Before you start browsing the internet and showrooms for a new bathroom vanity, let us help you prepare for your search.

How to choose the perfect bathroom vanity

The latest trends and personal design preferences all factor into choosing a vanity. In addition to these considerations, answering these questions will help you narrow your search to find the perfect one.

How much space do you have to work with?

Planning to upgrade a vanity in a small guest bathroom? How about build a new master bathroom? If you’re working in an existing space, measure the old vanity’s width, depth, and height. Depending on the year your home was built, vanities may have started to rise in height from around 32 inches up to 36 inches—and a few inches can make a big difference! If you’re installing an above-counter vessel sink that may also impact the vanity height you choose.

Next, measure the space between the vanity and nearby objects, such as the toilet and tub. How much space do you need between the vanity and these objects? You don’t want your bathroom to feel cramped. You also want to be able to reach in the nooks and crannies to clean.

After measuring, you will know if you have room to use a larger vanity. You can also order a custom built vanity to fit your unique space. Keep this in mind if you can’t find your ideal size vanity once you start shopping.

Who will be using the sink and vanity area?

Depending on who will be using the sink and vanity area, consider how much counter and storage space you’ll need. Do you need a vanity to accommodate a double sink or many cabinets and shelves for you and other family members? Is this a vanity you’ll use every day? Will the vanity and sink area only be used by the occasional guest?

A durable surface that is easy to keep clean but is still beautiful to look at should be your goal in any situation.

Also consider frequent users when choosing a vanity height. Adults don’t want to lean over the counter too far, but little hands may have to reach the sink. Think about the needs of your bathroom’s most frequent users.

Are you willing to reroute pipes?

If you are remodeling and thinking about changing where your vanity is located, are you also ready to pay for new plumbing? Typically, the closer you are to other items that use water, the less piping you’ll need. Also think about this when contemplating whether to go with a free standing vanity that sits on the floor or a floating vanity that is attached to the wall. If you’re switching from one style to another, it may require some extra funds and work.

What colors are you looking to complement?

If you have a lot of vintage decor and deep, rich hues in your bathroom, chances are that you’re not going to want a modern, straight edge white vanity.

Take pictures of objects you’re looking to complement before going to the store, including wall colors, hardware (such as towel racks), and anything else you’re looking to pull in. A vanity has the ability to make or break the feel of your bathroom. Look at the finer details of several vanities, from the hardware’s color and shape to the main material’s grain texture and cut.

Grab your camera, a notebook and pencil, and tape measure. Also go back to your budget. Now that you have the specs, photos, and a maximum cost in mind, the process should go a lot faster and smoother.

Additional Resources:

• Houzz

Originally posted 4/2015

The post Shopping for a bathroom vanity? Review this first. appeared first on Handy Man Home Remodeling Center.

1. Upgrade your toilet seat.

Is your toilet seat chipped, cracked or discolored? Is it always shifting an inch to the right or left when you take a seat? (Annoying!) Or perhaps you purchased a flimsy one a long time ago and it’s time to upgrade. In addition to sturdier plastics and more polished looks, some toilet seats have features that will make you wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that before?” Lighted seats, potty training seats and bidet washing seats are all available today.

2. Replace your bathroom faucet.

Bathroom faucets come in all shapes, sizes, and finishes these days. Grime builds up, finishes rub off, and colors go out of style when it comes to faucets. With a variety of finishes and designs to choose from, it can be a quick way to update the look of your lavatory. Choose something trendy, like oil-rubbed bronze, or opt for something that pairs nicely with the other hardware in your bathroom.

3. Brighten up your bathroom with a new light bar.

Updated lighting will impact how everything in your bathroom looks. Transform a small or low-light area to a welcoming room with proper illumination.

Whether you’re looking for trendy ‘Edison-style’ lightbulbs or to something to shine more light over the mirror, lighting can make or break the functionality of your bathroom. Men like shaving in a well-lit space, just like women prefer to apply makeup in a bright, clean environment.

