Stick to neutral colored pots so as not to detract from the actual plant.

Succulents are another lovely plant for mid-mod. They often have a muted green color that has natural shapes and a softer color that transforms your mid-century modern spaces. 

Evolve your mid-century modern design. With a few adjustments, your space can take this design standard to new heights. We have the products that will help you do it: from mid-century modern wall sconces and floor lamps to gold-toned sink fixtures.

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10 Top Bathroom Faucet Brands

 

The bathroom. The place where you start and end your day should be highly functional, comfortable, and pleasant to look at. That’s why we carry top bathroom faucet brands. They offer the best in every aspect so your bathroom design lives up to everything you expect of it. Today we focus on the bathroom faucet for the sink, tub, and shower.  Here are just 10 of our favorites. 

Brizo

High-fashion Brizo purports that fashion isn’t just about what you wear, but your whole lifestyle. Explore bathroom faucets for the sink, shower, and tub that prove that form and function can be one in the same.

Shop Brizo

Delta

Proposing better ways to experience water, Delta is dedicated to design that incorporates smart thinking and anticipates needs. Delta stands out among top bathroom faucet brands.

Shop Delta

Grohe

Grohe sees designs as more than simple aesthetics. It is also a quality feature that is the perfect synthesis of form and function. Their motto and their products exude “smart looks, smart technology, and smart price”.

Shop Grohe

ROHL

Crafted in the small villages of Western Europe, North America, and New Zealand, ROHL reflects the charm and craftsmanship of the places that inspired them. Fine quality and authentic production produce a product with an experience all its own.

Shop ROHL

California Faucets

Nurturing a culture of “yes”, California Faucets gives you the go ahead to embrace your unique sensibilities. Enjoy hand-finishes, custom assembly, and artisan pride in every product.

Shop California Faucets

Phylrich

For over 50 years, Phylrich had been creating luxurious bathrooms in elegant homes and hotels all over the world. Made in the USA, you can count on Phylrich continuing to influence trends in decorative plumbing into the future.

Shop Phylrich

Santec

Santec blends equals parts art and technology to deliver innovative bath products that meet the highest quality, design, and functionality standards. They invite you to explore the crossroads between the bathroom and your imagination.

Shop Santec

Watermark

Made in Brooklyn, New York, Watermark faucets are inspired by the creative melting-pot that defines the borough. Products are state of the art, creatively luxurious, plus environmentally friendly.

Shop Watermark

JACLO

Bringing you industry firsts since 1961, JACLO continues its tradition of bringing highly-styled shower systems and accessories to your bathroom today. Wide range and attention to detail ensures well-designed products you’ll love.

Shop JACLO

La Toscana

Founded in 1954 by Italian brothers, La Toscana is a world-renowned brand. It is acclaimed for its  fine bathroom tub, sink, and shower faucets.  

Shop La Toscana

Your bathroom design deserves nothing short of the best. Select from one of these top bathroom faucet brands with easy and reliable ordering on our website.

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What Mom Really Wants: 12 Tips for a Stunningly Clean Bathroom

Flowers and chocolates are all fine and good on Mother’s Day, but if you’re looking for something that will really wow her this year, read on.

Want to do something that will really impress your mom? Try cleaning the bathroom. We’re not talking a 10 minute basic cleaning. We’re talking a deep clean that she can appreciate for months to come. Here are some tips and tricks for cleaning the bathroom that will help you do something spectacular for Mom this year.

1. Top to Bottom, Left to Right

A thorough cleaning job uses a system that ensures you don’t miss anything nor do you have to clean anything twice. For instance, if you clean the vanity top then notice cobwebs in the ceiling corners, you’ll probably have to wipe down the counters again after you brush out those cobwebs. By starting at the top and working your way down, you avoid this, plus you do a more thorough job. You get the same effect when you work from one side to the other as well. 

