via Traditional Home
So last year at this time I said I would renovate my bathrooms in the Spring but then it didn’t happen. I got busy, did not have a contractor and that was the end of that plan.
It was a client living here in Chilliwack (who I’ll tell you about very soon) that jolted me into action. I corralled my dear friend Jan Romanuk (who designed my kitchen when we first moved into this house 3 1/2 years ago) to come out and help design the millwork for my clients renovation and at the same time I had her drop by the house to look at my bathrooms. Again.
Jan Romanuk (here she is in my main bathroom)
So here’s my first dilemma. Jan and I are in a debate about whether you should install a rectangular sink in the same bathroom with an oval bathtub.
She is more of a tradionalist than me and she prefers the coordinated look of an oval tub with an oval sink.
I am sooooo bored of oval sinks since I’ve never lived in a house with a new bathroom in my life. Until we bought this house in April 2012, I rented.
Before I continue with my sink saga, a few things about my master bathroom:
See that small bulkhead on the left corner of the above image? Clearly it’s covering up some kind of pipe but Jan said they should have built the wall out originally because the bathroom is big enough where you didn’t really need the 4 or 5 extra inches. This way you wouldn’t have to deal with a bulkhead at all.
Now, so that it doesn’t get too expensive, we will simply extend it to the end of the wall.
I’m showing you the original photo from when we took possession. I’ve since painted this bathroom turquoise and replaced the light fixture but that’s all I’ve done, so I there’s nothing new to see.
The stained glass windows have to be replaced and I want an oval free standing tub here. A rectangular tub would NOT work in front of the angled walls.
So here are a few images to ponder my lovelies. . .
image via Bloglovin
Here is a square top mounted sink with a built in oval bathtub.
Image via Pinterest
Another contemporary bathroom with a rectangular sink and an oval bathtub (above).
Here the sink is square and the tub is oval. What I don’t love about this bathroom is that the drain pipe seems to be on the wrong side of the tub. Must have been too expensive to move.
via the Enchanted Home
And here both are oval again.
This is my favourite tub (above) but Jan says it’s expensive. And it probably would look too high end in front of my little windows which will be higher than the tub 🙁
Installing larger windows would be completely over-renovating.
image via Lonny Magazine
It will most likely be something more simple, similar to this one (above).
I’ll post about bathtubs when I start sourcing them.
So what do you say? Yay or Nay to mixing and matching rectangular and oval?
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Definitely do a rectangular undermount sink and an oval tub – they look wonderful together. Oval sinks look too dated in my opinion. 🙂
Agreed. I love rectangular sinks too. I don’t think the shapes need to be matchy matchy.
I have only two opinions about the sink, undermount definitely – sink can be round, square, oval or rectangular – just so long as it’s deep enough to prevent most splashing. The picture with the pipes jin front of the tub may have been for safety reasons – don’t have to lean over tub and fall in, but it doesn’t look nice. I would go for pipes at and end – easy to reach from inside or out of the tub and not obstructive.
Oval tub and rectangular (undermount) sinks for sure
Agreed! Love the rectangular (undermount) sinks with the oval tub.
Looks great! As a project coordinator I specify this all the time: under mount sink – rectangle on the perimeter with a nod to the oval on the inside to “marry” the oval shape of the tub to the sink. Studio Collection American Standard for example.
That sounds lovely!
How is an oval sink easier to clean? I have rectangle sinks in all my bathrooms. The only part that is rectangular is the top. The sides slope into almost an oval to the drain. They are not difficult to clean at all.
Oval tub and rectangular (undermount) sinks for sure.
My countertop fella said he was tired of seeing same old oval everywhere and hoped I would do something new and interesting. His comment tells me that Oval is classic and timeless and still popular. I like the look of the square sinks, but will I tire ofor it and wish for a softer sink with more flow in years to follow? Yup … I will.
I like the oval sink because it is easier to clean. I had a rectangular sink in an older home we had one time. Not a huge deal, but I’m always looking for the easy way out. Definitely whatever you choose I’d go with an undermount sink. While the rectangular sink on top of the counter looks way cool, they are very splashy. Water just splashes all over the place. I love the Atlanta Homes pic, minus the misplaced pipes, and as you say it is a mixture of both. Install a killer bathroom and I bet no one would notice.
Agree- I had a rectangular sink installed on the counter in my last house as I loved how modern and new it looked then spent ten years scrubbing dried up toothpaste and soap scum from the corners. I don’t know if I bought a sink that was too flat across the bottom (which is possible, because I didn’t realize that this was important) but water just ran straight down the drain as it came out the tap and never pooled up so the bottom of the sink was always gross. For people who clean the bathroom daily, this is probably not an issue but with kids, it didn’t matter how often I cleaned. I will definitely not use a rectangular sink again.
We just built a new home and I have an oval freestanding tub and rectangular undermount sinks and I love the look.
I think you could do any shape you want. Just don’t make them too huge. One of my pet peeve’s is to see two double sinks that take up almost all of the countertop. You don’t need a huge sink to wash your hands and brush your teeth, but you do need countertop space to fix your hair and make up.
Totally agree re the sizing of vanity sinks as IMHO there is basically no need for them particularly if the depth is reasonable. -Brenda-
Definitely use the under-mount sink. The one on the counter seems to take up too much room and just begs something to be bumped against it….just too much in the way. I love the tub you love. Maybe the price will come down before you make a lesser decision.
Hi Ellie,
I totally agree that vessel sinks are strictly for powder rooms. I just included that photo because it was a square sink!
Thanks for your comment!
Maria
I agree. Do what you want to do. If you like it, it will give you great joy. My worst decisions have been when someone talked me into something. Who cares if it high end? Are you selling next year?
My sister-in-law just completed a major bath reno with the claw foot tub and square top mounted sink very similar to your photo above (like vessel). She is not a fan. Looks wonderful. Good for a powder room, but not the bath you use everyday. She likes to lean on the edge when brushing her teeth and the edges are too sharp. She upcycled an antique vanity that the 2 vessels sit on but the vanity is too low to lean on. Make sure your floors are heated if using tile. Excited to see what you come up with as we need a major bath reno also.
I would put in a “furo” Japanese type of tub and a shower. Water will continue to be a problem and it would be great for us to look at other options. Wish my bathroom was large enough for a furo and a shower. I am debating full shower and no tub and what will that decision mean for resale…. I would go with a sink which supports the furo.
