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newhomeownerrenovatingtreehouse

Master bath- 1 or 2 sinks?!

3 years ago

We had a terrible 80s bathroom that we demoed last week. We are trying to figure out whether to keep two sinks and replace that with an 88” (!!!) wide vanity custom build or to modify the plumbing, reduce to one sink and build an open shelf linen closet and have some open counter space underneath the window. Going for a scandi light oak finish with dark charcoal tiles and white paint. Plan on ordering a 24” vessel sink. Gold brushed clean line hardware. Inspiration photo on the right. I drafted my two visions. Dimensions are correct. Plan for a vanity with legs and some open floor space underneath (however much we can build for to hide plumbing) so the room feels wider. We are a couple that doesn’t use makeup or really spend much time “working” in the bathroom on grooming etc. We don’t have a lot of stuff. Thanks so much!

take it down to one sink with some extra counter space and a linen closet
keep two sinks and build a massive vanity

Comments (17)

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    You have room for two sinks and this is a master bathroom. Put in two sinks. Design the vanity with three columns of drawers, not two, so the drawers won't be overly large.

  • 3 years ago

    I like the idea of three sets of drawers. I also think towers make the space feel cramped.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Two sinks, no towers.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    We don’t spend a lot of time in bath room at the same time either - mostly at bedtime. But, honestly? It’s really nice not to have to share a sink. They must be IMO, undermount sinks. Vessel sinks are a great decor item for powder room but not for high use areas.


    ETA: we are retired so not getting ready for workday battles at same time - it’s still nice to have my own sink with my own stuff around it….

  • 3 years ago

    Not feeling the tower idea but if one sink works for you why get two? We gave one sink and different schedules so it's not an issue.

  • 3 years ago

    Your plan for two sinks shows no lighting. If you place your sinks too close to the edge of your vanity, you won’t have room on either side of your mirrors for lights. So….I assume you are placing lighting above your mirrors?

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    For couples who occupy a master bedroom/bath it's pretty much essential to have two sinks.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Why do two people need individual sinks.. they need storage

  • 3 years ago

    I hate the look of two sinks in one cabinet but I also hate anyone in the bathroom when i am grooming. I think proper linen storage is a must in a well appointed master bath and if there is not room for both two sinks and a linen closet I would 86 the second item of which i still have one of, the sink.

  • 3 years ago

    Your inspiration photo is beautiful but functionally, you will lose storage because the open shelving becomes display space, not storage. The open shelves are appropriate when there is already an abundance of storage space. You can only display so many towels over an 88” span and it will be a pain to reach the back of that low shelf to dust and retrieve items and keep other products clean and dry. IMO, most bathroom products should not be on display - toilet bowl and shower cleaners, extra shampoo, etc. Two sinks will give you closed storage for tall items underneath and a bank of drawers in the middle will provide easy retrieval of other items. Consider what you plan to store (even measure the products) and customize your drawer sizes to accommodate them. The plumbing is already there, you have generous countertop surface area - I’d keep the two sinks.

  • 3 years ago

    If you have two sinks, those couples who choose to use their MB together can do so. Or not. If you only have one sink, then the option to “share” is lost. So, in my mind, the default, if you have the space (and you do),is two sinks.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    The two sink option is awkward because one sink is right next to the door. Not good if the door will swing right into the sink.

    Having two sinks is a waste of space if you do not use both sinks at the same time.

    Having two toilets is much more important than having two sinks. People often have to use the toilet at the same time, but it is never necessary to use the sink at the same time, from my experience. Think how much time is spent using the toilet and compare that to how much time is spent using the sink.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Sounds like a personal decision. Assuming you dont see yourself selling soon, do what is priority for you. Are you frustrated that you dont have linen storage? Add the closet. Are you forever fighting over the sink? Add the second sink.

    P.S. I think you could have a double sink AND a linen closet. Your counter top will be reduced. Again Again, is counter space our priority?

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Thoughts about your question:

    - Definitely go with a single sink, especially if you're going with a large 24" sink. You use a sink for what? 5-10 minutes per day? Why go to the expense and increased cleaning /maintenance of a duplicate sink? We've been married 33 years, have always had a single sink and have literally never had a single moment's trouble with it. I strongly prefer a single sink.

    - Storage is more important than repetitive sinks ... with this much space, I'd go with a large bank of drawers, a single sink + a tower. This will give each spouse ample storage and plenty of linen storage in the tower. You say you don't have much, but you don't want to run short of storage /have clutter around the room.

    - You can place a towel ring on the side of the linen closet.

    Other thoughts about your project:

    - You're talking about a vessel sink and a legged vanity ... do consider that these are both choices that add to your cleaning efforts. An undermount sink is easier to clean, as you don't have to reach around the back, and dirt /dust can't get under a to-the-floor vanity.

    - You don't mention a hamper anywhere ... if you put in the linen tower, you can have a hamper in the lower portion.

    - Is that a closet door to the right of the bathroom door? If so, I'd flip the bathroom door so it opens into the bedroom ... this will prevent the two doors knocking against one another.

  • 3 years ago

    Two sinks essential in our master bath, but I‘m having our vessel sinks removed & replaced with two undermount sinks.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    personally I find that open shelf storage always needs to look perfect (ie, on display) or else it's just cluttery. You will have tons of storage in the vanity for whatever you would put in the linen tower, considering you mention not having much stuff. Also, have you considered a floating vanity? So much easier for cleaning than trying to get under nooks and crannies. Basically your inspiration picture without the legs and bottom shelf, which again is basically just for show. And for such a wide vanity you do want two sinks, it would look like someone made an error if there's just one, and it will always help resale even if that's not in the foreseeable future.