Learn how to make a sink from a bowl, and in this case I use a vintage bowl. This is a really inexpensive and easy way to create a custom bathroom vanity.
When we finally got around to renovating one of the last areas in our home, I knew I wanted it to be timeless yet inexpensive. Basically what I strive for every time we do home projects.
It needs to fit the aesthetic of our home. I want modern amenities while also looking and feeling like it could have easily been an original part of our 1890’s Victorian farmhouse.
After scouring Pinterest for a good long while, I decided to have a custom vanity built to look like an old desk, while creating sinks out of vintage bowls. Giving it the look of an old wash stand in a way, but with a double sink and running water and drains. Like modern pioneers, if you will.
Ideally, I would’ve found an antique piece of furniture, but since the measurements were so specific, I would probably be looking for months before I found that unicorn. We really wanted it done sooner rather than later.
The top of the vanity was fitted with marble, and we created a simple DIY sink with just a few tools. It turned out beautiful and fairly inexpensive.
Tips:
- I highly recommend doing this in a bathtub or somewhere you don’t care that gets wet. The water will spill everywhere.
- If you find a bowl you love and there are a few, you may consider getting one extra just in case one breaks. Like ours did when the mirror fell on it.
- You can use a variety of furniture to make a sink. An old desk, a vintage dresser, a nightstand, or even build something yourself. Just make sure you get something that fits your space correctly.
- When looking for a bowl, a 16.5″ bowl is the most common and easy to find. Check local antique stores or Etsy.
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FAQ:
Can you have a sink without plumbing?
This is basically like an old washstand. They would fill pitchers with water and then have a standalone bowl that would be used, emptied, and refilled.
Can I make my own vessel sink?
Yes. With just a few tools and a bowl you can make your vessel sink easily.
Can you make any bowl a sink?
Pretty much. You will want to be considerate of the material you use. Ceramic, glass and stainless steel will work. Wood would also work, but may not be able to withstand lots of water without proper sealing.
Tools:
Drill
Guide
Diamond hole saw bit the size of the drain – if using ceramic or glass bowl. If using a metal bowl, you will need a BI-Metal hole saw bit.
Faucet and drain
How To Make A Sink With A Bowl
Find a bowl that you would like to create a sink out of. I used a vintage ceramic bowl.
Position the bowl where you would like to install it on a countertop.
Place the guide in the middle of the bowl or where you would like to put the drain.
Fill the bowl up with water. This is because you use a diamond hole saw bit to cut the hole and are cutting porcelain/ceramic. It is a lot like cutting tile and the water prevents it from overheating.
I recommend doing this step in a bathtub, because when the hole is drilled, water will spill out everywhere. If you do it somewhere else, no big deal. Water will get everywhere – just wipe it up.
Drill the hole using the guide and the diamond hole saw bit, making sure you drill straight down.
Drill until the hole is completely through the bowl.
Add a bead of silicone around the bottom of the bowl and place the sink on the counter in the correct position. Wipe any excess silicone away.
Install the drain kit and hook up the plumbing. The drain stem slides in from the top and then it gets a big nut with a rubber washer that fastens to the sink top.
Lisa, how do the kids do with this style of sink? I love the look of it, but am curious as we have a big family, too and I’m wondering if it would be practical with the kiddos. Thank you!
It works for our family! The kids haven’t had an issue with it yet.
What kind of drain did you use? Does it have an overflow part in the drain? If so, how did you close it off?
Hello, how do you determine the height of the vanity vs the height of the bowl?? We live in a 60 yr old cabin with an extremely small bathroom. Our vanity can’t be wider than 19″. We can build one with a granite top, but the whole thing needs to end up at the best height. Help please.
Cathy
Drummond Island MI
I usually like for my vanity to be around the height of my hip or just above, before I add a bowl on top. Hope this helps.
I’m wanting to do something similar, but the hole that I drill through the bowl doesn’t allow for the drain to sit flush with the bottom of the bowl. In a lot of sinks, I see a “depression” or bevel around the main hole to allow the drain to sit down in there and not have a lip, but I can’t find any kind of tool for that. How did you get around this issue? Is your drain different?
In wood, edge profiling is often done with a router bit. Your question made me curious so I did a google search to see if they have diamond router bits for cutting other materials, and sure enough they do! I’d start there. Maybe a cove bit?
I am looking to do with with an old sewing table as my base… How tall does the top of the vanity need to be before adding the bowl. I’m a little confused on the measurements haha! Not sure how tall it should be to the top of the bowl?
That would all depend on your preference and space limitations.
Where do you get the guide, having trouble finding
We found it at Lowes I believe.
Love this vintage bowl idea! Never thought I could DIY a sink – might try this out!
Thank you!
I’m curious as to how these are holding up? I’ve been looking at wash basins at antique stores and most are white ironstone and you can see crackling in the glaze on all of them. I’m wondering if that would lead to staining? Any tips when looking for one?
So far so good! We have had them less than a year though. They were designed for washing, so I’m thinking they should be fine.
Do you have a link for the faucet? This is what I am trying to do but I can’t find a vessel sink that will work. Did you find these bowls at antique shops?
Here are the faucets- https://amzn.to/3MA1lsz I found the bowls at an antique shop and Facebook marketplace.
Lisa, there seems to be nothing you can’t do.
This is such a cool idea and I love how unique one can make it.
Thanks for sharing!