Pedestal sinks are sneaky like that... I swapped one into a rental thinking it'd be a quick upgrade, but ended up scrambling for storage solutions.
—yeah, learned that the hard way. Now there's a random IKEA shelf awkwardly nearby. Live and learn, right?"storage is definitely a trade-off"
Haha, pedestal sinks can definitely catch you off guard. I remember installing one in our guest bathroom thinking it'd look sleek and tidy. Fast forward a week, and suddenly there's nowhere to stash extra towels or cleaning supplies. Ended up grabbing one of those rolling carts from Target—functional enough, but now the bathroom feels a bit crowded. You're definitely not alone... sometimes style comes at a sneaky cost.
Pedestal sinks do have their charm, but practicality often takes a hit. I've seen some folks install floating shelves or wall-mounted cabinets above or beside the sink to reclaim storage space without crowding the floor. Still, it can be tricky balancing aesthetics and functionality. Curious if anyone's tried recessed shelving between studs—does it actually provide enough storage, or is it more hassle than it's worth?
I've considered recessed shelving too, but honestly, from a budget standpoint, it's not always as straightforward as it seems. First, you've got to open up the drywall carefully (which can get messy if you're not used to DIY), make sure there aren't any pipes or wiring in the way, and then frame it properly. After all that, you still end up with fairly shallow shelves—usually only about 3-4 inches deep unless your walls are thicker than standard. Great for small bottles or toiletries, but forget storing towels or bulky items.
That said, if you're handy and patient, it can be a neat solution and does look sleek once done. My friend did this in a guest bath, and while it didn't solve all their storage woes, it definitely helped declutter the sink area without crowding the room visually. Just set realistic expectations: recessed shelves won't replace a traditional vanity cabinet, but they can complement floating shelves or baskets nicely.
We swapped to a pedestal sink last year, and storage was definitely the biggest challenge. Ended up using a combo of floating shelves and baskets made from recycled materials—works pretty well for towels and bulkier stuff. Thought about recessed shelves too, but after hearing your experience, glad we skipped it... sounds like more hassle than it's worth for the limited space gained.