Love the Atlanta Homes look. Rectangular undercounter, and oval tub. Do not like the sink that sits on the counter. Not great for shorter people and too trendy. We did get a much higher vanity than the usual and love it! With rectangular undercount sink. I’m not fond of the tub you like as you need to sit straight up in it. Nice to have slope to recline. Looks chunky too. IMHO.
“I am sooooo bored of oval sinks since I’ve never lived in a house with a new bathroom in my life.”
I think you answered your own question! I love the look of rectangular undermount sink. A vessel sink is lovely for a powder room, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a main bath area.
Definitely rectangular … The continuity of color and finishes matter most … It’s fresh and updated! Don’t overthink it – we designers are the worst at making our own decisions !!!
Yay on a rectangular sink and oval tub. I’ve been following your blog long enough that I’ve learned things should relate to something else in the room. The rectangular sink will relate to the cabinetry and drawers. The oval hamper shown in the last photo would relate nicely to the tub. I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you!
I have both – like the rectangular sink for looks with the oval tub but the oval sink is easier to clean. Definitely prefer the undermount sinks. Heated floors are great especially for the bathroom you use daily.
Rectangle. Get what you want. It will look terrific. End of story. 🙂
Do what you’d like!
I think that if the tub isn’t too traditional and the sink is undermount (waaaay better in a full bathroom that you use all the time) everything will look lovely and coordinated.
You’re only doing this once, so get what your heart desires, I think the rectangular sink looks more modern mixed with an oval tub. And, how hard can it be to clean the corners of toothpaste or soap? Go for it!
I don’t think it matters so long as the styles are of the same theme for example a sleek square sink is never going go with a slightly vintage tub. We have a gorgeous free standing bath that looks wonderful as the showpiece in the bathroom but I must tell you it takes an awful lot of hot water to get to a useable level. Just saying, something to consider.
I’m not sure I have an opinion, although I feel like my eyes flow more smoothly over the image with the oval/oval picture. My question is this… If you are hiring and paying money for an expert, why not follow their advice? Isn’t that what you normally are telling us? Color experts understand color, making choices confidently. Jan apparently understands the bones of kitchens bathrooms, making choices confidently. If you trust her expertise enough to hire her, why not follow her advice? Or am I misunderstanding… Is her expertise just cabinetry?
Maria i think either would work . But i think the rectangular( undermount ) is more updated .
I see more of the rectangular in pictures then oval..
Undermount rectangular, no contest. We switched to that in a mini reno for a guest bathroom. No more difficult to clean than oval, crisper, slightly larger (aka not skimpy) look.
Top mounted sinks aren’t as functional though can look pretty – we have one in a hallway bathroom, but not as comfortable to use as undermounts.
Rectangular sink will look fabulous with the oval tub. We are building our retirement home soon and we went for the rectangular undermount sink.
Oval. To me the bathrooms with oval and rectangles combined seem slightly off. Oval seems more timeless, rectangles feel trendy.
Yes, what Jeanie said. When I remodeled my master bathroom I chose oval sinks with an oval free standing tub. I like how the shapes echo one another. My house is sort of cape cod and traditional so oval was an appropriate choice for my house. Do what you love but I vote for echoing shapes. (I’m sure it will look fabulous no matter what you do).
Maria, I agree with you, oval sinks look dated. I think this is a silly argument. I will be your moderator:You have to have an oval tub, but keep it a little boxy. Put the faucet between the tub and window (centered). Marry the rectangular sink by choosing one with soft rectangular corners.
As for the bulkhead, all I can say is, “men”.
Good luck with your Reno! I am sure it will be spectacular!
I’m very practical. I believe a sink is the least of your concerns right now. Do you really want a free standing tub that you have to climb into? If you were to sprain an ankle, or have your arm in a sling ( even for a short period of time), how are you going to get in and out of the tub safely? If you find yourself slipping, where are the grab bars? And, if this is a tub you want to have for years and years, be prepared for mobility issues that you never dreamed would happen. These tubs are quite gorgeous, but please think about your safety!
Totally agree with you Kathleen! I’m 50 and have had both ankle and hip surgeries which really made it difficult to bathe. I can’t imagine having a free standing tub and no grab bars. In my dream home, I’ll do away with tubs completely and have zero threshold showers.
totally agree. don’t go for pinterest looks, go for safety and ergonomics. the rest is cosmetics. i’m doing 2 high end bathrooms right now. we’re demo-ing the tubs, putting in zero threshold showers. custom cabinets and counter tops 38″ high (we’re tall) and undermount sinks. to me, counter top sinks look dated and are harder to clean (twice as much area to clean). there are different kinds of oval/round shapes for undermount sinks if that’s what you like. don’t buy one that’s too big. be sure faucet height is appropriate for the sink you buy. get the innards right and in 6 months, you won’t care if it’s round or square. most of bathroom re-do is the unglamorous part. get that right and the rest is easy.
Completely agree. Getting into a tub is the kind of thing you don’t think about until you can’t do it any more. It’s only a non-issue if you have a separate shower, which I didn’t see.
We did our bathroom reno about 10 years ago, and people still think it was just done. Sinks are oval and overmount because they have a beautiful curvy edge. I love them. The oval shape is repeated in the medicine cabinet mirrors. Yes, when I wash my face the water runs down my elbows and splashes around, but I keep a washcloth handy and wipe everything up. I’ve even trained my husband to do that–most of the time.
I’m sorry, but I think it’s just as ridiculous to call oval sinks dated as it is to say that subway tile has had its moment. Right now rectangular sinks may be all the rage, but they’ll be called dated at some point down the line. So will vessel sinks. I’d pay attention to the expert. But unless you’re planning to change the fixed elements every time trends change (!), go with what you love and make sure shapes are repeated.
I don’t consider oval sinks to be dated, I think timeless vs. dated lives in colour choices or really unusual and exaggerated new designs. Like the 80’s All those oversized sofas, glass dining tables with faux stone bases, spaceship looking lighting, you can’t even mix that stuff with any other era, it still screams 80’s.
There are many other choices in bathrooms that will date much faster than the shape of a sink ever will. But that’s just my opinion, doesn’t mean it’s right. Thanks for your comment!
