Choosing your bathroom basin
This article is written to highlight some of the key decisions when choosing a new bathroom basin. The right basin fits in with the way you live. Consider the following questions before you choose.
- What are your storage needs?
- Have you considered different types of sinks?
- What materials need special care?
Your storage needs
Vanity cabinets and built-in cabinetry offer the greatest variety of storage, and depending on the size and material of the countertop, dictate the type, size, and shape of basin that will fit.
Solid surface countertops such as marble, granite, wood, and manmade materials will allow for an under-mounted basin installation. Consider a recessed or semi recessed basin in these cases. This type of installation maximizes the countertop area, and the seamless design is easy to keep clean. Our Laufen range offer uncomplicated countertop basins.
Types of basin
- Recessed basins are available in a range of sizes and decorative shapes, and with a choice of faucet drillings. Our top seller is the Laufen Pro drop-in washbasin. Semi-recessed basins ar those basins that are partially exposed and mounted onto a cabinet.
- Pedestal basins are available in styles ranging from contemporary to Victorian. They work very well when used in small areas. Pedestals have a generous bowl, but don't offer much sink decking or storage. If you choose a basin with a stylised pedestal, you may want to consider a matching toilet. See our pedestal basins page for ideas or our bathroom suites for our top selling examples.
- Freestanding basins are fashionable and always make a bold design statement. However, the taps you choose must have a spout that is long and high enough to reach the bowl, or you may consider a wall-mounted tap. Freestanding basins are also usually made without an overflow, so they must be fitted with a grid drain.
- Wall-hung basins keep the floor area free when space is restricted. If you are concerned about unsightly pipework, think again There are a wide rande of attractive chrome and gold bottle traps available or you could consider a syphon cover. Several of the Laufen Pro Washbasins have a matching syphon cover which acts as the perfect compromise between pedestal and space optimisation. See our wall-hung basins page for more ideas.
- Corner basins are the most space-economical solutions for small bathrooms and cloakrooms. They are almost always wall-hung and usually only available with one tap hole meaning you will need a single hole (or mono) basin mixer. We have a selection or corner basins to choose from.
Materials and care
Bathroom sinks are available in many materials including vitreous china, cast iron, fireclay, glass, stainless steel, brass, nickel, copper, marble, and stone.
Handpainted finishes are more delicate by nature, requiring special attention when cleaning.
Glass sinks are much tougher than they look, but like other premium materials such as brass and nickel, will show water spots if not wiped down after use.
Vitreous china is very durable and has a smooth, easy-to-clean finish. Offered in a rainbow of colors, choices of handpainted, etched, hammered, matte, and carved finishes must be considered along with material and design.
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