By itself a bathroom vanity might be considered a drab piece of bathroom furniture. But it doesn’t have to be viewed that way. For some people the vanity is the starting point in decorating and designing a new bathroom layout. Where would you ideally locate your bathroom sink and mirror? Since the vanity is part of the sink where you put that will help determine where everything else in the bathroom fits. Moving your vanity to a different location may or may not require a complete overhaul of your plumbing.

Corner vanities are great options for people with small bathrooms that have very little room. If storage is a problem you can put some of your typical bathroom items in a hallway cabinet or closet. Get creative with storage as well as design and layout.

If you’re budget conscious then comparison shopping for the best deals on bathroom fixtures is critical. But don’t just focus on price. Also consider quality, salesmanship and customer service should a future problem occur. Most research should begin online, but don’t forget about your local home improvement stores and lumberyards. The large retail outlets are good for mainstream items, but if you’re looking for something unique you’ll want to speak to a custom installer or a more local shop as they can often get the custom pieces that you may need. This is especially important if your bathroom is an odd size or shape and you really need to maximize the space in unusual ways.

Bathroom vanities come in every style imaginable, including modern, victorian, classic, retro, contemporary and more. They can be made of wood, metal, ceramic and many other materials. Don’t forget about the countertop. Your choice for this could be marble or a nice limestone depending on your decor plans. Custom vanities and tops can take 10-12 weeks to be finished and shipped, while stock materials can usually be picked up immediately.

If you’re looking for a creative outlet look at various vanity pictures online and imagine what your bathroom would look like designed around each style. You’ll quickly be able to decide what your perfect vanity should look like.