Bathroom sinks are a hard-working feature of any bath design, particularly in a busy primary bath or kids' bathroom. You spend a lot of time at the sink: washing hands, brushing teeth, shaving. Sinks are more than functional; they make a style statement, either blending into surroundings or standing out as a unique feature. Here are the main sink styles to consider.

Top Mount

Top mount (or drop-in) sinks are the most common and typically the cheapest to install. They sit on top of the surrounding countertop and fit almost any countertop material and vanity style.

Undermount

Undermount sinks are fixed to the underside of the countertop. Seamless appearance, but only works with a solid-surface countertop.

Wall-Mounted

Wall-mounted sinks are fixed directly to the wall with no surrounding cabinet, offering a minimal profile. Plumbing has to come from inside the wall. Ideal for smaller bathrooms. Downside: no real countertop space or storage.

Pedestal

Pedestal sinks are simple and give the space a classic or vintage vibe. They work only with pipes coming through the floor and lack countertop and storage space.

Semi-Recessed

Semi-recessed sinks combine a standard-sized sink with a shallower cabinet, so the sink sticks out past the cabinet. Allows some cabinet storage without intruding too much on the floor.

Vessel

Vessel sinks sit on top of the countertop and serve as a clear focal point. They come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. Pay careful attention to the height of the vanity (since the sink sits above it) and the positioning and height of the faucet.

All-in-One

All-in-one sinks integrate sink and countertop from the same material. No ridges and easy to clean.

How to Pick the Right One

Beyond style, consider:

What type of bathroom is it? A primary bath may call for a different sink style than a powder room or kids' bathroom. Consider including two sinks in a busy shared bathroom.

Who will use it? A vessel sink is a striking design feature in a powder room but may not make sense for small children.

How much storage? If this is a main daily bathroom, you may need a vanity cabinet, in which case pedestal or wall-mounted isn't the best choice.

How much space? In a small space, a smaller sink or sleeker profile (wall-mounted) may work best.

What's the current footprint? Do pipes come from the wall or floor? Does your desired choice match these specs? If not, are you willing to budget for changing the footprint?

Shape, size, color, material? Sinks come in round, oval, rectangular, and asymmetrical, in many materials and colors. We dig into bath layout in our bath layout guide.

Talk through sink choice with a designer

If you're planning a bath and want to talk through which sink style fits, we'd love to talk.

Schedule a showroom visit at our 5,000 square foot showroom in Norwell. No pressure, just a real conversation about your home.

Transitions Kitchens, Baths & Remodeling
433 Washington St, Norwell, MA
(781) 871-0881