Q I'm going to have my small downstairs bathroom/powder room done over. At present there is a wall-hung sink, and I want a little more storage area. But it's a very small space, and a box-type vanity would be too bulky. What can you recommend for a space-saving and functional sink for this area?
A You need extra shelving for storage and lots of open space under the sink so the powder room would not feel as closed in. This sounds like a job for a bathroom console table.
Bathroom console tables are basically a framed support bracket that can be made out of wood and/or metal, with shelving made of glass or other material. Many of these console tables also have built-in towel racks, making them very functional fixtures.
On top of the support cage, special countertop sinks can be locked into place to complete the unit. Also, since most of the weight of the sink is supported by the console table bracket itself, installation may not be as difficult as with a standard wall-hung sink.
More good news is that many console bases and sink tops can be mixed and matched to fit your style, and your existing plumbing usually can be easily adapted to fit the new sink.
But since the area under the sink is open, finished chrome water lines and drain lines may be needed to complete the "finished" look.
Once the sink top and base are installed, any standard 8-inch widespread or 4-inch center-set faucet can be used, depending on your sink-hole size. This helps to make a bathroom console table an affordable choice for any remodeling job.
However, if you want to splurge, you can go from the traditional open box and shelf-type frame to fancy ornamental ironwork frames.
