June 10th, 2011 | 
Author: 
Question: Seniors, (or not-so-seniors) have you remodeled your bathroom and changed the old sink to a vessel?
I desperately need advice regarding vessels as a sink. I love the way they look, but are they practical? I asked a similar question in “Home Improvement,” but haven’t gotten any answers. We are trying to update our house so that it will be more attractive to younger buyers when we decide to move. So, do you like your vessel or not?
To Arty, et al: This will be on a vanity so there will be storage. It’s no longer a passing trend. They’ve been around for many years. This is going into our powder room, not our master bathroom. The idea here is to have a striking guest powder room.
WHAT IS WITH THE HOSTILITY, FOLKS? I just want to know if you’ve actually used a vessel sink and whether or not you liked it!
Answer:
Answer by Arty
I would never consider it.
It’s a passing fad – much too impractical.
And people love storage in the bathroom under the sink!
Posted in Home Improvement | 
Tags: bathroom, changed, notsoseniors, remodeled, Seniors, Sink, vessel
I’ve seen these ultra-modern vessels at the home show – but really they are so impractical. Where are you supposed to put your toiletry products ? And the ones I tried, the water splashed all over the place, very messy. If you are remodeling for sale, I’d go for a neat , practical vanity basin and cabinet, modern but useful.
I hate them!
they will be passe soon enough – too impractical!
And the water does splatter all over the place!
Vessels belong in the ocean. The only thing really necessary in a bathroom is a toilet anyway. I am thankful for what I have and I do not want to change it for some whack-o new fandangled idea. Wow I guess you can guess my age. To answer your question, no I have not thought of a type of a vessel that I want in my bathroom, but I do like to look and think about new ideas in decorating.
I can’t really afford to do anymore remodeling, but I would love to do what you’re speaking of if I could….. I love that look. So I encourage you to go for it!
I just looked them up on a web site. They don’t look to be much bigger than the wash bowls we used before we had running water in our home.
I’m thinking —– no I wouldn’t want one in my home. It shows them made of stone, glass, porcelain, brass or clay.
They are an oddity to this old lady – but they may very well appeal to young upscale home buyers.
Hope I helped some.
DeeJay.
I like (for the most part) the vessel sinks that I have used; both in commercial establishments and in a few homes. My husband and I are planning to remodel our home within the next two years; and we’ve been paying attention to different choices for awhile now. We also have a half-bathroom we will be redoing, it is used by guests and everyone else who lives here.
Here are a few of the things I think might be problems: Depending on the sink and whatever holds the sink, it could be difficult to clean around the base. Not all vessel sinks sit securely, it can wobble. I worry that some of the vessels will chip easily. Some vessel sinks sit so high that I don’t think children would be able to reach it very well, or someone in a wheelchair either. Lastly, as you can see from some of the other answers, not everyone will like vessel sinks, not everyone enjoys unusual. You need to be careful about color and materials if you want to sell your home; yes, vessel sinks are popular, but not every color, shape, or material will work well for all shoppers. Be careful about where you install the water faucet; think about splashes from turning the faucet on and off.
Here is what I like about them: I love being able to use something that is not white porcelain. There is a huge variety to choose from; so it is possible to find a vessel sink that is both practical (easy to use, easy to maintain, sturdy) and attractive (lots of materials, shapes). I love not having everything “matchy, matchy” in a room, using a vessel sink is one way to accomplish this. I also like the variety of sizes; you can go big or go small depending on the space you have to work with.
I haven’t decided yet either. If I do get a vessel sink; I will likely ‘sink’ it down a bit; vessel sinks can be set in the counter or table top about half way; which makes them more stable, lower, and I think easier to clean around. I’ll likely go with a natural material in some sort of earth tone instead of glass….I’ve seen onyx, copper, and bronze that I like.
I’m also considering either a pedestal sink or maybe a set in sink made out of a neat material. I just saw a set in sink made of bronze that was very cool; so I’d have an interesting material in a traditional setting.
Good luck, and have some fun with this!
They look nice, but are messier as far as splashing water and it’s a little more difficult to keep clean that the traditional design which has become more streamlined over the years.
If it were to be placed in a powder room that is used mainly by guests, that would be best since they are attractive. It’s those that are used many times daily that I’ve noticed are more difficult to keep up.
Vessel sinks are pretty, and can be stylish–but I would hate to clean them, and I think that is going to go a long way to making them undesirable in the future!
Instead (and I am thinking of this for my upstairs bathroom, just so you know) I would buy a striking copper sink that is meant to be undermounted with a stone vanity top. I am looking into the cost of slates at the moment, because that would look best with the slate 5 ft shower stall I am also putting in. I am thinking copper because it tones in with the autumn colours of the slate I have picked, but you can go with stainless steel or bronze.
And an undermounted sink is SO MUCH easier to clean–you just scrub the thing and rinse.
I think they’re wonderful….several of my friends have done it when they updated their bathrooms. Yes….an updated sink, vanity area does get you “points” for resale. What does NOT get you points is those bordello bathrooms with saunas, hot tubs/whirlpool baths.
Other things that get you points are ample & well designed storage….wonderful lighting….ventilation systems….and if your house is something that a senior might consider when “downsizing”….having adequate moving around room in the bathroom for wheelchairs and safety bars.
Also something that gets points….is having the toilet separated out from the washing area.
But the main things people seem to spend a lot of money on….those bordello bathroom features….actually are a turn-off to someone who would have preferred more & better storage in the area than those features they will never use. There was an article about it in the Yahoo news not long ago. Did you look for any information in the articles of general interest archives from the Yahoo news articles that run every day on the Yahoo home page?
PS. Make sure your vessel sink is not made of some fragile material that will crack if something is dropped hard into it….or that it is not made of some sort of material that will present ongoing specialized cleansers, maintenance. Some of my friends used metal vessels ….and have been sorry since there is an ongoing problem of reaction with the metal to standard bathroom products used in personal hygiene.
I did a complete bathroom remodel and for a sink my choice was a solid oak vanity with two drawers and a door. It provides lots of storage. Vessel sinks are pretty, but you have no place to set anything down
I am going to be remodeling mine soon but I prefer the vanity with sink on a level plane. I don’t really care for the look as I like more traditional features. But I suppose the younger folks would love the look. I don’t see what problems it could cause when using. If it is for the powder room it would add a little pop. Have fun.
I believe that I would do whatever pleases “you.” It sounds like you will have storage, and if it is going in the powder room……it doesn’t have to be an “everyday” thing for you. We don’t have one, and I don’t know if I would, or not. Guess I’d just have to try it and find out. It just might be “the” selling point, when you sell. Who knows. Just………please “yourself.” Good luck !!!