Table, mirror, side lighting and vintage accents make up a modern bedroom vanity.
The bedroom vanity is still prevalent in the eco-friendly 21st century. As people reduce their living space and consumption, there is still a need to prepare for the day ahead, and that way is harkening back to centuries before when the bedroom vanity was often a mark of decadence. Today, a vanity can be used to conserve as well as to indulge.
Inspiration
Early to mid-century Hollywood glamour is arguably the strongest inspiration for the modern bedroom vanity, but it is also seen as Victorian. In both of these cases, the bedroom vanity was a mini dressing room, where a woman -- usually of status -- had a small area of her room to anchor her beauty regimen. Granted, the bedroom was often her own during these times, but even in the typical domestic 1950s household (shared with her husband), there was often a bedroom vanity. It was a small area in the bedroom at which the lady of the house could retreat with her husband, yet still get ready for the day or evening ahead.
Modern Use
In the 21st century, the bedroom vanity has a new function: space. As people reduce their living area for economic or environmental reasons, bathrooms are smaller and often shared, and there is little room for a woman (or man) to get ready for the day ahead. A bedroom vanity can provide that area and sanctuary, just as it did in Victorian and Old Hollywood times. A bedroom vanity takes little room, and you can create one in vintage- or modern-style or anything in between.
Elements
A typical bedroom vanity consists of a table, comfortable seating, drawers/storage and lighting. Find an area of your bedroom where the natural light at the time of day you normally get ready is best and works within the other elements of your bedroom. A bedroom vanity doesn't have to take up a lot of space -- no more than the modern television. Accessories that will be visible on your bedroom vanity are also important; if you have a vintage flair, consider old perfume bottles.
Design
Shop for a vintage vanity, desk, or use a table and decorate it with skirting fabric according to your tastes and skills. Then, find a mirror to hang above it (it doesn't have to be connected); you might even want to use the mirror as the decorative focal point of your bedroom. The main thing to consider in your bedroom vanity design is cohesion with the rest of your bedroom. You may want the bedroom vanity, in general, and the mirror, in particular, to be a focal point or have it blend in with the rest of the master bedroom. Choose fabrics and paint colors accordingly.
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