If it's mostly used by your kids I'd go with the dark and perhaps chrome would be more utilitarian, crystal, to me, denotes feminenity.

I think the dark finish reads as less "IKEA", and the crystal knobs, too.

Not sure what element of the IKEA look you're most interesting in avoiding, but if you want it to look less modern, I think once you have accessories on the sink surround (soap dispenser, whatever) it can look a lot less modern depending on what you use.

Are you familiar with O'verlays? They are fretwork panels especially made for Ikea furniture.

Google Images of O'verlays

Also search Pinterest for "O'verlays"

Here is a link that might be useful: O'verlays

I was thinking something similar to bbstx only I using a wall stencil for the front, or maybe free hand a simple tree or paisley design.
Or what about adding enlarged photos of your children to cover the whole front of the cabinet?
Or something as simple as painting it with chalkboard paint leaving colored chalk for your children to decorate it.

Thanks for the help - great ideas! I'm not super talented in the art department, so I was thinking of just sticking with the original finish and picking other items around it to disguise the brand.

leafy02 - You pegged it. I don't want it to be super modern, and I think that some Ikea is just very obviously.... Ikea. I am trying to pick mid to upper level finishes for the rest of the house, and I don't want this room to scream "cheap". :)

"Ikea hackers" is a site which shows how to tweak Ikea products.

"Here is one example of what can be done with a similar dresser."

Paint, wallpaper, embellishments can change the look of any piece of furniture, just depends on the style you want.

Odd man out. I prefer the white one and think it looks less Ikea. Good idea about changing the knobs. I think either would work. I think the chrome knobs don't look all that different than what's on there. I'd maybe consider a birdcage style to try and separate the look.

I like the white too. I'd change the hardware and add some baseboard to the bottom.

Check the materials. When I was looking at those cabinets (ended up going custom), I believe the dark was made of wood and the white was made of MDF? I can't quite remember, but there was a materials disparity and the dark was of better materials.

I think changing the knobs to something more substantial is a good idea.

I'd need to know more about the look/color of the bathroom. Which one matches your color scheme?

I also recommend looking at Ikea Hacks.

I like the white as well.

I just ran across this IKEA upgrade on Pinterest that would look great on the white cabinet - it looks super easy, but has a lot of impact.

Etsy is a great source for vinyl decals in a wide variety of styles and colors if you like the idea of the stencil, but maybe want something easier. Depending on the vinyl they can also be removed later if you chose.

I would also suggest that if this will be used mostly by the kids, why don't you involve them in the decisions? Narrow the choices to a few you like then let them make the final choice.

Here is a link that might be useful: IKEA redo from Emily Clark

Here's a blog that used the same sink combo..

Here is a link that might be useful: http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/ikea-vanity-and-more-powder-room.html

I can only imagine what it would come out looking like if I tried that gold leaf Emily Clark hack myself!

At first I was thinking the dark - but now that the above photo is posted, I like the white... However, I think that's because the entire bathroom is white.

Did you say what your color scheme will be?

Anyway - check out the knobs from Anthro -- I've used their knobs to update furniture and they are awesome.

Here is a link that might be useful: knobs

I am remodeling the entire bathroom, so I am picking out all of the finishes.

crl_ Thank you for the tip about checking for MDF vs wood. I will report back!

I like the white but I would add molting to the base for a more built in furniture look. I've attached a link to demonstrate the ikea "hack"

Here is a link that might be useful: Hemnes built in

One thing we did in our powder room sink area is use white subway tile with a glass tile border.... this was my inspiration photo:

[Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by Alpharetta Kitchen & Bath Designers Keri Morel Designs

Prior to adding the tile on the wall, the surface was paint. There were so many water splashes on the walls - and they don't really go away. The tile makes the room look neat and tidy - and prevents those drip marks. Subway tile is cheap, too.

Here is my bathroom:

Since you mentioned this would be used by your kids, I thought I'd pass on this tip.

Janice - Thanks for the tip on the subway tile. I was debating if I should save money and just paint the walls, but it sounds totally worth it to put the subway tiles.

I did my research on the Ikea website. It looks like the "main parts/drawer front" of the dark one is pine and the white one is fiberboard. So I am thinking the dark one for durability, right? Realistically, this thing is going to be abused by the kids, and I wouldn't expect them to wipe up any drips.

Not knowing the sq. footage of your space, it's hard to push you in that direction... my tile is just those three walls (can't see the the third) - as the sink is set into that space and stands alone. I think all said and done it was $400 for tile and labor - but the guy just came in to do this job. You'll be bidding out for more tile than just this.... so labor wise, it probably won't add much to your overall labor cost.

I purchased at a local tile store - but was just in Lowes last night and they have some really pretty glass accents (like the one I used) -- if that's your thing. It just added a little extra interest.

The wall where my towel holder is (to the left of the sink) was just full of water drip stains. You can't get them out. It was either re-paint every couple years or tile.

As for your sink choice - I truly believe it comes down to the look you want to achieve. The all white cabinet, with white subway tiles and accent tiles would look pretty awesome. I can't imagine that the fiberboard is any less durable than the pine....

What ever you don't go near the kokeena cabinet door product. I have had a nightmare of a time with them. I ordered three doors and drawer sets. The first ones that arrived two of the three were warped. They sent replacements but they were very different from the existing door I had. So I sent them a piece of one cabinet to match and when they sent me more doors they were bad again. They finally sent me three more doors but they didn't stain the back side and the color was blond on the back side of the walnut. They said this is 'exceptable' because when the cabinets are shut you don't see the inside!!!! I ordreed in April, paid on May 1st and it's Christmas this week and it's still unresolved. They say they are not sending me more cabinets and they offered rods to straighten the warped doors!!! which I through away. No thank you. Stay clear.