Whether you’re redoing your entire bathroom or just making a few upgrades, choosing the right fixtures and hardware for your bathroom is an important decision. As you look at your options for bathroom vanities, a certain style may have caught your eye: vessel sinks. These statement pieces have been all the rage for the past two decades, but their popularity has waned in the last few years. However, they are still a relatively common style, especially in small bathrooms.
Are vessel sinks a good choice? Let’s look at the pros and cons of these trendy bathroom vanities.
The Advantages
The first and most striking advantage of a vessel sink is its aesthetic value. A vessel sink makes a bold statement and draws the eye as soon as you open the bathroom door. Vessel sinks come in a variety of colors and materials, so you can easily find one to match your personal style.
Vessel sinks are very easy to install, making them a popular choice for DIY-ers. All you need to do is cut a hole in your countertop and place the sink. These sinks are also easy to replace if you want to switch up your style in a few years.
A practical advantage to a vessel sink is that it gives you more counter space. The sink only touches the counter at the base of the bowl, which is smaller than the rim, so you get a little extra precious countertop space.
The Disadvantages
Many people have installed a vessel sink and regretted it because of their significant disadvantages. Depending on the positioning of the faucet, the high sides of a vessel sink can splash water everywhere. Grime also builds up where the base of the sink meets the countertop, and it can be difficult to clean that spot. Because the edge of the sink is exposed, it is also prone to cracking or chipping.
The Happy Medium
Despite the waning popularity of vessel sinks, some people still like the style but are put off by the disadvantages. If you’re one of those people, we have a compromise to suggest: a semi-recessed vessel sink. A semi-recessed vessel sink is a happy medium between a vessel sink and a traditional cut-out top sink. You still get the look of a raised vessel, but it has lower sides, and the crevice where the sink and countertop meet is easier to clean.