There’s likely no other room in your house where space is more at a premium than the bathroom. And if you’ve got a half bath, the square footage is likely even less. If that’s the case, it makes sense to be smart about the fixtures you choose to optimize the amount of space you do have in the bathroom. A modern pedestal sink is a free-standing sink basin with a tapered, narrow base (i.e., the pedestal) that homeowners commonly install in half bathrooms and powder rooms (but it also definitely works in any style of bathroom).
These types of sinks are ideal for small spaces because their minimal footprint is less than a boxy sink-and-vanity combination. That means it will likely be easier to transport home from the store than a clunky vanity (and probably cheaper, too). With pedestal bathroom sinks, you won’t have a sprawling countertop or cabinet storage below, but they make up for that with a sleek, sophisticated silhouette that lends an open, airy look. This sink design is becoming increasingly popular for those who like bathroom décor that’s simple and classic or has a more vintage vibe. Here are some things to think about when installing a pedestal bathroom sink.
Scope Out the Location
Decide on the exact spot where you want to put the pedestal sink. Measure carefully how much space you have to work with so that you buy a sink that will not only fit the proportions of the room but will also give you enough space surrounding the sink to maneuver comfortably. Standard pedestal sinks run 22 to 24 inches wide and 29 to 34 inches tall. When shopping, make sure to note the depth of the sink and check that it will not stick out too much for your space.
Something else to keep in mind: A pedestal sink gets support from the floor as well as the wall behind it. Unless you’re replacing an old pedestal sink with a new one, you will likely need to mount blocking—a horizontal piece of wood that’s screwed between the studs at basin height, beneath the plaster or drywall—behind where the new pedestal sink will go. Since a pedestal sink is generally top-heavy, you will not be able to anchor the sink to regular walls adequately so blocking will provide better bracing.
Check the Plumbing
Installing a pedestal sink can be a doable DIY job if you’re good with plumbing, but you’ll need an extra set of hands to help you hold the sink in place as it gets attached. If you’re a novice, it may be advisable to hire a pro to take care of the process for you because it is generally more difficult to install than a vanity sink.
But there are a few things to be aware of. If you are replacing a pedestal sink with another one, you may already have the right plumbing in place. But you’ll also want to confirm that the water supply connection can reach the connections on your new sink. Most of the pipes will be exposed sink, so try to coordinate them with the rest of the bathroom’s fixtures. And for this reason, you may want a pro to do the installation to ensure it looks as clean as possible.
If you are installing a pedestal sink in this bathroom for the first time, you may need to have a plumber re-route the plumbing. Unfortunately, re-routing plumbing isn’t as cut-and-dry as having a plumber come in and do it. This is one of those changes that may require a plumbing permit. So always make sure you have the proper clearances before the plumber gets started.
Consider Your Style or Aesthetic For Your Bathroom
Another thing to remember before you start shopping for a pedestal sink is what you want your bathroom decor to be. Pedestal sinks come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. So you will want to keep your bathroom’s decor in mind as you shop. If your bathroom doesn’t have any unique architectural detail, it may be ideal to get a plain white oval pedestal sink. However, if there are complex architectural details in your bathroom, such as crown molding, you may want to get a rectangular, oval, or specialty pedestal sink.
Potential Downsides of a Pedestal Sink
One of the shortcomings of this type of sink is that it doesn’t have the cabinet space of traditional vanities. While there are no rules against storing items beneath a pedestal sink, it can create a more cluttered look. There isn’t much counter space either. There may only be room for a hand soap dispenser and perhaps a toothbrush holder, although there are models with wider rims that can hold more items.
Another factor to remember about pedestal sinks is that they expose the plumbing. This isn’t bad if you have beautiful chrome, copper, or gold pipes to help accentuate the design, so keep this in mind as you are shopping for options.
One more drawback with these sinks is that if you plan to sell your home, one issue you may run into is that potential home buyers may be more interested in the cabinet storage a vanity provides over a space-saving pedestal sink.
Price Factors When Buying a Pedestal Sink
When getting a pedestal sink, it is a good idea to budget for it properly. There are more cost factors than just the sink itself. Keep these considerations in mind before you purchase a pedestal sink.
Cost of pedestal sink
When shopping for the sink itself, know that the cost of a pedestal sink can range from as low as $50 to upwards of $2,000, depending on the style, brand, material, and other factors. These materials may include porcelain, fireclay, ceramic, vitreous china, copper, bronze, and stainless steel. Sinks made of stainless steel and copper will be much more costly, while the others will be much cheaper. Pedestal sinks may also be sold in two parts, the pedestal and the sink basin.
Removal and haul-away cost
When getting a pedestal sink, you may have to pay someone to remove your old sink, particularly if the current sink is a vanity. Some companies may incorporate these costs into the installation. However, for those companies that don’t do the removal, you will have to pay for this yourself. This could cost between $20 and $120 and may or may not include disposal fees.
Installation cost
Having your pedestal sink installed by a pro could cost you between $300 and $1,500. Sure, you can DIY your pedestal, which can knock $50 to $750 off your installation costs. However, installing your own pedestal sink isn’t advisable if you don’t know much about plumbing and aren’t sure of how to install the proper blocking to secure the sink to the wall.
Plumber cost
If the plumber has to reconfigure the plumbing, this could incur additional costs. Usually, a plumber will charge hourly rates for such work. Expect to pay between $50 and $200 per hour.
Permit cost
If necessary, a plumber may have to get a permit if they must change the existing plumbing in your bathroom to accommodate the pedestal sink. This usually costs $75 but may be more or less, depending on your local government.
Cost of touch-ups
If you had to remove an old vanity to install your new pedestal sink, you will likely require some additional repairs, such as flooring added in the area around your new pedestal sink, or repainting or retiling in the areas where the old vanity was. A handyman could make these minor touch-ups for anywhere between $40 and $150 an hour.
What The Best Pedestal Sinks Have in Common
As if choosing a bathroom sink wasn’t overwhelming enough, choosing a pedestal bathroom sink can be just as challenging. No two pedestal sinks are the same. Here are some things to look for when you are choosing a quality pedestal sink.
- A standard size of 22 to 24 inches wide and 29 to 34 inches tall
- Hidden water supply lines
Pre-drilled faucet holes for 4- to 8-inch faucet centers(or a sink with a built-in faucet, which is less common)
- Sink with a drain location near the middle of the pedestal
- Material that’s easy to clean, such as ceramic or stainless steel
- A good warranty
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestal Sinks
Should Pedestal Sinks Only Go in Smaller Bathrooms and Half Baths?
Not necessarily. While these types of sinks are better suited for half-baths and powder rooms, you can put them anywhere you like, even your primary bathroom. Just keep in mind that you won’t have the storage you get with cabinets. But if you already have plenty of storage in your main bathroom, this could be a great option.
Can I Put a Pedestal Sink Where a Vanity Sink Used to Be?
Yes. But here are a few things to remember when switching out a vanity sink for a pedestal sink. Since the pedestal sink doesn’t have storage, you won’t be able to store items under the sink the way you did with a vanity sink. Also, you may have to call a plumber to re-configure the plumbing in order to install the pedestal sink.
Finally, you may have to do some repairs to fix up the area where the vanity sink used to be. Upon removing the vanity sink, there will likely be damage to the wall where it was mounted. You will have to patch the holes and repaint them since the pedestal sink won’t be able to hide the blemishes. You will also likely have to redo flooring, baseboards, and wallboard behind and underneath to cover the area where the vanity previously was.