When it comes to renovating a bathroom, the sink is an opportunity to show personality, style or a unique design element all while still being functional for the typical hand and face washing prone to bathrooms. Selecting a bathroom sink involves much more than finding the right colored white porcelain as it once did, with a huge assortment of colors, materials, styles and options available for homeowners to choose from. There is also an extensive amount of options for even finding a location to purchase a bathroom sink. The process can appear daunting, but with the right tools and know how, the shopping and selection can be a breeze.
Where to Start
Choosing home renovation elements can at first be an exciting task, but slowly grows more aggravating as all the practicalities of dimensions and functionality begin to overwhelm homeowners. Bathroom renovations are some of the most difficult to complete because each decision tends to touch on electricity or plumbing or something that is difficult or nearly impossible to change. Not to mention that all of this is done in a relatively small space compared to other rooms in a home.
The actual selection process involved with a sink should always start with the cabinet and whether you will be keeping the one you have, renovating it in a way that may alter the space for the sink bowl such as changing the counter top, or you are completely ripping the whole thing out and starting over. The cabinet will really determine how much room you have to make a style or size decision about your sink. If you are unsure about any of the measuring or design aspects of your sink, you should consider involving a design professional who can help to guide you through the process.
Knowing the Product
Just as with most products, there is high end, middle range and low end sinks for homeowners to select from. Lower end, more cost efficient sinks can be bought new at most home improvement stores but when selecting your specific sink, inspect the product for chips, cracks or dings that could impact the overall look or even function of your sink. These products tend to be fairly standard in size and shape but you can make them appear more custom depending on your cabinet and faucet selections.
Mid-range sink products are middle of the road price wise but have a little bit more to them than the standard home improvement store fare. These sinks can have a bit deeper well than a standard sink or be made of an alternate material that makes them seem more custom. Mid-range sinks can also have some special features found in more trendy bathroom renovations, such as counter top mounting rather than under counter top mounting. Similar to the way you would see a deep bowl sitting on top of a table, a sink can be designed to sit on top of a counter top. While this trend does not necessarily appeal to everyone, it can be the right fit for the right bathroom.
High end sinks can be anything from a personalized art piece to a custom job that is built out of recycled glass to appear more like a narrow trough than a standard bathroom sink. The use of color and unique options are almost endless. Homeowners always want to be a little careful in this department because it can deduct big dollars from the overall re-sale value of a home if buyers believe the bathroom is too over the top and will need to be re-done in order to better reflect their taste.
Where to Shop
Most people do not typically have an extensive amount of experience in shopping for bathroom sinks. Consequently, there is sometimes a lack of understanding on the places to shop for sinks, the different options and the actual differences in functionality. Depending on the quality of sink you are looking for, standard options are typically available at home improvement stores while more custom versions can be purchased from interior decorating studios or custom home designers. There are also some creative ways to find your sink such as visiting antique shops for originals or replicas that will work with your design scheme. Some outlets also sell used or refurbished products that can be a great savings as well as good for the environment.
Just as with most things, it is a good idea to keep an open mind and evaluate your options when you are shopping before making a firm decision. You should have your sink dimensions in hand and anything to help you with color selection if needed while you shop around. A sales professional may also be able to help you find the most cost effective solution for your budget or point you in the direction where you can find the right product for your style.
Things to Consider
Once you know the size and color and shape of the sink you need, there are still a number of other things to consider in order to complete your bathroom renovation project. The faucet component of your sink is almost as important as the bowl. The style and color of our faucet should compliment your sink bowl while having the necessary functionality you are expecting. You need to think about whether the knobs can be moved easily based on the way you are planning to have the sink installed or whether you would like a moveable faucet head. The cost of the faucet component can also be far more than the sink itself so be sure to understand if the faucet you have selected will adequately fit the sink bowl you would like to have installed.
Other things to consider when you are selecting a bathroom sink include cost savings opportunities. You can sometimes find a sink that is bundled with a cabinet or a faucet which can save you money overall. There are also some sinks that come as one unit with the countertop which can be a great option for saving both money and installation time. You can also save money by hiring a professional to install your sink. If it is improperly installed, you can inadvertently do extensive damage to your cabinet, the contents of the cabinet and the walls and flooring of your bathroom.
