Many people are reluctant to spend much on their bathrooms, but that is a mistake. This room deserves as much attention as any other, so it should be part of your plans when you renovate.
There are many ways to upgrade a bathroom. New flooring is the most common, and many people replace the toilet or shower too. One upgrade that changes both how the room looks and how it works is a new vanity countertop.
A vanity countertop is the surface on top of the bathroom vanity, around the sink. It does not work as hard as a kitchen countertop, but it is where everything you use in the bathroom ends up: skin care products, soap, toothbrushes, and more.
Because it sits in front of the mirror, the vanity top is the surface you use and see every day. A good one makes getting ready easier, stands up to water, and makes the whole bathroom look more finished.
Choosing one takes some care. There are several mistakes that can leave you with a countertop you are not happy with. Here are five of them and how to avoid them.
Not Thinking About the Countertop Material
As with a kitchen countertop, you need to think about the material of your bathroom vanity countertop. Many materials are sold for bathrooms, but not all of them handle water, cosmetics, and daily cleaning equally well.
Natural stone and engineered stone are the usual first choices: granite, quartz, marble, soapstone, and others. They look good, and they are durable and long-lasting in a bathroom. Keep in mind that natural stones such as marble need sealing and a little more care, while quartz does not need to be sealed.
Wood is another option if you want a warmer, more rustic look. A wood top can work in a bathroom, but only if it is properly sealed and the finish is maintained, because standing water will damage it.
At the lower end are laminate and other synthetic surfaces. There is nothing harmful about them, but they do not have the look or the lifespan of stone. If you are on a tight budget, they are still a reasonable choice.
Not Preparing a Realistic Budget
Many people do not think about a budget before shopping for a vanity countertop. The price depends on the material, the size of the vanity, the edge, and the sink cutouts, so the total can surprise you if you have not planned for it.
A vanity countertop is something you will use for many years, so it is not the place to buy the cheapest thing available and replace it later. Setting a budget first helps you weigh durability against price.
When you prepare a budget, be as realistic as possible. Some people set the figure so low that they cannot get a decent countertop with it. Others set it so high that they end up backing out of the project altogether.
Ask a contractor for help with the budget. Tell them what you want for your bathroom and which material you have in mind, and they can give you an estimate. If you need the price to come down, they can suggest alternatives, such as a different material or a remnant piece for a small vanity.
Not Consulting With a Designer
Vanity countertops are functional, but they are also a big part of how the bathroom looks. Some people have a good eye for this, and others find it hard to picture how materials and colors will work together. If you are in the second group, there is an easy fix.
Get a designer to help you pick the countertop. A designer makes sure the countertop works with the rest of the bathroom, which means choosing the right material and the right color for the cabinets, tile, and fixtures. It may be an extra step, but it usually pays off.
A designer might seem unnecessary for something as small as a vanity top, but a second, trained opinion helps you avoid a choice that looks fine as a sample and wrong in the room.
Not Hiring Professional Contractors
Installing a bathroom countertop is not a good do-it-yourself project. Stone is heavy and brittle, the sink cutouts have to be exact, and the top has to be set level and sealed where it meets the wall. People who try to install it themselves often end up with a cracked top or a poor fit.
Do not hire just any contractor, either. Before you hire one, look at their portfolio, their history, and their credentials, including whether they are licensed and insured.
You can also ask friends or family who have had work done recently for referrals. This is one of the best ways to find someone, because the recommendation comes from a person who has already experienced the contractor’s service.
A good contractor is one of the best investments in a bathroom renovation. Many contractors can do this work, but not all of them do it equally well. A good one is easy to work with, communicates clearly, and answers your questions.
Not Preparing Yourself
Last but not least, getting a new vanity countertop takes some preparation. That means not only the budget but the schedule as well. A stone countertop is measured, fabricated, and then installed, so the whole process takes longer than a single day.
Plan for the bathroom to be out of use during installation, and for a short time afterward while adhesives and caulk cure. For a small project like this, the disruption is easy to plan around. Ask your contractor exactly how long each step will take so you can plan ahead.
As a general rule, be available during the installation. If a question comes up about the faucet position, the backsplash, or the overhang, it can be answered on the spot, and the project goes more smoothly.
Choosing a vanity countertop can go wrong in several ways. Done right, though, you end up with a countertop that works well and looks good for years.
If you are unsure about material or color, get help from a designer before you order. It makes the process easier and helps you avoid mistakes that are expensive to undo once the stone has been cut.