4. Install a unique or neutral mirror.

Replacing an old mirror is simple. It doesn’t cost much and requires minimal handyman skills. If you have a surface mounted medicine cabinet, you can also replace it with a mirror. You just won’t have as much storage space. If you have a recessed medicine cabinet that’s embedded into the wall, hanging a mirror will be a little more tricky but it can be worth the effort.

By opting for a mirror, you can choose from many fun shapes, sizes, and colors. Or you can keep it neutral by going with a frameless glass look that coordinates with anything. Keep the width of your vanity in mind when selecting a mirror. In most instances, it should fill but not exceed the width of the vanity.

5. Swap the old towel bars for new!

Towel bars take more abuse than you might think. The wet towels that rest on them can wear off the finish over time. They are also being pulled on every day. If your towel bars are feeling loose, or they aren’t looking as bright and fresh as you would like, it’s time to replace them! There are many styles to choose from – hooks, bars (in many sizes), rings, toilet paper holders (with hinges that make rolls easy to change), and more. Find your favorite style and bring it into your home!

We carry dozens of toilet seats, faucets, lights, mirrors, and towel bars in stock so you can start your mini-remodel today! See what one of our customers did with her mini-remodel below!

Updated May 2023

The post 5 Quick and Easy Budget Upgrades for Your Home appeared first on Handy Man Home Remodeling Center.

Remodeling can be as minimal or extensive as you like. Sometimes, the smallest changes or upgrades can make a world of difference. Here are our top six reasons we tell homeowners it’s time to make a change.

1. Poor lighting

In a bathroom, lighting is everything! Not only does lighting affect a person’s perception of the space, but also makes the bathroom as functional as possible. In an article in Forbes, Tiffany Carboni discusses how to light a bathroom the right way. She claims light has the ability to boost self confidence—and that the wrong lighting can have the opposite effect.

Sometimes, it’s the placement of the light fixture or even the fixture itself. Perhaps you need to bring the light down to eye level or ensure your light bar extends over your mirror so the light doesn’t get blocked out before even reaching your face. Some mirrors even have built-in lighting, which is handy for detailed tasks such as shaving and applying makeup.

2. Peeling, discolored, or chipped paint

Bathrooms are high-traffic areas. Over time, moisture, scratches, and dings add up and start to take their toll. A quick paint job may be all that your bathroom needs. Painting your walls and even an old vanity (if it’s well made) can refresh your room. If your bathroom accumulates moisture from hot showers and baths, be sure to use a paint made for bathrooms. (Note: If you find mold, have it removed by a professional prior to painting.)

3. Running out of space

If your household is growing, or if you find yourself storing toiletry items outside of your bathroom, that’s a sure sign that you need more storage space in your bathroom. With hundreds of vanity options on the market and unique storage solutions, like drawers that curve around the water pipe and open shelving, you should be able to find a great option at a fair price point. If you like your current vanity, consider installing a medicine cabinet to hold more items.

Thinking about installing a new storage solution? Learn how to shop for a bathroom vanity or medicine cabinet.

4. Outdated fixtures

Maybe your decor is up to date (this includes your towels, soap dispenser, and trash can), but what about your faucets, towel bars, lighting, and even vanity hardware? Updating these items may not be as costly as you think, and they could give your bathroom a much-needed facelift.

While it’s OK to mix and match colors in a bathroom, having matching hardware, including towel bars and rings, facets, soap dispenser, light bar, and more can bring a room together visually.

Thinking about updating your bathroom hardware? Learn how to find the perfect faucet first.

5. Toilet uses too much water

While your toilet may appear fine physically, if it’s an older model, it could be using too much water. According to conserveh2o.org, you can find out how many gallons per flush (GPF) your toilet uses on the inside of the tank or neck of the toilet bowl. If you cannot find the label, the age of your toilet can help you estimate your GPF. Toilets made before 1992 likely use 3.5 to 7 GPF, versus today’s Federal plumbing standard of 1.6 GPF.

