When it comes to combining functionality and style, few bathroom features get the job done quite like a vanity. Whether you need some extra space for storing towels, toilet paper, and other bathroom necessities or a simple pedestal to support your sink, there are countless bathroom vanity styles available.
Two of the biggest bathroom vanity brands on the market today are Fresca and Robern. While both brands are extremely popular, homeowners may find themselves wondering which option will be best for their needs.
Robern is an American brand that was founded in 1968. What started with railing designs quickly spread to cabinetry, a background that made the transition to designing bathroom vanities and medicine cabinets that much easier. Fresca is a Chinese brand that has gained popularity in recent years thanks in large part to the sheer variety of vanities that it produces.
The good news is you can’t really go wrong with either option. Both Fresca and Robern produce high-quality products that are built to deliver quality performance for many years to come. However, understanding the different features and styles available from each brand will help you determine which one best matches your preferences.
Here is a closer look at some of the key attributes of Fresca and Robern vanities.
Theme
Do you prefer a sleek, contemporary design or something more traditional? The general appearance of a bathroom vanity is typically one of the first features most homeowners will consider when making their selection.
Fresca vanities are available in contemporary/modern styles, as well as traditional/classic and transitional styles. Robern vanities, on the other hand, are almost entirely focused on helping you create a contemporary/modern look for your home.
So what do these “themes” mean? A contemporary or modern vanity utilizes design elements from the late 19th century to today. There is an emphasis on functionality over intricate design, so you won’t see intricate carvings or patterns inlaid in the vanity itself. Instead, a contemporary or modern vanity will have flat, smooth surfaces. A modern vanity will typically have a square or rectangular shape with hard, straight edges. Contemporary vanities tend to be more rounded, taking on a curved half-circle appearance.
Examples of modern vanities include the Robern VF60PDCNPWM V14 60 Inch Vanity W/Center Sink & Plumbing and the Fresca FCB8430WH-I Valencia 30 Inch Glossy White Free Standing Bathroom Vanity.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are traditional bathroom vanities. As HGTV explains, “Traditional bathroom vanities are generally thought of as maintaining the old-world European feel of ‘furniture-style’ vanities. This means that they often feature an ornate design with delicately carved tabletops, intricate molding, and elegant hardware. Drawers or cabinets are common, and the most commonly employed material is classic, solid hardwood. Colors run the gamut, but many traditional bathroom vanities use common tones like whites, beiges and other light, airy colors.”
Traditional vanities are often designed to look more like a dresser or another piece of furniture. Great examples of this style from Fresca include the Fresca FCB2305GR-I Manchester 30 Inch Grady Traditional Bathroom Vanity and the Fresca FVN2302WH-CMB Hartford 24 Inch White Traditional Bathroom Vanity.
Finally, there are transitional vanities. As you might expect, transitional vanities fall somewhere in between traditional and modern styles. Design elements may be more subdued than in a traditional vanity, but not to the point of being as sleek and seamless as a modern vanity. Once again, Fresca is the brand of choice if you are interested in a transitional vanity. The Fresca FCB31-3030ACA Formosa 58 Inch Wall Hung Double Sink is a great example of this style.
Colors and Materials
The right color or finish — as well as the materials used in construction — will further define the look and aesthetic of your bathroom vanity. Both Robern and Fresca models offer a diverse range of color options to help you match your vanity to existing bathroom decor or add a splash of color. Finish options include blacks, browns, chromes, whites, yellows, reds, and even glass.
Thanks to its emphasis on modern and contemporary styles, Robern vanities come in a slightly larger range of colors, with blues, gold tones, and patterns also available.
Of course, a key part of the color and finish of the bathroom vanity are the materials used to construct the vanity base. As previously noted, the traditional vanities from Fresca are generally constructed from wood, though contemporary styles such as the Fresca FVN1019 Ovale 24 Inch Modern Glass Bathroom Vanity W/Frosted Edge Mirror combine a glass basin with a jewel tone chrome stand.
Robern offers even more unique finishes. For example, the Robern VF24TDCNPA7320 Adorn II 24 Inch Vanity is primarily built from aluminum. This material choice doesn’t just create a unique modern aesthetic for your bathroom. It also maximizes the durability of the vanity thanks to aluminum’s moisture and corrosion-resistant properties. Other material choices include wood veneers, which utilize a stylish, moisture-resistant finish.
