Furnishing any room with running water requires a lot more work than just getting the plumbing right. An abundance of different sink designs allow homeowners of all tastes to furnish kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms with a sink that is both functional, durable, and pleasing to the eye. Of all the major designs, perhaps none is more eye-catching than the 'above counter' (vessel) sink.

The finest vessel sinks are designed to rest on your marble or granite counter and provide a free-standing basin for washing. Vessel sinks come in a variety of materials including glass, metal, wood, and stone, and most can be easily married to your existing plumbing.

If you want a different look that forgoes the counter entirely, pedestal sinks remain a popular choice. These are exactly what they sound like: freestanding basins that rise from the floor, with faucets built into the design. Many of the classic versions come in porcelain, though today you can find everything from 'table' designs to sculptural shapes that resemble flowers or other familiar items. Most antique sinks come in pedestal form, as these sinks were the standard in finer homes for hundreds of years.

For those with very modern tastes, glass sinks convey a streamlined, contemporary look in both kitchens and bathrooms. The glass sink can be transparent or opaque, often tinted blue or green. Taps are wall-mounted separately, above the bowl. The bowls can even be mounted directly into the wall with a stainless steel support, leaving floor space empty and giving the appearance of a floating sink.