Your Bathroom Vanity

Your Bathroom Vanity Can Be the Finishing Touch on a "Bigger" Bathroom
Bathrooms, by today’s ample avant-garde standards, are the new retreat for the busy American--and like many luxury American retreats—our bathrooms need to be large, spacious, copious and well….downright big enough to think straight in the midst of our hectic lives!

The dilemma, as I’m sure you’ve mentally identified it already, is that most normal Americans don’t have the $10,000-$15,000 it would take to knock down the walls of their current bathrooms and rebuild the bathroom Shangri-la of their dreams. That doesn’t mean however that you should settle for less harmony or cheerful chi in the midst of your own little powder room. No sir (or maam). You should in fact demand more balance, beauty and amplification in the room that you will most likely brush your teeth in for many years to come.

Try these simple amplification tips:

Your Bathroom Vanity: A Great Tip but Don’t Start with It!
You have probably heard that mirrors are the design element that can truly make a room appear larger, better, brighter, etc. This tip has indeed become a décor axiom, but it isn’t likely that hanging your bathroom vanity mirror will change the entire look and feel of your bathroom. You will have to start a little deeper and do more before you you’re your bathroom vanity mirror. So, start with paint!

Before the Bathroom Vanity: Step #1
When you want to amplify the look of your bathroom invest $15.00-$45.00 in paint and change your bathroom’s entire atmosphere! Simple paint pigments with cool colors like blues and greens (in very light shades) can make your bathroom seem noticeably larger. The amount of shinyness in your paint too can make a difference. A semi-painted, semi-mirrored effect can be created with a "a semi-glass sheen," recommended by an reputable online source.1 Later, when you place your bathroom vanity mirror on your newly painted (and slightly shimmery) wall you might find that you really enjoy the effect of the bathroom vanity mirror that reflects a glossy painted finish.

Before the Bathroom Vanity: Step #2
This step can actually be combined with step #1 since it also deals with the type of paint you are using in your bathroom. For instance, if you decide to use a light cool green color in your bathroom, use similar shades (either slightly lighter or slightly darker) for the trimming (slightly darker is better for the trimming), for the towels, for any chairs or additional items in your bathroom. Remember to use shades that are so similar to the original wall colors that the contrast is very slight. This type of coloring is monochromatic and can create a very unified, lambent and classy atmosphere.

Before the Bathroom Vanity : Step #3
If you like the idea of trim but have been drawn into a rumor that trim in the bathroom is a faux paux, then think again! Trim can be a great idea especially if you install a crowning trim that is a slightly darker shade of color than the wall pigments.
Before the Bathroom Vanity: Step #4
According to another online source "The floor and the ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls of every room,"2 which means that you also need to carefully consider the future color shades of your floor and ceiling. Your floor may be the most expensive part of your remodeling process but if you can afford a light wood color that fits well with your color scheme it can make a big difference.

Before the Bathroom Vanity: Step #5
Glass objects or clear objects in your bathroom can also amplify the visual sense of increased space. For instance, you may not quite have the avant-garde taste that it takes to appreciate a glass sink or bathtub, but by all means, consider a glass shower door, a glass toothbrush holder, a glass soap case or even a glass mini table or glass countertop. The effect can be dazzling when done right. If you want additional suggestions, talk to an interior decorator in your neighborhood or speak to a lighting professional at a lighting store for more ideas. They might even be able to help you find décor items that you would be interested in for your own bathroom.

Before the Bathroom Vanity: Step #6
This step is by all means optional especially since it requires more of that green capital that is often hard to come by! However, if you have a little extra cash saved up then consider getting an extra window or two. This of course will greatly amplify the natural light in your bathroom and increase your own ability to "transfer yourself" out of doors while still remaining in your bathroom.

Last but Not Least: The Bathroom Vanity
When you are finally ready to hang your bathroom vanity mirror, experiment with different sizes and don’t be afraid to experiment with "odd" shapes or placements. Sometimes a bathroom vanity mirror that is very large (almost the size of one wall) can have an amazing effect or placing another mirror in the bathroom (in addition to the bathroom vanity mirror so that it will reflect a favorite plant or a window scene can create a unique and natural décor that your friends can ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at.

Changing your bathroom can truly change your life!

1http://www.improvingyourworld.com/home/how_to_paint_to_make_a_room_look_larger_001064.html
2 http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=HomeDecor/SmallRoomLarger.html

Marci Crane is a web content specialist for Innuity. For more information in regards to finding the right bathroom vanity for your powder room, please feel free to contact Lighting Design.