Countertop materials are another important point of consideration. Most Robern vanities come with a standard stone countertop. However, many vanities, such as the Robern VM36H1D21P10N Cartesian 36-1/8 W x 7-1/2 H x 21-3/4 D Inch Slim Drawer Vanity With Plumbing Drawer, don’t come with a pre-installed countertop. Instead, buyers select from Robern’s line of countertops to complete their vanity. While some might find it inconvenient to purchase a vanity countertop separately, this can give you greater control over the final design of your vanity.
Robern vanity tops are available in a wide array of materials and styles. Stone, glass, and engineered stone designs ensure that you can get the exact custom look you desire, including modern white or black countertops.
While Fresca offers a greater variety of countertop materials, there is generally less flexibility toward fully customizing your countertop. For example, the Fresca FVN2260AC Kingston 60 Inch Antique Coffee Double Sink Traditional Bathroom Vanity With Mirrors comes with a gorgeous marble countertop. However, other countertop materials aren’t available for this model.
This isn’t a bad thing at all — just something to consider as you try to find the right style. With available countertop materials ranging from resin and acrylic to ceramic and quartz, the Fresca line gives you plenty of options to choose from so you can find the right match for your tastes and budget.
Cabinet Type
Another factor to consider when deciding between a Robern and Fresca bathroom vanity is the type of vanity you need. Bathroom vanities come in one of three styles: free-standing (or cabinet-style), wall-mounted, and pedestal.
Both Fresca and Robern offer a wide range of free-standing and wall-mounted vanities. Free-standing vanities typically use either a legged furniture design or a kick plate to create a solid look that also offers more storage space. Examples of free-standing vanities include the Robern VB42H2D21P10N71 Balletto 42 W x 15 H Inch Single Drawer Vanity With Plumbing Drawer and the Fresca FVN2302BL-CMB Hartford 24 Inch Black Traditional Bathroom Vanity.
Some free-standing Fresca and Robern vanities also utilize an open shelving space below the standard pull-out drawers to create a more airy feel for the bathroom. Generally speaking, free-standing models are most common in traditional vanities, though many modern vanities also follow this design pattern.
Wall-mounted vanities are especially common in contemporary and transitional designs. These vanities are mounted to the wall, leaving an open area between the vanity and the floor. Vanities such as the Fresca FCB31-123612ACA-CWH-U Formosa 60 Inch Wall Hung Single Sink Modern Bathroom Cabinet or the Robern 30119400TB00003 Cartesian 30 Inch Three Drawer Decorative Glass Vanity help evoke a sleek, modern style that helps the bathroom feel more spacious.
While a wall-mounted vanity can lend a great modern touch, it is important to remember that these models typically can’t support as much weight as a free-standing vanity. If you have young children who like to climb on the countertops, you may want to consider a free-standing vanity instead.
While both Robern and Fresca offer a fantastic selection of free-standing and wall-mounted vanities, only Fresca offers smaller pedestal vanities. Perfect for half-bathrooms where space is extremely limited, pedestal vanities forgo many features such as storage drawers. Instead, the sink is paired with an attractive pedestal base to conserve space. Examples include the Fresca FVN1053 Vitale 16.5 Inch Modern Glass Bathroom Vanity W/Miror and the Fresca FVN5023WH Parma 24 Inch White Pedestal Sink W/Medicine Cabinet.
While a pedestal vanity likely won’t be ideal for a master suite, it is a great option for bathrooms where space is at a premium.
Added Features
A base cabinet is expected for practically any non-pedestal bathroom vanity. But Robern and Fresca vanities both have additional options that could make all the difference for homeowners trying to maximize the functionality of their bathroom.
One feature that is offered by select Robern and Fresca models is a night light. Whether you need help navigating the bathroom at night or some extra lighting for working through your morning routine, this feature can prove surprisingly useful. LED lights are available with models like the Robern 24219100TB00001 Cartesian 24 Inch Decorative Glass Vanity or the compatible mirror for the Fresca FPVN7832CB Platinum Due 32 Inch Glossy Cobalt Bathroom Vanity.
Each brand also has unique additional features that are available for certain models. For example, the Robern VB30H1D21P10N71 Balletto 30 W x 7-1/2 H Inch Slim Vanity Base Unit With Plumbing Drawer comes with an organization kit featuring adjustable drawer dividers. This allows users to further customize their bathroom storage. This same model also features several hidden storage options that make it easy to keep items organized and out of sight. This may seem like a minor addition, but it goes a long way in creating a cleaner appearance for the bathroom.
