November 15, 2011 | Posted In Bath

Style Editor: Show Your Bones

Plumbing can be beautiful. When done right, exposed pipes under bathroom sinks can be very chic. There is something both old school and urban about it. I like how this bathroom is so clean and open

A small bathroom with a bulky vanity takes up a lot of floor space, making it look even more cramped. An exposed pipe design can help bring out a few more square feet.

bathroom-vanity-400w

Bath towels can be displayed in a unique basket or bowl such as the one above rather than stuffed away in a vanity cupboard or closet. I also love the idea of filling a jar with bars of soap; an inexpensive yet visually appealing storage option.

This particular utilitarian washstand with built in towel racks would be complimented by a sleek Treviso 3-hole Pfister faucet.

treviso-3hole-400w

“But where do I put my stuff?” you say. Well, here is an idea from HGTV.

Floating shelves are an elegant way to utilize wall space:

Floating-shelves-400w

And, for the small things such as toothpaste, lotions, razors and whatnot, a high-end medicine cabinet may add some design pizazz, such as this one from Robern:

robern-m-medicine-cabinet-400h

So, are you ready to throw out the vanity and let those pipes breathe?

Try This at Home

  1. Consult a plumber about the state of your pipes. Perhaps he or she can help you replace or polish pipes that need a little TLC.
  2. Look for functional, yet pretty storage ideas: Various sized baskets with lids may be a good option fro stashing cleaning supplies or T.P. Shelves should also be explored.
  3. Beautiful faucet fixtures and a clean sink are essential to pulling off your exposed pipe design.
  4. Consider your floor. With more exposed, your floor must be flawless. No crummy linoleum, please! Even inexpensive tile can look sharp.
  5. Consider your walls. A fresh paint job may be all it takes to pull the look together.