Asian / Zen / Japanese Bathroom Vanities

Style always plays a major role when deciding how to remodel a bathroom. People looking for a sense of balance and tranquility will look toward the stylings of the Far East and the Asian Zen design. Serenity, inner peace, and balance are the mainstays of the Zen approach to design. The designs for bathroom vanities are inspired by this Zen approach to bathroom design. Of course this does not necessarily mean that the vanity or bathroom inspired by these designs will exact replicas of vanities or bathroom designs found in Japan or the far east, but, will embrace the design principles of Zen ideologies. Simplicity and restraint will be forefront in any Zen designed vanity. A single overall color will lead the design with small hints or splashes of color to offset the vanity and focus the eye. The Zen styles often embrace detailed woodwork, inlays, cutouts carvings and repeating patterns. These design moments within the vanity are sparse and balanced as not to upset the tranquility of the Zen feeling. Bamboo is a very popular material used in bathroom vanities. As a natural material, it is fast growing and sustainable which makes bamboo a great choice for those looking to ensure “green” and eco-friendly lifestyle. Bamboo is also extremely strong, water resistant, and durable. Rice paper hints and trims make great accents to any Zen inspired vanity. Creative jointing and wood work will invoke an eastern feeling to the construction.

When deciding on a Zen design for your vanity and bathroom make sure you keep it simple. Simplicity is the key to giving you the typical Zen feeling. Small pagoda style vanities will give your bathroom and vanity an authentic Zen sense of design, but are often smaller than a traditional American style vanity. The idea of “bigger is better” is an American ideology and if you are looking for a more Asian inspired design think small and simple. Zen is about balance and peace, and those ideas are found in simplicity and open spaces. Stay away from the American idea of modern. Modern style, while often simple, is marked with brushed metal and cool industrial materials. A Zen design will bring in colors and materials which are inspired by nature and the natural world. Combining nature and indoor life is an important idea for anyone looking to have that authentic Zen design. So when deciding on a Zen bathroom vanity look for natural wood colors, warm earth color accents, and repeating patterns, and try to stay away from that industrial feel. The world is typically not a grey and drab place, its is warm, so look to incorporate these natural inspirations in you Zen vanity. But over all keep things simple and well balanced, these ideas over all others will help give your bathroom vanity a Zen feeling.