Seeing a vessel sink for the first time can be an unusual experience because it’s not what we expect when we think about sinks. It’s a striking addition to any bathroom that you can’t just plop it down without concern for the rest of the décor.
Vessel sinks made their appearance more than a few decades ago and set new standards in bathroom décor. Even though it did not become a fad, it created a long-lasting impression that still makes it highly desirable for many discerning designers. Vessel sinks have many stand-out qualities, which is a reason for its continued popularity among remodelers and designers today.
Vessel sinks might not be a choice for everyday use, but you will surely find these in upscale homes and model homes as well as restaurants, hotels, and other commercial buildings. The sinks are available in a wide range of styles from the rustic to modern and come in many different looks that can make bathrooms look exquisite and elegant.
What is a vessel sink?
When you boil it down, the vessel sink is just a bowl-shaped sink. The arrangement is distinctly different from other types of sinks that are inside a cut-out in the countertop. Another notable thing about them is that they are exclusively used as bathroom sink bowls and aren’t suitable for kitchens, due to their style and size. Vessel sinks are a form of bathroom decoration and seen mostly in guest bathrooms and powder rooms where the sink has minimal use. They’re made of glass, fired ceramic, stainless steel, copper, stone, or marble, with glass and ceramic being the most popular.
Types of installation
Although the norm for installing vessel sinks is to place it on the countertop, there is also an option of recessed installation.
- Above the counter installation – In this type of installation, the sink sits on the bathroom vanity; this is the most common type of installation. Except for drilling a drain hole in the vanity or countertop, no other cutting or drilling is necessary as the bowl rests on the vanity on its own.
- Recessed installation – As the name implies, recessed installation involves the vessel sitting inside a recess in the vanity or countertop that allows a part of the vessel’s bottom to stay inside the recess. This makes the installation more stable. For drainage, you must drill a hole in the vanity or countertop to allow the drainpipe to pass through.
If you are considering installing a vessel sink in your bathroom but wonder whether it would be right for you, check out the rest of the article.
Stylish sinks
Vessel sinks are showpieces that add character to the interior décor and enhance its appeal. The sink, when placed in the bathroom, becomes the central attraction as it sits on the countertop or vanity, proudly displaying your taste and style. A vessel sink not only grabs all attention and becomes the focal point of the bathroom, but it also adds more charm to the overall interior décor by creating visual interest and makes a statement. When you intend to make a strong design statement, the vessel sink is the bathroom accessory that you can rely on.
Flexibility in design
There are many design and style options when it comes to vessel sinks. Styles range from traditional and classic to modern and anything in between. The sinks are mostly in oval and round shapes with clean lines and compact features available in a variety of materials, colors, and styles. On searching the market extensively, you will find some of these sinks even made from unusual materials like bamboo and bronze.
Easy installation
The installation of vessel sinks is not only easy but also convenient because it neither involves any plumbing work nor requires any support for installation. Simply placing the sink on the countertop is all that the installation includes minor drilling of the vanity or countertop to allow the drainpipe to pass through. Besides, there are more options in installation in case you want to make the sink rest inside a recess in the countertop or vanity.
Useful counter space
Despite placing the sink on the countertop, the sink is a circular vessel. It occupies minimal space on the countertop while leaving the space around it across the countertop for any other use. This is, of course, not possible if you prefer a recessed installation that occupies a larger area on the countertop.
Comfortable use
Since the vessel sinks are taller, the additional height of the sink makes it very convenient for use by taller people because they don’t have to bend as much. The sink placement provides ergonomic benefits that are not available in any other types of sinks.
Spacious sinks
Vessel sinks are available in many sizes, and since it sits on the countertop, you can choose a larger vessel that would otherwise not have been possible with other types of sink installation. Those who want large sinks would do good to install a vessel sink.
In addition to the above advantages, the biggest one is that replacing vessel sinks is very easy, which adds more styling options by changing the sink when you want.
