Types of Sinks for Bathroom Countertops: Undermount, Drop-in, Vessel and Carved
Have you decided you want a countertop in your bathroom, instead of a stand-alone sink?
If you’re still not sure what’s best for you, check out our article on countertops. There you’ll also find all the info you need to design one with the ideal dimensions and details.
Now let’s talk about a very important part of every countertop: the sink!
Read on to find out the differences between the four types of sinks for bathroom countertops and choose your favorite.
Page Contents:
Undermount bathroom sinks
The most traditional and economical type, undermount sinks are glued under the countertop.
It’s the only model that has a visible cutout on the countertop, so it has to be made with perfect shape and finish.
It’s a clean and discreet model. If you rather draw attention to other fixtures instead of the sink, this might be your best option.
Don’t forget to consider a mitered edge profile or an undercounter cabinet to cover the sink’s entire height, otherwise its unfinished outside will be visible under the countertop.
Drop-in bathroom sinks
This type is similar to the undermount sink, but it has a lip above the countertop.
The lip makes the sink easier to clean, as its interior is all exposed, while undermount ones can have hidden corners on the top.
The countertop, on the other hand, is a little harder to clean or dry, once you get an obstacle when pushing the water down the sink.
They are usually a little more expensive, because of the finished edge. On the other hand, the cutout on the countertop doen’t have to be as perfectly finished.
Besides from these two details, the difference between undermount and drop-in sinks is pretty much aesthetic. You can choose whichever you find more appealing.
The tip about covering the sink’s height is valid for this type too, as it’s also unfinished on the outside.
Vessel / bowl bathroom sinks
Vessel or bowl sinks are placed on the countertop.
As they’re completely visible, outside and inside, both sides are finished. Therefore, it’s the most expensive type.
The cutout you need to provide on the countertop is smaller, to pass the water drain only, and doesn’t need to be well finished.
Some models are a good choice for small bathrooms and powder rooms, as they can reach beyond the edge of the countertop. This way, you can have a narrower countertop without getting a too small sink.
If a vessel sink if your choice, pay attention to the following details:
- The countertop’s height. For the top of the tub to be 85cm/2’10” from the floor, which is a comfortable height, the countertop must be lower. So the space available for a cabinet under the counter is smaller. If you want to make the most of the space for storage, you should choose another type of sink.
- Some models have an almost flat bottom, which makes it difficult to drain the water. For heavily used bathrooms, choose models with more inclined bottoms.
- Not every faucet works for vessel sinks. It must be either a wall-mounted faucet or a deck-mounted vessel faucet. Check sinks and faucets heights before buying both (learn how to buy the right faucet for your sink here).
Carved bathroom sinks
It’s made of the same material as the countertop: stone, concrete, wood…
It is a beautiful, different and sophisticated option, which can adapt well to any countertop format.
It is usually more expensive than buying a ready-made model.
Sculpted sinks can have flat or ramp bottoms, and in both cases, they can have a removable tray covering the valve or not. When there is no tray, on flat bottoms, the valve is visible, and on ramp bottoms, it is hidden:
The latter is beautiful, but it is the most difficult to maintain, as there is no access to the valve from above.
Some carved sink designs are not so practical, for splashing a lot of water. As nice as they look, the two examples above are too shallow.
For heavily used bathrooms, I reccommend a deeper sink like these:
So, have you chosen your favorite type of sink for your bathroom countertop?
Now don’t forget to choose the right faucet for it.