Bathroom Sinks

Choose the right sink for your bathroom

If you’re remodeling your bathroom or building a new house, you’ll find that your lavatory sink options are far more plentiful than they once were. Gone are they days when a simple white, round sink was your only choice. Pedestal sinks, wall-hung sinks and vanity-mounted sinks all offer a host of colors, sizes and shapes. If you’re remodeling, a new sink can be a budget-conscious way to completely alter a bathroom’s appearance. Consider how frequently the bathroom is used, what kind of look you’re going for, and keep the following questions in mind as you shop to find the perfect fit:

• What style of sink best suits your bathroom?
• What color will fit best with your décor?
• How big does the sink need to be?
• Do you need storage room underneath?
• What materials are available, and what are the advantages of each?

Design Considerations, Styles and Materials

The frequency with which you use your bathroom will help dictate which type of sink will fit best. Seldom used guest bathrooms, for example, probably won’t require as much storage or counter space, so a stylish pedestal sink could be a perfect fit. If you’re working with a large master bathroom, you may want to consider installing multiple sinks to make it easier for two people to get ready for work simultaneously in the morning. Choose a material that will wear well, look good and fit within your budget, and select a style that is both easy to clean and attractive.

Color, Shape and Size: Choosing a color for your new sink will depend on the surrounding décor, whether you wish the sink to blend in or stand out, and your personal preferences. Available shapes include round, oval, rectangle and asymmetrical designs. Some sinks are specially designed to fit into corners while others work better out in the open. If you need storage room, install a vanity-mounted sink. If you’re installing the sink in a smaller bathroom and want to conserve floor space, choose a pedestal or wall-hung sink.

• Colors range from muted earth tones to bold, bright blues and greens
• Deeper sinks minimize the chances of water splashing back out
• Choose the largest sink you have room for to maximize available space
• 34″ is a typical installation height

Pedestal, Vessel and Wall-Hung Sinks: In smaller bathrooms, powder rooms or guest bathrooms, pedestal, vessel and wall-hung sinks can provide style without taking up a lot of floor space. Because they do not provide storage room, however, they may not work well in large or frequently used bathrooms. Be sure that the faucet spout is long enough to reach the bowl, and bear in mind that freestanding sinks don’t usually have an overflow hole and must be fitted with a grid drain. Vessel sinks, also called countertop sinks, sit directly on a counter and make a bold design statement. Faucets are often wall-mounted above a vessel sink.

• Wall-hung sinks are economical and easy to install
• Wall-hung sinks can easily accommodate wheelchairs
• Pedestal sinks offer a range of styles from Victorian to contemporary
• Pedestal sinks may require a larger up-front investment
• Choose a toilet to complement a pedestal sink’s stylized leg
• Make sure a countertop sink doesn’t sit up too high

Vanity-Mounted Sinks: If you need storage space for toilet paper, cleaning products and more, a vanity-mounted sink is the perfect choice. They do require more floor space, so you’ll want to install them in larger bathrooms. There are a number of styles available, making it easy to choose one that best suits your bathroom. Self-rimming sinks are dropped into a hole in the countertop and are easy to install, though the rim joint can be difficult to keep clean. Integral sinks are molded from the same material as the counter, usually a solid-surface material. They are stylish and easy to install and clean, though you’ll need to replace the entire unit if either the sink or counter gets damaged. Integral sinks are often oval or round, but they may be rectangular or even trough-shaped.

• Self-rimming sinks sit just above counter level and can be matched to the faucet
• Self-rimming sinks may be more difficult to install and keep clean
• Under-mounted sinks have a low profile and emphasize the look of the countertop
• Countertops must be completely waterproof if you install an under-mounted sink
• Flush-mounted sinks are used with tile counters and have square edges equal in thickness to the tiles, allowing them to sit flush with the countertop

Materials: Most sinks are available in a wide range of materials, though some styles, such as under-mounted sinks, can only be made from certain materials. Use the chart below to learn more about some of the more commonly used materials.