Is your bathroom in need of a stylish makeover? Consider incorporating a comfortable seating area into your vanity design for a uniquely elegant look. Not only does a vanity seat provide a practical spot to apply makeup and finish your morning routine, it can completely transform an ordinary bathroom into a spa-like retreat.
Keep reading as we explore brilliant vanity seating ideas to help you relax in style.
Stylish Seating Vanity Inspiration
When designing a custom vanity area with integrated seating, the first step is gathering inspiration.Browse home design magazines, websites like Houzz and Pinterest, and local showrooms to discover vanities that catch your eye. Focus on pieces that reflect your personal taste and style goals for the space. Consider the size and layout of your bathroom as you evaluate options–not all concepts translate in real life. We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite starting points to kickstart your creative process.
Vintage Furniture Finds
For a uniquely vintage seating vanity, keep an eye out for antique desks, retro dressers, upcycled hall tables or other secondhand furniture gems. The charm and character of these repurposed pieces makes them ideal choices. Look for sturdy furnishings with drawers, shelves or cabinetry to hold bathroom essentials. Sewing tables and desk hutch combos work particularly well thanks to their built-in storage. With some plumbing adjustments and decorative touches, these finds become charming one-of-a-kind vanities.
Modern Takes
Those desiring a more contemporary vanity seating vignette can turn to storage cabinets, custom built-in bench seats, or standing height vanities paired with comfy stools. The clean lines and minimalist edge of this style creates a relaxing spa atmosphere. Opt for soft-close drawers, adjustable shelving, smart organizational systems, and other modern conveniences in your furniture selection. Then accessorize with fresh flowers, stacks of rolled towels, floating shelves displaying decorative bottles or baskets holding soaps and candles to finish the zen look.
Key Design Elements
Certain elements take a bathroom from basic to beautiful when planning vanity seating. We’ll explore some of the most vital considerations to help you create a space that’s both stylish and supremely functional.
Storage Solutions
As you evaluate seating vanity options, storage should be a top priority. Drawers, cabinets and open shelving built into the vanity keep essentials easily accessible yet out of sight. For small items, incorporate pull-out trays, soft-close drawers and woven baskets to prevent clutter on the countertop. If you opt for a furniture piece without much enclosed storage, add a storage ottoman bench or stylish rolling cart nearby to hold overflow.
Mirror Magic
Strategically placed mirrors visually expand compact bathrooms, allowing you to indulge in spacious luxuries even in modest footprints. Position an oversized mirror above and extending beyond the edges of your vanity seating area to enhance its size and natural light reflection. Consider beveled mirrors for added depth or a circular mirror framed in Hollywood bulbs for a glam touch. If your bathroom boasts multiple vanities, use the same mirror shape and size across the space for cohesive sophistication.
Mood Lighting
The right lighting takes your vanity seating vignette from basic to beautiful by setting the perfect mood. Incorporate layers of illumination for both form and function. Ambient lighting options like pendant lights or sconces flanking the mirror provide style and task lighting. Natural light streaming in through windows keeps the space fresh and inviting. For peaceful evenings, opt for soft white lightbulbs that diffuse a warm glow across the room. Don’t forget dimmer switches to easily control brightness as needed.
DIY vs Professional Installation
Is executing your dream bathroom seating vanity a viable DIY project or best left to professionals? The answer largely depends on your skill level and the specifics of your concept. Arm yourself with all the information before deciding.
DIY Challenges and Considerations
Even experienced DIYers can find seating vanity installations daunting thanks to electrical complexities, plumbing adjustments and cabinetry construction. If you’re upcycling a furniture piece, properly supporting a sink basin requires reinforcements to handle weight and water. You’ll also need to reroute pipes to align faucets and drains appropriately. Lighting installation brings additional wiring hurdles for amateurs. Be sure to consult local building codes and have necessary permits in place before getting started.
Hiring Bathroom Remodelers
Enlisting bathroom remodeling experts streamlines the process thanks to their design knowledge, project management experience and access to quality materials. Describe your vision including preferred seating choices, storage musts, lighting wants and accessory goals. Quality contractors translate dreams into reality–taking care of every construction detail along the way. Though hiring out costs more upfront, having pros handle the heavy lifting prevents headaches and hiccups down the road.
Style Your Seating Vanity
The finishing details give your bathroom personality and polish. With seating and storage in place, it’s time for the fun part–styling! Use these tips to create a space that wows.
Fabrics and Finishes
Select flooring, countertops, tile backsplashes and hardware that complement your decor approach. Cool hues like icy glass or marble mosaic tiles contrast beautifully with warm wood cabinetry in traditional spaces. Modern farmhouse designs incorporate natural textures like wood plank ceramic tile floors. Don’t forget small touches like plush hand towels rolled up in woven baskets and ceramic soap dispensers. Filtering in soft fabrics via shower curtains, plush bath rugs and custom upholstered seating infuses comfort and texture.
Final Touches
Add the accessories and personal details that customize your bathroom retreat. Floating shelves or ledges above the vanity seating provide display space for decorative perfume bottles, vases of fresh flowers, or stacked ceramic planters. Framed artwork on the walls continues your aesthetic story. Cozy lighting sets a relaxing mood–consider pendant fixtures, sconces or chandeliers with dimming abilities. The seating itself can even be jazzed up with custom upholstered slipcovers or accent pillows for a pop of color. Finally, incorporate meaningful memorabilia like framed family photos, children’s artwork or cherished antiques passed down to personalize the space.
Enjoy Your Dual-Purpose Vanity Space
After all the planning and design work, embrace and enjoy your brilliant new bathroom feature! A vanity with integrated seating spoils you with form and function.
Get Ready in Style
Mornings are instantly upgraded thanks to the comfort and convenience of your custom vanity. Sit back with your early cup of coffee and ease into the day. Store makeup, hair tools and other beauty essentials in easy reach within the vanity drawers and cabinets. With everything strategically positioned under the glow of daylight or artificial light, your routine is efficient and energizing.
Pamper Yourself
When life gets stressful, retreat to your new spa-like bathroom sanctuary. Set the mood with ambient lighting and scented candles, then sit back at your cushioned vanity. Give yourself a mini facial with an exfoliating scrub, soothing sheet mask and rich moisturizer. Apply a deep conditioning hair masque while relaxing into the massage functionality of your vanity chair. Feel tension dissipate as you indulge in restorative self-care moments.
A seating vanity expands functionality beyond beautifying. The space can morph into a productivity zone–use it as a charging station to juice phones or tablets while tackling your to-do list. Add a cushion and cozy throw blanket to create an enticing reading nook. The options are truly endless when you incorporate seating into your design!
We hope these brilliant vanity seating concepts sparked inspiration for your own bathroom vision! This special touch veers from predictability towards intelligence and ingenuity. Experiment with furniture shapes and finishes until you discover your just-right jewel. Soon you’ll have a breathtaking bathroom retreat others envy yet distinctly reflects your personal style.