Buying guide for Best bathroom vessel sinks
Are you considering a bathroom remodel but feeling daunted by the steep cost of construction? Bathrooms can be expensive to update. What’s more, having one out of commission temporarily comes with its own set of challenges. Rather than diving into a remodel, you can give your bathroom the contemporary accent it needs with a new vessel sink.
In the past, bathroom vessel sinks were mostly seen in salons, spas, and high-end hotels, but in recent years, they’ve been embraced by homeowners. This stylish sink sits atop the bathroom counter and casts an elegant, eye-catching silhouette. Paired with a custom countertop or ornate faucet, a bathroom vessel sink can elevate your lavatory’s entire appearance.
Advantages of a bathroom vessel sink
Overall design
The most noticeable difference between a “traditional” sink and a vessel sink is the design. While a traditional sink sits flush with the counter, a vessel sink rests atop the counter. By design, a vessel sink stands out and adds character to a bathroom, whereas most regular sinks simply blend in.
Ease of cleaning
A notable difference between a regular sink and a vessel sink is the ease of cleaning. Traditional drop-in and undermount sinks have nooks and crannies that attract dirt and mildew. Vessel sinks have fewer of these nooks and crannies. With the right cleaning tools and products, you can easily reach the points where the sink connects to the counter.
Design flexibility
There’s a reasonable degree of design flexibility that comes with a vessel sink. When looking, you will find a broad range of options for countertops, vanities, and even faucets in the vessel sink space. Regular sinks don’t have as many design options. For the most part, they are standalone pieces with limited design possibilities.
As you choose accessories for your bathroom vessel sink, remember to get a pop-up drain that matches the faucet or other fixtures.
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Key considerations
Installation
When it comes time to install your new sink, will you hire a pro or go the DIY route? While you’ll end up spending more money by hiring a pro, it may be the right choice if you’re not comfortable doing the project yourself. A pro can complete this project in a day, and the cost would still be far less than a total bathroom renovation.
That said, installation is certainly a project the average person could take on. If you decide to go this route, it’s important to prepare beforehand. Having the right tools, including those used by plumbers, is essential. If you don’t already have them in your toolbox, don’t forget to calculate that expense into your overall budget.
If you’re a novice DIYer, you’ll also need to find the right tutorial to walk you through installation by way of a video or step-by-step guide. Keep in mind that part of the project also involves removing the original vanity and sink in your bathroom, so you’ll need to account for additional tools and tutorials to cover this as well.
What else you’ll need
Bathroom vessel sinks are affordable, but you’ll need to budget for the project as a whole. When you get a bathroom vessel sink, it’s literally the only piece you’ll find in the box. That means you’ll need to choose the faucet, installation hardware, drain traps, tools, and accessories separately, which could add several hundred dollars to your tab.
Features
Materials
Bathroom vessel sinks are available in a range of materials including ceramic, marble, tempered glass, wood, and stone. It’s common for vessel sinks to be embellished on the exterior with tiling or paintwork. To achieve texture and dimension, the exterior materials may differ from those inside of the bowl.
Shapes
While bathroom vessel sinks are available in several shapes, round and oval sink bowls remain the most common. Squares and rectangles are also popular. In addition, you may encounter bathroom vessel sinks shaped like shells, triangles, and hearts. There are even some asymmetrically shaped vessel sinks on the market.
Drain hole
More often than not, a bathroom vessel sink has a standard-size drain hole that measures 1.75 inches in diameter. Before you begin the installation, it’s strongly recommended that you confirm that the diameter of the drain hole matches that of your pipes. Don’t just rely on printed measurements. Try fitting the bowl over the pipes to confirm that the edges line up. If incompatibilities exist, your project could come to a screeching halt while you spend even more time and money looking for a compatible sink and components.
DID YOU KNOW?
Before moving forward with the installation of your vessel sink, have the bathroom plumbing inspected to confirm there are no drainage or leakage issues. Once you get the all-clear from a plumber, dive right into the project.
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Bathroom vessel sink prices
Bathroom vessel sinks cost anywhere from $50 to $500. Price largely depends on the materials and quality of construction.
Inexpensive: If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be limited to ceramic or tempered glass designs priced between $50 and $100. These are fairly traditional in shape and orientation, so you’re in luck if you prefer simple designs.
Mid-range: For $100 to $250, you’ll find a more diverse assortment of bathroom vessel sinks in various sizes and materials. These designs often come with longer manufacturer protection, so you get more bang for your buck.
Expensive: If you prefer an ornate bathroom vessel sink with a unique shape or color, you may have to spend $300 to $500. These sinks are often made by designer companies, so keep in mind that some well-known names demand a premium.
If you’re not sure which color to choose for a bathroom vessel sink, look at your toilet bowl. Stick to the same shade for a coordinated look, or choose a contrasting color and finish to add some panache to the bathroom.
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Tips
- Choose the right cleaning products. As is the case with any surface in your home, it’s important to choose the right products that will cleanse without causing damage. Even some all-purpose cleaners contain harsh chemicals that may deteriorate the glaze or finish of a particular sink.
- Measure the height of the sink. To choose the right faucet, you’ll need to factor in the height of the sink. If you prefer a high clearance between spout and sink, choose a faucet with a high neck. If you prefer a compact appearance where the spout nearly rests on the sink, choose a shorter one.
- Avoid impulse decisions. It’s common to fall in love with the appearance and price of a bathroom vessel sink, but it’s important to do your research first. Find out all you can about the sink as well as the amount of work involved with installing the vanity, countertop, and faucet.
FAQ
Q. What is a recessed installation of a bathroom vessel sink?
A. The bottom part of a traditionally installed bathroom vessel sink rests atop the vanity or counter, but a recessed vessel sink installation is different. It involves cutting a larger hole into the counter or vanity that allows the sink to “rest” inside. In other words, a portion of the vessel sink is actually under the counter. This type of installation involves a bit more planning, measuring, and cutting, so be sure to find the right pro to handle it — or the right tutorial to walk you through it.
Q. Are bathroom vessel sinks smaller than regular bathroom sinks?
A. Since there isn’t a standard size for bathroom sinks, it’s hard to say. However, most bathroom sinks, regular and vessel, measure between 16 and 24 inches in width or diameter. In terms of sink depth, bathroom vessel sinks range from 5 to 10 inches.
Q. Will a bathroom vessel sink add to my home's worth?
A. It depends. If you add a bathroom vessel sink as part of a total bathroom overhaul, then yes — you’ll have a fully updated bathroom in that case. If it’s your only improvement to the bathroom, however, it won’t add much to your home's bottom line. Even so, if you’re planning on listing your house, a bathroom vessel sink is an attractive addition that photographs well in listings.
