Bathroom sinks are an essential part of our daily lives. We use them every day to brush our teeth and shave. We use them frequently during the day to wash our hands. For the most part, the bathroom sink is a staple in every home, apartment, office, restaurant, or any other establishment you can think of. These sinks must be, above all, functional. Because of the amount of use they receive, they must also be durable. When in the home, they are required to be beautiful as well. They can be modern in design, antique in appearance, or somewhere in between. Bath sinks, of all the fixtures in the room, come in one of the widest selections of styles, colors, and designs with regards to the basic building block of any bathroom.
When Did The Bathroom Sink First Come To Be?
The bathroom sink has been around, in one shape or form, much longer than most people would expect. The first signs of a bathroom sink prototype can be found in artifacts that date back to Prehistoric times. While they may not have been the stylish models we have today, they were as functional as they could be given the materials and tools available for use at the time. Sinks during this time were essentially rocks that were carved into the form of a small bowl, also called a basin. Since the tools in use during this time were not always sufficient enough to carve the larger stones properly, the Neanderthals of the time would find rocks that had already been eroded over time and had a somewhat concave shape to begin with.
The Bath Sink Evolves Over The Years
As time passed and civilizations advanced, the overall basin shape of bath sinks remained the same, even as the materials used to make them changed dramatically. While stone was still a popular option, more luxurious stone varieties, such as marble and granite, began to be used to create the items for households. In Roman times, for example, when bathhouses were popular, the sinks were extremely elaborate and often set with detailed precious materials such as gold and gems. Metallic materials were popular choices for fashioning sinks from, including copper and steel.
Taking Its Place As A Market Fixture
The sink, however, did not become a household staple until the early 19th century. During this time, the sink became a major commodity on the retail marketplace as the very first sink, designed specifically for home use, was sold. It was, in fact, a kitchen sink, however, bathroom sinks were quick to follow. During these times, stone had taken a backseat to materials such as copper, iron, silicon, and other lightweight materials. This were preferred for their ease of malleability as well as their overall affordability. The ceramic sink, one of the most common designs on the market today, was not created until the early 1920′s when it quickly became the material of choice. Today, these sinks can be found in possibly the widest array of styles and materials. With such a large number of choices to pick from, knowing the basics in advance can help simplify the decision making process. This includes familiarizing yourself with the basic styles of sinks on the market, as well as the materials they can be made from.
What Are The Basic Types Of Bathroom Sinks Available?
For the most part, there are three basic types of bathroom sinks to pick from, the pedestal sink, the traditional vanity sink, and the modern vessel sink. While each of these types comes in several variations and styles, they are the major categories of bathroom sinks on the market.
Pedestal Sinks
One of the most elegant styles of a bath sink is the pedestal design. Pedestal sinks tend to create a feeling of nostalgia since they were very popular in the olden days. Today’s consumers tend to look for storage options as one of the major priorities when choosing a bathroom sink, so pedestal sinks are more popular among those looking for form over function, at least with regards to storage capability. This is primarily due to the fact that, although beautiful, does not offer any additional storage space. Essentially, the pedestal sink appears as a traditional sink on the upper portion, with a basic bowl shape than is typically either oblong or round. The base, however, is tapered downward, often with a very flowing design. As it approaches the floor surface, the base tapers out again slightly to provide a more stable base as well as an added artistic element. Pedestal sinks are currently becoming more and more popular for guest bathrooms and powder rooms where added storage space is not necessarily a needed option.
Vanity Sinks
The most common type of bathroom sink for the majority of households is the vanity sink. Set into a small counter space, the vanity sink is connected to a storage cabinet used, in part, to hide the plumbing aspects of the sink as well as offer space to keep toiletries, cleaning products, or other bathroom items. For larger master bathrooms, the vanity sink can be expanded to a double sink, allowing his and hers sink facilities as well as increased storage capacity. Vanity sinks are popular for the customization option offered by both the counter top and storage cabinet options that it can be paired with.
Vessel Sinks
For the consumers seeking the hottest new trend or just a highly artistic bathroom, a vessel sink is the perfect choice. Designed to resemble artwork more than a bathroom fixture, a vessel sink is one of the most unique and innovative designs to hit the market in a long while. In fact, it one of the first major design modifications that has been made to the standard bathroom sink that has become such a tremendous success. Unlike the stand alone pedestal sink or the counter sunk vanity sink, the vessel sink attempts to offer the best of both worlds. From a storage aspect, the vessel sink is still set on top of a storage cabinet, similar to a vanity sink. From a visual aspect, the vessel sink provides the same artistic appeal as the pedestal sink. Essentially, it is a bowl or basin shaped sink that rests on top of a cabinet instead of being sunk into it. Upon first look, they often appear as a piece of decorative art more than a bathroom sink. They are becoming widely popular in modern bathrooms and amongst consumers that prefer their bathrooms to be just as beautiful as they are functional. Vessel sinks also offer one of the widest range of style options as their overall shape and size is not limited by the standard confines of a traditional sink design. While the round and oblong shapes are still very popular with vessel sinks, they are also available in square, rectangular, and other abstract designs.
What Materials Are Used To Make Bathroom Sinks?
For a long while, the most common sink material was ceramic. It was durable as well as affordable, making it the perfect choice for any household. The ceramic could be dyed nearly any color, making it the best choice for custom matching specific decors. Because of the popularity of ceramic sinks over the years, they remain the highest selling type on the market. For the most part, consumers tend to buy the objects they are familiar with, explaining why ceramic bathroom sinks are still such a hit.
Over the years, however, some consumers have sought new materials to create their bathroom sinks with in order to add a more unique appearance and design elements to their bathrooms. This is due largely in part to a growing trend prompting homeowners and designers to make the bathrooms in a home just as aesthetically appealing as the other rooms. Because of this, the market for more visually impacting bathroom fixtures have grown substantially. As form becomes as equally important as function, new materials are sought that offer a more distinct appearance than the traditional ceramic.
Granite and granite composite are two popular choices for stone sinks, as is marble. For a more affordable option that still retains the look and feel of natural stone, granite composite sinks are a great choice. Copper and stainless steel are ideal for metallic bathroom sinks. The added benefit of metal sinks is the fact that they can be hammered and pressed into a variety of textures, creating a very unique design aspect. It is believed that the resurgence of materials such as copper can be contributed to the fact that consumers are seeking a more exotic look.
For the most part, bathroom sinks can be found that cover a wide range os style from antique to ultra modern. They can be made from materials as basic as ceramic or as exotic as hammered copper. They can resemble a traditional sink or a work of art. A bathroom sink, unlike any other bathroom fixture, can easily take center stage and create an overall striking aesthetic appeal in an other wise plain room.
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