Should I put a ledge or shelf above my vanity?
We have a 1960 California ranch. The look I am trying to achieve in the master bath is clean and modern, but also tranquil and spa like. I know I want part of the tile to be a watery blue, probably mixed with white and maybe some gray. The vanity cabinet will be either walnut with horizontal grain or grey stained rift cut oak with horizontal grain.
We have room for a 6 foot vanity, sandwiched between 2 walls (1 wall has a pocket door leading to the bedroom and the other wall has a pocket door leading to the compartment with the toilet and steam shower). I am thinking about eliminating the toe kick so the vanity floats between the walls. I plan to put a large horizontal sheet of mirror above the vanity. There will be a sconce mounted on the mirror at each side to put some light at face level, plus 2 recessed lights above the vanity (all on dimmers). There will be 2 undermount sinks.
I am thinking about putting a tiled ledge above and behind the vanity, with wall mounted faucets mounted on that ledge. Alternatively, I could do a wood shelf between the tile BS and the mirror. Either option reinforces the horizontal line of the vanity and provides a little display space. (I would like to put out a few perfume bottles, maybe a candle, but I want to avoid creating a drop spot for clutter.) Option 3 is just to mount the mirror above the tile BS with no shelf or ledge and either wall mounted or deck mounted faucets. Which option do you think would be best and why?
Option 1 - tiled ledge:
modern bathroom design by seattle architect Bosworth Hoedemaker
Option 2 - wood shelf:
modern bathroom design by san francisco interior designer Sullivan Design Studio
Option 3 - just tile and mirror:
modern bathroom design by san francisco architect Feldman Architecture, Inc.
modern bathroom design by houston architect C O N T E N T Architecture
Comments (6)
desertsteph
12 years agoRelated Discussions
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weedyacres
12 years agokaysd
12 years agoThank you all for your comments.
Desertsteph, yes, the 2nd photo looks a lot like the layout we will have as far as wall, door and light placement, floating vanity, etc. (but we will have 2 recessed sinks). Mostly I am trying to figure out whether to do that layout with the wood shelf as shown in #2 or the tile ledge from #1, but with the rest like #2.
Treasuretheday, I see what you mean about #1 being harmonious because the ledge is the same depth and color as the side cabinets next to the ledge and same color as the ceiling. Would you still like the ledge best if it were added to bath #2 (with the walls coming all the way out on the sides of the vanity and the walls a different color than the tile ledge)? I am considering stopping the mirror at 7' tall and putting 1' of tile that will match the ledge above the mirror to the ceiling -- will that help tie in the ledge better? You have the same concern about #2 that I do -- the feeling that the faucets are under a shelf. I found some really pretty deck mounted faucets to use if I go that way, and I would not want them to be hidden (why I am considering #3, plus less cost).
Weedyacres, I hadn't even considered potentially hitting my head when I lean over to brush my teeth. I don't like that the shelf would protrude into my sink space, but otherwise like the look.
I have 4' between the vanity and the opposite wall, so I could pull the vanity cabinet forward 3-4" (or just make it deeper for more storage), so that the shelf is behind rather than directly over the faucets. Does anyone think that would be a good idea?
Here is another bathroom that has a tiled ledge (taller this time) that is just next to a wall like mine would be, rather than next to cabinets the same depth as the ledge. Does this change any opinions?
[modern bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2105) by toronto interior designer NathalieTremblay - ARCH DESIGN
[modern bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2105) by toronto interior designer NathalieTremblay - ARCH DESIGN
tzmaryg
12 years agorguilmette
4 years agoI like option 1 the best. I have to laugh a little at your latest comment about the long sliding door under the shelf. I have a 1960's ranch house and am renovating another bathroom, only to find leaks in this hall bathroom. So please ignore all the mess on top of the cabinet as it is holding contents from both baths at the moment.
BUT you will see that the sliding long cabinet was in vogue in 1960, and has been very handy. It has 1 shelf. I mirrored the entire wall above the shelf. So this thread is very helpful as I think how I will be replacing my 60" vanity in this bathroom, between 2 walls similar to yours! And the gray formica is similar to what is coming back into style I guess if I waited long enough, this bathroom would be fashionable -- except for the yellow appliances......Can't wait to see your final pics.
treasuretheday