How to Choose The Best Bathroom Sink: A Complete Guide with Types and Ideas

Even such a practical and hidden from prying eyes room as a bathroom, We want to decorate the bathroom beautifully because we enjoy water procedures and relieve stress. And the level of comfort is highly dependent on plumbing, including its dimensions. It is not easy to place a comfortable and stylish washbasin in such an area, where not only the owner’s imagination has nowhere to unfold, but even the owners themselves. Today we’ll talk about how to choose a bathroom sink according to your taste, footage, and budget and not be disappointed in the purchase.

What to Look For in a Bathroom Sink

When it comes to choosing a bathroom sink, there are a few things you need to take into account. First, the size of the sink is important. You don’t want to have to strain your neck looking up and down while you’re washing your hands. Second, the type of sink is important. You need to decide if you want a drop-in or a pedestal sink. Finally, you need to decide on the style of sink. There are three main styles: traditional, contemporary, and transitional. Here are some tips on how to choose the right bathroom sink for you:

1. Size is Key

Make sure to choose a bathroom sink that fits perfectly in your bathroom. Sinks come in different sizes, so be sure to measure the space before making a purchase. Some sinks are also available in multiple sizes if needed.

2. Type of Sink Is Important

There are two types of bathroom sink drop-in and pedestal. Drop-in sinks are smaller and more convenient for smaller bathrooms. Pedestal sinks are larger and can accommodate more people at once, making them better for larger bathrooms.

The Best Materials for a Bathroom Sink

Choosing the right bathroom sink can be a daunting task, but don’t worry! We’re here to help. In this article, we’ll discuss the different materials that are available for bathroom sinks and which one is best for you.

First and foremost, you’ll need to decide what type of sink you want. There are three main types: pedestal, double bowl, and front-loading. Pedestal sinks are the most popular and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They typically have a shorter height, making them ideal for smaller spaces. Double bowl sinks are similar to pedestal sinks, but they have two compartments. Front-loading sinks have a water tank on the front that you fill with water before using. They’re great if you have limited counter space or if you want to save money by not having a separate water pitcher.

Now that you know what type of sink you want, it’s time to choose the material. There are a few options available: porcelain, stainless steel, or cast iron. Porcelain is the most popular choice because it’s both durable and beautiful.

How to Install a Bathroom Sink

The best bathroom sink is the one that fits your needs and your budget. Before you start shopping, make sure to think about the features you need in a sink. Here are some things to consider:

• Size: Choose a bathroom sink that fits perfectly in your space. Make sure to pick a size that will accommodate your needs both in terms of width and height.
• Design: Some bathroom sinks come in designs such as contemporary or traditional. Choose the design that suits your style and home decor.
• Material: Choose a material that will last and resist corrosion. Some materials used for bathroom sinks are stainless steel, porcelain, granite, or marble.
• Function: Be sure to consider the function of the sink before making your purchase. Some features to look for include drain pipes that fit standard plumbing systems, mounting options, and water drainage.

Select the Type of Installation

A wall-mounted bathroom sink is the simplest option. It can be purchased separately and mounted wherever you want. It must be solid or well strengthened the wall on which such a sink is installed.

A steel frame will help out, and it is necessary when installing heavy sinks. And it’s not just their weight – people often lean against the sink when brushing their teeth or instinctively grab onto it to maintain balance if they slip in the bathroom.

Pros :

• It is not necessary to buy a sink complete with a furniture set.
• It is easy to install, thanks to the included bracket or console.
• Easy to clean the floors underneath.

Cons :

• Wall stability must correspond to the weight of the product.
• You will have to hide plumbing communications inside the wall, which is not always possible, or in a box.
• The sink is not using free space under the sink (but this is a conditional drawback, there are shallow rectangular models under which it is easy to install a washing machine or laundry basket).

Wall cabinets with a built-in washbasin allow you to fight for maximum ergonomics in the bathroom, but you have a good idea of ​​how much they can weigh and what requirements are imposed on the supporting wall in this regard.

Overhead sinks are mounted on the countertop and rise above its surface. This circumstance in itself protects furniture from the destructive action of moisture. If you do the installation carefully, there are no gaps, then wood, MDF, or other hygroscopic material will be safe.

