More than any other area in the house, it is the bathroom that gets used more often. Whether it’s you, your family or your guests seeking refuge, it is of the utmost importance that everyone’s needs are satisfied to ensure a pleasant bathroom experience for all. One of the things you should first take a look into when you’re having your bathroom built or renovated is the sink. The sink is where a lot of activities are done, including washing hands, shaving, applying and removing make-up, and other priming. For this reason, it is a must that your sink gives guests a positive first impression of your bathroom.
Sink fixtures these days come in a variety of designs. They also come in a variety of shapes, colors and even materials. A traditional sink is usually made of porcelain or ceramic. The plumbing materials used by these traditional sink fixtures have long been preferred. You need to decide if you want your sink to be more practical or more design orientated.
Vessel Sinks
Unlike the undermount sinks and traditional sinks, the vessel sink is placed on top of the counter or vanity in your bathroom. Making use of a vessel sink in your bathroom is a fantastic way to spice up your bathroom design. They are available in many styles, finishes, shapes and sizes which make them a versatile option for any color scheme or theme you plan on achieving in your bathroom. Some of these styles include; modern, rustic, antique, traditional, and contemporary.
The materials that vessel sinks are available in are; quartz, granite, marble, ceramic, copper, glass, porcelain, and wood. Another great design element of these sinks is that you have the option of using your existing cabinetry to place the vessel sink on, it may require some do-it-yourself work but the end result will be well worth the extra bit of work.
When it comes to the design aspect of vessel sinks you will be dealing with three major factors to work on, and these are the vessel sink vanity design, the vessel sink itself, and the sink fixtues, the faucet for the sink. All of these items can be customized to suite the bathroom theme or personal preference.
Vessel Sink Vanities: Stands and Cabinets
vessel sink vanityWhen considering the sink vanities, there are numerous choices available such as the wide range of designs they come it, the color of the sink vanity and the material the vanity is made out of. All these factors can play a vital part in your overall bathroom design and appearance. In most bathrooms the vanity is the central focus, so make sure you are totally satisfied with the vanity design before choosing your sink.
Most people choose according to the current design of their bathroom, while others will choose the vessel sink vanity before they start with their design, whatever your choice is, try not to restrict your bathroom theme by choosing your vessel sink unit first and then trying to adapt your bathroom theme from there.
Vessel Sink Stand – These are usually hammered, etched and bend by experienced artisans out of steel to form a unique stand for which the sink bowl is placed on top for a unique design appeal. By combining a unique sink stand with one of the many vessel sinks will serve as the center piece in your bathroom.
Cabinets – Unlike the vessel stand, the vessel cabinet is much larger in size, this serves the great advantage of having loads of storage space beneath the sink. They are mostly made out of hardwoods such as oak, cherry, and mahogany. Vessel sink cabinets are available in single or double draws or single long draws.
Types of Vessel Sinks
When dealing with vessel sink installation, there are two main types of sink installations you can follow when it comes to cabinet or countertop installation, namely:
Above-Counter Installation – As the name implies, the above-counter installation involves the vessel sink being place straight on top of the counter, stand or cabinet. This is the most popular form of vessel sink installation, and no additional work is required during the installation process.
Recessed Installation – For the recessed installation a hole has to be cut into the top of the cabinet or counter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the sink but bigger than the base of the vessel sink, ideally the sink should fit half-way into the cut out hole. This form of installation also offers more stability.
Vessel Sink Fixtures and Faucets
vessel sink fixturesVessel sink faucets are specifically designed to be used with a vessel sink. They are usually much taller than regular bathroom faucets in order to clear the high rim of the vessel sink basin and are generally placed on the cabinet or counter. Holes need to be drilled on the countertop for the faucet to be installed, and may come in a single or double-hole configuration depending on your vessel sink setup.
Vessel sink faucets are also available with the tap handle attached to the faucet or separately, if the tap handles are separated then they will also need to be installed on the cabinet or countertop.
Faucets for vessel sinks come in many different designs and styles making it possible to mix and match the various vessel sinks with various faucets, this enables you to have a totally unique bathroom sink setup.
Other Vessel Sink Fixtures
When deciding on a vessel sink for your bathroom it is also important to consider which type of drain plug to use. Another great advantage of a vessel sink is that it can hold a large volume of water, so you will need an effective plug that fits your sink well. There are numerous drainage options available to choose from, here are some of the popular choices:
Overflow and no-overflow drains – There are various kinds of drains now available for vessel sinks. When in the market for them, you’ll usually hear the terms ‘overflow drains’ and ‘no-overflow drains’. The average vessel sink does not really come with an overflow feature, so experts recommend ordering an overflow drain to homeowners who often find themselves leaving their sink filled. A customized overflow drain cost you more at the onset, but this would let you save on water so you get to scrimp on utility bills and protect the environment as well.
Pop-up drains – These drains are called as such because they have a unique button that allows them to lock, stopping water from wastefully filling and/or overflowing the sink. When the button is popped, the drains unlock and may work to sink the vessel in the water. If you’re not exactly a fan of getting your hands all wet and icky just to drain your sink, then pop-up drains may not be for you. But if you’re completely fine with it, you may choose between the traditional style and the umbrella style. The latter is the sleeker and more stylish of the two.
Conclusion
When you’re checking out sink fixtures, it is important not to focus only on your budget; doing so would only prompt you to buy the cheapest one out there. While the most expensive option isn’t necessarily the best, you should make it a point to consider features that fit a number of considerations aside from your pocket, namely your personality and the bathroom space. If you choose the wrong sink fixture, you could end up making your bathroom look visibly cramped and feel all wrong. Remember that vessel sink fixtures are not only beautiful, what with their jewel-like appearance and all, but they also come with different useful features.