As one of the focal points of any bathroom, the sink and vanity are key when decorating. For a bathroom that's both functional and sophisticated, ditch the standard-issue vanity for a piece of furniture. Most chests of drawers, cabinets and even shelves that are of a comfortable height for sink use can be used in place of a vanity in the bathroom. Does this Spark an idea?
First Things First
Replacing or installing a bathroom vanity and sink requires plumbing and sometimes carpentry skills. Unless you are a skilled plumber or have extensive experience with these kinds of projects, consider hiring a professional to assist you.
From Furniture to Vanity
When choosing a vanity for a bathroom, you have several factors to consider, including the size of the bathroom, the need for storage, and, most obviously, the space allotted for the sink and vanity.
While it may be tempting to simply choose a piece of furniture for a vanity on the furniture's own merits, choose the piece as though you were choosing a vanity. Don't overwhelm a tiny bathroom with a huge piece of furniture, even if it will fit in the allotted space. If you need storage in your bathroom, then choose a piece of furniture that will still have storage after being retrofitted for the essential plumbing.
The actual transition from furniture to vanity will depend a lot on both the piece of furniture you choose and the sink you choose.
Any piece of furniture will need to be able to accommodate the plumbing for the sink. If the piece has drawers, this will likely require the removal of the drawers; the drawers can be removed, dismantled, and the drawer fronts re-attached to the face of the furniture to maintain the appearance of the piece of furniture. Likewise, a shelf or cabinet with shelves may need to have a shelf or shelves removed or modified to accommodate plumbing.
The sink you choose will also determine your furniture piece's future as a vanity.
If you choose to go with a traditional solid vanity top that fits on top of your furniture piece, the top of the piece will likely have to be removed. The piece of furniture will need to be both sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the vanity top, or easily strengthened. It will also need to have enough room inside for the bowl of the sink and the plumbing.
If you would like to use a drop-in sink on your furniture piece, then a hole to accommodate the sink will need to be cut in the top of the furniture piece, in addition to any modifications necessary for the plumbing. Also, the top of the piece will need to be water resistant, or covered with a water-resistant material such as tile.
The use of vessel sinks on furniture for bathroom vanities is increasingly popular. Because the vessel sink sits on top of the furniture piece, fewer modifications to the furniture piece are necessary, making vessel sinks one of the best choices when using furniture pieces for bathroom vanities.
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