Even though bathroom furniture always has moisture and heat-protective coating, it will last much longer in a room with a high-quality ventilation system.

Pros :

• The main load falls on the curbstone. Therefore there are no significant requirements for the strength of the wall.
• We can use free space in the bathroom to the maximum – you can place the necessary little things on the countertop (soap dish, glass with toothbrushes, cosmetics) and store more significant items in the lower compartments (household chemicals, laundry, and cleaning equipment).
• All communications are hidden, and there is no need to cut a wall or construct a protective box.

Cons :

• An overhead sink should combine with furniture, both in size and style. Therefore it is purchased as a set and is not cheap.
• Keeping the bathroom floor clean is difficult, especially if the cabinet has short or none at all.

Built-in sinks are mounted in three ways: flush with the countertop’s surface, under it in a specially cut hole, or on it (supported with bumpers around the perimeter). In all these cases, you need an exact match of dimensions, down to the millimeter.

The first two types of mortise sinks are elementary to use – there is a maximum of free space on the countertop for placing hygiene products, and it is easy to brush away splashes directly into the bowl. But bathroom furniture should be made of a material that is more reliably protected from moisture than wood or MDF.

The advantages and disadvantages of built-in and overhead washstands are generally the same, although the former requires an even more ethical approach to installation.

The semi-recessed bathroom sink is a functional hybrid of the two named types. The front half of the bowl protrudes beyond the edge of the countertop, so it is very convenient to wash – you can lean on the sides, and your knees do not rest against the front of the curbstone.

A sink on a pedestal is known to everyone as a “tulip.” It is a monolithic or two-piece structure. We can mount the bowl simultaneously to the wall and rests on a leg, which hides the siphon and the lower parts of the mixer. Such washbasins do not necessarily look like flowers and are appropriate not only in classic bathroom interiors.

Pros :

• The main load falls on the leg. Therefore, there are no special requirements for the strength of the supporting wall.
• You can purchase a sink separately from the furniture set and very inexpensively.
• Installation is straightforward.

Cons :

• It wastes the free space under the sink.
• Dirt accumulates around the leg, and it is inconvenient to clean up.

For those who like the very principle of “tulips” but would like to facilitate the maintenance of the bathroom floor, we can recommend models with a semi-pedestal. But you need to understand that these are wall-mounted sinks, installed only on a sufficiently reliable wall. You only win in aesthetics – you hide unsightly pipes.

Floor-standing sinks are tall monolithic bowls that can be installed anywhere, even in the middle of the bathroom. Such design delights require a lot of money and accessible space, which is why they did not take root in our realities.

The rationality of this solution is also questionable – communications are easy to hide, but they need to be brought to the place where the sink is installed. And you won’t be able to store anything under it.

Determining the material

Faience is the most common and affordable material. It is based on kaolin, white clay that is fired and covered with a protective glaze. The higher the coating quality, the longer the ceramic sink will last because the faience is porous. Budget models quickly cover cracks from Chinese manufacturers.

The faience washstand is easy to care for, and it can be of any color. The streams of water in it do not make noise when hitting the surface. There are only two downsides: great weight and fragility. For example, expanding the hole for the mixer or drilling an additional one will not work.

Porcelain also beats and weighs a lot, but it lasts longer due to quartz or feldspar to the composition and long-term firing. The hygroscopicity of this type of ceramics is much lower, only 2% versus 10-12% for earthenware models, and the smooth surface is not covered with cracks.

A wide range of colors and ease of care remain on the list of advantages, but an extra-budgetary cost excluding it from there – porcelain sinks are much more expensive than faience ones.

Metal, or rather stainless steel with the addition of nickel or chromium, is also often found in our homes. Steel washbasins are solid and durable, weigh a little, and look impressive, but only as long as they are new and clean.

Every dried drop of water is visible on the metal surface. You need to take care of the sink, avoid abrasives carefully, and all the same, over time, such plumbing becomes covered with micro-scratches and fades. And it is also very noisy – the water rushes into the bowl with a crash.

Tempered glass from 15 mm thick is a fashionable material for making bathroom sinks. But if the bowl is transparent, it will have to be washed every day. Mineral stains are also clearly visible on matte and colored glass washbasins.

