Quartz, marble, and granite—nothing compares to a stone countertop in terms of style and natural beauty. With one-of-a-kind color variation and rock-hard durability, stone countertops are the perfect choice for bathroom vanities, if you’re careful to choose the right one for your needs and lifestyle.
Bathroom Vanities: It’s Not Just About Beauty
You might think bathroom vanities don’t need to be particularly sturdy, since you’re just using them to hold your hairbrush, toothbrush, sunscreen, makeup, and other lightweight items. However, your bathroom vanities actually see a lot of serious wear and tear with daily use. Constant splashes of water mean bathroom vanities need to be made of a water-resistant material, while the buildup of toothpaste, soap scum, spilled creams, dirt, and other residue can easily leave a layer of grime and stains on anything but carefully sealed, non-porous materials. If you plan to use a hairdryer or curling iron, you should also choose a bathroom vanity material that is heat resistant.
Sturdy Stone
Now you know how much your bathroom vanities go through on a daily basis, it’s easy to see why sturdy stone countertops are a good choice.
- Quartz is durable, resistant to scratches and bacteria buildup, and as a man-made material, doesn’t require sealing like other natural stone types do. Unlike purely natural stone, however, quartz bathroom vanities don’t have the same swirl of color variation, their processing method creating a more uniform appearance.
- Granite is similarly scratch-resistant, but as a more porous natural material, granite does require sealing against the constant moisture bathroom vanities are exposed to. Still, if you’re willing to put in the extra effort into maintenance, you’ll have the advantage of the unique appearance of natural stone which no synthetic option can completely imitate.
- Marble is one of the most beautiful natural stones. However, like granite, it also requires regular sealing and careful upkeep. This option is best for a guest bathroom or in bathroom vanities where you’re sure they won’t see hard, heavy use day after day.