Petite is taking a break this month, and I had an opportunity to have some fun discussing an interesting part of our homes: the bathroom sink.

For most of us,the bathroom sink is where it all begins. It is our first stop in the morning and our last stop before we get into bed. Many of us underestimate the impact that a sink can make on our day. Few of us pay attention to bathroom sinks when we are selecting or selling houses. In reality, they can make a huge difference on the outlook of a bathroom and our enjoyment of our beauty regimen. Having a fun beauty regimen can go a long way in lifting your mood before and after a long day.

When choosing a sink, there are several factors to consider before you can determine what works for you.

The first thing to think about is function. What is this sink going to be used for? Decide whether you will use it just as a three-second stop in the morning and at night, to wash your face and brush your teeth, or if you will spend time there applying make up and examining your face for changes that can help you decide if your skin care regimen is working for you.

After figuring out the most practical sink function for you, you can choose the lighting, style, material and size.

Lighting:

Lighting is important because you need it to check if you have cleaned your face properly. If you do not have a vanity sink, then you can use general bathroom lighting. However, if the sink is where you apply your make-up, you will need ample light to ensure for example that you do not end up with different shades of skin on your face and your neck, that you have no lipstick in your teeth and that your eye shadow is the same on both eyes.

Style:

This can be contemporary, traditional, victorian, etc. There are various sink-styles for you to choose from. A few of them are listed below.

Wall-mounted sinks are the kind that are fixed onto the wall. This type of sink is ideal for small bathrooms because although they do not create storage space, the space underneath can be maximized.

Pedestal sinks are attached to the wall, but are supported by a pedestal. They do not offer storage space and can hold no more than soap and a toothbrush holder, but they create more floor space.

Drop-in, top-mount, or self-rim sinks fit into a bathroom vanity/dresser, and are the kind you want to choose if you will be placing your make up and beauty products on a counter in the bathroom. It is also possible to store things under these sinks as the bottom part is a cabinet or drawers.

Undermount, under-counter or bottom-mount sinks are the kind that fit under the bathroom vanity. The sink surface does not interrupt the vanity surface as with drop-in sinks. They are easier to clean, as dirt, grime, old soap, hair, debris and things are not caught in-between the sink and the counter. The tap/faucet is mounted directly on the counter, which provides an opportunity for creativity.

Console sinks are slightly similar to pedestal sinks. The difference is that instead of a pedestal, this type of sink is supported by two legs at the front, or two at the front and two against the wall.

Vessel or basin sinks are, in line with their name, free-standing sinks that appear like bowls or basins, mounted on a counter/vanity. This type of sink also provides beautiful opportunities to be creative.

Material:

Many people think that all sinks are made out of porcelain, but there are so many other creative materials you can use. It is important to find out about the material of a sink so that you can determine how to care for it and clean it.

Porcelain and clay sinks are among the most-common bathroom sinks. They are durable and easy to clean, but they can chip, crack and break relatively easily.

Metal sinks include stainless steel, copper and brass sinks. These are fine but can dent easily. They also darken the look of a bathroom. Stainless steel sinks make bathrooms look more industrial than comforting. Copper sinks change color over time. However, bacteria can only survive on copper for a short period of time, so this would be the best type of sink for the health-conscious person.

Concrete sinks are heavy and require sufficient support. They are best supported in a console version.

Stone sinks can be beautiful and unique. They are also heavy and are best used as pedestal or vessel sinks. Cleaning this type of sink requires scrubbing.It is not a very practical sink and if necessary, it is best used outdoors.

Soapstone sinks are smooth, beautiful and full of character. This sink would work well with the artistic person. They change colour over time, becoming darker. They also retain heat and are very easy to care for.

Bamboo sinks are another creative type of sink. They are exotic and beautiful, but require more care as their surfaces have to be sealed treated with oil. They cannot be cleaned using regular, abrasive sink cleaners. The same goes for wood sinks.

Terrazzo is a faux-marble material that can be used to create a beautiful, unique type of sink. However, it also requires a great deal of care. The best way to care for a terrazzo sink is to clean it with a neutral cleaner. Harsh abrasives will scratch the sink.

Size and depth:

Use a big or deep sink if you splash around a lot and have plenty of space.

Use a smaller or shallower sink to maximize space and if you can manage to brush your teeth and wash your face without splashing water onto the counter, floor or yourself.

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