Maria
I am doing a bathroom renovation right now and I purchased a grab bar for my tub area to match my fixtures, but will only install it when we need to. Right now we are healthy and in our 50’s. In the shower area, we added a hand held shower that comes with a grab bar. After seeing my parents age, I want to cover all bases.
I would have gone with rectangular sinks but with my counter, an
oval is better. I think there are many other rectangles in the bathroom so it would be just fine.
agree with you kathleen…also, i would be hard-pressed to give up a jetted tub! i love mine, but i have a more ‘spa’ type design with form following function aesthetic
Kathleen has raised EXTREMELY IMPORTANT issues. Right on Kathleen. It is surprising how we all forget “shit happens”. Unless one is selling the house soon, a bathroom renovation is the time to prepare for the inevitable – aging in place. Or even temporary mobility issues as set out in Kathleen’s comments. I recommend putting in grab bars now; there are some very lovely ones. Grab bars are common in high priced hotels. At the very MINIMUM, reinforce the walls so you can put grab bars in later. And if one has a choice, somewhere in the house you need a zero threshold shower preferably with a bench and a wide door. Ignore ergonomics at your peril.
I installed these Kohler sinks in my master bath reno last year and love em:
Ladena® 20-7/8″ X 14-3/8″ X 8-1/8″ undermount bathroom sink
Dimensions and Measurements
K-2214-0
$313.75 List Price
COLOR: White
STORE LOCATOR
COMPARE
With its unique, oblong shape and clean lines, Ladena evokes casual elegance. This spacious and distinctive sink pairs classic style with versatility, and is a great choice to complement both traditional and modern bathrooms.
By the way, the full description did not come through, They are rectangular but have a curvy interior, so they are a nice compromise, and easier to clean as there are no tight corners. They pair beautifully with my oval slipper tub.
I say yay! I’m building a house right now and doing oval freestanding tub and rectangle sinks. I love the look of the rectangle sinks.
I vote oval undermount. IMHO, it’s a classic shape, easier to clean, repeats the form of tub and toilet bowl, and will not “date” the bathroom ten years from now.
The Atlanta Homes Mag (without the pipe of course) is the perfect match…since it looks contemporary…and the undermount sink is practical as well. So it’s a win-win!
The free standing tub will be the “focal point” when all is said and done! So I recommend that you pick one that you truly love….even if you have to splurge :))
I absolutely would not pick the last tub….
The last tub was a bad example, I was strictly talking about the shape not the actual style of this particular one.
Thanks for your comment!
Maria
Hi Maria,
I am in the planning stages leading to major kitchen and ensuite renos plus adding a powder room. I decided to go with rectangular sinks and, though my tub too is rectangular, I am with you. Based on the location of the tub go oval and keep to your hearts desire for rectangular sinks. We sometimes overthink what we should do but we only go this way once so do what you want. (as long as it’s not way out there!!)
As all the others wrote, use undermount sinks, heated floors and avoid vessel sinks (because they use up extra counter space and you can’t clean around them easily nor wipe directly into the sink). It’s an exciting journey frought with anxieties about making the ‘correct’ decisions, but you’ll get there and be happy with the results. Best, Cathy
We have an oval tub and rectangular sinks in our master bathroom, and I never thought twice about the two different shapes. I prefer rectangular sinks over oval, so that’s why I chose them. There’s no reason you can’t combine oval & rectangular. Personally, I like the mixture of shapes.
you have excellent style. go with your gut. ps – manufacturers make “sets” to make it easy on the consumer…dare to be different!
I don’t see why you cannot mix oval and square. Square sinks are just so practical for men since they have to rinse after shaving and all that water drips from their elbows. My husband always installs square so he doesn’t feel he’s shaving in a tea cup. You could introduce an oval shape elsewhere if it’s bothersome. Perhaps the chandelier. My friend has that tub which really reads not that oval since the sides vary in height.
I’ve used the Ladena by Kohler several times and I love it. It is a rectangular but has a curved bottom so it looks great and is better to clean than a flat bottom.
Oh my goodness, with all the other beautiful elements…..no one will even notice.
Definitely do the undermount rectangle sink! However, watch out for the flat bottom rectangles – they don’t drain that well and have sharp angles that are very hard to clean. Toothpaste tends to sit there rather than drain! There are curved bottom rectangle sinks that give you the best of both – the freshness of a rectangle and cleanibility of a curved bottom.
My vote is for oval – oval. I like the way they seem to flow together. Plus in my experience oval is much easier to clean. Definitely get undermount for less splashing. BUT that said, it’s your bathroom so get what YOU love!
If it were my bathroom, I would do a square (or rectangle depending on the size) under mount sink. The only reason I say under mount (as a vessel can be SO much nicer looking) is that I know my husband would chip it or break every glass he used. You end up with more counter space with an under mount with less cleaning to worry about.
I guess you’ll need to figure out what the function of your bathroom is for you and Terreeia and what your normal routines are. I think when you think of that, you’ll know right away if a vessel or an under mount is for you.
I think either would work, but our last two sinks have been undermount, which I definitely prefer. On the first re-do, we used the smaller of two sinks and I wished I had chosen the larger. We ended up mounting the faucet and knobs on the vertical stone surface (tall-ish backsplash) and I really liked that. Our current home has the larger sink and I like it better, less splashing on the counter surface. It is rectangular, but with a rounded bottom (Ladena by Kohler). I’m sure whatever you choose will be beautiful.
Rectangle. When I remodel, I want one to minimize water dripping from my elbows onto the counter when I wash my face at night. My bigger concern would be the white color of the fixtures. If not from same manufacturer, do the whites match?
I’ve never thought about the water but you’re right when I was my face I do get water on my countertop 🙂 excellent point.
The whites matching, well that’s a whole other tunnel I will go down next 🙂
Thanks for your comment Joann!
Maria
maria, you are the LAST person I would expect to be ‘matchy-matchy’—why over think this?// put in what fits and be done with it!
I know but look at how many people weighed in with their opinion. This kind of post makes me happy for the rest of the day because I feel like all my friends have dropped in to say Hello 🙂
Thanks Gilda!
Maria
FOR sure a rectangle bowl and oval tub…LOVE that look! for one, you get more bowl space to wash your face (no splashing) in the rectangle…the sinks mounted on counter-pain to clean around, you have to do a shorter cabinet to compensate for the height-don’t do it!
