Good reminder on the wall support—seen a few horror stories myself. Couple more things from my own install:
- Double-check your plumbing alignment BEFORE you commit. Pedestal sinks give you zero wiggle room if your pipes are off-center.
- Budget-wise, pedestal sinks seem cheaper at first glance, but factor in extra hardware and possible plumbing tweaks...it adds up quick.
- Storage is basically nonexistent, so plan ahead for shelves or cabinets nearby.
Still love mine, but definitely learned the hard way that prep is everything.
Great points, especially about plumbing alignment. Learned that one the hard way myself—thought I had everything measured perfectly, but ended up having to redo some piping last-minute. Definitely not fun when you're already knee-deep into the install.
One thing I'd add from my own experience: don't underestimate the importance of securing the pedestal base properly. It's tempting to rely mostly on the wall mount, but if someone leans or bumps into it (kids, pets, clumsy guests...), you want that base rock solid. I ended up using a couple discreet anchor bolts into the floor—made a huge difference in stability and peace of mind.
Also, totally agree on storage. We went minimalist at first, thinking we'd enjoy the clean look. But after a couple weeks of toothbrushes and soap cluttering up every available surface, we caved and installed a small floating shelf nearby. It doesn't take away from the aesthetic too much and makes daily life way easier.
Budget-wise, you're spot-on. Pedestal sinks seem like a steal initially, but those little extras really sneak up on you. Between extra plumbing fittings, anchors, caulk, and shelves...my "cheap" upgrade ended up costing nearly as much as a decent vanity would have.
Still, no regrets here either. The bathroom feels more spacious now, and cleaning around it is a breeze compared to our old bulky vanity. Just gotta be realistic about prep work and hidden costs—like you said, prep is everything.
Good call on anchoring the base—I skipped that step initially, thinking the wall mount would be enough, but ended up going back to secure it properly after a few wobbly scares. Another thing I'd mention is faucet choice. Pedestal sinks often have limited deck space, so double-check faucet dimensions carefully. I bought one that looked great online but ended up splashing water everywhere because the spout was too long...lesson learned the soggy way.
Totally agree about faucet sizing—been there myself. Another thing to consider is storage. Pedestal sinks look sleek, but you'll lose cabinet space underneath. I ended up installing a small wall shelf nearby for essentials...keeps things tidy without cluttering the sink area.
