Homeowners seeking to revitalize their bathrooms needn't look any further than the bathroom sink. Without a doubt, the bathroom sink can alter the overall tone of your bathroom. Selecting one particular sink style over another can easily take your bathroom decor from shabby chic to Victorian in an instant. It's true that paint and a new shower curtain can do wonders for a weary bathroom, but these design elements frequently work best only when combined with loads of other design elements such as a new mirror, a new vanity, new flooring, etc. And often, finding the right combination for all these design elements makes for a lot of trial and error.

Unless you have the money that's needed to try repeated combinations or to hire an expert interior decorator who knows what he or she is doing, the trial and error method can be costly. And the end result could still bear no resemblance to what you actually had planned for your bathroom decor. Thus, those of us who are on a budget should turn our attentions to upgrading the bathroom sink. My guess is that upgrading the bathroom sink will actually cost you less money in the long run. That's because the dramatic effect of installing a new sink is immediate. And you can easily build your bathroom decor around it, usually inexpensively, since the bathroom sink acts as the centerpiece of your bathroom.

Finding The Sink Style

Each bathroom sink carries its own brand of style. If you walk into your local home improvement store with no idea of the sink style you want, you're sure to be overwhelmed. Sinks can be set on a pedestal base, placed into a countertop, installed into a piece of furniture such as a low bureau or table top treated to withstand water overflow, or it can be directly attached to the wall. And each sink installation requires special attention to plumbing and space requirements. Here are some sink styles to choose from:

Countertop Sinks

Countertop sinks (or self-rimming) are mounted from above the counter. Their basins are placed down into the hole of counter, and their rims are left to rest on top of the counter. Countertop sinks come in a myriad of shapes, sizes and faucet hole configurations, and are probably the easiest of sink styles to install.

Under Counter Sinks

Under Counter Sinks, also known as undermount sinks, are mounted from the underside of a solid surface countertop that is any material that does not have a rim. Under Counter sinks mounting offers a slightly less obtrusive look in your bathroom and easier cleaning, but the sinks are steeper in price and harder to install. You will need a mounting kit to install an Under Counter sink.

Above Counter Sinks

Above Counter sinks are dynamic basins also known as vessel sinks. This style of sink is mounted from above with the basin partially installed into the counter and the majority of the basin resting on top of the counter. For example, it could resemble a bowl sitting on a kitchen table. Stunningly beautiful, Above Counter sinks come in a variety of shapes, colors and materials. Imagine washing your hands beneath a faucet running water into a stone bowl that is resting on top of a granite surface-simply exquisite. Above Counter sinks probably add the most dramatic style effect to your bathroom decor. But although some Above Counter sinks are manufactured with an overflow drain, most are not so a grid drain must be installed to prevent accidental over filling.

Pedestal Sinks

Pedestal Sinks are a combination of a freestanding sink and a pedestal base. Pedestal Sinks take up much less space than a traditional sink and vanity. Thus, pedestal bases perfectly suited for smaller bathrooms or powder rooms. Obviously, however, these sinks don't offer any under the sink storage space.

Console Sinks

Console Sinks are table-like fixtures-the sink and countertop are one piece-supported on either two or four legs. On top, Console sinks offer comparable counter space as other counter sinks offer. And on the bottom, Console sinks give off an open, airy feeling similarly to the one provided by the pedestal style sink. Your design elements with this style of sink actually come in two ways: from the legs of the Console sinks, and the tons of choices afforded from your console piece. Sinks can be round, oval, rectangular and square. The legs are also an integral part of the sinks' design because the legs are usually made in an ornamental design.

Wall Attached/Hung Sinks

Wall Attached Sinks are installed directly to the wall. They are essentially suspended in air with no base, which in turn affords you more floor and cabinet space. Like Pedestal sinks, Wall Attached sinks are ideal for smaller bathrooms. They can be installed in any bathroom, however. And these sinks can be installed at any height.

Finding The Materials

Bathroom sinks come in all shapes and sizes, colors, materials, and in a wide range of prices too. From the standard white porcelain to the glass, granite, stainless steel, cast iron, brass, nickel, copper, stone and many others-the choices seem endless. But certain choices require extra care such as hand painted features. And certain materials like glass and nickel will show water spots. But if you wipe the materials down after each use, none of the materials should pose that significant of a problem. For a material that is durable and easy to clean, consider vitreous china.

Spun glass is another up-and-coming sink material. Wood is too, which is probably the newest and most expensive sink material available. Glass, stone, and metal materials are a plus because they can be shaped and molded to virtually any size and shape you desire. And this, of course, is a significant way to create a dramatic appearance in your bathroom. The most common material for the bathroom sink is still white porcelain.

Finding The Budget

The trick to finding the right budget is to establish it before you even begin looking. That way, you won't walk into a store and fall in love with a beautiful sink that is way more than you can afford. Obviously, your budget will play a major role in the decor you choose. The budget could make the difference between selecting a traditional sink or one that is avant-garde. Also a factor is the materials used and the unique nature of the designs. The good news, with bathroom sinks costing as little as $50 and as much as thousands of dollars, and all with a range of style options, you are guaranteed to find something that matches your decor within your budget.

Do-It-Yourself Installation Techniques

Along with all the numerous sinks available comes the complexity or ease with which each of them can be installed. The one thing you'll need to keep in mind when you select a new sink is that sinks are drilled for faucets at different distances-four inches (centerset), and 8 to 12 inches (widespread). Some sinks do not have drillings; the faucet is mounted directly onto the countertop or wall.

Countertop sinks are the easiest to install. Because of their self-rimming features, you won't have to worry about tiling around the sink. You can simply fit the countertop sink into place and seal it. The sink's decorative rim will add a new level to your decor. Above Counter sinks are installed much like countertop sinks. The difference between the two is the size of the hole on the counter. In general, to install Above Counter sinks you turn the sink upside down and apply a bead or two of sealant, and then fit the sink in the hole in the counter.

To install Under Counter sinks you essentially apply a small bead of silicone (or sealant) around the edge of the sink bowl. Then you turn over the countertop and mount the "beaded" side of the sink to the underside of the counter. You secure the sink with screws, and then you attach the countertop, with the already attached sink, to the cabinet.

Both wall-attached and pedestal sinks take a little more personpower (manpower for those less enlightened readers) to handle the job. In fact, you might want to ask a buddy to help you install them. They are heavy-and holding the wall-attached sink or the pedestal sink for a while to align holes and screw parts into place isn't really a practical job for one person.