Other Robern vanities feature side kits that allow for a slight extension of the vanity width for an even more luxurious design.
Fresca bathroom vanities also come with a wide array of available features to give homeowners more options for how they decorate and organize their bathroom. For example, the Fresca FVN62-3612GO-VSL Torino 48 Inch Gray Oak Modern Bathroom Vanity W/Side Cabinet & Vessel Sink utilizes a linen side cabinet with three extra drawers to provide more storage space. Open shelving underneath the standard drawers of other vanities also creates more versatile storage.
Many Fresca bathroom vanities also come paired with a matching mirror or medicine cabinet to further complete the look and functionality of your bathroom. The included medicine cabinet can be especially useful for smaller pedestal-style vanities, allowing homeowners to still enjoy additional storage space in their bathroom when a full-size vanity simply wouldn’t fit.
While an included medicine cabinet or mirror can create the perfect stylistic match for a Fresca medicine cabinet, this additional feature isn’t always necessary. If you love your current bathroom mirrors, an extra mirror would likely be nothing more than a waste of money! Of course, there are plenty of Fresca and Robern models available without mirrors and medicine cabinets, and both brands offer a variety of standalone mirrors and medicine cabinets to better match your preferences.
Warranty Information
Another factor prospective buyers may wish to consider is the warranty offered by each company. Though professional installation should prevent most problems, having a quality warranty can provide much-needed peace of mind should an issue arise with your new bathroom vanity.
Robern offers a limited one-year warranty on all its products. This warranty addresses significant material and workmanship defects. The brand will repair or replace defective vanities as necessary, though the customer is typically responsible for installation costs. Certain “operating components” — like the opening devices and hinges found in vanity drawers — have warranty coverage beyond the initial year.
Fresca offers a three-year limited warranty to address workmanship or material defects, including all bathroom vanity parts and finishes. Fresca provides customers with any parts needed for repairs or replacements. It should be noted that this warranty coverage is only valid if your vanity is installed by a licensed professional.
With both warranties, damage caused by product abuse, using improper cleaning products, or poor installation will not be covered by the company. This also includes any attempts at DIY repairs using your own non-branded parts.
If you are concerned about the possibility of future maintenance issues, you should carefully review the warranty information for your product of choice so you will not be denied coverage. Paying for professional installation now could help you save money in the long run.
Which Brand Should You Get?
Ultimately, the decision of whether to get a Robern or Fresca bathroom vanity comes down to your personal tastes and the needs of your bathroom. If you are remodeling a small hallway half-bath, a pedestal vanity from Fresca will likely be your best option. If you are upgrading your master bathroom, however, you can choose pretty much whichever Fresca or Robern vanity will best fit your space and usage needs.
You should also consider how you plan to use your bathroom on a daily basis. For example, if both you and your spouse will be getting ready in the morning at the same time, you will likely benefit from a vanity with additional counter space or even double sinks. Be aware of how much storage space you will need from your vanity, while also being mindful of the options provided by medicine cabinets, shelving, and other available storage options.
The location of your current plumbing outlets will also affect the size and style of vanity that will work best for your bathroom. Getting precise measurements of the available height, width, and depth will help you narrow your search to the Robern or Fresca vanity that is best suited for your layout.
It will also be helpful to consider the rest of the decor in your bathroom. For example, if you are in the process of remodeling your entire bathroom and are using Robern products for other fixtures, selecting a Robern bathroom vanity will help you create a more cohesive, unified design.
Even if you are not remodeling your entire bathroom, you should take the current design features of your bathroom into consideration when choosing between Fresca and Robern vanities. You don’t want your new vanity to stick out like a sore thumb! Choose a style that will be a good match for your current fixtures and decor.
Find What You Need
Here at Kitchen & Bath Authority, we make it easy to find the Robern or Fresca bathroom vanities you want at a price you can afford. Between these two brands, we have literally thousands of styles for you to choose from.
No matter what type of vanity you need or which style you prefer, we will help you transform your bathroom with discounted prices, free shipping, and no tax. Additional promo codes can help you save even more!
So go ahead, take a look at our wide selection of Fresca bathroom vanities and Robern bathroom vanities. No matter what type of vanity you’re interested in, we’re confident that you will find an option that matches your stylistic preferences while also offering the functionality you and your family need.
