Bathroom Sinks

Bathroom sinks can make a bold statement or blend into an existing design. But no matter how they look, they need to be functional. The best bathroom sink for your space will depend on a number of factors, including the type of material the sink is made out of and the basin position. On this page, we will explore bathroom sink ideas including the pros and cons of different types of sinks/vanities, your options for sink materials (from ceramic to resin to glass), and all the colors, shapes, depths, and other options that are available.

Common Types of Bathroom Sinks

As you plan your bathroom remodel, you should think about how your bathroom sink can elegantly tie together the style of your renovation as well as what will give you the best use of space. The following are the most common types of bathroom sinks:

1. Drop-in

What is a Drop-in Sink?

Drop-in sinks are usually built into a countertop and have an extra lip around the edge to keep water from spilling.

Drop-in sinks are the most common type of bathroom sink. They are a classic bathroom sink design thanks to their easy adaptability and neutral style. 

Pros and Cons of Drop-in Sinks

One big reason for drop-in sinks’ popularity? They are easy to install within an existing vanity. Most drop-in sink designs do not require homeowners to change their existing sink layout and design if they prefer not to. Drop-ins also allow for various material and style options, letting homeowners get creative while maintaining functionality.

2. Wall-mounted

What is a Wall-mounted Sink?

Wall-mounted sinks attach to the wall and appear to float.

This is another common type of bathroom sink. Compared to drop-in sinks, which are installed into a countertop or vanity, wall-mounted sinks easily attach to a bathroom wall without anything covering the plumbing fittings or pipe supplies. They are connected through wall brackets and do not require a base to touch the floor.

Pros and Cons of Wall-mounted Sinks

The wall-mounted sink is an older, classic style, but remains versatile. They are lauded today for their easy installation, and are optimal in small bathrooms since they do not take up much space. 

3. Pedestal

What is a Pedestal Sink?

As the name implies, pedestal sinks are stand-alone sinks where the basin is mounted onto a pedestal.

The pedestal carries plumbing fittings and connections inside. These sinks can come in a variety of materials and color styles, such as white porcelain, copper, travertine, marble, and much more.

Pros and Cons of Pedestal Sinks

While they tend to lack storage options, pedestal sinks provide a great opportunity in large bathrooms to make a statement. Because they do not require countertop space, pedestal sinks are also a great idea for smaller bathrooms and half-bath remodels. Simply add a creative storage solution to go along with your pedestal sink in lieu of countertops and cabinets.

4. Undermount

What is an Undermount Sink?

Undermount sinks consist of a sink mounted from underneath a countertop. They are similar to drop-in sinks in that they are often installed into an existing counterspace or vanity. However, they do not have an overhead lip — instead, the basin drops downward, below the counterspace. They are available in materials such as stainless steel, copper, cast iron, fireclay, porcelain, and many more.

Pros and Cons of Undermount Sinks

The undermount sink is convenient, hiding all plumbing fittings and connections underneath the countertop. Unlike pedestal sinks, undermount sinks allow for a counter and cabinet configuration, which lends itself to extra storage.

Because of their layout and composition, undermount sinks tend to be most compatible with synthetic countertop materials, such as quartz and stone. They are incompatible with tile countertops. Make sure to ask your contractor about your countertop material options before you install an undermount sink.

5. Trough

What is a Trough Sink?

Trough sinks are an older sink style that are seeing a revival with the spike in the “farmhouse modern” style popularity. They are deep, wide, and often have multiple faucets attached to the same basin.

Pros and Cons of Trough Sinks

Trough sinks are ideal for scenarios where two or more people are using the same sink at once. 

Keep in mind that while the trough sink’s basin is unique, it can come in both drop-in and undermount varieties. They come in a number of different materials, including concrete, stone, metal, and even wood for a rustic feel.

6. Vessel

What is a Vessel Sink?

Vessel sinks are unique, modern types of bathroom sinks. They consist of a bowl-like basin that sits on top of a counterspace, while plumbing fittings sit beneath the countertop.

Pros and Cons of Vessel Sinks

Part of why vessel sinks are so desirable and stylish for bathroom remodels is they allow homeowners to choose from a variety of unique basin styles and materials. Homeowners often choose beautiful bowl-like basins made out of natural stone, copper, marble, glass, wood, and more.

One thing to consider for vessel sinks is that they require a more complicated installation process. Vessels must be cut precisely to fit the countertop and operate effectively.

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Bathroom Sink Materials

As you may have already guessed, there are a wide variety of materials available for bathroom sinks. With so many options, how should you make your decision?

This is where the advice of a professional can really pay off. Choosing the right type of bathroom sink material depends on factors such as functionality, durability, style and design, and compatibility with your existing bathroom features.

And of course, since material greatly impacts the cost of your bathroom sink installation, it will depend on your budget.

