Bathroom sinks have evolved to include a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and materials. Many sinks fall outside the traditional pedestal or cultured marble bowl design that fits in a vanity cabinet.

 

These sinks, also called lavatories, are designed to sit on a countertop or decorative table and create a focal point in the room. They also may be positioned so that the top edge of the sink is above the counter and the rest of the sink is visible below the counter or table.

 

They may be round, oval or square, and made of:

 

·           porcelain

·           china

·           metal or

·           decorative glass

 

Creating A Retreat

Many home owners look to their bathrooms as a retreat from the stress of their busy lives. "Your house -- and particularly your bathroom -- is one of the few places left where you can close out the world," said Gary Uhl, director of design for American Standard, Inc., based in Piscataway, N.J. "People are looking to create a comfortable, warm and pleasing environment."

 

When shopping for a sink, consider:

 

·           Is this strictly a functional room? Or, will it be a focal point for an area of the house?

·           The location -- is it in the back of the house where few will see it (and use it)? Or is it close to gathering places and rooms where a design theme may already be established?

 

Adding Furniture Elements

Many sink designs have evolved out of the trend in using furniture elements to bring warmth and individuality to a room. A bathroom sink can be mounted in the top drawer space of an antique dresser or placed on top of an ornate table, for example.

 

"Furniture you would typically find in other parts of the house is moving into the bathroom," Uhl said. "It creates a familiarity and comfortable feeling."

 

Bold and Beautiful Colors

While white continues to be a popular color for sinks, some manufacturers are introducing bold colors, such as blue, red, and purple. This is particularly true with glass sinks, which can have a smooth and translucent appearance or a heavy, textured look. Others take a white porcelain base and add decorative scrolling or painting in a variety of colors.

 

Form and Function

Designers also are paying attention to the entire sink because more of it is showing. Sinks that sit on a table or are mounted in a slab of marble with the bottom exposed have decorative elements on the sides and bottoms, as well as the top and inside the bowl.

 

Why a Lav?

The free-standing nature of a lavatory sink also makes it more accessible and flexible. When mounted on a table, there would be room underneath to allow  someone in a wheelchair to move close to the sink. It also can be mounted on a tall table to raise the sink higher than the traditional 36-inch high base cabinet. This is more convenient for someone who is tall or who wants to limit the potential back strain from bending over a lower sink.

 

"What that does is frees up the floor space, makes the room look larger and it makes the whole sink more accessible," Uhl said.

 

One disadvantage to using a lavatory is the lack of storage. Some designers add decorative glass, metal or wooden shelves near the sink for storing toiletries or decorative items.

 

Install with Care

Depending on the products and designs, installation can become a greater challenge. Some decorative lavatories are more complicated to install than a traditional cultured marble bowl in a vanity cabinet. If you select a more decorative style, or incorporate cabinetry into the design, make sure that plumbing is roughed in after carefully measuring the furniture.

 

Also, consider the faucet. Some sinks are designed with holes for mounting a faucet, while others require a faucet to be mounted on the counter or wall behind the sink.