The bathroom is a personal sanctuary. Whether we’re talking master suite or powder room, the bath is a great place to reflect your unique style. The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but I’d argue that the bathroom is the most frequently used space. You can eat out or order in, neglecting your kitchen for days on end. But you’re going to visit your bathroom every day. The bathroom, perhaps more than any other room in the home, is the ideal spot for homeowners to put their personal spin on its décor.
Bathroom cabinets have traditionally taken a back seat to kitchen cabinets, with homeowners putting more emphasis on spa-like features such as steam showers and whirlpool tubs. But bathroom cabinets can transform or set the tone for the entire bathroom, serving as a design cornerstone and creating a lasting impression. When designing a bath, encourage your clients to think outside the box — standard box of bulky bathroom cabinets that is — and create a place where they can unplug from the world and turn off the ringer. (Unless they’ve got to have that charging station within arms reach at all times. Or the TV/radio. Or even computer or iPad! But that’s another topic for another day.)
There are a lot of new bath vanity options available today. A quick search on sites such as ModernBathroom.com or DecorPlanet.com will bring up a multitude of bath cabinet designs, from antique and traditional to transitional and modern. There’s no shortage of choices, no matter what your preferred style.
Whether the goal is to provide big space for storage or create a clean, modern aesthetic, there are innumerable ways to design cabinets in the bathroom that break the typical boring vanity mold. Some things to consider…
• Open storage, such as floating shelves, can create the illusion of space, making a bathroom feel larger than it really is.
• Glass front cabinets, especially paired with mouldings or detailed toe-kicks, add a furniture feel to bath cabinets.
• Repurpose an item you love, such as an old fence or antique table, into a one-of-a-kind vanity stand.
• Floating vanities create a minimalist aesthetic while offering ample storage. A good example is the BLOX™ collection by XYLEM (
http://www.xylem.biz/bathroom-furniture-vanities/blox-1.html ). Steel mounting frames hold cabinets to the wall, creating a unique floating illusion. Frosted glass doors add a lightness that further dissipates any feeling of “bulk.”
• Dark cabinetry paired with white or light walls and accents add a genuine sense of drama.
• Full-height built-in linen cabinets offer maximum storage space. A fully enclosed freestanding cabinet can add visual weight to the interior and make a bathroom feel small. But a unit with mainly open shelving, or glass or frosted doors, can be a functionally attractive storage solution.
• In a bathroom where the sink and counter run into an end wall, take advantage of the wall space above the counter. It’s a great place for shelves or built-ins.
• Create bathroom storage space using standout pieces of furniture instead of cabinets. Smaller pieces with bun feet or raised panels add character, turning an ordinary bathroom into a relaxing retreat.
When it comes to modern style in the bath, one interesting trend highlights a focus on architecture. Pieces such as those from The CG Collection (
www.thecgcollection.com) , from known designer and president/founder of Arch-Interiors Design Group, Inc., were inspired by Manhattan skyscrapers and use atypical elements and details to evoke striking modern style. The GREENWICH vanity, for example, includes a two-toned finish and dark-stained trusses, which support a floating glass countertop. The combination of trusses and glass creates a dynamic floating effect that’s uncommon with standard (boring!) bathroom cabinetry.
In addition to cabinet style, accessories can take cabinet design a long, long way. Here are some things to consider…
• Lazy Susans are commonly found in the kitchen, but they can be a great addition to the bath too. A corner Susan maximizes design flexibility and optimizes organization.
• The appliance garage can hold more than your mixer. An appropriately placed appliance garage can be a suitable home for hairdryers, curling irons, electric toothbrushes and more.
Any way you slice it, time spent in the bathroom is a very individualized thing. So take plenty of time to discuss how the room is used before deciding on the best configuration, materials, style and accessories.
What unique bathroom designs have you created? We’d love to see! Email: holly.berecz@me.com