Does your powder room need a facelift? Is your guest bath worse for wear? Have you decided it’s time to master a master bath? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. In recent years, plumbing-fixture designers have created an array of high-style bathroom lavatories that turn what was once a mundane fixture into a showstopper.

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, “lavvy.” 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 other materials, including very popular glass bathroom sinks, metal sinks, and sinks made of almost anything that holds water. Many come with beautiful hand-painted detail, which adds instant character to a bathroom.

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 an open table base. These are popular for their vintage style and furniture-like look.

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 a similar range of price points.

Integral-bowl or solid-surface countertops are simple and low-maintance: The countertop flows seamlessly into the bowl. These maximize available workspace 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, seek out a style that offers enough countertop space 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 Bath Designer (CBD) who has met the 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. With planning and appropriate choices, you can assemble a scheme that’s both practical and a reflection of your family’s style.