Bathroom Vanity, Furniture to Make up Bathroom

Bathroom vanity is furniture to equip the bathroom. Bathroom vanity furniture is simply formed as a cabinet with a sink and countertop on top and equipped with the necessary accessories. This cabinet actually functions to hide plumbing and piping for the sink or washtafel. However, the cabinet can also be used to store the stuffs needed for bathroom purposes. A mirror can also be installed on top of this cabinet to help people do the bathing activities such as washing hands, washing faces, teeth brushing, and grooming.

Components of Vanity 

• Sink 

The sink is the main part of the vanity, while the other parts are principally intended to support this sink. A sink is a place to collect water for washing activities such as washing hands, washing face, brushing teeth, etc. The sink must be waterproof, resistant to chemicals and liquids, and easy to be cleaned. Ceramic, stone, and marble are the most common materials used to make sinks. They are high resistant to water, chemicals, soap, and cleaning fluids. Metal can also be used; it is lightweight, strong, and easy to be shaped but must be chosen from a material that does not rust. Aluminum is a good choice; it resists the liquids, easy to be cleaned, lightweight and easy to be shaped to make sink in any model. The expensive metal, such as stainless steel, brass, or copper, can be used to make more luxurious and expensive impression. There are many models of sinks now is available that can be chosen according to the design you need.

• Countertops   

The countertop is the top surface of the vanity; this part is used to place the bathroom equipment, such as tissues, toothbrushes, tooth paste, cups, etc. The countertop is also often exposed to water and cleaning liquids. Therefore, countertops must be made from material that is waterproof, chemical-resistant, and easy to be cleaned. Usually the countertop is made from the same material as the sink, such as marble, ceramic, granite, or metal. However, because its flat shape and is not much used to hold water, countertops can be made from other materials with lower price or better appearance. The material which is more attractive appearance and less expensive can be used for countertop such as : synthetic materials, wood, or engineered wood. If wood is used, then it must be finished with the waterproof and chemical-ressistant coating.

• Cabinet

The cabinet is a part that functions to hold the sink and countertop. The other function of the cabinet is to cover the space under the sink, place all the plumbing equipment that accompanies it, and make the bathroom tidier and nicer. At the same time, cabinets also provide space for storing items and equipment for bathroom needs. 

This cabinet is the most extensive component, so it can be specially designed to build the aesthetics and decoration value for the vanity. This cabinet is the part that is less exposed to water, thus more options pf material can be used. Materials with a beautiful appearance can be used to build the vanity cabinet, such as wood, engineered wood, HPL, metal, bamboo, natural materials, etc. 

• Mirrors

Mirror help people to do the personal grooming and washing tasks. It allows you to perform daily tasks such as brushing teeth, washing the face, shaving, applying makeup, or styling hair easier with better result. Mirrors can also be used to build the aesthetics of a room. However, the choice of shape and material of the mirror is relatively limited. It will face the watery and humid condition in the bathroom. The materials used must be made from water-resistant materials and cleaning fluids. The shapes and design cannot be too complex, considering that the mirror will be exposed to the water splashes and must be easy to be cleaned.  

• Accessories

Accessories are complementary stuff to make the vanity unit can function properly. Some of the accessories are: water faucets, water drains, pipes, sink valves, lighting, etc. The size and design of the accessories must be properly selected according to the vanity unit. 

Things to consider when choosing and building the vanity

• Functional factors

The aim of installing a vanity in a room is to support your bathing activities. Therefore, this functional reason must be put as the main consideration when choosing and installing vanity. Make sure the vanity helps you to do your bathroom activities. Consider the size and shape of your bathroom, and make sure your cabinets can fill the available space appropriately. Choose components and accessories that really suit the conditions of your room and the activities you do. Currently, there are many choices of materials and models of each component of the vanity that you can choose according to the conditions of your room and building.

• Aesthetic factors

Vanity also builds the aesthetics of your room. The vanity is furniture that works to decorate your room and bring a special impression to it. Make sure you chose the vanity model and design according to the room decoration theme or your aesthetic taste. There are many options of vanity models, such as simple, country, classic, modern, etc.  that can be chosen to fill up your room.

• The maintenance

Vanities require regular maintenance and cleaning to make them last longer. Vanity cleaning is also needed to keep your room healthy and fresh. Indeed, the bathroom is a place where you play with water, however, but you need to keep the room dry and less dump as much as possible. Humid or wet conditions should be avoided as much as possible because this condition invites bacteria, fungi, or small animals to live and stay in there. Instead of ruining the room's beauty, the presence of bacteria and living creatures also potentially harm the health of the user. 

Make proper drainage; make sure there is no water that stagnates for a long time. When you choose the vanity design and model, make sure you are considering the cleaning and maintenance process carried out. Make sure the vanity can be cleaned easily. Avoid shapes that are too complex, which make the maintenance and cleaning process difficult.

•  Resistance

A vanity will be exposed to a lot of water and liquids. Vanities will also often undergo cleaning processes, which are all related to liquids and cleaning chemicals. Therefore, vanity materials must be resistant to water and stain-removing chemicals. A sink that is designed to hold water is, of course, made from waterproof and chemical-resistant materials. Now days there are many models and shapes of sinks available that you can choose to use to build a vanity according to your room conditions, taste, and budget. Other components, especially those that function as decorative forms such as cabinets or accessories, must also be made from materials that are water and liquid resistant and easy to clean.

• Finishing for vanities

Finishing becomes an important concern when the vanity (especially the cabinet) is made from materials that are not naturally waterproof, such as wood, engineered wood, or natural materials. Natural materials such as rattan, bamboo, wood, or its derivatives are hygroscopic materials that will absorb water when wet. The proper finishing is needed to give enough protection to these materials. The finishing materials must be water-resistant and be able to cover the wood. The coating layer must be able to close the pores and grain to minimize the water entering the wood. The exterior coatings are the most recommended for vanity finishes.