The Importance of Vanities and Fixtures in a Bathroom Remodel

Remodeling a bathroom is a big undertaking, with many decisions to be made about every aspect of the remodel - from the overall design to colors, layout, lighting, and bathtubs. Many homeowners needing bathroom or kitchen remodeling in Livonia hire experts to help with all these decisions and to guarantee these projects get completed the right way.While there are many things to decide during a remodel, homeowners should pay special attention to how important two categories of bathroom accessories are to a polished look: vanities and new fixtures.Vanities for Every Bathroom RemodelVanities bring function and form to a bathroom. They should be chosen both for their functionality and for how well they fit within the style of design chosen for the bathroom remodel.  In looking at examples of remodeled bathrooms for inspiration, some homeowners fall in love with a particular vanity and even decide to base their whole bathroom design around this piece of furniture.Vanities do much more than just house the sink. They provide countertop space, storage, and a way to hide the plumbing (unless exposed plumbing is the preferred “look,” in which case, there are vanities for that).  They often become the focal point of a bathroom, acting as the unifying design piece for the whole room.Contemporary, Modern, and Antique VanitiesThe most successful remodeled bathrooms start with a plan - a purpose for the design and function of the room. This often includes functional updates, such as a nicer bathtub, improved counter space, more storage, and better lighting. It also will likely include design updates as well since homeowners may want to modernize an older bathroom to a more contemporary look -- for which a modern marble, wood, or vessel sink vanity may be perfect -- or perhaps emphasizing and unifying an antique look throughout the whole room. In this case, a Victorian-style vanity would be an eye-catching addition.There are beautiful vanities available in every style including modern, contemporary, antique, and transitional. The key is blending style with other needs. Should the vanity have one sink or two? Is countertop space a primary concern, or is the bold look of a vessel sink (with little or no counter) preferred?When contemplating bathroom and kitchen remodeling, Livonia homeowners should find a reputable remodeling firm that offers a large selection of vanities and other bathroom furniture, plus the craftsmanship and skill to install it all.Fixtures Add FinesseJust as vanities can help create a unified design in remodeled bathrooms, brand new fixtures like the sink, toilet, shower and/or tub can make a big difference. The importance of quality fixtures cannot be overstated, both for their impact on design and for how they improve efficiency, quality of life, and even safety. Plumbing and fixtures are a key design element of any bathroom or kitchen remodeling in a Livonia home.Perhaps the bathroom’s current fixtures are old or just aren’t performing right. The toilet runs once an hour, the showerhead is sputtering instead of flowing, or maybe the sink’s stopper is so rusted that it sticks as it moves up and down, flaking rust everywhere. Fixtures like these are overdue for an overhaul.Homeowners have a number of features to consider as they weigh their options for new fixtures: color and finish, functionality, and innovation.Color and FinishA homeowner should consider the overall look of the rest of the bathroom when making decisions about the color of the new fixtures. Faucets are available in chrome, gold, brass and nickel, and the color chosen should complement the other design elements in the room.  An effort should be made to match the finish of the fixtures to other pieces in the bathroom, such as towel bars and the hardware (drawer pulls and knobs or handles) on the vanity or cabinetry.  However, mixed metal is a growing trend and is perfectly acceptable to add an eclectic vibe to the room!Fixture FunctionalityThe bathroom sink is likely the most-used fixture in the bathroom. The toilet or tub may not be used with every bathroom visit, but surely the sink is used constantly throughout the day, for hand-washing, face-washing, and teeth-brushing. Function is extraordinarily important to consider.A homeowner with a bad back or other disabilities may have trouble bending low to wash their face or hands, so they should choose a taller faucet to facilitate less bending. A homeowner with arthritis may have trouble gripping and turning faucet knobs and would do much better with a single-handle faucet.Similarly, a hand-held shower is invaluable for rinsing small children’s hair or for an elderly person who needs to sit during their shower to properly reach and clean all areas of their body and hair. If luxury is the goal, homeowners should install shower fixtures that recreate the feeling of a rainshower or offer multiple body-sprayer water jets from the walls.The functionality of a toilet is much simpler, but there are still choices to consider. Homeowners should think about round versus oval seats, taller toilets (best for adults and the elderly) versus shorter/standard toilets (easier for children to reach and use), and standard versus low-flow toilets for water conservation.Innovations in Bathroom FixturesA look at trends in remodeled bathrooms offers a number of new fixture innovations worth considering. Some of the most important safety features to be released recently are temperature guards. Faucets can be installed with anti-scalding guards, or digital displays with LED color indicators, which are especially helpful for children to gauge the temperature of the bath or shower before they get in.Other innovations include freestanding, extra-deep bathtubs with a tub-filler and hand sprayer, glass sinks, and spot-resistant faucet finishes in brushed nickel or stainless steel that prevent spots and fingerprints. Another especially useful fixture innovation is Kohler’s nightlight toilet seat which features soft blue LED lights to assist children or seniors (or anyone) in need of a middle-of-the-night bathroom trip.Professional Remodeling HelpFor homeowners looking to do bathroom or kitchen remodeling in Livonia, finding a reputable remodeling firm is the best way to gather ideas and make decisions about design, vanities, and the most state-of-the-art fixtures available. Experts have all the technical know-how and craftsmanship to complete the remodel efficiently and with the least amount of disruption to daily life.