Sink design ideas
The right bathroom sink can be functional and be the center of attention in a well-appointed bathroom. Use these tips to create your own bathroom design.
It used to be that a bathroom sink was nothing more than a bowl for washing hands. Today, homeowners remodeling their bathrooms want something interesting, from fun to functional.
There are almost as many sink styles and style variations as there are colors in which to order them. Take some time to understand your desires before you start looking for a sink. How big is your bathroom? Are you counting on extra storage space under the sink? Do you want a formal look, rustic, or something in between?
Try sketching out some ideas, or search the internet. They don’t have to be designer renderings, just a guide to help you and your designer make choices. You can use color, pattern, style, size, and other variables to make it the centerpiece of your bathroom design.
Advice from the experts
«Even if you haven’t shopped around yet and only have a rough idea of what you want, the sink you’d like to find is probably already out there somewhere,» says Julia Diaz, a kitchen designer in California’s San Fernando Valley. «A few years ago, some big companies started making sinks that looked like they could be hung in a gallery somewhere. When I was a kid, you could walk into someone’s bathroom and only see a white round sink there. Today , the white round sink is the exception.»
Janine DeVaney, a designer in Charlotte, North Carolina, says plumbing fixtures make it easy for a homeowner to create a room that not only functions optimally, but also looks elegant, spectacular or whimsical — or all at once. «Today, bathrooms can do it all,» DeVany says. «However, more often than not, if you have a really brightly colored sink, it’s the sink that people notice and comment on. In many cases, bathroom accessories revolve around that sink.»
Designers say the only real limitation in choosing a sink is preference. While some sinks work better than others in certain situations, most can be adapted to any remodeled bathroom.
DeVany says pedestal sinks are a nearly universal choice. «There are so many styles, and whether your tub is small or large, there are always sizes that are perfect for your room,» she notes. «The great thing about a pedestal sink is that it looks really striking no matter what style you prefer.
Bathroom storage ideas
Consider your storage needs and installation options. Sinks and built-in cabinets offer plenty of storage under the bathroom sink. Choosing a vanity or cabinet will help you choose the right type, size and shape of sink. A pedestal sink, while a practical solution for most bathrooms, may have a large bowl but little sink space or storage. If you’re thinking about a pedestal sink and your remodeling project doesn’t include cabinet or shelving plans, you should rethink your plan. Even the smallest bathroom will need storage space.
Use a few tricks
Consider a style that creates an illusion if space is a big priority and you don’t care about the look of the pedestal sink. Small bathroom sinks, such as a console sink, create the illusion of space because their front is open. Cabinets and dressing tables, although they look rich as furniture, can take up too much space in small bathrooms.
Don’t forget the faucet
The fittings that complement your sink are just as important to your overall design as the sink itself. Today’s faucets are fashion accessories that come in a variety of styles and materials, from simple and streamlined to ornate. Make sure the materials and styles match the sink, and pay attention to the height of the faucet. For example, a bowl or bowl sink requires a spout that should be long and tall enough to reach the bowl, but not so tall that the water splashes out, hitting the bottom of the sink. A bathroom designer can help you determine the ideal height.
