More often than not, bathroom vanities have a simple, straightforward wood finish. But lately trends have started favoring painted bathroom vanities, especially in colors and finish styles that evoke a shabby-chic farmhouse or cottage style, or a few with a slightly more modern twist. If you’re considering a major bathroom renovation any time soon, we’ve got six examples of the most on-trend color styles to dress up a bathroom vanity.
White
Mark one in the category of oldie-but-goodie, because plain old, regular old white is one of the hottest colors in home design right now. From traditional subway and hex tile to breezy canvas cloth, simple traditional white materials are very much in. This is especially true of white bathroom vanities, from a solid color in a traditional beadboard or shuttered style, to more weathered whites that pair well with a shabby chic or antique farmhouse style.
Whitewashed
Similarly, I’ve been seeing a lot of whitewashed bathroom vanities, too. In contrast to a solid (or even cracked or chipped) white, this is a thin, watered-down white that lets some of the underlying wood show through. Whitewashed finishes have risen in popularity right along with plank wood or shiplap wall treatments, and mark a nice middle ground between the elegant grain of natural wood and the bright, open, clean feeling created by a solid white finish. Whitewashed bathroom vanities make the best of both worlds, with a down to earth, slightly rustic appearance that’s perfect for a cozy cottage style bathroom.
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Blue
In keeping with the resurgence of classic farmhouse and cottage styles, blue is another big, trendy color in bathroom design, especially bathroom vanities. Typically these skew toward soft pastel and sky blues with slight gray undertones that give them that aged, antique style. But brighter shades of blue, like turquoise or teal, certainly aren’t out of the question. However, unlike bathrooms of the 1970s, these colors should be used as accents on a white or wood background to create a pop of color rather than built into the whole bathroom like those old fashioned colored enamel tubs made to match the tile and the toilet.
Weathered Paint
I mentioned briefly that weathered white vanities are coming back into vogue, but a slightly (or more than slightly) distressed paint finish is gaining in popularity regardless of color. From the traditional black and white to more unusual blues and other soft pastels, these rough and tumble “found” finishes help create the appearance of age, enhancing that revisited-antique vibe. Most heavily weathered vanities are finished and sealed to hold up to the moist conditions of a bathroom, meaning the “damage” is purely cosmetic, but a few chips, dings, and spots of wear-through do wonders to add a rustic charm to the bathroom.
Black and Silver
Bathroom vanities with a more modern, formal appearance are really trendy right now, too, especially ones done in a solid black finish with a thin metallic trim or accents. I’ve written a bit before about how I think black is the new white – a slightly more daring yet amazingly versatile color that works spectacularly well in a contemporary design. But adding simple silver detailing takes this look to the next level, giving it a delightfully sophisticated flair even if the design itself is fairly simple.
Gray
Gray is another color that’s making big waves in home design, including the bathroom. This historically unloved neutral has found new life as a more modern alternative to drab beiges and browns. While blonde wood tones and soft greens are great for a more nature-inspired space, gray, like black, has a slightly more formal feel. Gray bathroom vanities are less daring than black ones, and have the easy-to-coordinate neutrality of other true neutrals (so they can work well with those nude woods and greens if you want them to), but are just that slightly unexpected step away from the traditional black or white that will give your bathroom a fresh new style.
Industrial, farmhouse, and cottage styles are all back in full force, in sharp contrast to the steadily gaining trend of more modern bathrooms. But which side do you fall on, and which of these simple, trendy bathroom vanity finishes appeals to you the most?
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