Bathroom Sink Vanity – Materials and Mounting Options for Bathroom Sink Vanities
A bathroom sink vanity can be a focal point and establish the style and decor of your bathroom. Bathroom sink vanities come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and styles and can look like pieces of art besides being functional. Colored bathroom sink vanities will cost more as will units that have delicate designs that are hand-painted.
A bathroom sink vanity can be made of the following materials:
o Vitreous China
o Ceramic
o Stainless Steel
o Porcelain
o Metals
o Culture Stone or Faux Stone
o Solid-Surface Materials
o Enameled Cast Iron or Steel
o Fiberglass and Acrylic Sinks
A bathroom sink vanity made of porcelain or vitreous china finish will be heavy, durable, imprevious to water and mildew, but it can chip if you drop a heavy object on it. Stainless steel and metal bathroom sink vanities are durable and easy to clean, but they tend to become scratched with daily use and show spots obtained from hard water and soap. Fiberglass, acrylic sinks, culture stone or marble can all be molded into very beautiful shapes, colors and patterns, but they are more susceptible to scratches and chipping than other bathroom sink vanity types.
Sinks for a bathroom vanity cabinet can be mounted on the countertop in several ways:
1. Self-Rimming or Surface-Mounted Sinks – the sink bowl gets dropped into a hole, but the hole is slightly smaller than the outside rim of the sink, forming a seal with the countertop surface.
2. Rimmed Sinks – the sink is dropped into a hole in the countertop, and the rim joins the sink and the countertop, forming a seal with a metal strip.
3. Undermounted Sinks – the rim is attached to the bottom of the countertop creating a very clean look to the vanity.
4. Integral Sinks – one piece sink and countertop unit made from the same material. The only disadvantage to this style is that if any part gets damaged, the entire unit needs to be replaced. These sinks are usually made of stone, faux stone or solid surface-type material.
A bathroom sink vanity cabinet provides countertop space, a place for the sink and faucets and storage below — these are called vanity-mounted sinks. You can also find pedestal sinks, wall hung sinks and freestanding sinks. Vanity mounted sinks are popular because they provide storage, a place for the sink and the most countertop space. Pedestal sinks use very little floor space, they can be placed in corners and they have a classic look, but they lack storage space. Wall hung sinks have the advantage of being easily installed at various elevations which accomodates children, short or tall adults.
Bathroom sink vanities provide a perfect place for shaving, washing, shampooing, brushing your teeth and personal grooming. Sizes of sinks vary from 12×20 inches to some that are as large as 33 inches in diameter, depending on the shape. If you and others in the household will be using the bathroom sink vanities considerably on a regular basis, consider the sizes and styles carefully before making your selection.
Whether upgrading an existing bathroom or planning a new one, the bathroom is a good home improvement investment. You and your family and guests will enjoy the bathrooms in your home every day. And should you ever sell your home, attractive and functional bathrooms will add value to the selling price. Before you buy, read as much as you can on choosing the bathroom sink vanity online or in stores that will be the best for you and your bathroom.
Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing
Arranging Bedroom Furniture
When it comes to your bedroom and arranging your bedroom furniture, there are a lot of things to think about; this is the room in which you will be spending a significant portion of your life, after all. Of course, the way you arrange your furniture can mean the difference not only in a good night’s sleep, but also in the functionality and style of your room.
Probably the first piece of furniture to consider is the bed, as it is the center piece of the room and most likely the largest piece of furniture in the room. The bed is your focal point. One way to start off rearranging your furniture is by measuring your room with a tape measure. Draw your room to scale on a piece of graphing paper. Don’t forget to measure the distance between windows, heaters and other similar objects. Next measure your furniture and create cut outs. Using these you can arrange and rearrange your furniture without having to actually touch anything. It also gives you good grip on the layout of your room; using a scale model allows you to see what works and what doesn’t.
When it comes to the bed, usually this is placed against the first wall you see when entering your bedroom. The headboard should face you, as this is the main focal point. There are other things to consider when placing your bed. The bed should be arranged in such a way that it doesn’t create any obstructions. If your room is on the smaller side, try pushing it against a wall to save space. Also, be sure not to block any doors; you don’t want to make it difficult to get to your clothes, for instance. While placing your bed near a window may sound romantic, it can actually end up being a bad idea. You’re likely to catch a cold from drafts, and the extra noise and light you’ll experience may disturb your sleep.
