Install a Vessel Sink
So you have decided that you would like to install a vessel sink in your bathroom…congratulations, you will love it!
In this article I will concentrate on two general styles of a vessel vanity. The big question is; What type of look do you want your vessel vanity to have?
Traditional:
Will it be a traditional sit on the floor cabinet style? If you choose a traditional style it will need to be a vessel specific vanity which is specific in height (shorter that a regular drop in sink vanity). This is because vessels typically sit on top of the vanity counter…thus adding overall height to the vanity. Most vessel sinks no matter what shape are between 5”-7” tall. A rule of thumb for the top of the sink (any type of sink) should be about 32”-33” give or take a 1”. This is simply an ergonomic consideration…if you are a 7’ tall descendant of a Norseman…well, you probably will want your sink a bit higher! The 32”-33” is not a hard and fast rule…just a guideline. If you decide on a circular bowl shape you can partially sink the bowl into the countertop…this allows for fine tuning the overall height and also gives a different look too. However if you would like to save a big chunk of money and if the vanity you currently have is something you really like you can modify it to work with a vessel sink. You will need to replace the counter top and you may need to remove some of the cabinet to get the overall height perfect. It’s all very doable and will easily save you $100’s of bucks by DIYing it. I have done such a project easily and it cost me about $50 and an afternoon…and it is sensational! It also will be a one of a kind vanity…that you created.
Contemporary hang on the wall vanity unit:
If you are thinking about a hang on the wall vanity that is great…they look awesome! Will it be a minimalist shelf with exposed plumbing or an enclosed cabinet? Exposed plumbing means you will need to pay close attention to the cosmetics of replacing the P-trap and water service valves and hoses to make sure they all look pretty. You may also want to determine where the stud locations are on your wall. All hang on the wall vanities require that you bolt directly into studs for maximum strength. Ask lots of questions from the vendor of the vanity for the dimensions of the vanity wall mounts…to make sure it will match up to your application. This also a cool DIY option…you can make your own minimalist shelf style vanity. You will need an appropriate shelf material that will give you strength to span wall brackets and the size you require for the vessel plus a little room around the edges to set things on. If you use 1” MDF keep the span (dist between brackets) to 26”. MDF can be painted or you can put veneer on and stain it too! Your imagination is your only limit. I have made just such a beautiful vanity easily in a day for less than $100…really.
There are other important considerations to make on a vessel sink installation…and they all are somewhat dependant on the other. Therefore you must plan out your entire project to the last detail before you spend a single dollar. I will cover other important decisions on vessel sinks in the next blog posts.
Cheers to your success!
The Bathroom Daddy
In this article I will concentrate on two general styles of a vessel vanity. The big question is; What type of look do you want your vessel vanity to have?
Traditional:
Will it be a traditional sit on the floor cabinet style? If you choose a traditional style it will need to be a vessel specific vanity which is specific in height (shorter that a regular drop in sink vanity). This is because vessels typically sit on top of the vanity counter…thus adding overall height to the vanity. Most vessel sinks no matter what shape are between 5”-7” tall. A rule of thumb for the top of the sink (any type of sink) should be about 32”-33” give or take a 1”. This is simply an ergonomic consideration…if you are a 7’ tall descendant of a Norseman…well, you probably will want your sink a bit higher! The 32”-33” is not a hard and fast rule…just a guideline. If you decide on a circular bowl shape you can partially sink the bowl into the countertop…this allows for fine tuning the overall height and also gives a different look too. However if you would like to save a big chunk of money and if the vanity you currently have is something you really like you can modify it to work with a vessel sink. You will need to replace the counter top and you may need to remove some of the cabinet to get the overall height perfect. It’s all very doable and will easily save you $100’s of bucks by DIYing it. I have done such a project easily and it cost me about $50 and an afternoon…and it is sensational! It also will be a one of a kind vanity…that you created.
Contemporary hang on the wall vanity unit:
If you are thinking about a hang on the wall vanity that is great…they look awesome! Will it be a minimalist shelf with exposed plumbing or an enclosed cabinet? Exposed plumbing means you will need to pay close attention to the cosmetics of replacing the P-trap and water service valves and hoses to make sure they all look pretty. You may also want to determine where the stud locations are on your wall. All hang on the wall vanities require that you bolt directly into studs for maximum strength. Ask lots of questions from the vendor of the vanity for the dimensions of the vanity wall mounts…to make sure it will match up to your application. This also a cool DIY option…you can make your own minimalist shelf style vanity. You will need an appropriate shelf material that will give you strength to span wall brackets and the size you require for the vessel plus a little room around the edges to set things on. If you use 1” MDF keep the span (dist between brackets) to 26”. MDF can be painted or you can put veneer on and stain it too! Your imagination is your only limit. I have made just such a beautiful vanity easily in a day for less than $100…really.
There are other important considerations to make on a vessel sink installation…and they all are somewhat dependant on the other. Therefore you must plan out your entire project to the last detail before you spend a single dollar. I will cover other important decisions on vessel sinks in the next blog posts.
Cheers to your success!
The Bathroom Daddy
posted by Bathroom Daddy at
12:30 PM
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