Hi Maria:
I re-did my master 2 years ago and went with an oval freestanding tub and rectangular undermount sinks. Love the choices! I don’t think the rectangular sinks are harder to clean, but I would state that they are harder to KEEP clean because water doesn’t reach the corners when you’re rinsing after brushing teeth, etc. But honestly, it’s not a big deal. Having the look of the sink outweighs that, in my opinion.
I’m in favor of mixing it up! It’s like the old school rule about having matching end tables. However, I do have a suggestion about the bulk head. I wouldn’t want to loose 4-5 inches. Extend the bulkhead to the other wall. Put a deep shelf in front of it. I can see Boston Ferns cascading down, big canisters, chunky candlesticks in various sizes, etc. on it. But, then, I do love me someplace to display accessories. Looks like a fun project!!! XX
I have a square walk in shower and an new oval claw foot tub. In the room there is both oval and square. I went with a undermount square sinks looks good. Can’t match everything.
I say what Maria wants, Maria gets. 🙂
All those bathrooms featured in the blog are beautiful.
Yours will too look outstanding.
I personally like mixing things up. It’s a lot more interesting that way.
And I love those floating vanities…
I love the bathroom from the Atlanta Homes.
I think it is probably more about the light and color, than the oval vs round sink.
For me, I love circles and anything round.
It reminds me of the circle of life and I surround myself with anything curvy.
From reading your posts from the past few years I think you will obsess if you don’t do it the way you want though.
Ultimately we have to please ourselves!
Keep us posted.
Oops * correction*
Oval vs rectangle sink!
I would choose a sink’s shape based on how it relates to your new cabinet’s style, new windows, even wall & mill work shapes. Oh and of course the faucet, mirror and all related hardware, So square it up if you want a square sink. It will be beautiful! Thanks for being out there to help us along.
Oh Maria I forgot to mention in my comment above that I have Corian with integrated sinks and back splashes and I would not go back to granite in the bath. It is easy to clean and so soft to the touch. Looks sleek! I love it!
One more thing to consider… what will your MIRRORS look like? Will they be ovals or rectangles? How would that look depending on the sink? It seems like you are stuck with at least one oval due to the tub so the question is will you do 2 more ovals for sink and mirror or 2 rectangles for sink and mirror? Because would a rectangle mirror look bad over an oval sink? OK one more shape to consider is that the windows are rectangles already too… think big picture you are good at that as an ‘N’; details matter but only as part of the big picture. 🙂
Everyone I know who has a vessel sink hates it (also on blogs) because you can’t keep the outside and inside clean even with 2 adults (spots!) and “it is always in the way.” So I say small under-mount oval, square, or rectangle.
I face the exact same dilemma a year ago when we totally redid our bathroom. You can get rectangular sinks that have curved sides so cleaning is not an issue. That being said, we went with oval as I felt it was a softer look and help balance out the rectangular shape of the countertop, plus we had cabinet doors with curved mullion. But either shape would have work just fine. Maria, I followed your advice (white subway tile) and our bathroom is beautiful!!
Hooray! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Maria
If both are submerged, like in photo 6, you could mix. Otherwise I would say it will not look good.
Unless, you get a tub like the one in the last photo, which has thin edges (instead of bulging). You could mix it with an equally thin-edged rectangular sink, preferably with corners not too edged, like in photo 5, or with a submerged rectangular sink. Have fun 🙂
Rectangular for sure!
Maria, I agree with Jan. I think the whole wall should be packed out. Niches could be built in if you’d like. If you don’t, how will it be blended into the room?
Let’s talk about the bathtub first. We are building a new house and I was sent by my builder to pick out a bathtub. I also wanted a free standing oval tub. Easy choice, right? The professionals at the showcase store where I bought my bathtub asked if I had been in one of these tubs. Well no, I’ve only been in the standard tub shower combo my entire life. Knowing that I was picking the tub first and foremost for myself and relaxation, I decided to sit in them all. It’s almost like buying jeans without trying them on… Or a car without driving it. I found the new trendy free standing tubs are very uncomfortable and they take ton of water just to fill up the tub to cover your bent knees!! So if you find you like the free standing tub and it’s comfortable you also need to ask yourself if your water heater is big enough to fill it with hot water. You could be sitting straight up in a tub filled 1/3 the way with hot water. Not something I wanted to do! The end result was I chose not to buy a free standing tub. I bought a soaking tub long enough for my legs, with a slanted end to lean back on and installed two tankless water heaters for unlimited hot water. With a drop in tub, my choices of sink type weren’t all that difficult.
Def go with a rectangle under mount sink…much more modern and updated. I strongly feel that the sink shape does NOT have to mimic the tub shape.
Good Luck…go with your gut!
Maria; I’m far from an expert but feel that when it comes to bathrooms think ‘function as well as maintenance’. That said; hopefully you will consider an under mount sink (perhaps even with a single faucet as there are some beautiful ones) and please reconsider a freestanding claw foot tub namely for the two reasons I mention as aren’t you the gal who searched high and low for a mattress because you were experiencing back problems? Yes, they are aesthetically wonderful but growing up in home with one, even as a teenager I cursed it and now that I am old (and falling apart) I couldn’t picture myself even getting into or out of one …. ☺. -Brenda-
P.S.: As for the shape of a sink, variety is the spice of life so go with what you like as with your decor savvy you will tie it in beautifully.
Maria, I am very surprised that your are considering a rectangle sink. Do you think that you are leaning that way because you are so tired of oval? The oval is your classic sink, the rectangle is a trend. Classic is what you preach!!
The Duravit Starck 3 undermount (or something similar) might be a nice option. It has a rounded-rectangle perimeter with a gently sloping interior.
I agree that you do what you want. But in a couple of the photos the combo of oval and rectangular works because the tub is in a rectangular enclosure and that is a nice solution for a small bathroom as shown. But your bath is large enough to have varying shapes and the rectangular sink will look nice iwth your bay window area. Will be fun to see your finished product.
It isn’t just about oval sink versus rectangular sink with your oval tub. It is also about the mirrors, cabinets, cabinet hardware, and faucets etc. Thoughtful selection of these will be the determining factor in the overall look you will achieve–soft or edgy.
Hi Maria. I think you should go with your gut. You are a fabulous designer and you have to live with your choices. You don’t want to spend all this money and then always think, but I really wanted xyz…
That being said, and I also like the rectangular under mount sink and as others said you don’t have to have the two match.
