For a Japanese inspired look to the bathroom, vessel sinks are the ideal choice. They are very elegant and sophisticated, giving an Asian flair to the room which can complement various faucets and finishes very well. There are an abundance of different designs and finishes to create a stunning focal point in the bathroom.

They have a distinctive three dimensional appeal as the bowl appears to be sitting on top of the counter surface. They are produced in a variety of materials but commonly granite, stone, glass and marble. They give an air of unique, sophisticated elegance.

They are often about five to six inches high and fifteen to eighteen inches in diameter. They are perfect for all your washing needs, but they are not splash proof compared to conventional bathroom sinks. With these styles it is more of a case of form over function. A deeper bowl may help prevent this problem, but still the looks far override this small inconvenience.

The principle materials used for vessel sinks are: Granite, Stone, Marble, and Onyx:

Granite vessel sinks are cut from a piece of granite and highly polished. They give a natural yet contemporary feel to the bathroom. They comes in many shades from black to pink. Finished with chrome or stainless steel faucets and sat atop an oak vanity, they look fantastic.

Stone vessel sinks are usually hand made and finished, giving a unique appearance to each one. The outside surface has a lot of texture due to the hand finishing process. They come in many colors and rock or pebble styles. They look good with polished stainless or matte finished faucets.

Marble sinks are very popular and give a more luxurious appearance. There is a huge range of colors, from dark, giving a modern look, to light, giving a more traditional look. Mosaic style sinks are the result of enhancement with marble cubes.

Onyx vessel sinks are the ultimate Japanese inspired sinks. A change to the traditional bowl shape is the flat, sushi plate style or square sink. They offer a long lasting appeal and give a perfect smooth appearance. Finished with polished stainless or chrome faucets to finish off the look.

Installing a sink requires plumbing skills and can be quite tricky. If you are renovating and installing a new sink, I would advise using the services of a professional plumber. This can save money in the long term by avoiding expensive mistakes.

Gavin writes many articles about bathroom vanity sinks and about finding the best bathroom sinks for your room.