Modern bathroom renovations emphasize spaciousness, clean lines, and efficiency, leading to a rise in various design trends. Among these trends is the floating vanity which is a bathroom cabinet mounted to the wall without extending to the floor, maximizing floor space. This wall-mounted vanity is a great choice for homeowners who value minimalism but still want a functional bathroom. If you are undecided whether a floating vanity is the right choice for your bathroom remodel or not, we have put together all the information you need to help you make this important decision.
Pros of Choosing a Floating Vanity
Floating vanities come with several benefits that make them the perfect choice for modern bathrooms. If you’re considering installing this feature in your bathroom, here are some benefits you can expect:
Aesthetic Appeal
Installing a floating vanity in your bathroom is one of the easiest ways to achieve a contemporary look. They come in a variety of materials with different embellishments that make it easier to achieve your preferred theme. For your remodel project, you can choose any of the popular options like a white floating vanity if you want a timeless look or one that comes with integrated sinks to improve your cleaning routine.
Perception of Spaciousness
One of the most obvious benefits of floating vanities is their ability to create the perception of a larger space. Installing them in small bathrooms makes the room feel larger by opening up the floor space. This also allows you to showcase your beautiful flooring underneath the vanity. Depending on the size of your bathroom, you can get vanities that are 24 inches for smaller bathrooms to 72 inches for larger ones.
Ease of Cleaning
Because a floating vanity unit is mounted on a wall, it provides floor clearance that simplifies cleaning. With this vanity, you won’t have hard-to-reach areas accumulating dirt like it happens with regular vanities. This makes them a good pick for high-traffic bathrooms that require regular cleaning.
Accessibility
Besides providing room for cleaning, the space beneath a floating vanity improves accessibility for users with mobility needs. People who use wheelchairs and walkers get more room beneath the vanity to maneuver, particularly in smaller bathrooms. This space can also be used to temporarily keep cleaning tools to make them easily accessible. In addition, you can use the space under the vanity to keep stools for children to step on and reach the sink area any time they need to.
Cons of Choosing Floating Vanities
While floating vanities come with numerous benefits, they also have their share of potential cons to consider before investing in them.
Limited Storage Space
Compared to traditional vanity models that have plenty of storage space, floating vanities lack deep storage. This is because the base cabinet is often missing, limiting the number of items you can keep in it. In some instances where simpler vanities are installed, storage may be lacking completely as it’s just the countertop and a sink. One way to create more storage space in floating vanities is to choose a double vanity with two or more storage compartments or to invest in vessel sinks that don’t recess into the countertop.
Complex Installation Requirements
To install a floating vanity, you need reinforced walls and proper wall blocking to avoid instances of the wall sagging or the vanity detaching over time. If your bathroom walls are not strong enough, you need an expert contractor to assess their condition and make sure that your vanity is correctly installed.
Exposed Plumbing
Depending on the size and design of the vanity, your installation may leave the plumbing system exposed, which may not look aesthetically appealing. For the best results, you need to involve a professional to mount the vanity in such a way that it conceals the pipes. Depending on what you need, the contractor may need to reposition the plumbing structure into the wall or use pipe covers to conceal them.
Material Durability
Often, materials like MDF (medium-density fiberboard) are used to make vanities because they are affordable. The problem with such materials is that prolonged exposure to moisture makes them susceptible to water damage. With poor installation, you can expect to deal with issues like warping and swelling of the materials, which significantly reduce the vanity’s lifespan. To prevent these issues, consider investing in better-quality materials like solid wood or marble ,which withstand moisture better.
Key Considerations When Selecting a Floating Vanity
Choosing a floating vanity for your bathroom requires careful consideration of the following factors:
Bathroom Size and Layout
To choose a fitting vanity, start by accurately measuring the size of your bathroom. Take note of the length and height of the walls, especially on the wall with the plumbing fixtures if you want your vanity to have a sink. If you don’t plan on customizing a vanity for your bathroom, you may want to consider standard sizes. For a small bathroom, a 30-inch floating vanity may be the right size. Medium-sized bathrooms function well with 48-inch floating vanities while 72-inch floating bathroom vanities are a great choice for larger bathrooms.
Style and Finish
Another important factor to consider before choosing a floating vanity for your bathroom renovation is the style and finish you want to achieve. For instance, going for a white floating vanity for a clean minimalist look. A black floating vanity is great if you want to contrast it with lighter colors on the walls. Wood vanities give a warm and rustic feel for traditional bathroom designs.
Countertop and Sink Options
For a complete vanity set, you need sink and countertop materials that complement its style. Some of the popular materials used as vanity tops are marble, quartz, concrete, and engineered stone. When it comes to giving your bathroom a luxurious touch, marble tends to be the superior choice, while quartz is suitable for a durable and low-maintenance bathroom. Concrete gives your bathroom space an industrial look and may be suitable for public bathrooms while engineered stone is great to save on costs.
When it comes to choosing sinks for your floating vanity, you have two options: integrated sinks and vessel sinks. An integrated sink is recessed into the vanity’s counter and is a good option if storage is not your priority. A vessel sink is installed on top of the counter, leaving you more storage space within the vanity.
Storage Needs
Before picking a floating vanity, you should assess your storage needs to choose one with the storage configurations that fit your needs. You have three options at this stage: open shelving, drawers, and cabinets. Open shelving storage is what to go for if you want shelves to display decorative accessories or store items that you frequently use. Drawers are a great choice for concealing and organizing items while cabinets provide better storage for larger items and keep clutter out of sight. If none of the options above fit your needs, go for custom storage solutions like pull-out organizers or additional shelving.
Conclusion
Floating vanities come highly recommended for modern bathroom designs as they make a bathroom both functional and stylish. They are a great choice if you want to improve the aesthetics, accessibility, and contemporary design features of your bathroom. But as we shared above, they also have disadvantages you should know before undertaking a renovation project. Before you make a final decision, reach out to a professional to get advice on the best materials and design options. Careful planning and professional advice will help you get a floating vanity that looks great and functions seamlessly. Contact XXXX for the best guidance on renovating your bathroom.