I also really like that tub that is your favorite and think you should go for it. I don’t understand why it would be a problem that your windows are higher than the tub. Most of the other pictures you posted have windows higher than the freestanding tub, I think it would look just fine. I also don’t understand that it would look too expensive? It is a beautifully simple, solid, white tub. Plus, people mix expensive things and less expensive things in rooms all the time.
And both the tub and the sink are rectangular so that will make Jan happy too!
Maria, I love that you brought this up! Isn’t it the hardest to be objective in our own homes? I seem to know instantly what should be done in someone else’s space, but agonize over every small decision in my own home! Maybe take a step back and ask yourself what you would recommend to a client? Maybe it will help you be more objective! Good luck! It will be beautiful!
You’ve waited a long time for this remodel, why not have what you love. I love rectangle sinks and I’ve used them in my last two remodels. Still super happy with them. How cute that your designer let you post a picture of her sitting on the toilet!
Your favourite tub is also mine, it is gorgeous!! I agree with the others, about the difficulty in owning a freestanding one though. I lived in a house with a claw tub for a while, was what I had always loved…in pictures, but owning one was another matter. I think to get a freestanding one like that, you would want to try and see if you can incorporate some aspects of the practical traditional designs, like some form of fixed steps, and somewhere to put your bath products at the edge of the bath. A side table just doesn’t work nearly so well. Funny how these things start to drive you mad.
I like the idea of just extending the bulkhead, then maybe adding great shelving.
Oval vs rectangular sink wise, I don’t really think it matters aesthetically to do a mix. I much prefer the look of square, but would want extreme curved corners in the inside. I have an above mount one in my current bathroom. I looks great but does get easily messy and is awkward to clean. Also makes it a bit too high for me. I am short. Under mount way easier to look after and a cleaner look.
Have fun with it 🙂
Maria, I am surprised that you, of all people, are not taking the advice of your designer and are wanting to go with the trendier look for a fixture! Whenever I am picking something out I think of all of your posts about how someone would be crazy to select something other than white subway tile. For what it’s worth, I think the square sinks are pretty but only in a very modern setting. Those enormous top mounted sinks are crazy trendy. You can’t go wrong with an undermounted oval.
Get the tub you like the best. The extra money won’t amount to much if you amortize it over the years you’ll live in your home. Get the sink you want too. As long as the sink and tub are the same color, it will work.
On the matter, I always think toilets are round or oval and many rectangular sinks look great with them.
Go for it!
Not a bathroom but a sink…..I put in a rectangular under-mount sink in my kitchen 2 years ago. The sink is a Blanco sink with really straight inside corners and looks fantastic and modern and, I think, quite timeless. But, it is a pain in the a** to clean. The inside corners (from the sides to the bottom) are not curved, they are a perfect 90 degree angle, so a sponge does not get into the edges, I have to use a child’s toothbrush to clean the edges and corners. Imagine doing this everyday!
Hey Maria, I’m sure whatever you choose, it will be beautiful. I have built and renovated several homes; it’s always a challenge! Just to echo a few previous comments – love the integrated Corian sink, counter backsplash idea with a high backsplash and the taps wall mounted. It might cost a bit more but you will love how sleek it looks and how easy it is to keep clean. Heated floors- yes. Most of those huge tubs go unused – unless you and T. know you will use it, I’d opt for a larger shower with room for a nice movable bench you can pull forward to sit on and enjoy. I’m not a fan of ceiling mount “rain” showers.
It would be great if you could design the bathroom you really want for yourselves and still have one that will meet the needs of some future family. Good luck; can’t wait to see the end results.
Hi Maria We have oval undermount sinks and an oval tub now. We did not build the house but if we had, I would definitely do an undermount rectangular sink and an oval bathtub. I have very contemporary taste and think the rectangular shape gives the vanity such a clean look plus a better shape for use. Good luck!
Definitely undermount sinks with curvy bottom for easy cleaning inside and out, whether rectangular or oval. I like a large oval to echo the tub and toilet bowl shapes. When we remodeled our master bathroom a couple of years ago (that hadn’t been touched since 1965), we got higher counters. I’m only 5’2″, DH is 5’10”, so DH is now much more comfortable. But the sink is too high when I bend over and now the water does drip from my elbows, I feel like I need a couple of inches under my feet. The previous height was much better for me and water didn’t drip–that four inches shorter made a big difference for me (and truth be told, for him also though he can reach the faucets more easily now). I don’t think square-ness would matter for where the water drips since my hands are toward the middle of the sink and my elbows are near my body. Also we got taller faucets so we could dunk our heads or put a taller container under it–and we’ve used that functionality many times already, as adults and for our child. (I couldn’t find a pullout faucet for a bathroom.) Also be sure the stopper pull on the faucet clears the backsplash–with space for your fingers to pull and the knob to clear. (Learned that from the faucet reviews.) We had to pull the cabinets out an extra inch and make a slightly deeper countertop (a happy result) to make sure the stopper handle cleared in the back. Tricky business, these details. As for the grab bars, they are the first things we install in our bathrooms even before we remodel. We’ve always installed them–you never know when you’ll have a sprained ankle or a slippery shower floor, and a child is much safer having something to hold. We got pretty ones to match our fixtures, and hung one on the interior side of the tub and two at the end of the tub, one higher to use as a towel rack. Very convenient. A tip from our plumber–we installed faucet handles over our new tub higher so that we could turn on the water without bending over so far. In the end, of course, it’s the coordinated undertones and finishes that will make the bathroom beautiful–and it’s the harmony that will create serenity and give you enormous pleasure every day!
I think in a large bath, it doesn’t matter. Probably in a smaller bath, I would try to keep the shapes the same. In both cases the color and style should be the same. I love a tub set in a nook with windows. Your new bath will be lovely!
The second image – the one with the big window and trees outside. Mixed. It is beautiful.
Do what makes you happy. There are more than enough rectangles in the room to echo a rectangular sink: floor, walls, windows…
Too many rectangles? Boring. Add an oval tub for softness and contrast!
Maria, You have so many good comments that if you are like me, it will keep you awake at night. Your bath will look stunning no matter which way you go. One question that I have is there a shower anywhere? Do you both like to bathe vs take a shower? I love the look of the free standing tub but usually there is also a shower somewhere.