The main advantages of tempered glass are durability, moderate weight, and spectacular appearance, while the disadvantages are high price and sensitivity to abrasive cleaning agents.

A composite or artificial stone, as a rule, does not differ much from natural material in appearance. Such sinks for the bathroom are made of marble or granite chips with acrylic resins.

Artificial stone washbasins are relatively inexpensive, look great, and do not require constant wiping, especially if the colors are variegated. But they are heavy and afraid of household chemicals containing acids and alkalis.

Natural stone, usually granite, marble, or onyx, is exclusive material for the sink or bath. Each item will become the only one due to the unusual pattern. Although the stone has excellent weight and sensitivity to aggressive detergents, it is effortless to use and retains its pristine beauty for years.

A natural stone washbasin will last longer than a composite washbasin. In the event of chips or cracks, we can repair them. The disadvantage of all this luxury and comfort is obvious – the “biting” price.

Concrete is an unexpected option, but many will like it, especially lovers of industrial design trends ( loft, hi-tech). Micro-concrete washbasins are solid and durable, but they can crack on impact or sudden temperature changes. They weigh a lot, are expensive, and most importantly, they darken from water every time they get wet.

Wood. It is very carefully processed: stained, dehydrated, and covered with several layers of varnish and protective polymers. And even with all these tricks, stylish wooden washbasins, which are more expensive than marble ones, need to be repaired every 3-5 years.

What is the Best Form to Use?

Sinks with square or rectangular bowls are classics of the genre and are best at resisting splashes.

Semi-circular and oval models with sufficient depth will also not contribute to clutter in the bathroom.

Now a tempting selection of shell shapes opens up before the buyer :

• Hemispheres.
• Cubes without an upper edge.
• Lotuses and daisies.
• Snails and shells.
• Halved ellipses, eggs, and beans.
• Asymmetrical whimsical options that are difficult to characterize.

It would be best if you focused on combining attractive design with ease of use. There are even slab-like sinks with a slight depression in the center. They look original, but washing your hands there without splashing clothes and furniture is problematic.

What do you Need to Know about Dimensions?

The width depends on the model and free space availability and varies from 40 to 70 cm. There are also vast sinks, up to 1 m or more, but they are unnecessary for practice.

The distance from the front side to the rear side should be 40-55 cm. Otherwise, it will be inconvenient to use such a washstand, especially if the person is short.

A depth within 30-60 cm is considered normal, we can recommend more for household sinks, and less deep models will be uncomfortable due to splashes.

Additional Parameters to consider?

It is necessary to take into account the features of the operation :

• For a large family, sinks in a bathroom with double bowls will be relevant, where, for example, a mother and a child can make a morning toilet at the same time;
• If the house contains a pet, it should be convenient to wash its paws after a walk or bathe the animal in the washbasin;
• Having a baby implies the ability to comfortably and safely wash it away when changing diapers and soak baby clothes in the sink for a quick wash.

In a narrow bathroom, you need to squeeze out the benefit from every centimeter of the area, so it is reasonable to choose sinks with cabinets for storing things, and place a washing machine or a laundry basket under them.

Another good solution for small bathrooms is the corner sink.

Corner sinks are not necessarily hinged; floor models with pedestals are available for the rational use of free space.

It is better to choose a sink in the bathroom even at the stage of renovation or when buying a furniture set – this is a guarantee that the plumbing will harmoniously fit into the interior.

Maintenance for a Bathroom Sink

When it comes to maintaining your bathroom sink, there are a few things you can do to help keep your sink looking and operating at its best.

One of the most important things you can do is to keep the area around the sink clean. Dirty water and soap scum can build up quickly, not to mention that bacteria can grow in stagnant water. Make sure to empty the basin and scrub the sides and bottom clean every time you use the sink.

Another thing you can do is to keep the area around the sink dry. Moisture can cause rusting and corrosion, as well as wood rot. To prevent this, try to keep any water or soap bottles out of reach and make sure any excess moisture is removed regularly.

Finally, make sure your sink is properly installed and anchored in place. Improper installation can cause the sink to vibrate and move, which can lead to leaks and other problems. Check with a qualified contractor if you have any questions about installing your bathroom sink correctly.