Not only can replacing an old toilet give you a feeling of stewardship by reducing your impact on the environment, but it can also save you money on your water bill.

Thinking about replacing your toilet? Learn how to determine your toilet style.

6. Obvious damage

While you may know you need to replace a sink, bathtub, shower base, or toilet because of cracks or leaks, waiting may cost you more in the long run. If water starts to leak and gets trapped in dark spaces, you could end up with an expensive mold problem. Or, if you’re dealing with a leak, a tiny drip or running toilet may not seem like a big deal, but it can make your water bill go up. It pays to repair or replace damaged bathroom fixtures as soon as possible.

Learn more about your options.

At Handy Man, we only the highest quality bathroom remodeling options for customers in Sioux Falls, Sioux City, and Lincoln. Whether you’re looking for the perfect lighting, toilet, or everything for your bathroom remodel, we can help you choose the right items to fit your bathroom space.

You don’t need to complete this project alone. We’ll walk you through it! Come visit our showroom soon.

The post 6 Glaring Signs You Need to Remodel Your Bathroom appeared first on Handy Man Home Remodeling Center.

1. Brighten up the room.

Light paint colors can make a world of difference in small spaces. Many interior designers emphasize using light-colored, low-contrast trim and accent paint colors to avoid jarring transitions, which can make corners obvious.

Sunlight and man-made light from your bathroom light bar, wall sconces, or ceiling lamp also have the ability to brighten up a room, making it appear larger. If you don’t get a lot of natural light, be sure to use light-colored paint, light-colored decorations, and bright lighting and bulbs (like LED bulbs) to make up for it.

2. Add smart storage options

Excess clutter has the tendency to make a space look cramped. Thankfully, there are many storage options for bathrooms, from large to compact. Depending on your storage needs, consider a new vanity, above-sink medicine cabinet, or an over-the-toilet storage shelf or cabinet. When choosing a vanity, you’ll have to be conscious of the floor space and objects surrounding the sink in the bathroom. Be sure to measure the distance between objects and leave room for cleaning before making your final decision. (Learn more about how to choose a vanity.)

If you decide to go with a medicine cabinet, ensure that it fits before purchasing—especially if you’re getting a recessed one that requires you to cut an opening in the wall. (Learn more about how to choose a medicine cabinet.) If you decide to use an open shelf, use it to store items such as towels that can still look neat in that space. If you need to store many odds-and-ends, use decorative storage bins.

3. Frameless shower door

When working with limited space, frameless glass shower doors have the ability to extend the depth of your bathroom. If your shower takes up one-third of your bathroom, and you use a shower curtain or non-transparent door, it will significantly decrease your visual space. Before you choose to install a frameless glass shower door, first decide if your shower is something you want to show off or something you want to hide. (Learn more about frameless glass shower doors.)

4. Create more floor space

Leaving your floor clear of clutter and chunky objects can make it seem bigger by extending the perceived depth. In small bathrooms, pedestal sinks and simple wall-mounted sinks can give you that much-needed room surrounding the sink area and floor space. If you go this route, ensure your storage needs are still being met.

If you only have a little more room to work with, but still want your bathroom to appear spacious, try a wall-mounted vanity or a vanity with legs. Both options will give you additional room for storage and leave your floor more exposed.

Learn more about your options.

At Handy Man, we have the highest quality bathroom remodeling options for customers in Sioux Falls, Sioux City, and Lincoln. Whether you’re looking for the perfect vanity, a new shower door, or everything for your bathroom remodel, we can help you choose the right items to fit your bathroom space.

You don’t need to complete this project alone. We’ll walk you through it! Come visit our showroom soon.

The post 4 Ways To Make Your Bathroom Feel Bigger appeared first on Handy Man Home Remodeling Center.

It’s that time of year when family and friends start gathering to celebrate the holidays. If your home is the place to be during the holiday season, you want everything looking its best—including your bathroom.

