We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.
We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.
Are you considering a bathroom remodel but feeling daunted by the steep cost of construction? Bathrooms can be expensive to update. What’s more, having one out of commission temporarily comes with its own set of challenges. Rather than diving into a remodel, you can give your bathroom the contemporary accent it needs with a new vessel sink.
In the past, bathroom vessel sinks were mostly seen in salons, spas, and high-end hotels, but in recent years, they’ve been embraced by homeowners. This stylish sink sits atop the bathroom counter and casts an elegant, eye-catching silhouette. Paired with a custom countertop or ornate faucet, a bathroom vessel sink can elevate your lavatory’s entire appearance.
If you’re thinking about installing a bathroom vessel sink, you may be wondering where to begin. We invite you to explore the possibilities in this buying guide. Whether you want to install it yourself or hire a pro, this guide provides the information you need to have before the project begins.
The most noticeable difference between a “traditional” sink and a vessel sink is the design. While a traditional sink sits flush with the counter, a vessel sink rests atop the counter. By design, a vessel sink stands out and adds character to a bathroom, whereas most regular sinks simply blend in.
A notable difference between a regular sink and a vessel sink is the ease of cleaning. Traditional drop-in and undermount sinks have nooks and crannies that attract dirt and mildew. Vessel sinks have fewer of these nooks and crannies. With the right cleaning tools and products, you can easily reach the points where the sink connects to the counter.
There’s a reasonable degree of design flexibility that comes with buying a vessel sink. When shopping, you will find a broad range of options for countertops, vanities, and even faucets in the vessel sink space. Regular sinks don’t have as many design options. For the most part, they are standalone pieces with limited design possibilities.
As you buy accessories for your bathroom vessel sink, remember to purchase a pop-up drain that matches the faucet or other fixtures.
When it comes time to install your new sink, will you hire a pro or go the DIY route? While you’ll end up spending more money by hiring a pro, it may be the right choice if you’re not comfortable doing the project yourself. A pro can complete this project in a day, and the cost would still be far less than a total bathroom renovation.
That said, installation is certainly a project the average person could take on. If you decide to go this route, it’s important to prepare beforehand. Having the right tools, including those used by plumbers, is essential. If you don’t already have them in your toolbox, don’t forget to calculate that expense into your overall budget.
If you’re a novice DIYer, you’ll also need to find the right tutorial to walk you through installation by way of a video or step-by-step guide. Keep in mind that part of the project also involves removing the original vanity and sink in your bathroom, so you’ll need to account for additional tools and tutorials to cover this as well.
Bathroom vessel sinks are affordable, but you’ll need to budget for the project as a whole. When you buy a bathroom vessel sink, it’s literally the only piece you’ll find in the box. That means you’ll need to buy the faucet, installation hardware, drain traps, tools, and accessories separately, which could add several hundred dollars to your tab.
Bathroom vessel sinks are available in a range of materials including ceramic, marble, tempered glass, wood, and stone. It’s common for vessel sinks to be embellished on the exterior with tiling or paintwork. To achieve texture and dimension, the exterior materials may differ from those inside of the bowl.
While bathroom vessel sinks are available in several shapes, round and oval sink bowls remain the most common. Squares and rectangles are also popular. In addition, you may encounter bathroom vessel sinks shaped like shells, triangles, and hearts. There are even some asymmetrically shaped vessel sinks on the market.
More often than not, a bathroom vessel sink has a standard-size drain hole that measures 1.75 inches in diameter. Before you begin the installation, it’s strongly recommended that you confirm that the diameter of the drain hole matches that of your pipes. Don’t just rely on printed measurements. Try fitting the bowl over the pipes to confirm that the edges line up. If incompatibilities exist, your project could come to a screeching halt while you spend even more time and money shopping for a compatible sink and components.
Bathroom vessel sink warranties typically range from one to five years. Each manufacturer stipulates what type of coverage is included, and it varies considerably. Certain warranties only cover manufacturer defects. Others offer a satisfaction guarantee regardless of defect or reason.
Bathroom vessel sinks cost anywhere from $50 to $500. Price largely depends on materials and quality of construction.
Inexpensive: If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be limited to ceramic or tempered glass designs priced between $50 and $100. These are fairly traditional in shape and orientation, so you’re in luck if you prefer simple designs.
Mid-range: For $100 to $250, you’ll find a more diverse assortment of bathroom vessel sinks in various sizes and materials. These designs often come with longer warranties so you get more bang for your buck.
Expensive: If you prefer an ornate bathroom vessel sink with a unique shape or color, you may have to spend $300 to $500. These sinks are often made by designer companies, so keep in mind that some well-known names demand a premium.
If you’re not sure which color to choose for a bathroom vessel sink, look at your toilet bowl. Stick to the same shade for a coordinated look, or choose a contrasting color and finish to add some panache to the bathroom.
A. The bottom part of a traditionally installed bathroom vessel sink rests atop the vanity or counter, but a recessed vessel sink installation is different. It involves cutting a larger hole into the counter or vanity that allows the sink to “rest” inside. In other words, a portion of the vessel sink is actually below the counter. This type of installation involves a bit more planning, measuring, and cutting, so be sure to find the right pro to handle it — or the right tutorial to walk you through it.
A. Since there isn’t a standard size for bathroom sinks, it’s hard to say. However, most bathroom sinks, regular and vessel, measure between 16 and 24 inches in width or diameter. In terms of sink depth, bathroom vessel sinks range from 5 to 10 inches.
A. It depends. If you add a bathroom vessel sink as part of a total bathroom overhaul, then yes — you’ll have a fully updated bathroom in that case. If it’s your only improvement to the bathroom, however, it won’t add much value to your home. Even so, if you’re planning on putting your house on the market, a bathroom vessel sink is an attractive addition that photographs well in listings.
BestReviews wants to be better. Please take our 3-minute survey,
and give us feedback about your visit today.