Good bathroom design is founded on three key areas (shower, vanity, and light). French Philosopher Blaise Pascal has been quoted as saying “Vanity is but the surface”. But a Frenchman should know better than to ignore the importance of a well-designed surface. And his wife probably disagreed with him anyway.
When you start to build a new home, you start looking at vanity units in a different way because you have to make a decision and there was no “how to choose the best vanity for the bathroom” class at school. In fact, some people don’t even connect the word “vanity” with the unit that holds the basin in their bathroom (Pascal might be one of those people). But the vanity unit is more than just a basin to wash your hands. The best vanity design becomes a stylish piece of furniture that goes far beyond the traditional basin pedestal – creating additional storage as well a sense of style.
The White Sierra basin brings a touch of class to the main bathroom in Esprit Construction’s new display home. At the basin outside the main toilet, it’s baby brother, the Mini Sierra keeps the stylish theme.
Even the basics of holding up a washbasin can be achieved in lots of ways. The basin can be fully recessed, partly recessed or not recessed at all – just sitting on the countertop, which is popular in 2020. Sometimes, the basin can cover the top of the entire vanity unit.
The main bathroom in Esprit Construction’s new display creates a spacious feel with neutral colours and white free-standing bath and white Sierra basin.
6 top vanity trends for 2020
The single biggest trend for vanities in 2020 in minimalist. But minimalism is a trend that has been with us a long time – it just varies in extent. Then there are some material trends and, again, they are trends that never seem to go away. Marble and wood come and go. But even when they are not the hottest thing in town, they are still popular and hold their style. Marble, perhaps because of the expense and statement of luxury never seems to date – in the vanity or in the kitchen. Wood, on the other hand, is more a matter of taste and highly dependent on the rest of the new home’s interior design.
Minimalist
Floating
Open shelf
Marble
Wood
Industrial
Tips for choosing the right vanity
Below are some tips to help you choose the right vanity for your new home – a few points to consider.
Neutral colours
Neutral colours, such as white, ebony and grey, ensure your vanity will go with all bathroom styles. Neutral also opens the door to more potential buyers if you ever want to sell your new home. White is the most common colour because it makes the space look bigger. If you are working with a small bathroom area, and most of us do, then you want to make good use of mirrors and the colour white. If you don’t want to go down the path of basic white, then cool colours like silver and grey can add a sense of style while beige and gold can add a warmer feel to the bathroom.
Mackay’s climate suits open shelving
Mackay’s tropical climate means we constantly have to be aware of the dreaded heat/moisture combination. Getting anything to dry out during the wet season is a challenge – especially in a bathroom where we regularly flood the air with steam. Open-style shelving eases that pressure as well as making the bathroom look more open and more like a day spa. It’s more friendly and inviting – “like a towel – just take one”. If you do want to keep doors closed to keep clutter from view, one popular solution is to put an open shelf at the bottom of the vanity. This also makes it easier to see and to access.
Esprit’s Panama 275 display home adds style to the ensuite with the Arlo vessel basin mixer.
Open bottom and floating vanities
Create the feel of a more open bathroom with a vanity that is open at the bottom or floating. It not only makes the space look larger but also makes the room feel less cluttered and adds to a “minimalist” style. Floating vanities can have their height adjusted and what was once a popular trend in restaurants is now starting to find its way into new homes.