That crazy bulkhead would drive me nuts. I know there is a solution. I am not in favor of a shelf because I don’t like to dust it or have hanging plants. That to me is more of a country look. How much space would you lose if you built the wall out? The idea of niches could be interesting. It then would give you a Roman look.
Can’t wait to see your beautiful reveal!!
1st pic: The round mirrors, raised sink, hex tile and oval tub encased in a rectangular space- nice but trendy. 2nd pic: Clean and simple, but slightly trendy with the rectangular sink. However, if that view were real, I wouldn’t care because I’d be looking out the window. 3rd pic: shows the prettiest tub, but the drain pipe on the wrong side messes up everything and the rectangular sink doesn’t flow. 4th: best bathroom and most high end: they didn’t mess this one up at all- beautiful millwork and floor includes 4 different shapes, but everything relates: note the oval tub, sink and bulkhead over the sink. In the last pic, the oval tub relates to the oval doorway and hamper- classic and flows well. I would listen to your bathroom designer and stick with an oval under mounted sink if the tub is going to be oval unless you absolutely hate oval sinks and putting one in is going to bother you that much. It’s so much easier to create an eclectic look mixing up your furniture which you can change when you desire than to change out a more trendy looking sink. Extending the bulkhead to the other wall will make a huge difference regardless of cost, and you will thank yourself later for doing it. Also, you could put up two large shelves horizontal to each other and halfway between the towel rack and ceiling extending across most of the wall as well as some leafy hanging plants on the shelves with their leaves cascading down over the shelf, or hanging from the ceiling to detract from the bulkhead. Ivy plants would be beautiful with all the light coming in.
Totally with the mixing oval with rectangular. Now. Have you tried taking a bath in some of these gorgeous tubs? I dreamed of a modified slipper, free standing tub for years. Then I rented a beach house where they had one, and I was in heaven…until I USED it. I slipped down all the time (I’m 5’3″ and couldn’t get a purchase to sit and lounge. There as no where to put shampoo (I guess you can add a doohickey to the side, but that probably wouldn’t be pretty). The water splashed everywhere when I rinsed my hair. It looked awesome, but I would have paid to rip it out, had it been my actual tub, because it was impractical in daily life. SO get in one, Imagine using it, and make sure the one you get WORKS for real life! I’ll pipe down now. 😉
Ah Maria! I see all kinds of images here. What look are you going for? Plus can you really toss aside your oval aversion, even if it works in the space, in the room you will use every day?
Looking through some old posts of yours.. I think you like; very little in the way of wood, white fixtures with silver finishes, crazy for Carrera, tiled light colored floor in like basketweave or hex, subway tile, traditional style. Moving forward I saw many freestanding vanities. These had light stone counters and inset or undermount sinks in white.
I know this post is asking about the sink… the tub you long for would look fabulous in what I think is your true hearts desire ( find something closer- more traditional)!
Back to the sink. I assume you are not going with a pedestal sink? If that is the case I believe the vanity style is more important in relation to the sink bowl shape.
When you have a line that is not repeated that is what you notice especially when right next to one another. An oval sink with a vanity that is demi lune shaped works – rectangle would fall flat. A counter with squared lines begs for a rectangle or square.
*I see you have a shower in there. I would have them drop down a header and enclose that a bit more. Bring the bulkhead around the room and maybe marry above and below with moldings.*
Good luck! Mid America Mom
Drywalling the bulkhead is such a waste of space. I would go for a shallow built-in storage unit of some sort, either open shelves or with doors to cover the clutter. 5-6 inches is enough to store a lot of shampoo, make-up, beauty product, extra TP and cleaning supplies. I would paint in oil or marine-grade paint for maximum durability.
Perhaps the middle part where the heater is could be a towel rack, maybe even a heated one or a tip out type for delicate laundry. Or a convenient place for hooks for some fluffy robes. Or a great place for art and some dramatic lighting. I think it could be done quite reasonably, and be much more useful. Great way to turn a minus into a plus.
As for the sink, I think either would be fine, and I agree with others that a sloped back tub is much more comfortable and saves on water. Trying them out for size and considering attractive grab bars for safety sake are good ideas too. I really like a hand-held shower head in a bath–good for cleaning the tub and washing hair and rinsing. And consider cleaning concerns when installing–make enough room under window so can get mop back there, and make sure the tub isn’t so deep that cleaning it is difficult. I find that bath crystals really help prevent soap rings.
BTW I really like the old world look of The Enchanted Room, and the unusual combination of grey, white and cream. I think it really works, and I think your room has enough light to pull it off, perhaps in a bit more contemporary way. Would put your color skills to the test and could look smashing with your master bedroom.
Have you gotten around to doing the laundry/powder room yet?
I went with rectangular sinks (Kohler Verticyl) and oval freestanding tub (Badeloft) in my master bath remodel last year and it worked beautifully. Wish I could post pics here, I would. You might like the Kohler Ladena sink, rectangular but oval bottom.
RECTANGULAR SINK! ALWAYS! :]
Even with a more traditional house, Laurel? I just chose a Kohler 60×30 under mount tub with a tile surround. It’s corners are squared, so Maria’s post has me questioning my decision (nothing is ordered). I chose oval sinks throughout the house because it will be traditional with a slightly rustic vibe here and there. Not earthy, not overdone. For Maria’s aesthetic, I’d say SQUARE, no ifs, ands, or buts. I made so many decisions the day I chose oval because I have them now and they’re fine. Also, $$$$. Thoughts, ladies?
……just priced them. Difference is less that $100 so that’s ok, six sinks total. I’m anxious to hear your thoughts, though. Thanks!
P.S. My freestanding tub is very comfortable, you just have to make sure you get one that fits you – not too long where you slide down and one with an angled/sloping back that will be comfortable to recline in. I chose this one and love it!
https://www.badeloftusa.com/freestanding_bathtubs/freestanding_bathtub_bw-03-xl.html
Completely skipped the oval/square question when you mentioned that the stained glass windows are coming out.
Installing in your house style was trendy in the first place. Taking them out may be more classic and timeless. And what about the wonderful light that comes through stained glass? I would want to continue to enjoy that.
Oval v Square Would want square with rounded corners for better cleaning. Otherwise there are so many styles to choose from I think you can find the right pairing for a mix if that’s your true love. Checked out the Ladena sink mentioned above and like that option.
