5 questions to consider when choosing your bathroom sink

Complete bathroom remodels are never easy, but even simply replacing a few fixtures here and there can be a lengthy and detailed process.

The bathroom’s overall aesthetic and cohesion depends on many small decisions. Should the bathroom faucet finishes match the one on the clawfoot tub feet? How can the color scheme of the walls and accessories complement your chosen style? These questions will all help you avoid a disjointed style and flow. When choosing a bathroom sink, there are tons of smaller decisions involved that will make a difference to the room as a whole. Find a sink that fits in with the rest of your bathroom by asking yourself these five questions:

“Look for a sink that’s proportionate to your bathroom’s size.”

1. How large is my bathroom?
   Of course, the size of your bathroom is one of the most important factors when it comes to finding a sink. For tiny powder rooms, a full vanity may not be the best choice aesthetically or practically. In that case you may prefer a smaller corner sink or pedestal style which will take up less room and create the appearance of spaciousness. If you’re updating a larger hall or master bath, you’ll have a little more flexibility as far as the size and style of the sink you choose. Look for one that’s relatively proportionate to your bathroom’s size.
2. Should my design include a vanity?
   In the same vein, the style of sink you choose will also highly depend on whether or not your bathroom redesign includes a vanity. If it doesn’t, your options are slightly limited to wall-mounted and pedestal sink styles. Wall-mounted sinks are installed directly onto the wall, leaving the faucet parts and plumbing exposed for a more industrial feel, whereas pedestal sinks are often used in vintage rooms. If you are including a vanity, you have several sink options. Even for traditional basin sinks, you’ll need to decide whether you prefer over-mount or under-mount installations. But you can also opt for a vessel sink, farmhouse sink or combined sink and vanity.
3. What material will meet my needs best?
   When choosing the material for your sink, there are a couple of decisions you should make. For one, decide how important durability is. According to consumer reports, while some glass sinks are durable, tempered glass is prone to shattering. On the other hand, like stainless steel kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks made of stainless steel were perhaps the most durable option. Second, make sure the material you use complements the rest of the room. Choose a style that reflects the room’s overall aesthetic. If you’re purchasing a sink and a tub from different places, compare color samples before purchasing to ensure they match each other.
4. Am I keeping my current bathroom faucets?
   If you’d prefer to keep the bathroom faucets you currently have, your sink choices may be limited. That’s because you’ll need a style with the right number of deck-mount holes (or no holes at all if your faucet is counter or wall-mounted). If your faucet requires more than a single hole – in other words, if it has two separate knobs along with a spout – make sure you look for a sink with holes of the correct size that are the right distance apart from each other. If you haven’t purchased your bathroom faucets yet, it’s a good idea to at least have a style in mind before settling on the sink you wish to order.
5. How large do I want my sink to be?
   Sink basins come in several sizes, and different sink styles often have a wide range to choose from. The size of the bowl you need has a lot to do with the type of bathroom you’re remodeling. For instance, a master bath or guest bath may need larger basins that can be used in a variety of ways (i.e. washing your face and brushing your teeth and so on). On the other hand, remodeling a powder bath makes for a good opportunity to use a more stylized or shallow basin, since it will only be used for hand-washing.