Discount Bathroom Vanities - Bargain or Disaster?

When you're remodeling your bathroom, it can be tempting to cut corners to bring the budget back in line with your estimate. While it's certainly possible to reduce the quality of minor accessories like toilet paper holders or buy a cheaper medicine cabinet, you have to be careful when shopping for discount bathroom vanities.

The vanity is the single largest piece of furniture in the bathroom. It supports your countertop and sink, provides storage, and contains bathroom plumbing. For this reason, you should avoid vanities made of inferior materials because they may not be able to withstand several years of heavy use. The last thing you want to do is replace everything because your vanity wasn't made of humidity-resistant materials.

Where You Can Find Quality Discount Bathroom Vanities

Quality discount vanities are available. If you can find one, then it truly is an excellent way to cut costs. To find a discount bathroom vanity that is also durable, you can look for reputable online dealers, showroom close-outs, and floor models.

Online dealers are often able to offer the same vanities sold at big-box stores for much lower prices simply because they don't have as many overhead costs. If the vanity is the same model by the same manufacturer and not listed as a damaged item, you can buy confidently.

Although vanities are designed to last for decades, manufacturers do release updated models. Once a new model is out or an older model has been discontinued, dealers will usually discount them to get them out of their warehouses. Ask the dealer if there's any close-out pricing is available for the model you want.

Finally, floor models are often sold with a sizable discount. A floor model may be slightly dinged, so make sure you can repair it before you close the deal. You can also ask if they have any damaged items in back. Even if the damage is only cosmetic, the dealer can't sell it as new, so they'll cut you a deal. You may find that the damage is barely noticeable or in a location that isn't visible once it's installed. Inspect the piece carefully before you buy to ensure that the damage doesn't affect the structure or durability, though.

When Discounts Aren't Deals

Sometimes discount bath vanities aren't great deals. Most online retailers are reputable, but you should carefully research them before making such a large purchase. Verify that they don't have numerous negative reports at the Better Business Bureau and that they list an address and phone number where you can contact them. Visit a different website to make your purchase if anything seems "off" about the site or the seller.

You should also be wary of online or in-person descriptions that don't clearly define the materials that were used. For example, thick plywood is an acceptable material in bathrooms, but pressboard or particle board are not. If the description doesn't say "hard wood" or list a specific wood, don't buy it until you have confirmation that it isn't pressboard. MDF is acceptable if it's moisture-resistant.

Finally, shoddy workmanship can turn a discount vanity into a disaster. If the corners aren't properly joined or the wood isn't sealed, you could find yourself replacing the vanity after a year or two, and incurring significant expense to do so.

Discount bath vanities can save you a lot of money on your remodel, but buyer-beware is always the rule. Take your time and carefully research your purchases before you spend a dime on a discounted vanity.