Trends and considerations when planning your bathroom:

1.: The trend in bathroom size over the past 20 years

2.: The illusion of a larger bathroom

3.: The contemporary trend and style

4.: Planning your bathroom

5.: What Are Vessel Sinks?

6.: Choosing Sinks the sink material

7.: Choosing Faucets

8.: Maintaining Your Vessel Sink

9.: How to Install a vessel sink

Shopping Guidelines for Bathroom Vessel Sinks:

1.: Know your sinks

2.: Know your space

3.: Know your traffic

4.: Know your budget

1: The trend in bathroom size over the past 20 years.
Bathrooms have been steadily increasing in size over the past thirty years, and today's average bathroom is twice as large as bathrooms of the 1970s. However, bathrooms can be difficult to expand in existing houses without knocking down walls. There are some ways you can create a more spacious look and feel, without bringing in the sledge hammers.

2: The illusion of a larger bathroom.
You can gain some floor space by replacing the sink cabinet with a pedestal style. You'll lose some cabinet space, but you can usually more than make up for that loss by hanging a cabinet above the toilet. You can also save space by adding a sink that mounts directly to the wall. If you like having your sink in a cabinet, consider putting it into a smaller cabinet. You can top your cabinet with a solid surface countertop; the small piece won't cost much compared to the dramatic impact it provides. You can finish with a vessel sink which sits on the counter for a great updated look.

The easiest way to add the illusion of space is with a new mirror, especially if you have an old small medicine chest above the sink -- the type with a stainless steal frame. These old-fashioned medicine cabinets really date a home. Replace with a mirror spanning the wall all the way up to the ceiling. Or, look for an extra large framed mirror and paint the frame to match your décor. Use towels to add softness to the hard space. Don't use a lot of little pictures on the walls; they create a cluttered look and make the space feel smaller.

3: The contemporary trend and style
Minimal, linear, often metallic and futuristic, contemporary bathroom vanities come in modern finishes such as brushed nickel and chrome, and are usually free of extraneous ornament and decoration. The result can be a synergistic blend of strength and beauty. A contemporary aesthetic does not exclude natural stone or natural woods. Natural materials will provide lasting endurance and timeless style, and because they are tough enough to withstand everyday wear, they will remain beautiful for years to come.

The contemporary one-piece bathroom vanity is one very popular option for homeowners. This releases the customer of having to match fixtures with sinks to cabinets. Other attendant items in the contemporary vanity are: stainless steel towel rail, and/or a uniquely designed trap. The trap though a small detail could be considered an object of beauty itself depending on its character.

As the popularity of vessel sinks has grown, so has the number of beautifully hand-crafted products that practically demand exhibition. By sitting entirely above-counter, vessel sinks can be displayed for their beauty as well as their functionality. The great thing about vessel sinks is they are not reserved for use in any one type of bathroom. Modern designs, conservative spaces, rustic décor and everything in between can all be enhanced by a vessel sink. Thus, the aesthetic this type of sink accommodates is rather extensive.

One of the least expensive and quickest things you can do enhance your bathroom is to change the color of the walls. Deep, lush colors can make a more impressive impact than gentle pastels. Earth tones have also been showing a strong trend recently. The idea is to create a strong impression, and nothing does better than bold colors in contemporary design.

4: Planning your bathroom.
Bathroom vanity sinks must exist in unity with the rest of your house. Ask yourself what this sink will have to endure and does it belong with in my bathroom design? Is it located in a place where there will there be lots of use, will there be a danger of scratching and chipping or is it located in a guest bathroom that rarely feels a splash of water? Stone is practically indestructible, in addition to some synthetics and metals like stainless steel. While porcelain can be easily chipped and scratched, it can also be more easily repaired and cleaned than metal or stone. Stone is a porous material and so can hold on to stains.

The easiest way to add the illusion of space is with a new mirror, especially if you have an old small medicine chest above the sink -- the type with a stainless steal frame. These old-fashioned medicine cabinets really date a home. Replace with a mirror spanning the wall all the way up to the ceiling. Or, look for an extra large framed mirror and paint the frame to match your décor. Use towels to add softness to the hard space. Don't use a lot of little pictures on the walls; they create a cluttered look and make the space feel smaller.

5: What Are Vessel Sinks?
Vessel sinks are the trendiest and bathroom sinks on the market today-but what are they? Think of the old wash basins that people would have in their bath area or nightstand, before indoor plumbing. This is the basic shape of vessel sinks. Vessel sinks have a faucet that extends over the rim to fill it. Some sit above the counter, while others are semi recessed in the counter itself. You can find these sinks in a wide variety of styles, colors, and materials. If you are thinking of updating your bathroom for a more modern, yet classic look, you should take a look at the vessel style sink. It will greatly enhance the looks and feel of your bathroom as well as increase the value of your home should you ever decide to sell it.

6: Choosing Sinks the sink material.
You can find a vessel style sink made from many different materials, including stone, stainless steel, porcelain, copper and glass. There are many different types of stone sinks: Granite, Onyx, and Marble are some of the most commonly used stone materials. Stone are generally more expensive materials used, however they tend to be less fragile. Stone sink needs treatment whereas glass and porcelain sinks do not.

Glass vessel sinks will vary in price depending on the process and the labor involved. There are different manufacturing techniques for glass sinks. Sinks can be factory molded, custom made, with blown glass or fused glass, single layer, double or triple layered glass or even a combination. You will find our more affordable vessel sinks to be made out of porcelain and single layer molded glass.