Be sure to avoid odd angles or spacing, especially if your bedroom is on the smaller side. Leave room on either side for a nightstand. Dressers and bureaus should be placed on an adjoining or opposite wall, so as not to add to much weight to one side of the room. Consider how much storage you need. If you have a closet, try to maximize that so as to avoid too much furniture clutter. You can place smaller chests or storage boxes at the foot of your bed. Also consider storing seasonal clothing under the bed.
If you do have a TV, think about where to place it without adding to the clutter. TV sets can take up a significant amount of room, unless you have flat screen, which can easily be hung on the wall opposite your bed. Otherwise try placing the TV at an angle, or if you have a large armoire, consider placing in there, so you can store it when it’s not in use.
If you do have extra room, you can add a nice, comfy chair or two, in a corner or near a window. Remember, when it comes to bedroom furniture, you have to make sure that you avoid clutter. Leave yourself some space to relax and put your things.
Rustic Bathroom Vanities
Bathroom fixtures designs have come a long way. From the elaborate Victorian to a much simple yet sophisticated contemporary look. Easy to say, over the years, we have seen bathroom fixtures design evolved by leaps and bounds. But in spite all the changes, there is one type of bathroom vanity design that remained popular and has withstood through time: the rustic bathroom vanity.
Commonly used as bathroom fixtures for log cabins and county homes, rustic vanities offer unique elegance and tranquil charm to the whole bathroom area. They come in different styles and design, which can be used to any type of bathroom design, be it antique or contemporary.
Choosing the right rustic vanity for your home is essential as it serves as the focal point of your bathroom. Select one according to the type of wood that is compatible to the bathroom theme, the design and decoration of the piece, size, the countertop and sink, finish, and price.
There are certain types of wood that can truly capture the rustic look of bathroom vanities. Such are mahogany, cherry, and oak. When coated properly with wood sealant, these types of wood can last for a very long time.
Finish is as important as the type of wood used for the rustic vanity. This is because it protects the wood from water damages and gives it the rustic appeal. Some vanities are hand painted with intricate designs, some are sanded for smoother finish; and some are just applied with wood sealant to achieve its most natural finish. Choose one that fits best to your bathroom design.
Rustic vanities are made from wood but the countertops and sink are made from a variety of materials. Porcelain, ceramic, glass, metal, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum are some of the material used for vanity sinks; granite, wood, and other natural stones for the vanity countertops. Again, no matter what types of materials are used for the vanity countertop and sink, your choice should fit best to your bathroom design.
Admit it, a rustic vanity will make your log cabin or country home bathroom look stunningly warn and inviting. A fusion of old and new that vanity offers adds to the comforts of your home.
Quick Bedroom Furniture Arrangement Tips
Here’re some quick bedroom furniture arrangement tips:
o Place the bed again at the centre of the wall facing the main door to the room. With this arrangement, the bed with the help of a headboard becomes the centre of attention as you enter the room.
o If the dimensions of the room prevent you from positioning your bed at the wall across from the door, other possible choices depend on which walls are long enough to accommodate the bed. Diagonal placement works well when there is more space.
o If your closet is large enough and you would like to free up floor space, put your chest of drawers inside your walk-in closet. This allows you to add additional pieces of furniture, such as a writing desk or a big screen tv.
o Consider a non-traditional furniture arrangement as this will free up space, or use available space in more interesting and innovative ways. For example, a bed placed in the centre of the room gives a dramatic effect.
I’d also like to suggest the placement of some essential bedroom furniture which I like to keep low to add dimensions of airiness, comfort and chic:
o Daybed – This can be constructed below the stretch of windows, making full use of the natural daylight streaming in. This allows you to read in a relaxed position or indulge in an afternoon siesta. Drawers can be built under the daybed as a smart storage solution.
o Dresser / Side Table – This can be linked to the daybed or connected to the bed. If you’re to position a tall mirror again the wall above the dresser, facing the bedroom door, the room will have further visual depth while creating a sense of openness. Make-up and jewellery can be stowed away in storage units under the dresser.
o Bed – The bed can be place on a built-in platform and kept low, in synch with the rest of the room. The headboard is positioned against the wall facing the door, making the bed the focal point of the bedroom. Wallpaper can be applied to this wall for added feature.
o Wardrobe – This can be a floor-to-ceiling design with sliding doors. That way, you have an easy, space-saving approach. Rather than use solid wall-to-wall door panels which can be overwhelming, semi-translucent and reflective ones are suggested.
o Entertainment devices – They can be wall mounted facing the bed.