There are a lot of ways to get a sleek, modern look in a bathroom, but one of the easiest – and one of my personal favorites – is to choose a bathroom vanity with a tempered glass vanity top. These are totally unique, instantly eye catching, and are absolutely gorgeous and elegant looking – the perfect way to make a major statement in a modern bathroom.
Stone vanity tops have become something of a default luxury option for a bathroom: if you can afford to upgrade from basic laminate counter tops, you’re probably going to choose one made from granite or marble, either pre-cut or done to your specifications. But the growing ubiquity of stone vanity tops has made them less of an outstanding feature. Tempered glass vanity tops, on the other hand, have a built-in wow factor that comes with being a little less common. And because tempered glass takes on a soft bluish green tint, it’s a feature that’s hard to overlook, too.
In many ways, we’re in an age of cheap, affordable stone. Because granite and marble have been so popular for so many years, many manufacturers have begun buying high quality stone in bulk, cutting it, and packaging it with their bathroom vanities. But while this significantly reduces costs for consumers, making stone more accessible to more homeowners, it’s still almost always more expensive than what you’d pay for a glass vanity top. Even though tempered glass undergoes extensive treatment to make it more resistant to breakage, it’s still a man-made good rather than a natural one, which means it will be less expensive and of a more consistent quality.
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While many homeowners covet luxurious stone vanity tops, they’re often in for a bad surprise when they actually get them. Stone – especially marble – can be notoriously fussy. It’s a porous natural material, which means it needs to be carefully sealed to prevent stains or other discoloration or damage. Tempered glass, on the other hand, is totally nonporous, which means it won’t stain, mold, or mildew, it doesn’t need to be sealed. All you have to do to clean it is simply wipe it down. It also means that, unlike stone, which often has a matte finish, tempered glass vanity tops always have a high gloss finish, which is perfect for a very chic modern bathroom.
Often, tempered glass vanity tops include built in sinks – that is, the sink or sinks and countertop are made out of a single piece of glass. Sometimes this sheet of glass is raised up above the surface of the vanity, so you can see down through the counter while you’re standing in front of it and see the curve of the sink (and the water in it) when you’re standing at a slight distance. The effect is striking and a little mesmerizing, especially since conventional sinks (or even ones integrated into stone or porcelain vanity tops) generally sit entirely beneath the counter. Tempered glass vanity tops also pair well with glass vessel sinks for sort of a reverse version of this look, but integrated ones are also much easier to clean, as you can simply wipe anything on the counter directly into the sink.
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Tempered glass vanity tops are available in a variety of colors, as the glass can easily be tinted to take on just about any color or even a pattern. That said, black and white are among the more common options, and more often than not the glass is left clear or simply frosted. Even totally clear tempered glass has a slight aqua tint that’s most noticeable along the edges and less so from the top down, and may be more blue or more green depending on the manufacturer. If the counter isn’t lifted up from the top of the vanity, it’s likely that the glass will be frosted, giving the whole sheet a pale, icy blue-green color that’s a little more opaque so you won’t be staring down at the top of the vanity.
It’s important to note, though, that while glass vanity tops are easy to clean, they aren’t necessarily easy to keep clean – like stainless steel appliances or clear glass shower doors, they’re prone to showing fingerprints and water marks, so they will require some upkeep. Also, it’s important to be aware that while tempered glass is more durable than your average drinking glass and specifically designed not to break into large, dangerous chunks, they are still made of glass and can chip or crack if you hit them too hard or at the wrong angle – especially on the edges. So while this is a great option for a posh modern master bathroom, it might not be the best choice for a kid’s bathroom!
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