5 Tips For Choosing The Best Vessel Sink For Your Bathroom
If you’re looking for the best vessel sink for your bathroom, we totally get it.
Recently we were on a search for the very same thing for some of our wonderful clients. That search is what us inspired to share some of our vessel sink knowledge will you!
At first you may not realize it, but choosing a vessel sink is a little more complex than choosing a standard drop-in or undermount bathroom sink.
In fact, changing the design from an undermount to a vessel style sink can mean having to rethink the faucet, countertop, drain, vanity height and overall design of the space to ensure all the features will work the way you want them to.
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What Is A Vessel Sink?
Unlike a typical sink that is dropped into a countertop or installed under the countertop, vessel sinks are installed either entirely or mostly above a countertop.
Vessel sinks really are a unique type of sink and have different shapes, styles and materials that can add complexity to a bathroom design.
To pick the best option for your space, we recommend walking through the following tips.
Considering these items before you buy will help you love your vessel sink for years to come!
Here Are Our 5 Tips For Choosing The Best Vessel Sink For Your Bathroom:
1. Check If The Vessel Sink Has Overflow And Pick Your Drain Accordingly
It is important to keep in mind that most vessel sinks do not have overflow.
Why is overflow important? The most obvious reason is that it is a backup for the sink to keep it from overflowing if the drain is clogged and the water is left running. The next important reason is that it allows there to be air circulating to allow the water to flow down the drain so it doesn’t “suffocate” itself, which slows down how quickly the water can drain from the sink.
Vessel Sinks with Overflow:
Although there are not as many vessel sinks with overflow, there are some! Here are some of our favorites.
Types of Drains for Vessel Sinks With Overflow:
If you select a vessel sink with overflow, you’ll have a few different options for drain types to choose from: stopper, grid drain or pop up/clicker drain. It will be most important to make sure to pay attention that the drain you select specifically states “with overflow” in the description.
If you fall in love with a sink that DOES NOT have overflow, there is no reason to worry. In the case where you do not have overflow on your vessel sink, you will want to make sure you choose the right drain to ensure your sink works properly.
So, what is the “right” drain?
The right drain will allow water to flow through it quickly and easily to keep the sink from filing up with water.
Types Of Drains For A Vessel Sink Without Overflow:
There are generally two types of drains you could consider for vessel sinks, they are grid drains and pop up/clicker drains.
Either a grid drain or a pop up drain could work well for you if your vessel sink does not have overflow. You’ll just want to make sure to check that you order a drain marked “no overflow” so it won’t have a hole intended for sinks with overflow.
The difference between the two drain options are that the grid drain is not intended to be plugged while the pop up drain can be pushed down to stop the water from flowing down the drain.
This is important to consider when your sink does not have overflow because if someone was to push down on the pop up drain and leave the sink running, there is a possibility that the sink could overflow and cause damage to your home. Especially if the vessel sink will be in areas where small children might have access. For those reasons we generally steer clients toward grid drains before pop up drains, but if they are comfortable with the potential risks involved with the pop up drain, we happily install it.
As I mentioned earlier, without air flow available with the overflow, drains can end up “suffocating” themselves which slows down the rate at which the water can drain. Keeping that in mind, look for a drain with the widest drain that will fit within the plumbing. The wider the opening, the more water that can flow.
2. Consider The Height Of The Vessel Sink And Then Calculate The Right Height For The Vanity
In the past, standard vanity height was about 31”. Now we are seeing that most standard vanities are at the same height as kitchen cabinets, about 36” tall when including the height of the countertop.
If you buy a vanity that is standard height, you’ll want to keep in mind how much higher the sink is going to be to make sure it’ll be a comfortable height for you.
If you want the ability to adjust the height of your vanity, consider a floating vanity that can be installed slightly up or down on the wall to accommodate your height preference.
A quick note: whatever you choose, you will want to plan for the vanity on the front end of your project to ensure the plumbing is roughed in to the right location for your chosen vanity height.
3. Plan For The Right Faucet For Your Vessel Sink
There are tons of beautiful options for vessel sink faucets. When trying to choose the best one for you, here are a few things to consider:
The Height Of The Vessel Sink Faucet -
Make sure theres enough room between the faucet and the sink, a minimum of 6 inches is recommended. This space is necessary so you can have room to wash your hands without hitting the faucet.
The Space Available For The Vessel Sink Faucet -
Depending on the amount of space available between the sink and the wall, you may need to adjust the placement or select one type of faucet over another. If you’re worried there isn’t enough space available, a wall mounted faucet can also be a great option with a vessel sink.
4. Pick The Perfect Countertop For Your Vessel Sink
With vessel sinks being installed above the countertop, having a solid, durable, water resistant countertop material is important.
Granite, marble and quartz tend to be our go-to choices when installing vessel sinks. These options are solid enough that no water will warp it or compromise the integrity of the material, which could put the whole sink at risk.
When it comes to our favorite countertop choice, we are absolutely partial to quartz. Quartz is resistant to water and will need little to no maintenance. Natural stones like marble and granite will need regular sealing and can etch and stain with regular use and cleaning products that are generally used in bathrooms. Luckily, you won’t have to worry about that with quartz as it is scratch and stain resistant.
5. Make Sure The Vessel Sink Is The Right Material
Vessel sinks come in a wide variety of materials to match just about any style or taste. With so much variety, it can be hard to narrow down the best material for your vessel sink.
Vessel sinks come in ceramic, metals (stainless steel and copper), stone (marbles and granites), and glass options.
To choose the right material, consider how much use the sink will be getting and who will be using it.
For places that will get lighter use, such as a powder room, stone and copper are beautiful choices. This is because stone needs regular sealing and can etch and stain when it comes in contact with certain chemicals. Copper also requires special care and maintenance to ensure it stays looking it’s best.
When choosing a vessel sink for bathrooms that will get a lot of regular use, porcelain, glass and stainless steel are great choices. They can all hold up well over time without a lot of care and maintenance, even when cleaned regularly with chemicals.
Conclusion
Your perfect vessel sink is just waiting for it’s new home. We hope that by using the tips above, you’ll find the best sink for your space, no matter the material or style you prefer. Considering all your options and choosing wisely means you’ll have both a functional and beautiful space with your new vessel sink as the centerpiece.
Now I want to hear from you! Where are you planning to install your new vessel sink? What type of material do you prefer for a vessel sink?
