Vanity and Sink Types for the Modern Bathroom

The choices available these days for bathroom sinks, for vanities, and for cabinets, are seemingly endless. You have the choice of investing $50 for a simplistic wall-hung sink, or you have the choice of investing upwards of $5,000 on a cabinet vanity that is of furniture quality.

Various types of sinks are self-contained, while others should be installed on or in a countertop. Then there are others still that mount within a piece of cabinetry. Many options exist and there is no one single best style, given the huge variations in bathroom designs.

Wall Mounted Sink

This, the wall mounted sink, represents a style that is among the most basic as well as the most common of bathroom sinks, particularly so in apartments and older homes. It’s used most frequently when the budget and the available space are a little tight.

As the name suggests, the sink mounts directly on the wall and there is no floor support, though usually the base does rest on the floor. Special hanger brackets that are fixed to the wall, together with a wall backup, provide the stability.

The plumbing supply and waste lines are either left exposed or can be concealed in a cover which is then fastened to the sink’s underside.

Pedestal Sink

This floor mounted sink is a classic and is commonly seen in older homes, apartments, and in newer homes, too. Just as with the wall mounted sink, it will frequently be used when space is at a premium, but it is also elegant enough that it is utilized as a focal point whenever space is not much of an issue.

The pedestal sink, as the name suggests, sits atop a pedestal which serves to support it above the level of the floor. It is also fixed to the wall to provide stability.

The plumbing supply and waste lines are neatly concealed within the pedestal itself.

Framed Sink

This type of sink, which is a commodity sink, is installed within a vanity counter top. It’s commonly seen in older homes, apartments, and newer homes that are not overly expensive. The framed sink is installed into laminated counter tops that are made from plastic.

The framed sink drops into a counter top while the sink may be manufactured from porcelain enameled cast iron or pressed steel.

The plumbing supply and waste lines are situated within the vanity base.

Vessel Sink Vanity

This type of sink is relatively modern and it forms a unique vanity. It’s seated on a countertop and the countertop is fixed to a vanity base mounted on the floor. Like most vanities, it’s also fastened to the wall to provide stability.

The vessel sink vanity requires a waste drain system and non-standard faucet. They are normally used in major bathroom renovations and in new home constructions. The faucets can be wall mounted or deck mounted on a pedestal.

As the name suggests, the sink is simply a vessel whereby a faucet pours water in.

In a sense, the vessel forms an object of art, even though it can be simplistic such as a porcelain china bowl, or perhaps more intricate like blown art glass, alabaster, or granite. The options for design are almost unlimited, and it doesn’t have to cost much but is almost always appealingly striking.

The plumbing supply and waste lines can be exposed, in which case, they have an attractive design which compliments the remainder of the unit. Otherwise, the vanity base will provide the location for concealment.

Drop-In Sink

Frequently the drop-in sink is referred to as a surface mounted or self-rimming sink, and it may be found installed in different types of counter tops such as tile, plastic laminate, synthetic composite like Silestone or Corian, and stone. It is common in all forms of home constructions.

The name arises from the way the sinks “drop in” to the counter top and rest on a lip which is larger than the countertop hole. They fit with a clamping system at the underneath. Thus, there is no use of a frame and it’s a self-trimming installation.

Usually the sink is constructed from vitreous china or porcelain enameled cast iron.

The plumbing supply and waste lines are again concealed within the vanity base.