Does your powder room need a shake-up? Has your guest bath overstayed its welcome? If you've decided to master a master bath—or any bath—you're in for a surprise. In recent years, plumbing-fixture designers have penned a pack of pedestal sinks and high-style bathroom sinks (or "lavatories") that turn what was once a mundane fixture into a piece de resistance. It's time to say au revoir to your washed-up washbowl.

But first, let's clarify the terminology. The correct term for a bathroom sink is "lavatory," a word rooted in the Latin word lavare, meaning "to wash." In the industry, "lavatory" is often shortened to "lav" or, in contractor lingo, "lavy." The term "sink" fits if the lavatory tops a pedestal, as in "pedestal sink."

From white porcelain classics to colorful contemporaries, lavatories are made in hundreds of styles and finishes. Most bowls and sink pedestals are made from vitreous clay or fire clay, but you'll also find a variety of lavs made from glass, metal or any other material that holds water. Many come with beautiful hand-painted detail, a look that adds instant character to a bathroom.

Prices for lavatories and pedestal sinks are all over the map. Low-end, value-priced fixtures can be purchased at home improvement centers for under $100. At the high end, the sky is the limit. Most large manufacturers offer fixtures at different price points.

Lavatories are categorized by their support method: the familiar pedestal sinks, wall-mounted lavs and countertop-mounted lavatory basins, as well as console sinks, which rest a large basin on a open, table base. These are popular for their vintage style and furniture-like look.

Integral-bowl or solid-surface countertops are simple and low-maintance: the countertop flows seamlessly into the bowl. These maximize available work space and minimize the problem of water splashing onto the countertop. Undermount sinks are also popular because they allow easy clean-up of the counter and sink. These styles usually cap a vanity cabinet, often called a "bowl-base cabinet," which hides exposed plumbing and provides hidden storage.

During a bath makeover, the challenge is to select fixtures that are both beautiful and appropriate. You may love the look of a pedestal sink, but if you have a bathroom that's going to be used by several family members multiple times daily, seek out a style that offers countertop space on which to store everyone's personal items. Save your design statement for your powder room or low-use guest bath. Pedestal sinks can be surrounded by many of the stylish modular bathroom cabinets and vanity light systems now offered by manufacturers.

It's often very helpful to get professional guidance from a designer, preferably a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) or, better still, a Certified Bath Designer (CBD). These professionals have met certification guidelines established by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

If you're considering a bathroom makeover, the bottom line is to become an informed consumer. Know your options, and study their differences. If necessary, get professional design help. With planning and appropriate choices, you can assemble a scheme that's both practical and a reflection of your family's style.

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