If you haven’t remodeled in a while, we have 5 easy ways to spruce up your bathroom without spending a lot of money. You’ll not only impress your friends but maybe even your relatives!

1. Upgrade your toilet seat.

Is your toilet seat chipped, cracked or discolored? Is it always shifting an inch to the right or left when you take a seat? (Annoying!) Or perhaps you purchased a cheap one a long time ago and it’s time to upgrade. In addition to sturdier seats and more polished looks, some toilet seats have features that will make you wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that before?”.

Slow-close (or soft-close) lids that don’t slam, convertible seats for kids and adults, and seat warmers come in handy any time of year.

For a major upgrade, The TOTO Washlet will make your toilet a true throne. While it costs more than a traditional toilet seat, you can get features such as:

• a heated seat
• automatic open and close sensors or SlowClose lid
• a retractable self-cleaning nozzle for warm water cleansing
• automatic body drying

Can your current toilet seat do all that? Learn more about Washlet® toilet seats here.

If you have (or will have) young children in the house, this toilet seat works for both recently potty-trained kiddos and adults. The NextStep toilet seat by Bemis has two seat sizes in one. Plus, it is easy to clean and has a slow-close feature, so you won’t hear “slam” ever again.

2. Replace your bathroom faucet.

Bathroom faucets come in all shapes, sizes, and finishes these days. Grime builds up, finishes rub off, and colors go out of style when it comes to faucets. With a variety of designs to choose from, it can be a quick way to update the look of your lavatory. Choose something stylish, like matte black, or opt for something that pairs nicely with the other hardware in your bathroom.

When replacing a faucet, be sure to note the hole placement on your sink or counter. Is there one hole or three? How far apart are the holes? You’ll need to conform to the pre-drilled mounts in your bathroom lavatory, but you’ll still have plenty of faucet options.

3. Brighten up your bathroom with a new light bar.

Updated lighting can impact how everything in your bathroom looks. Transform a small or low-light area into a welcoming room with proper illumination.

Whether you’re looking for new shape bulbs or to shed more light over the mirror, lighting can make or break the functionality of your bathroom. Men don’t like shaving in the dark, just like women prefer not to apply makeup in low light.

In addition to adding more light, if you have an ancient-looking light setup, changing your light fixtures can give your bathroom a much-needed updated feel.

When choosing a light fixture, ensure the light properly extends over the mirror or medicine cabinet. You don’t want to lose the light before the sink counter. Also, consider the other items in your bathroom. When you buy and install a new light bar, you’ll want it to complement the rest of your theme.

4. Hang a new mirror.

Replacing an old mirror is simple. It doesn’t cost much and requires minimal handyman skills. If you have a surface-mounted medicine cabinet, you can also replace it with a mirror. You just won’t have as much storage space. If you have a recessed medicine cabinet that’s embedded into the wall, hanging a mirror will be a little more tricky, but definitely still a great upgrade.

By opting for a mirror, you can choose from many fun shapes, sizes, and colors. Or you can keep it neutral by going with a frameless or minimalist glass one that coordinates with anything. Keep the width of your vanity in mind when selecting a mirror. In most instances, it should not exceed the width of the vanity, but it should fill it.

5. Swap the towel bars and vanity hardware.

Towel bars and drawer pulls take a lot of wear, so after many years of hard work, it might be time to replace them. We stock a wide variety of styles in the latest trends and colors! Black, gold, brushed nickel, and chrome are our best sellers! Find pieces that match or complement the other hardware in your bathroom.

We’ll walk you through it.

It doesn’t take much to give your bathroom a facelift. In fact, a few hours and dollars can make a world of difference.

Stop into a Handy Man showroom, and we’ll recommend everything from the most durable toilet seats to the most popular bathroom mirror styles. We have a ton of items in stock, so you can start your bathroom refresh right away!

The post 5 Quick & Easy Budget-Friendly Upgrades to Ready Your Home for Holiday Guests appeared first on Handy Man Home Remodeling Center.