7: Choosing Faucets
There are several faucet alternatives for vessel sinks. First, check your current plumbing limitations, supply valves height and the style of vanity you select. Your choices may require reconfiguration of your supply valves depending on the vanity you choose. If it is an open style pedestal that exposes the valves or it is a vanity that will conceal the valves. Of course if you want a wall mount faucet a bit more plumbing work is involved.

For shallow vessels it is generally recommended that you choose a faucet that directs the water towards the center of the vessel. With a taller vessel the water does not have to be directed to the center.

8: Maintaining Your Vessel Sink
If you have a vessel style sink made of glass, china, porcelain, or any other surface that will scratch, you need to take extra care when you clean it to avoid scratching. Make sure you keep hard water stains off, and use only gentle cleaners. Use a non-abrasive cloth on vessel sinks that scratch along with a mild soap and water. For hard water spots, use vinegar on a rag. Don’t use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or harsh chemicals which may damage the finish on some vessel sinks and make them more prone to staining.

Remodeling your bathroom can give your home a whole new look and feel. The bathroom sink is usually one of the main focal points of the bathroom and therefore should be chosen carefully.

9: How to Install a Vessel Sink:
For an above counter installation, you will need a hole that is large enough to accommodate the drain assembly. This is the plumbing hardware that allows the sink to drain the water. If the bottom of your vessel is flat, then the installation is straightforward. The only thing we would recommend is a bead of silicone under the sink and around the edge to prevent water on the countertop from working its way underneath the vessel. If the vessel has a rounded shape – as with most glass vessel sinks – you have two options. You can either use a vessel mounting ring or you will need to provide a mounting hole directly in the countertop for stability. If a mounting hole is utilized use clear silicone to provide cushion and stability when mounting the sink. The larger the hole, the more stability you will achieve in the installation. Be sure to keep the height of the faucet you have chosen in mind when making these decisions.

Whichever mounting method you use, you will want to install the drain in the vessel before installing the sink to the counter surface. Drains for vessel sinks come in two basic configurations. Does your vessel have an overflow? If so, you will need a standard drain. However, most vessel sinks do not have an overflow and will need a “vessel style drain”. Vessel drains come in many different styles and finishes. These drains do not have a “pop up” assembly. Some are referred to as “grid drains” (referring to the “grid configuration” on the top of the drain). Grid drains were designed to let the water flow out of the basin but catch larger objects from heading down the drain. be sure that you don’t over tighten the drain assembly. Hand tighten the drain only. The breakage we see with glass vessels is usually associated with an improper installation of the drain. It extreme cases over tension on the drain can lead to almost an explosion of the sink.

Shopping Guidelines for Bathroom Vessel Sinks

by www.ModernDanish.com

Love the look of a glass sink sink, but have no clue how to buy one? Well, what follows are some great tips from our experts at ModernDanish.com on how to buy the perfect vessel sink for your home.

1. Know your sinks
How durable are these sinks? Not unbreakable, but sturdy because they are "tempered". Tempered glass is regular glass that has been heated to a very high temperature, and then quickly cooled. This procedure strengthens the glass, making it 5-7 times stronger than regular glass.

Sink glass is also fairly thick, with typical thicknesses ranging from ½ inch to ¾ inch. You can go about your normal grooming habits such as brushing your teeth, combing your hair, shaving, applying make-up, etc without worrying about breakage.

Like the look of these "above the counter" glass sinks, but don’t want glass? Consider a porcelain vessel sink. You’ll get the look without the worry.

2. Know your space
The most popular glass sinks are 15-20 inches in diameter... about the width of your computer keyboard... and about 5-8 inches deep... about the length from the base of your wrist to ring or middle finger.

Make sure that you have the appropriate amount of space to accommodate the sink and accessories, plus maintain ample space away from the edge of the counter and the wall so that the “fear of leaning on it factor" is no longer a factor. 12-15 inches around the entire sink will do.

Don’t have much space? Then try a pedestal sink. Pedestal sinks are sinks that are pre-mounted on a space saving pedestal. Don’t want to sacrifice floor space? Try a wall mounted glass sink countertop. Both options will give you an ultra modern sink while conserving space.

Have a large bathroom to fill? A glass vessel sink vanity can help consume some space. You’ll get a glass sink and a roomy counter that comes together.

3. Know your traffic
Since children have the uncanny ability to break things. Vessel sinks are mostly tempered products, so if one happens to great you can easily replace it. Children over age 10 tend to be more conscientious of their surroundings, and your glass sink stands a greater chance of surviving. Likewise, your sink’s shelf-life will be greater with less foot traffic around it. Most glass sinks are tempered so your child will not get hurt if one breaks, just surprised.

A guest bathroom or powder room is well-suited for these sinks. You’ll be able express your style while impressing your neighbors, friends and family. And who doesn’t like to be respected for their exquisite taste? Most importantly, there will be less traffic and less worry.

If you have a large family, a family with young children or one bathroom and want the look of these glass sinks but realize that glass might not be the best option, then consider a porcelain or copper vessel sink.

4. Know your budget
Prices can start as low as $50 to as high as $5,000. There could be many reasons for the difference in pricing. Sinks can be factory made or custom made, blown glass or fused glass, single layer or double layered glass.
Custom made and/or blown glass sinks are more expensive due to the time and expertise involved in creating them. With custom made sinks, you’ll communicate one-on-one with the artist of your sink and you’ll receive expert knowledge about its creation and special maintenance requirements. The best part: no one else will ever have a sink exactly like yours. This comes with an upscale price of $1,000 or more.

Consider the sink’s quality. Whether quality, customer service or knowledge, sometimes you get what you pay for. Be careful of sinks that start at rock bottom prices. They sometimes come without warranties, the sellers are not knowledgeable about the sinks and they’re simply quantity discounters and have nothing more to offer than just a low price.