2. The Dark Underbelly

Clean the places that are easily overlooked. Take that dive under the vanity cabinet and give it a good scrub. Give some attention to the window above the shower. Haul the trash cans outside and give them the once over. Take a toothbrush to the nooks and crannies of the bathtub faucet. Don’t take any shortcuts by cleaning around items; if they are moveable, move them and clean under them.

3.  High-Touch Polishing

Any areas that are frequently touched in the bathroom deserve some extra attention. Whether it’s the flush handle on the toilet that needs disinfecting, the light switches that need a wipe down, or the glass shower door, any areas that get fingerprint-y are things that Mom will surely notice. It’s not a bad idea to clean towel racks, toilet paper holders, and other items that aren’t necessarily high-touch, but high visibility.

4. Bath Mats & Rugs

Especially in the bathroom, mats and rugs can get really dirty and nobody notices. Give bath mats a good scrub, top and bottom. Use a brush with a disinfectant to get all the little hard-to-reach spots. Vacuum rugs or take them outside and give them a good shake/beating. If you detect a musty or otherwise unpleasant odor, throw smaller rugs into the washer on the delicate cycle then dry outside in the sun.

5.  Shower Woes

It takes nothing short of elbow grease to get that build-up off the shower. Once you’re done with that, don’t forget the shower curtain or door. Use glass cleaner and squeegee to make glass spotless. Remove shower curtains and throw them in the washing machine with a few old towels on a delicate cycle then air dry.

 6. Shower Head Maintenance

Mom might give the shower head a wipe down occasionally, but build up (especially if you have hard water) may require some maintenance. Fill a plastic zipper bag halfway up with white vinegar then submerge the shower head in it and secure. Let it sit overnight. In the morning remove the bag and run hot water through the showerhead to rinse. The vinegar will break down buildup and leave the shower head bright and shiny.

7. Nasty Grout

Another area that mom might be avoiding is the tile grout. It’s a big, nasty job but you’re really trying to impress your mom, right? Use a tile/mildew cleaner specifically made for cleaning grout, or make your own with 1 cup baking soda, ½ cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1 teaspoon of dish soap. Place directly on the grout and let sit for 10 minutes. Give it a thorough scrub and rinse. 

8. ”Sitting” on the Toilet

Toilets are something Mom cleans all. the. time. But you can do a really good job with just one simple tip: let it sit. Spray the cleaner over the whole toilet, scrub the inside of the toilet (don’t forget up under the edge), then let it sit. You can wipe down the outside parts of the toilet while you wait, but give it a good 10 minutes for the cleaner to do its magic. Flush afterward and you’ll have a fresh, clean toilet that Mom can appreciate.

9. A Single Command Center

You’ll find yourself needing to rinse rags, brushes, and the like as you clean the bathroom. Choose one sink as your cleaning station instead of switching between faucets throughout the bathroom. In the end, you’ll only have one sink to clean up instead of leaving dirt behind where you’ve already cleaned.

10. Towel Dry

Even after you clean and rinse, you leave behind water spots. Water spots aren’t dirty, but they also don’t leave the bathroom looking its best. Use a clean towel to dry things after you clean them to leave faucets polished and sinks and showers sparkling.  You can even dry the floor after mopping so you don’t leave behind streaks. 

11. Back Yourself Out of the Room

The very last thing you’ll do is the floors. The key to a truly clean floor is to back yourself out of the room. Start on the far side from the door and work your way to the door. You won’t miss anything, nor will you track dirt around or leave anything behind. Same for mopping. Don’t leave tracks on the wet floor by going back over where you’ve already cleaned.

12. Repairs for the Win

While you give the bathroom a deep clean, you might notice a few needed repairs or updates. Take initiative and add those to your checklist to complete before Mother’s Day arrives. Maybe you go big with a new faucet or shower door. Or you can keep it simple and install a  towel warmer or new toilet paper dispenser. Just make sure you clean up after yourself!

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