Have fun remodeling.
I like the appearance of both ways for your bathroom. Do what YOU love. I designed my kitchen with my personal likes and loves in mind….and I like looking at it everyday and being in it everyday. I am the one who lives here now. Enjoy the here and now! By the way, through your blog posts, e-books and color boards, you helped me make a lot of the decisions that went into my kitchen remodel. Thank you, Maria! You are so LOVELY!
1) first of all I agree that drywalling the bulkhead would be an unnecessary expense and why lose space when you don’t need to. i would make the bulkhead work somehow, maybe extend the bulkhead across the top of the wall and make it a molding, or do something creative with it, shelving, niches…or open up the bulkhead and recess whatever is in there back into the wall.
2) I don’t think there’s any problem mixing oval and rectangle tub and sink.
3) I like the Stainglass windows, do they have to be removed because they are broken, or just for
something more modern?
i’m kind of of the school of work with what you have and turn a “problem” into a creative solution. I have to say that I think your bathroom is absolutely gorgeous as is, and it is way more attractive than the majority of bathrooms out there already. I would probably do the thrifty version and just paint the wood trim white, but I can understand that you’ve lived with it and probably want to do more of an overhaul and make it the bathroom of your dreams.
I would definitely do an undermount rectangle – not a super contemporary rectangle but one with a softer profile. What I absolutely dislike are those square free standing tubs that look like boxes – who would want to bathe in something so uncomfortable????
My preference is the Atlanta home’s. I noticed that one of the bad things of square sinks is the fact that they have to be small because it is no easy to keep them clean if is to big you will see spots of the toothpaste all around the sink. The water won’t drain throughout all the corners of your sink, and therefore the under mount sink is better.
About the tub I prefer the loony magazine for your size of your bathroom. It will look really nice with your windows, it also makes your bathroom look much bigger. Cheers!!!!
By the time you get to my comment, you probably made up your mind….but—the choice is simple:
the first “square” sink has rounded corners.
That should make everybody happy! I say go with THAT one 🙂 (It’s the prettiest one anyway!)
That bulkhead could be your new best friend! Instead of just moving the wall out, create a wall full of narrow-depth storage and hopefully you will be extremely glad that you did. I have two very long sections of very narrow-depth storage in my home and it’s wonderful because you can see everything quickly as it’s just one item deep.
You could have a wall of cabinet doors or a combination of open shelving with lower cabinet doors. You could do your beautiful staging on the open shelving as well.
As for the countertops, please don’t forget about porcelain – I would never opt for anything else going forward.
Final word – definitely a rectangular undermount sink. The insides can be rounded so cleanup is a breeze. The porcelain folks here on the island supply a beautiful product.
Lynn-do you have a link for porcelain counter tops? I’ve never heard of them other than floor tiles but it sounds like a good option.
Thanks for this post Maria- I LOVE the comments section too..people are so thoughtful to share and I learn a lot from that as well as you!
crossville tile & stone [manufacturer/vendor] has thin, large format porcelain that covers the entire countertop surface.
Re: grab bars and aging in place, as mentioned in above comments — the September 2015 Consumer Reports magazine has an interesting article on bathroom design ‘for the ages’ that includes mention of bars that serve dual functions, e.g. as shelves and paper holders, so are useful without being obvious.
Check out these grab bars. http://www.invisiacollection.com/products
How the heck can the shape of a bathroom sink be dated? We’re definitely starting to overanalyze this stuff. Oval tub, rectangular sink are all great so long as the rest of the stuff in the room (especially plumbing fixtures) ties it together. But seriously, people, the shape of a sink alone does not make something dated. How often are people changing out their bathroom sinks?
my mom has shell shaped sink [mic drop]
Haha! Thanks for the laugh. Not so much that your mom has the ever popular shell shape, but I love your delivery!! LOL mic drop.
What does Terreeia think? I’m sure she has an opinion.
Other than that, I would say oval and not too high. What happens if you want to wash your feet? Because I am short, bending over at the chest to wash my face and brush my teeth hurts my back.
The Atlanta bathroom is drop dead gorgeous, but I am not a fan of free standing bathtubs. Love a good shower!!
I like repeating shapes so wouldn’t mix oval and rectangle. I feel circular shapes are more feminine whereas straight line shapes feel masculine. I would also get someone to checkout what the bulkhead is covering. To determine if it could be moved into the roof cavity and be totally eliminated.
Love idea of oval tub and square under mount sink w/rounded inside corners to ‘work w/tub’ & easier clean. Square sinks offer a contemporary edge w/refreshing ‘zing’ you can love for years. An oval sink is outdated and too much oval. Toilet fixture is oval. Vanity, doors and windows are rectangular – balance size/shape of tub perfectly. Believe tub you like too high and straight for comfort and window proportions. Simple, stylish, more gradual. Heated floors if doable. Happy redesign!
Fascinating to hear the responses. For those in or close to the design world, oval looks dated and rectangular looks fresh. I’m not in the design world, and rectangular reminds me of bathrooms from the 20s and 30s, so in my eye IT looks dated. 😉 Make yourself happy Maria, because in the end, only you and Jan will notice or care.
I agree with Jan, I like coordinated.
I think it is more important to keep modern vs. classic style in mind – if the free standing tub reads modern and crisp, then you might prefer rectangular; if tub is more traditional, then a classic oval is called for. I am especially fond of sinks that have a rectangular perimeter and oval interior. A blend of both and easy to clean!
Sandy and Heather, thanks for mentioning ageing in place and the alert to the Invisia collection. We have recently downsized to what will be our retirement home and I love to see useful options for this type of design. I am only 56 but as long as those grab bars are there, I use them! They are not just useful for the infirm :}
I came to the party late, but thanks for this post Maria! I think an oval tub and a rectangular sink will be beautiful…but I do hate to see the windows go, they are ethereal and would look elegant with marble.
I know your will both love your new bathroom. Thanks for being so generous and sharing part of this process with us!
In your current configuration your tub is both shapes. The outer edge is rectangular and the recessed portion is oval.
maria, i vote either/or or both. we’re talking about geometric shapes and you see a mix of them in many paintings by the masters. i decorate rooms as i compose a painting and i wouldn’t hesitate to do what you’re considering. i’d keep each a simple shape and i’ll bet it will look great. if you click on this link, you’ll see yet another example of using both: http://rsassoc.com/project/richard-lane/. good luck!
it’s about composition & context…
your second inspo photo from pinterest works because the composition is clean lined and linear; the change of shape is suble, just a geometric variance, but with a continuation of line.
same with the atl homes pic below…the sink shape is tempered with an ogee edge on the countertop and transitional cabinetry. the cut out shape alone does not make it more modern or traditional, but the sum of the parts will. context!
