Do offset sinks make you crazy?

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

in our new house build, I am thinking of doing an offset sink in the guest bath. The sink will be 36 " wide. I thought that instead of a small space on both sides, it might be better to do an offset bowl giving more space on one side for makeup, shave gear etc. My question is, does it make you crazy to stand off center to brush teeth, shave or wash hands? Let me know your thoughts.

Added info: the sink would have a wall on the left side where the larger side would be.

Featured Answer

monicakm_gw

11 years ago

We've lived with an offset sink for 33+ years. No, doesn't drive us crazy :) Like you, our 2nd bath's counter is 36" wide and has a wall on the left side. Makes much more sense to have as much space on one side rather than split that space into two smaller (mostly unusable) spaces. The mistake we made 33 years ago when building is to center the oval mirror over the counter. With the current remodel, we'll replace it with a full, or nearly full, width mirror. I think the angle of the shot is a little deceiving. The sink is 17" wide. There is just under 5" of counter to the right of the sink and 14.5" to the left.

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Comments (15)

palimpsest
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I would say that this is only an issue if the vanity is in an alcove or corner and the sink was less than 15" on center from one of the walls (which is international residential code, but this doesn't get completely adhered to in some locales). Because then your elbow would be crowded on that side

Other than that I think one "centers" oneself on the sink itself, so it doesn't matter as two where the sink is in the countertop so much.
Olychick
11 years ago
As long as the mirror is centered over the sink or is full width of the vanity, I wouldn't even notice that a sink was offset. In fact, I'd probably prefer it because I like asymmetrical arrangements. I really don't like tiny, unusable spaces so would prefer a larger more usable space on at least one side of a sink.
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jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
11 years ago
I did an off center sink to get bigger spaces in the vanity. The sink side is 27" and the drawer side is 18" . I centered the medicine cabinet with mirror over the sink and I like it very much because I have LOTS of vanity storage space
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zorroslw1
Original Author
11 years ago
Monicakm_gw

I didn't realize people had been doing that for so long. Thanks everyone for your input.
Errant_gw
11 years ago
Two of our baths have offset sinks. The one I don't like, has the sink at the wall end, which makes me feel like I'm standing in a corner to brush my teeth. The door also opens against that wall, leaving you even less room when it's open.
lucas_tx_gw
11 years ago
Mine are as pictured by Jerzee girl. Sink against wall, lots of open counter space relatively speaking. We don't mind the sink in the corner and love having the counter and more importantly, clear space for the drawer stack.
sjhockeyfan325
11 years ago
Yes, honestly, it would make me crazy, but probably only if I had to stand "in the corner" as Errant said. Clear space for the drawer stack is a big positive though, and might make up for it, if the sink is on the "free" side.
jdez
11 years ago
We have the exact setup that you are planning in our guest bath. It is much nicer to have the extra counterspace. Our only problem is that our electrician centered the light fixture over the whole vanity instead of over the sink which makes the mirror look off. He was a clown though. Surely you have a better electrician than we did.
happyallison
11 years ago
For myself, I would avoid it if I could. I just feel like it looks out of balance and yes it would bother me, but it's of course personal preference.
bpath
11 years ago
It didn't bother me at all. In fact, in the bathroom remodel I planned on the sink being offset so I could have three drawers to one side. But it came centered! I suggested to the installers that they rout out a bit of a bar under the countertop just enough to make room for the bowl, and it worked fine.

In the end, it made no difference whether it was centered or not. But give me extra drawers every time!
texasgal47
11 years ago
Although a centered sink is the most pleasing visually, it has never bother me in the least to see an off centered sink. My last home was custom built in 1975 with an off center sink. As others have pointed out, this allows for a badly needed top drawer and functional counter space to the side. The hall bath in my current home will also have an off center sink when it is remodeled for these same reasons.
zorroslw1
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks everyone. I am a very symmetrical oriented person, but then I won't be using it:) I think I will go with it. Now I just have to figure out the mirror and lights:/
enduring
11 years ago
I have a 36" free standing vanity that is offset. I did this to have larger counter on one side. I centered my mirror and lights over the vanity (not the sink). I like mine fine. I would draw your elevation options to help you make your decision.
zorroslw1 thanked enduring
H K
8 years ago
An old thread I see. We are updating a bath with a nice offset sink on the right. Vanity is 48 inches wide. Current owners had a mirror centered over the sink with sconces on each side. Any ideas for a better lighting option? I do like the idea of a full mirror spanning the vanity, but then we would have to relocate the lighting.