Bathrooms without a bathroom vanity are missing an important functional and design element. Most homeowners today recognize the benefits a well-designed vanity with the appropriate countertops.
However, few give it as much consideration as they should. Designing the ideal bathroom countertops require some careful planning and decision-making. Here is the process you should follow to get the best bathroom countertops for your needs and lifestyle.
Choose a layout
The first thing you have to decide is where you want to put your bathroom countertops, and how big it will be. Most people place their bathroom countertops directly opposite the door, which makes sense, as this is where you put the sink. It also keeps the toilet mostly out of sight, which most people prefer in the name of decorum.
However, some bathroom may be too small to allow that, so putting it in the corner might be more space efficient. In either case, you bathroom countertops should be as large as you can manage without crowding.
A galley layout might allow two sinks side-by-side, or separate washing and seating spaces for the bathroom lingerer. On the other hand, smaller bathroom countertops with a tall cabinet on one or b both sides for storage would be more space efficient. A good compromise is an L-shaped vanity, which is most appropriate in bigger bathrooms. You can have a large vanity with arm and leg room and ample storage space without taking up too much real estate.
The location, layout, and size of your bathroom countertops will ultimately depend on how you use it. Think about what you like to do in the bathroom and decide accordingly.
Decide on the sink quantity
Your bathroom countertops will provide the support for your sink. The question is, how many sinks do you want? Most people would prefer two sinks if they can manage it, but this will depend on the available space. Your bathroom countertops need to be more than 60 inches wide if you want more than one sink.
If you have single sink, you can choose to put it on the sides or the center. You can also choose to put in drawers or cabinet doors. Even if you have more than 60 inches wide of countertops, you can still stick to one sink and use the rest of the space for other things.
Choose the design
After you have deiced on the location, size, and number of sinks, you now have to choose the design of the vanity. Of course, this should reflect the overall look and style of the bathroom although you do have a little wiggle room. For example, if you have a modern bathroom, you can strike a whimsical note with an unexpectedly traditional vanity. It is all in the execution and transition.
The factors you have to consider include:
- Treatment (paint, stain, veneer)
- Color
- Door style (if choosing a cabinet base)
- Accessories (drawers, pullouts, etc.)
- Floating, fixed or freestanding
- Closed or open shelving
Choosing the countertop material
Now that you have chosen the type of vanity you want, you need to choose the material for the countertops. Of course, you can skip this if you choose just a sink with no vanity, but unless you have space limits, you should not do that. No bathroom is completely functional without a vanity.
Assuming you do have a vanity, you will need countertops.
The top contenders for most homes are:
- Quartz
- Granite
- Marble
- Laminate
- Ceramic
- Solid surface
Some people would include wood and concrete, but these perform particularly poorly in bathrooms, so we will not be including them. You want bathroom countertops that will last for a long time and be unaffected by conditions of high moisture and humidity. You also want materials that are gorgeous and unique. For that, your best bets are quartz, granite, and marble.
Choose the sink
If you have been paying attention to the trends, you should know that they are many more options today for sinks than the standard white porcelain ones. They come in many colors, materials, and shapes. Some are even integrated into the countertops, so that is an interesting one.
In most cases, you will want an undermount sink with stone countertops for the seamless look, unless you are choosing a vessel sink. If you do choose a undermount sink, make sure you have a pro install it for you to avoid nasty accidents in the future from insufficient support.
This will not be a problem with vessel sinks, as long as you have a pro do the cutouts for you, especially if you have granite or quartz countertops. The problem with vessel sinks is they tend to get messy, but they look very attractive, so the extra work is worth it. They might not be the best choice for bathrooms used by children, however.
Choose your fixtures
Finally, you need to choose the fixtures that will tie in all the elements of your bathroom countertops together. The breadth of choices available for faucets, lights, and cabinet hardware is amazing.
- When choosing your fixtures, the basic options revolve around the following:
- Lights (sconce, wall, recessed, pendant, and so on)
- Mirrors (built-in, decorative, smart, and so on)
- Cabinet pulls and knobs
- Faucet style (modern, functional, simple, decorative, and so on)
- General finish (matte, brushed, polished, and so on)
Conclusion
It might seem silly to get so worked up about your bathroom countertops, but they do make the room. Follow the process described here for designing the ideal bathroom countertops and will be fine.
You can also consult with a countertop specialist for some design ideas. KNC Granite has a large array of granite and marble slabs for your bathroom countertops. You can check actual slabs at our showroom in Lanham, Maryland. We service Washington DC, many areas in Maryland (Baltimore, Annapolis, Bethesda, Rockville) and Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington).
If you prefer quartz countertops, we can also help. We carry some of the top brands of engineered stone, including Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone, and MSI, all of which come with manufacturer warranties.
However, we do not only supply top quality natural and engineered stones. We are experts at fabricating and installing bathroom countertops. We also specialize in bathroom upgrade and kitchen remodeling projects, delivering on time and on budget.
Give us a call or email us for your free in-home consultation and quote for your bathroom countertops!