Rectangular vessel for now. You can remove and change to oval later, when you are tired of it.
Oval is timeless, not sure I would consider anything else for more than 4 mins.
The pattern of water splashing in the sink is important — oval sinks splash around less or not at all. Rectangular ones can and do.
I am quite sure Maria would say 1) go with timeless 2) make sure if you vary, to ensure it relates to something else in the room
Other thought, does anyone want the sink to be of notice? Unless it is amazing mosaic or gold, you probably do not want it to draw attention. It is part of a vignette, not a focal point. The eye would have too many things to take in — drop dead tub, jaw-dropping shower… oh and that sink that is vying for your attention…..
When people use both shapes, i bet they did so without thinking it through, just as some designers do not think through their color choices.
Fun post as always.
And at the end of the day, you all are the only ones who will see it in a master bath, so follow your bliss, as Campbell says.
By all means, Maria. Rectangle under mount and the freestanding, oval tub of your dreams! Look forward to the updates.
I love the look of rectangle undermount sinks and for self would want the same shape tub, but You can go either way as evident from some of the bathroom pics you posted.
I don’t think oval sinks are dated. What’s dated are the hideous above counter vessel sinks. They are waaaay past their expiration date, including powder room.
Glad you aren’t considering that!
I love the look of the freestanding tub, but agree with those that say not not a good choice when aging. Heck if I’ve been relaxing in a deep soak for a long time, I too prefer having a tub deck to help hoist myself out and I”m not ancient nor have mobility problems….yet. Also like having the deck to put things on..like my glass of wine. :-). Or to sit on the edge of.
I like function along with form.
Will you have a seperate shower?
Can’t wait to see what you come up with and of course what paint color you’ll go with!
And PS, that tub you like does NOT look comfortable? Is it?
Wow, you have enough advice here, but I have been remembering the scallop shaped pink and cream marbled sink I grew up with and want to advise you to take your own advice of timeless over trendy.
Rectangular sinks for sure. Also, I’m semi-obsessed with this one rectangular toilet I keep seeing, by Duravit I think. Just to make things more complicated!
I think I have the bathtub from the last photo if it is Victoria & Albert tub. I have rectangular sinks from Duravit. Our Duravit toilet is also oval 🙂 to be honest I never thought about matching the sink and tub shapes. I love how my bathroom looks and no one has commented negatively (I usually here how cool my tub is and how fabulous my bathroom is) about the different shapes.I will echo the masses and say go with whatever tub and sink make you happy!
Who really wants to keep those inside corners of a rectangle sink clean ? Not I. ! Pretty to the eye now, but a trend most will tire of and it will look dated in the future.
i bought & installed your favorite tub this year! I bought it from Interior Gallery out of Texas…idk if it would be too expensive to pay duty to Canada, but you should check. It is a copy of the waterworks one, but it’s spot on and it was NOT expensive. Good luck!!
Unrelated to your question but my friend works with two design conscious, well-off home owners who installed new, elegant-looking, clawfoot freestanding tubs. Old clawfoot tubs were iron, which holds heat. Whatever they are making these new ones out of, they do not hold heat. Both of her clients say they do not take baths in their lovely new tubs because the water does not stay hot at all. Sad but true.
I personally prefer rectangular sinks.
wow, interesting ideas just above! I’m starting to plan a bathroom reno (maybe two if the budget allows) so I’m looking forward to following this project. I know it will be wonderful when you’re done! It seems like you should have flexibility in the shapes of the tub and sink as long as the finishes are well coordinated? We just did some traveling and used several vessel sinks which I found to be awkward every time, so no to that idea for me!
If you are aiming for a timeless bathroom you will love in 10 or 20 years, I think an undermounted oval sink is the only way to go. I think the rectangle will read trendy in a few years. Plus, regardless of slope of the bottom of the sink- the vertical corners of the sides of rectangle sinks collect gunk and are a gross hassle to clean.
I’m wondering the “pipe on the wrong side” was done so the home owners wouldn’t have to reach over the tub to turn the water on/off. I agree that it doesn’t look good, but it might be intentional.
Very late to the convo here, but I know why that tub has the pipe on the wrong side. We installed that very tub in our new home 7 years ago. We had to plumb from the specs from the manufacturer before pouring the concrete foundation. Well, guess what? The specs were a mirror image by mistake. Oh boy. Our plumbers had to bust through the concrete to move the plumbing to the other side. The good news is the manufacturer agreed it was an error and paid for the cost of moving to the other side. 🙂
All my sinks are rectangle. Even the one in the kitchen! lol
Oval tub and rectangular undermount sink looks like the best combination for your bathroom.
I am thinking of putting two vessel lavatory on one long counter top. One is round and other rectangle from the same manufacturer. Sort of a his and hers lavatory. What do you think?
Definitely no. Stick to the same sink. Maria
I’m facing this question, currently. The builder and his designer wanted to install rectangular sinks. Because our space is tight with two sinks (husband insists on his own), we are going with ovals. I feel they are easier to clean, rinse, drain, and allow a bit more counter surface because there are no corners. We don’t have room for a tug anymore (larger shower), so in my case it doesn’t matter. I’ve seen so many examples of both shapes of sink, and all look fine. As much as vessel sinks are “cool,” I think they are too trendy, are more to clean and make cleaning the countertop harder, and they risk getting edges chipped by a user dropping something (bottle, hairdryer, for instance) on the edges.
Yes nothing wrong with that, vessel sinks should only be installed in powder rooms, the entire vanity has to be 6 or 7 inches lower to accommodate a sink ON TOP of a countertop, total pain! Maria
I think it depend on your cabinet door style. If shaker I would like a rectangular sink. I would also consider what shape tiles you choose. If a more organic shape-oval sink. If a subway type tile, a rectangle sink.
Another think to think about are wall cubbies in the shower. I don’t think making a cubbie the focal point of the main wall you see is a good idea. After all, this is where you store your shampoo bottles, soap and wash cloths.