Here are a few of the most popular materials used for modern bathroom sink remodels:

• China or enamel: Unique and detailed, but less durable than ceramic.
• Stainless steel: Sturdy and easy to clean.
• Ceramic or porcelain: Durable, affordable and classic.
• Copper or bronze: High quality, can match bathroom fixtures.
• Glass: Versatile design options and easy to clean.
• Natural stone: A statement piece, but can be expensive.
• Wood: Rustic and unique, but expensive.
• Resin: Lightweight, and comes in various colors and designs.
• Fireclay: Very durable but can be pricy
• Cast iron: One of the most durable materials

A good place to start is finding a bathroom sink material that fits your design preferences and budget. Then, speak to a contractor about whether or not that option is compatible with your bathroom.

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Bathroom Sink Ideas to Consider

It makes sense to plan your bathroom sink installation around other features in your bathroom. After all, you probably want the bathroom remodel design to come together for an elegant, unified look.

When planning your bathroom sink remodel, don’t forget about your other bathroom features. Make sure to consider the following when choosing a bathroom sink that works for you:

Color

Do you want a classic white sink, or something more unique? Copper and metal are other common choices for bathroom sinks. Keep in mind which color you’ve chosen for your shower’s or bathtub’s faucets and other hardware. Will you want the same color for your bathroom sink faucet? If so, make sure you are a choosing a complementary color for your sink.

Shape

You can make your sink stand-out without the budget-busting options of high-end materials and hardware. Instead, consider changing the shape of your sink. Options include round, oval, square, rectangular, and more.

Size

How large would you like your sink to be? Have you measured your existing sink area and considered standard sink sizes? The bathroom sink ideas you can consider will be heavily impacted by how big or small your sink needs to be.

Basin Design

In addition to picking a color for your sink, you may also be able to find patterns. Is a stylish, patterned vessel basin up your alley? If so, begin your search for a bathroom sink there — not all sink materials are conducive to designs.

Basin Depth

If your bathroom sink is attached to a bedroom, you will want to consider how easy it is to do things like wash your face. Would you prefer a deeper basin to avoid spillage? If your bathroom sink is going into a half-bath, you may only need it to wash your hands, and so can explore a wider range of depths.

Faucets

Consider the faucet hole options (some sink types do not have built-in faucet holes) as well as the faucet material and style.

Vanities

Do you want the sink built into a vanity? Consider how you prefer to get ready in the morning and whether you need storage space.

Countertops and Cabinets

Consider your style and color plans for countertops and cabinets or a vanity. Do you want your bathroom countertops to match your kitchen counters or stand apart? Many homeowners like the look of matching countertops throughout the house, but will not be replacing all their counters at once. In that case, you may want to opt for something you can easily match down the line, like a solid surface countertop or a white quartz.

Storage Space

Do you need storage space attached to the sink area? This can be a double-edged sword. If you have a small bathroom, you likely lack storage space, but a large vanity or sink will eat up a lot of your space in the name of storage. Knowing exactly what needs to be stored in your bathroom will help you decide just how big the storage space attached to your sink area needs to be.

Number of Sinks

Do you need one or two sinks? Do you want them to match, or do you want them to have slightly different looks?

If you are wondering where to start, you may find inspiration by looking into the latest bathroom sink ideas and trends.

Cost to Install a Bathroom Sink

The national average cost to install a new undermount bathroom sink is about $653. The average cost for installation of a pedestal bathroom sink is about $1,140. Most homeowners will pay between $460-$1,476 total on average for a bathroom sink, including demolition, materials, and labor, with the pedestal sink falling at the higher end of that scale.

Bathroom Sinks

Average Installation Cost $460 - $1,476

Cost Breakdown

• Materials 46.2%
• Labor 53.8%

Keep in mind that bathroom sink installations are typically part of a larger bathroom remodel project. While installing a bathroom sink may be one of the more affordable home improvement projects, it’s important to consider your overall bathroom remodel budget.

It’s best to keep a list of priorities for your bathroom renovation project and decide where you want to invest the most. For instance, you may want to spend less on your sink so you can spend more on your bathtub or shower. Be sure to discuss your options and ask for expert financing advice from a professional remodeler.

Other Bathroom Sink Ideas and Considerations

Homeowners who are planning bathroom sink remodels, or larger bathroom remodel projects, often think about the following questions as they plan ahead:

• What is your total bathroom remodel budget, and how much can you dedicate to just the sink area?
• Do you need dual or multiple sinks?
• Is there room for counterspace and storage?
• Do you want a vanity?
• Would you prefer to match your sink’s style with the rest of your bathroom?
• Is hiding plumbing fittings important to you?
• Does your preferred sink style require a bathroom layout remodel?
• Do you prefer an easy-to-clean sink type?
• Are you leaning towards a statement piece or resale value?
• Are you interested in energy-efficient sink features for long-term utility savings?

Your experienced bathroom remodeler will be able to further guide you on these questions and many others.

Once you know which bathroom sink will work best for your space, your next step is to hire a contractor to put things into motion. When it comes to making your bathroom dreams come true, Modernize can help connect you to the right contractor to walk you through all the bathroom remodeling steps, including that new bathroom sink. 

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