Vessel Sinks

Vessel sinks sit on top of the countertop like a bowl on a table. A dramatic design statement for bathrooms -- available in glass, ceramic, stone, copper, and concrete. The faucet must be tall enough to clear the bowl rim (vessel faucets or wall-mount faucets). The countertop has a small drain hole only, not a full cutout. Striking in powder rooms and guest baths where form matters more than daily utility. The tradeoff: harder to clean around the base, splashing can be an issue with shallow bowls, and children may have trouble reaching.

Vessel sinks range from 14 to 24 inches in diameter. Round and oval are most common. The countertop height should be lower than standard (31-32 inches vs 36 inches) because the bowl adds 5-6 inches. Total rim height should be 34-36 inches for comfortable hand washing. Measure faucet height to ensure the spout clears the bowl rim by at least 2 inches.

Drill a drain hole in the countertop matching the vessel drain size. Set the sink on the countertop with a bead of silicone caulk underneath to prevent shifting. Connect the pop-up drain assembly from below. Install a vessel faucet through the countertop or a wall-mount faucet above. Plumbing is standard -- the only difference is the drain height sits higher than an in-counter sink.