The style of your bathroom sink is a surprisingly important decision. You may understand if you have ever washed your hands in a shell-basin sink that is too shallow, with a faucet that was too short, or in a vessel sink that was too tall. Personal bathrooms often need more countertops than a pedestal sink has to offer, but small bathrooms benefit from a sink design that takes up as little space as possible.
If you are designing or redesigning a bathroom, what is the best way to choose a bathroom sink? As kitchen and bathroom experts, we can help you explore all the important considerations for choosing the best sink for any bathroom.
Before you fall in love with any particular sink style, first think in practical terms. What makes a sink comfortable to use? What will ensure your bathroom sink provides the features needed for how the bathroom will be used? These features are what will define the ideal sink for your bathroom. From there, you can explore different shapes and styles.
A bathroom sink should be deep enough to wash your hands, brush your teeth, and possibly to hand-wash small items. Especially shallow basins sometimes look stylish, but they are also far more likely to make a mess. You might, alternately, be looking for an especially deep sink like a Farmhouse sink with a comfortable front apron, which is deep enough to bathe babies and small pets.
Most bathroom sinks are ceramic, just as most kitchen sinks are stainless steel. But yours doesn't have to be identical. Just be aware of the care instructions if you choose a unique or unusual sink material. For example, copper sinks are beautiful but they require a special cleaner and wax.
The greatest difference in sink designs lies in mounting styles. For example, there is a large difference between a pedestal sink, a floating sink, a vessel sink, and a drop-in sink. However, once installed, you can hardly tell the difference between a drop-in sink vs. an undermount sink.
While there are many styles to choose from, the two most important details are sink height and countertop space. If the bathroom is going to be someone's personal or primary bathroom near a bedroom, leave at least one square of counter space for toothbrushes and self-care items. However, a pedestal or floating sink may be more appropriate in the downstairs powder room where no toiletries are needed and space is at a premium.
Lastly, consider the size, shape, and style of your sink hardware. The size and height of the faucet determines how easy it is to wash your hands and other things in the sink. Too-short faucets are annoying no matter how minimalist your style, while arcing swan-like faucets my interfere with the medicine cabinet.
Find the perfect balance of height and style for your faucet to ensure your bathroom is comfortable and easy to use. From there, it's up to you whether you prefer knobs or a single lever to control the strength ad temperature of the flow of water.
Don't forget to match the metal finish with other features in the bathroom such as the shower fixtures or vanity finish.
If you're not sure which is the best type of sink for your bathroom, Edesia Kitchen & Bath studio is glad to help. We can guide you through several functional and elegant styles, and even take care of your sink installation. Contact us today for more information on choosing a great sink for your new bathroom.