7 Things To Consider Before Purchasing Your Next Vanity Cabinet
If you’re remodeling your bathroom, one of the most important decisions is purchasing your next vanity cabinet. Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors to consider, which can make it so challenging to pick the right one for your bathroom.
I have some pretty strong opinions about buying bath vanity cabinets; after all, I’ve been buying them for over 20 years! I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. However, I want to teach you the things you need to be aware of when you purchase a new vanity for a remodel or if you are building a new house. In this article, I’ll cover seven things to consider before purchasing your next vanity cabinet.
Where Do I Buy A New Vanity?
Where do you go to buy a new vanity? There are a few options, and of course, I’m here to persuade you to head in a direction that most homeowners don’t think of!
- Online (Wayfair, Build, and Houz are popular)
- Big-box stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, or Menards
- A local cabinet maker
Local Cabinet Maker
The best advice is to always start with a local cabinet maker when purchasing your next vanity cabinet. Almost all cabinet makers offer lines of cabinets that they refer to as “semi-custom.” Semi-custom means that they are box cabinets which are cabinets that are made in a large factory not specifically for your home.
However, they are made to standard sizes and will work in almost any bathroom using a filler or two. They are not highly customizable, but they are often 1/3 the cost of custom cabinetry and, in my opinion, perfectly serviceable. I have box cabinets in all of our bathrooms except our powder room.
How To Find A Local Cabinet Maker
To find a local cabinet maker, try some google searches like “cabinet maker near me” (or in the closest large town to you). For example, we live in Shelbyville, KY, which is very near Louisville, KY. If I google “cabinet maker near me,” I don’t get much. But if I google cabinet maker in Louisville, KY, I get a lot more.
Before you schedule an appointment with a local cabinet maker, ask them on the phone if they carry box cabinet lines. Then, when you meet with them, share your budget for your vanity cabinet upfront. It saves time and helps them help you faster.
Online Buying Options
When buying online from places like Wayfair or Build.com, I like the fact that most of the time, they come with a marble or granite top and sometimes even a matching framed mirror. However, damage from shipping is a considerable concern. I’ve heard of people getting vanities shipped two or three times because of damage. My biggest problem with these vanities is that they cannot be installed flush to the wall, which leaves a 2-3″ gap between the end of the vanity and the wall. That gap will be impossible to clean or paint, and that is just unacceptable to me.
Big-box Stores
If I had a super tight budget, I would consider purchasing the bare wood cabinets off the shelf from Lowes, Home Depot, or Menards and painting them. However, I would not recommend ordering cabinets through a big box store.
If you need to rely on their knowledge, you would want to work with people who only deal with cabinets every day. They are going to have so much more knowledge and be much more helpful. However, if I got pressed, I would order a vanity cabinet through a Lowes type store over buying a vanity online, leaving a gap next to the wall. I’m very opposed to leaving that gap! It will get nasty!!
7 Things To Look For When Buying Cabinets
There are many choices when it comes to buying cabinets. Most of the time, homeowners never know there are so many choices. But, with just a little education, they could understand what they are getting and why which will cut down on misunderstandings and disappointment down the road. Here are seven things you’ll want to look for when buying cabinets:
1. Go With 36″
Sometimes people choose a lower height for children. However, it’s important to remember that those children will grow up so quickly, so it’s best to go with the taller option.
2. Overlay Options
Ask the salesperson to show you different overlay options. There are three types: standard overlay, full overlay, and inset.
Standard Overlay:
These vanity doors, purchased from Echelon Cabinets, are called “standard overlay.” Between the doors, you can see the frame of the cabinet. They are a few years old now, but the closest door style they currently carry is Cheswich, painted alpine white. This is a 60″ vanity and costs around $525 without the top, the knobs on the drawers and doors, or installation.
Full Overlay:
This is an example of a full overlay door and drawer. See how the door and drawer are a little larger, so they cover up the cabinet frame?
Inset:
This is an example of an inset cabinet from Omega Cabinets. The drawer and door face sit inside the cabinet frame. This is a pretty expensive upgrade, and most box cabinet companies do not offer them.
3. Cabinet Finish
You’ll need to choose if you want to paint or stain your cabinet. If you go with paint, your color choices will be limited with box cabinets. Stains will be the same; you’ll have a few options based on the wood type.
4. Wood Type
There are a few different wood types to choose from for your cabinets. Birch is the most cost-friendly, with maple (maple paints beautifully) and oak close behind. Cherry and Alder are the most expensive in my area.
5. Door & Drawer Style
The super clean shaker type is popular and reasonably priced when it comes to doors for your cabinet. The least expensive will be a flat panel door with a thin rail and style and a small panel molding. For drawers, you have the choice between a slab front and a panel front to match your doors.
6. Construction
For the least expensive option, you’ll want to choose pressed wood with a photo finish on the sides and interior. I usually prefer to upgrade a vanity to plywood ends and bottom due to the high likelihood of water damage. Please, please, please request the salesperson to quote you the option to upgrade to all wood. I’ve often been amazed at how little extra it costs to get plywood construction versus pressed or partial board cabinetry!!
7. Amenities
Amenities may include options such as soft-close on doors and drawers. Having a pull-out is excellent for trash or hampers if your vanity is large enough. If you’re looking for a custom look for your vanity, purchasing furniture feet is a great option. Be sure to ask your salesperson about these and other amenities they may offer. Know what your options are so you can get what you want in your home.
Conclusion: Choosing The Bath Vanity Of Your Dreams
There are many different options when looking into purchasing your next vanity cabinet, but with so many choices, it can be hard to decide what you want. Make sure that your purchase is worth every penny by asking questions and understanding exactly how each product works before buying your next bath vanity.
If the idea of picking out the vanity of your dreams still seems overwhelming and you don’t know where to start, join my e-mail list below or sign up for a remodel coaching session.