The Anywhere Vanity Bench

The other day I passed by an enticing flea market. Too enticing to resist, actually. The booths and sections that always catch my eye are, of course, those selling furniture and homewares. On this particular day, a number of sellers had brought in dozens of delightful pieces intertwined with a vanity bench set theme. Benches and stools, mirrors and tables, all very delicate, very feminine, and very beautiful.

Seeing vanity stools and benches out of their typical context gave my imaginative mind some room to breathe. These exquisite pieces of furniture did not have to be relegated to a private bathroom, or even bedroom. Most of them would do wonderfully in an elegant entryway, perhaps framed by potted plants. Some seemed like they’d been built for a small patio or balcony area. Others could simply have been decorative pieces in the living and dining room corners.

Makeup vanity benches, I realized, are more versatile then we tend to think. They are such unique pieces. They are so delicately constructed. A quality vanity and bench set is really a piece of art. Why should it be shuttered off into a private room, when, in many cases, it can sit, gloriously appreciated, in a central place of the home? Vanity tables might double as a quaint desk, or even as buffet furniture. Vanity mirrors can be hung over a table or even over a delicate bench. Perhaps it is time to take these beautiful pieces of furniture out. Bring the fairytale and the romance into the home.

Really, the only pieces that will feel supremely out of place are the ones decked out in frills, looking too much like lingerie, or the specifically constructed bathroom vanity benches that carry too much of a sterile, wet proof appearance.

If you find simple, elegant vanities, however, experiment with them in various places around the home. Separate those sets. You have a vanity table with mirror and bench? Use the table in your dining room as a buffet piece. Hang the mirror above the bench and some potted flora in your entryway. See how it feels. Or perhaps that simple white vanity bench belongs on your front porch, framed with the greenery growing outdoors.

Really, there are more variations than we might think of off hand. It requires a little creativity and a little bit of daring, but break the vanity mold. You’ll feel inspired. Make your way to the flea market yourself. Gaze for a few moments at the delightful vanity stool bench so out of place against a rusty gate and next to the Moroccan pot. Where does it belong? What other home can you give it? Surprise yourself. Enjoy the experience.

Searching for a dream gift for that special woman in your life?  I’m fairly certain that the makeup vanity stole every girl’s heart when she was young.  Every glorious movie star had one in her palatial bedroom.  Every fairytale beauty had one.  Barbie had one.  Makeup vanities transform the hours a woman spends on her hair, jewelry, and makeup into a romantic and regal affair.  Every woman will feel like a princess with a makeup vanity set.  It almost doesn’t matter what you buy.  From an antique makeup vanity to a more modern “Hollywood” style vanity, there is just the right style to suit the princess in your woman’s heart.  She’ll be delighted.  What you do need to consider is the space she has, and your budget.

Bedroom vanity sets are the classic.  Complete with mirrors, tables, cabinetry, luxurious chairs and skirted stools, bedroom vanities are the dream.  Getting ready for a night or day out is a luxury.  The pieces can be bought separately or as sets.  Wood, metals, glass, the options are endless.  And require some decent bedroom space.  Even a small table and vanity stool, however, will create the desired romantic feel in any bedroom.

Bathroom makeup vanities usually include a mirror and cabinetry with a built in sink. They vary in size, but always look best as a centerpiece not crowded by other cabinets, closets, or the toilet itself. You can find sets with matching towel racks, as well. While they can be ideal, there are two drawbacks to consider. One is that most bathroom vanities will not have a place to sit, so the only way one will be able to apply makeup is by standing, which can be a strain if one is putting on a lot of makeup. The other is that since plumbing is involved, if you opt for the bathroom vanity, you will have a much larger and more expensive project than if you just buy a freestanding piece of furniture.

A corner makeup vanity is a beautiful space saver. In the bedroom, styles are slimmer and more accommodating. In the bathroom, the mirror and wide countertops are lost, but you retain invaluable spaciousness. Keep in mind though, that if your lady has a large collection of makeup, a corner vanity table might be too small to accommodate all of her cosmetics.

When choosing make up vanities for small bedrooms, the same considerations need to be taken as with a bathroom– space is of utmost importance. While you may need to get a narrower piece, you don’t have to sacrifice on storage space. Choose a small makeup vanity with lots of drawers. You can also find decorative baskets to hang on the wall around the mirror. Be creative. Just because you’re short on space doesn’t mean that you have to give up on the luxury make up vanities offer.

Vintage and antique makeup vanities are incomparably beautiful, and can be the perfect choice for a bedroom makeup vanity. Usually solid wood, highly decorated with special attention to detail… this is the image that stole our hearts in the first place. These can be expensive, however, unless you’re good at finding quality deals. Solid wood is heavy and bulky, as well, so take space and delivery into consideration.

On the other end of the spectrum, a modern makeup vanity can have all of the beauty and grace of an antique one, but with much cleaner lines and a brighter look. Don’t think you have to go with traditional furniture to take advantage of the romantic mood. While antiques look out of place in many contemporary settings, a modern make up vanity paired with a single red rose will give you all the ambiance you could want, and without sacrificing on the look you’ve already achieved.

A mirrored makeup vanity is ideal. Like the antiques, however, these makeup vanity sets are usually bulkier and heavier. For small apartments or those up many flights, delivery may or may not be possible. It is possible to buy a makeup vanity mirror separate from the table, which may solve some of the mentioned issues.

A makeup vanity table can be the ultimate gift for that special woman. Childhood dreams will take form, treasured for a lifetime.

In remodeling your bathroom, storage space is a significant consideration, and feels like a fairly technical one. In comparison with choosing sinks, faucets, tiles, and shower curtains, bathroom vanities and cabinets may seem like baby’s play. Think again! Since bathroom remodeling has become such a pivotal part of interior design, simple bathroom storage space has rocketed into being delightful storage cabinetry. Depending on the space you have and the storage you need, your bathroom vanity sinks and counter area will vary greatly in size and design.

Large bathrooms, lots of storage:
A large bathroom calls loudly for bathroom vanity cabinets. Too much empty wall space, no matter how pretty that tile is, feels awkward. Installing a bathroom vanity cabinet, or two or three, will help achieve balance in the room as well as provide adequate storage. A double sink bathroom vanity is a simple way to achieve both directives, but not the only way. Ceiling height vanity closets are elegant and unique. A closet is perfect for linens, families who buy soaps in bulk, hanging robes discreetly, and much more. Adjacent to a pretty vanity sink, you’ll have created a luxurious bathroom by making storage space available.

Smaller bathrooms, lots of storage:
Small bathrooms may be a greater challenge when looking for storage space. But small bathroom vanities don’t have to mean no cabinetry. You can invest in a gorgeous vessel sink of glass, copper, porcelain, or gemstones to maximize storage. A vessel sink bowl doesn’t eat up cabinet space. That extra two square feet may be life saving in a small bathroom. Another idea is to buy bathroom vanity units that hang on the wall. These cabinets will take advantage of empty wall space higher up. Properly laid out, you won’t sacrifice an ounce of bathroom beauty.

When you don’t need much storage:
Modern bathroom vanities are sleek and clean, minimizing extra lines and curves. They’re beautiful and actually can actually make rooms feel less cluttered. Often, though not always, they provide less storage. Slimmer drawers or no cabinetry at all means less space to put things away. If that’s okay in your bathroom, contemporary bathroom vanities are great ways to look spacious in tight areas.