The Evolution of Bathroom Vanities

Many people tend to view the bathroom as a purely functional room. However, those of us in the industry know that there is so much to appreciate there, design-wise, from the style of the bathtubs to the fixtures, accessories, and bathroom vanities. Vanities have been made in so many shapes and forms, with a history that’s all their own. 

The hardy bathroom vanity has evolved throughout the centuries. What used to be a primitive washstand from the Victorian era, only holding a bowl and water pitcher for hand-and-face washing, has slowly turned into something more practical and indispensable.

Vanities are now considered essential daily items in all bathroom spaces, regardless of the size. It’s a home item that is surely worth exploring when it comes to how it transformed in appearance, so we can better appreciate how it became more functional while keeping its pleasing aesthetics.

From floor-standing bedroom washstands to wall-mounted bathroom amenities of modern times, let’s go on a brief trip through the evolution of bathroom vanities:

Pre-Plumbing Washstands

The first vanity sprang into life (or our homes!) as a simple wooden washstand placed in bedrooms for easy access. It was a simple and humble piece of furniture. Before bathrooms were even established as a part of our houses, these compact table-like pieces generally come with a pitcher of water and a bowl to make for convenient face and hand washing. A small shelf below the washstand also stores towels and other needed bath accessories.

Eventually, the washstand turned into a more sophisticated piece of furniture in both a practical and aesthetic sense. They gradually incorporated both hot and cold taps with a spout and space beneath to store accessible items. Collector items from this era still exist and enthusiasts search the world for surviving neoclassical console vanities or carved pedestal sinks. In some homes, clients have them repurposed with the help of modern plumbing so they can be functional in their contemporary homes.

Victorian-Era Vanities

From washstands, vanities slowly turned into dry sinks, which were essentially cabinets that had a recessed area up top to account for spilled water from the washbowl. Because of this functionality, it was also used in the kitchen to prep produce for meals.

Toward the end of the 19th century, private bathrooms finally came into their own. The vanities were taken out of the bedrooms and settled into this new room. The simple washstand preferred by the upper classes slowly went out of style because of the invention of modern indoor plumbing technology that came with bathrooms. The ushering in of the Victorian age also brought with it a more careful approach to the bathroom thanks to an improved appreciation of hygiene.

Contemporary Bathroom Vanities

In modern times, bathroom vanities are a convenient amenity that effortlessly combines an overlooking mirror and the sink. Its design purpose is to either stand out as a beautiful focal point to enhance the bathroom space or to blend seamlessly with your decor.

Contemporary bathroom vanities combine a top or under-mounted basin sink with a countertop, mirror, and easy storage in the form of door cupboards, sliding drawers, open space, or a combination. 

Alya Bath Vanities

Combining classic design with modern minimalism, many of our bathroom vanities are offered in both floor-standing and wall-mounted options. These vanities come in a range of pleasing colors and materials, including rosewood, espresso, and the classic white, gray and cool blue. They range from either a space-saving and compact 24-inch design to a selection of larger styles that go up to 84-inches in length. Double vanities are also a popular choice! 

Our contemporary bathroom vanities are available in several collections to suit bathrooms of all sizes and styles. Handmade with skilled craftsmanship and high-end construction methods, all vanities sold must meet the high Alya Bath standards. 

All of our vanities are manufactured in our own factory, where we have complete control over the design, materials, packaging, and overall quality. We are also fully committed to providing competitive pricing to go along with the excellent craftsmanship that we offer. 

Are your clients thinking about purchasing bathroom vanities for their homes? Contact the experts at Alya Bath and we’ll make sure you only offer the best options for your customers. Join our rapidly growing number of resellers and other trade professionals and browse through our extensive selection of quality bathroom vanities offered on our website.