Buying guide for best bathroom pedestal sinks
If you’re renovating your bathroom, consider adding a pedestal sink for a touch of elegance. Bathroom pedestal sinks are a sleek and classic choice for powder rooms and full baths alike. As a pedestal sink is simply a sink basin on a pedestal, this style of sink is a great space-saver for small bathrooms as well.
Shopping for bathroom pedestal sinks can be tricky, though, despite their simple design. There are a number of factors to consider, from materials to size to faucet style, to find the best sink for your bathroom. Since pedestal sinks do not have wide countertops or under-sink cabinets, you’ll also need to think about storage for your bathroom essentials. (A mirrored medicine cabinet is a common solution.)
Our buying guide walks you through all the factors to take into account when shopping for bathroom pedestal sinks, including how much you should pay. You’ll find our picks for the best bathroom pedestal sinks on the market in the matrix above.
Key considerations
Size
A pedestal sink doesn’t come with a vanity or cabinet. It has a column base topped with a sink basin. Consider a bathroom pedestal sink’s height, length, width, and the depth of the sink bowl when shopping. The height of most bathroom pedestal sinks is between 33 and 34 inches. This is the optimum height for the majority of adults. Before ordering your bathroom pedestal sink, carefully measure the area where the sink will be installed to make sure it will fit.
Small bathroom pedestal sinks are about 16 to 20 inches long and 14 to 19 inches wide. The depth of the sink bowl is around 5 to 6 inches deep. Mid-size bathroom pedestal sinks are around 20 to 24 inches long and 19 to 24 inches wide. The sink bowl on these pedestal sinks is about 5 to 8 inches deep. Large pedestal sinks measure more than 24 inches in length and width. The bowls on these sinks are usually 6 to 10 inches deep.
Installation
Installing a pedestal sink in a bathroom requires opening up the wall to gain access to the studs. You’ll have to make some modifications in order to hang the sink properly. You’ll also have to do some plumbing work. If you’d rather hire a professional, keep that extra expense in mind when you’re selecting a bathroom pedestal sink.
Features
Material
Bathroom pedestal sinks are available in a number of materials, each with its pros and cons.
- Fiberglass: Fiberglass is plastic reinforced with glass fiber. Bathroom pedestal sinks made of fiberglass are inexpensive, but they don’t have the long-term durability of other sinks.
- Vitreous china: Vitreous china is the most common choice for bathroom pedestal sinks. It has a shiny appearance and is easy to keep clean. It resists corrosion and staining, but it may chip from heavy impact.
- Marble: Marble is a beautiful and elegant choice for bathroom pedestal sinks, but it’s expensive. Additionally, it may chip, and abrasive cleaners can erode the finish. You have to take special care of this porous material.
- Porcelain-enameled cast iron: Porcelain-enameled cast iron is heavy and durable. Old bathtubs and sinks were commonly made of this material. But it’s hard to find now and will be expensive if you do.
- Stainless steel: While popular for kitchen sinks and utility sinks, stainless steel is rarely used for home bathroom sinks. Spots from hard water and soap tend to stand out on stainless steel, and it can give a bathroom an institutional feel.
Faucet holes
The number of faucet holes determines what type of faucet can be attached to your bathroom pedestal sink.
Single-hole bathroom pedestal sinks can accommodate single faucets. These faucets have a handle that you lift and turn to control the flow of water as well as the temperature. The available variety of colors and styles is comprehensive, so you’re sure to find a single faucet to complement your bathroom pedestal sink.
A three-hole bathroom pedestal sink can accommodate a center faucet with two knobs on either side to control the hot and cold water. Again, there is a huge variety of options available. The only note of caution is that while the spacing of the faucet holes is more or less standardized, there are always exceptions. Be sure you know the distance between the faucet holes before you purchase a three-hole faucet for your bathroom pedestal sink.
Overflow holes
Overflow holes are something you probably don’t think much about, that is until the sink gets stopped up and starts to overflow. The overflow holes drain through the same pipe that attaches to the bottom of your sink, and they afford you some time before water spills over onto the floor.
The more overflow holes or the larger they are, the more effective they are at draining an overflowing sink. Some bathroom pedestal sinks only have one overflow hole under the faucet. Other pedestal sinks have additional overflow holes under the lip at the front of the sink.
Color
Most bathroom pedestal sinks come in neutral colors, mostly various shades of white but also black, brown, and gray. If you want a bolder color, you’ll probably have to custom order your bathroom pedestal sink.
Bathroom pedestal sink prices
The low price range for bathroom pedestal sinks is $50 to $175. Here you’ll find small sinks for apartments, corner sinks, and sinks constructed from less durable materials.
The mid-range for bathroom pedestal sinks is $175 to $400. These sinks are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and styles. Good construction with vitreous china is common. You’ll find most bathroom pedestal sinks in this price range.
High-end bathroom pedestal sinks cost $400 to over $1,000. These are top-of-the-line sinks that are often constructed from marble, large in size, and available in custom styles and colors.
Tips
- Unless your previous bathroom sink was a pedestal sink, you’ll need to hire a plumber to install a new waste pipe since the old one, along with the P-trap, probably won’t fit inside the new pedestal.
- Before installing your new bathroom pedestal sink, turn off the main water supply to the house. Turn on the water in your existing sink until the water pressure in the pipes drops to zero and no more water is coming out.
- Don’t put too much weight on the front of a bathroom pedestal sink. The main support for the sink comes from the wall and the pedestal. If you sit on the edge of the sink, you could tear it off the wall, the pedestal, or both.
FAQ
Q. Can a bathroom pedestal sink completely hide the sink plumbing?
A. Yes, but if and only if the pedestal is large enough to contain all the pipes. Otherwise, some of the plumbing will protrude from the back of the sink and be visible between the pedestal and the wall.
Q. Can I attach a bathroom pedestal sink to my existing wall?
A. Probably not. Extra 2x4 boards often have to be installed between the studs inside the wall. The existing braces usually won’t be at the correct height for the new sink. This means you’ll have to break into the wall, rehang some sheetrock, tape it, mud it, and paint it before installing your new bathroom pedestal sink.
Q. Can I install a bathroom pedestal sink without renovating the entire bathroom?
A. Technically, the answer is yes. As a practical matter, though, you’ll have to do so much work on the new sink, you might as well do the whole bathroom while you’re at it.
