Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Finding Antique Bathroom Vanities

If you want to add a touch of sophistication to your bathroom, antique bathroom vanities provide just the right answer. Antique bathroom vanities are not only functional; they also add character to a very simple part of your home. Your bathroom will have a certain uniqueness that showcases your good taste in home decor.

When you are dealing with antiques, the first thing you will have to establish is their age. This could be your basis in changing the orientation of the bathroom by using other bathroom fixtures according to the age and the era. The only exceptions of course are the toilets and bathtubs since re-installations can be very expensive.

There are antique styled mirrors and lighting fixtures that can ably match your antique bathroom vanity to achieve a look of a bathroom that belonged to a particular era. As for the lighting, using candles for bathroom illumination can be impractical. Low wattage bulb lights can be used instead to achieve the aura of a candle-lit bathroom. 

The next thing to consider is the condition of the antique bathroom vanities. You may find the need to repair them first before they can be functional. The older antique bathroom vanities that are still in good shape often command higher prices.So if your budget is not within the range of a couple of thousand dollars, you can simply look for antique bathroom vanities that have distressed or damaged conditions. They cost less because they still need repairs before they become usable.   

A good antique bathroom vanity will have an appraisal card that certifies as to how old it is. The appraisal card contains the assessment on how an item was established as an antique. If you are not too confident with an antique purchase, you can always hire a professional who can correctly determine the value of your antique bathroom vanities. This way you will reduce the risks of buying fake antiques or be overcharged for its value.

Where to get antique bathroom vanities is not a problem at all as most specialty antique stores often have them. You can check out yard sales and online antique sellers, or even ask a private collector if he has any antique bathroom vanities up for sale. All of the outlets mentioned have their own advantages and disadvantages when buying antique items from them. Nevertheless, the matter of having a wider selection to choose from is best provided by online stores.

Don’t forget the fact that the bathrooms of today are in many ways different from the bathrooms of the olden days. Antique bathroom vanities may not be of structure or material that can withstand the effects of hot steams or moisture; hence, it is best to plan your bathroom before permanently installing your antique bathroom vanities.