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Does your powder room vanity match your kitchen cabs?

13 years ago

I have one of those very narrow powder rooms:

From 2012-02-02
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and although the hallway is labeled "Back Hall", it's our primary entrance because of the way the house is situated. I'm trying to figure out what to do for a vanity in the powder room. The KD wanted to just put a regular vanity (of same cabinet style as kitchen) in, but I thought it would look too bathroom-y. I did like that they were of similar style, though, just not the whole wall to wall, toe kick style.

I like the renovation hardware Cartwright vanity:

From 2012-01-14

But don't know what size would work best. It comes both in 32" wide and 27" wide. My width is around 35"

My kitchen cabinets are shaker style (house was built in 1939 and we're trying to maintain the character) will be white with a black island. Either carrara or statuaro marble counters. I thought a black vanity might be a better idea, but haven't seen one I liked. I can have the KD put tapered legs on a vanity, but don't know how wide it should be?

I didn't want to go with a pedstal because of the lack of storage space in the room.

Any ideas or pictures of yours?

Thanks.

Comments (13)

  • 13 years ago

    Unfortunately, yes, mine do - 1985 oak. :P

  • 13 years ago

    My next remodel project is going to be my bathroom, just off of my kitchen that I completed this fall. I intend to have the styles similar. Cabinets are not going to "match" because my BR will be painted surfaces, my kitchen is cherry. I do intend to have them look like the same maker made them though. My house is a tiny Sears kit house I've been told, from the 20's. I am trying to honor that era's history and the history of this particular house in my reno.

    Take a look at the link I've added for info on layout suggestions. This site has a BUNCH of other good info too.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Illustrated Rules of Good Bathroom Design

  • 13 years ago

    I personally think there is no reason the adjacent powder room cabinetry needs to match the kitchen. I think it would be better if they don't clash, but there is no reason they must match exactly. From what you describe, the RH Cartwright vanity should coordinate nicely. I think a black vanity would look nice as well. I personally prefer furniture style vanities (with legs like the Cartwright) and have a RH Hutton vanity in my main/guest bathroom. You might look into a custom vanity if you can't find one you love.

    I also have to admit that I've violated some of the "rules of bathroom design" from the link enduring posted. And my original house layout violates others. I put my Hutton vanity almost right up against the wall. I also installed my pedestal sink about 1" away from a wall. Cleaning would be easier if there was 4" on the side of both, but I honestly would rather have the vanity I wanted and occasionally get down on the floor to clean. But, that's certainly a personal preference. You should do what works for you. I would be comfortable going with a 32", but if you're not, then a 27" should be plenty for a powder room and would make cleaning easier.

  • 13 years ago

    I'm not sure if you are including the base boards in your measurements - make sure you don't forget them. If your width is 35" from wall to wall, you may only have 33 1/4" or so from base to base.

  • 13 years ago

    No, I don't think it has to match exactly with the kitchen. We just completed our kitchen remodel and went round and round over what to do in adjacent PR which is only 41/2 X 4....finally decided that since there was enough leftover granite from kitchen we would go ahead and do a vanity to match kitchen cabs...liked the idea of a pedestal as well to open it up visually. Have not heard back from cabinet guy about cost of floating vanity, so may end up with pedestal anyway. I like both looks and can live with either one. I think matching or not both work well.

  • 13 years ago

    No it doesn't have to match the kitchen. Our powder room is identical to yours. Like you, we didn't want it to look too bathroomy either. While the standalone vanities were really nice, our designer pointed out that it would be difficult to get between the vanity and the wall to clean since the space is so narrow. We opted instead to use a wall to wall vanity with a decorative, yet definitely useable/functional vessel sink as the non-bathroomy component. We also had the front of the vanity made a little different--the doors go all the way up--there is not a flat piece just under the countertop then the cabinets.

    From the layout drawing, I'm guessing this is new construction vs. remodel. I would recommend reversing the sink & toilet placement. Ours was planned like yours & I kept saying to DH that I didn't want to walk in the door from the garage and see the toilet. DH blew me off, but then when the we met with the plumber, he pointed that out as well & I could've hugged him! So it's now reversed & I see my pretty sink everytime I come in our back hall from the garage. Hope this helps! Here are some pics of our powder room vanity--the first shot is the view when coming into the back hall...

  • 13 years ago

    Nope. We needed a 24" piece. We did choose a pretty pedestal. But I'm in the camp that the powder room doesn't need loads of extra storage. I'll keep out the towels, hand soap and a roll of tp on the holder. I plan to have a cute basket for extra tp. Other than that, powder rooms don't need much that can't be kept in the linen closet or pantry.

    I liked the RH and PB vanities as well but found them greatly overpriced. It may be worth seeing what you can get from a plumbing supply place. We got a great piece for our guest bathroom that's much less. I think Kohler makes it. I looked online and our local place beat online places by quite a bit.

  • 13 years ago

    I actually would prefer a bathroom not evoke the kitchen, and vice versa. Going black should avoid that quite simply though, even if you did use the same cabinet line.

    BTW, I agree that minimal storage is needed there. I actually preferred in our own to not create the sort of unpleasant area under-sink storage so often becomes.

  • 13 years ago

    My PR looks nothing like my kitchen! My kitchen white painted maple cabinets. My PR has a furniture-type vanity with a polished black granite top (don't know why it looks speckled in the photo...it is just plain black. There is enough room on the sides and underneath it to get a swiffer in there. I am also glad that my toilet is to the right of the door so that the toilet doesn't show if the door is open!

  • 13 years ago

    Thank you all for your suggestions and pictures.

    billl - good point about the dust collecting strips - I agree either against the wall or room for cleaning between.

    enduring - thanks for the link, although I think my architects violated most of the suggestions - they seem to be more form over function - but it's only the powder room - our bathrooms were designed and built in 1939 - so of course they violate most of the suggestions too. Good luck with your reno

    pricklypearcactus - I'm meeting with the GC and finish carpenter to discuss a built-in. I was thinking if it had 3 drawers and feet instead of the standard cabinet doors, it would look more like furniture even if it is built in. In the case that I go with RH - how do you like the quality?

    kfhl - thank you so much for pointing out the baseboard issue. I completely forgot that.

    mydreamhome - it's a renovation, but we're bumping into what was our original attached garage. Unfortunately the plumbing is already installed. But, give that the door hinge is on the opposite side of your hinge, I think you'll never see in the room from the entry - only from the mud room.

    nini - lovely vanity and I absolutely love the black granite w/white bowl look - but it would end up being the fanciest piece of furniture in our entire house :) Does the black granite show a lot of waterspots?

  • 13 years ago

    Well, it would if there was a window in there, but there isn't and the sconces in there are soft and forgiving, lol! I just keep a microfiber cloth in the vanity and will run it over the top occasionally. I am really pleased with this vanity...it was a significant cost savings over using our cabinet company, and still looks nice.

  • 13 years ago

    I would use something very different from the kitchen. It could be the same style and a different finish to have some continuity. Why not do a light wood?

    My powder room sinktop matches my hearths, however. Because it was made from the scraps. :) Waste not and all. :)