At last, we’re approaching the end of 2023. As the year draws to a close, and we all enjoy a happy holiday season with our loved ones, many of us are looking ahead into the new year and thinking about the possibilities that lie in wait. In particular, the changes that can be made as far as interior decorating goes.
Certainly, not everyone enjoys changing things up every few years. However, if you do like to modernize your spaces every once in a while, or you haven’t done so for decades, now might just be the time to finally go for it. Why is that?
Unsurprisingly, a lot of other folks have been wondering the same thing. In fact, you can see some discussion on that on this page, if you’re curious what other people have to say about design trends for 2024. Today, we’ll be focusing on the trends for bathrooms in particular.
If you’ve been debating what type of sink you want, from the material to the shape and more, then make sure to stick around. We’ll be covering all of that and more!
Are Sinks That Big of a Deal?
When we walk into a bathroom, there are a lot of things that tend to draw us in and catch our eye. Bathtubs are one feature like that, certainly, with their basins – the impressive ones with the jets and the spa-feel are especially impressive. Showers can be a focal point as well, depending on the design.
Admittedly, it can be easy to overlook the sink. Sure, it’s always there, and it’s a steady part of any washroom or bathroom, but it may not immediately draw your attention. However, one trend that is starting to arise is to make the sink one of the focal points (if not the only focal point) of this space.
They’re something that we use all the time, after all – washing our hands is quite critical. Having a sink that’s easy to clean and maintain and that’s pretty to look at makes sense! What sorts of things are we seeing, then, as this trend progresses?
Vessel Sinks
Perhaps the way that this trend of making our sinks a focal point manifests most readily is with vessel sinks. They’re stylish small vanity bathroom sink bowls that can fit pretty much anywhere, and you can see an example in the image above. What are they on a functional level, though?
Taking a moment to examine that question, vessel sinks are a type of bathroom sink that are designed to sit on top of a countertop or vanity, rather than being recessed into it.More often than not, they’re bowl-shaped. Thanks to their shape and the way they work, they don’t require any undermount or wall mounted installation.
One of the major perks of them is that they can come in a wide range of materials. This includes glass, porcelain, marble, stone, or metal – just to name a few. You can quickly start to see why they’ve become such a popular item.
Making a Statement
These days, interior decorating is all about picking a few select pieces that will really stand out and make a statement. With vessel sinks, you can make them one of the things in your bathroom that brings color to the room! How might that work?
One of the main ways to achieve this is by getting a glass vessel sink. In the glass, you can have different colors and patterns inset into them, almost emulating stained glass. If that sort of look sounds appealing to you, then this could be the way to go.
Of course, you don’t have to make them vibrantly colored to have them stand out. Simply having a sink that isn’t the traditional sort of undermount basin is going to make your home stand out amongst the rest. In fact, it could even add some value to the property, which is a nice bonus.
The Finer Details
When you decide to go for a different type of sink, it’s pretty important to also understand what you’re getting into. You can get some idea of it here: https://www.tatlerasia.com/homes/architecture-design/interior-design-furniture-trends-2024, but the main thing to keep in mind is that there are different installation and maintenance requirements for vessel sinks in particular.
Specifically, they’re a bit harder to install than undermount style sinks. This is because it’s not quite as simple as sliding the sink into a counter cutout and connecting it to the plumbing. You have to properly settle the bowl on the vanity or countertop, then get a separate faucet that accurately puts water into the basin.
Thankfully, most manufacturers will give instructions for installation, at least to an extent. You can also hire professional contractors for installation if you don’t want to risk damaging anything on your own. Vessel sinks might not be DIY friendly, but they’re certainly eye-catching statement pieces that bring other value to the table.
As far as maintenance and cleaning are concerned, this is another thing that you’ll probably want to keep in mind. The thing is the difficulty of cleaning it will certainly depend on the material that you use. Glass sinks, for instance, are quite easy to maintain in that sense because they aren’t porous, and they’re stain resistant.
No matter what material, there are some steps for maintaining your vessel sink that you’ll want to think about. For instance, make sure you regularly clean it with a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge. You should also avoid using harsh chemicals or rough scouring pads that can damage the surface.
If any splash happens outside of the bowl, you’ll want to clean it up right away. That’s one of the biggest challenges with this style of sink, unfortunately. Thankfully, if we take care of them properly, they can be long-lasting and beautiful additions to any home.
For those of you out there who have been considering getting one, hopefully this guide has helped you out with that decision!
