Bathroom sinks: what type to choose?

Guide written on 6 February 2024 by:

Anne, Painter, Cambridge

6 min read

Modern, sophisticated and on trend, a countertop basin will add cachet to any bathroom. Classic and no less sophisticated, hanging or pedestal-mounted sinks are available in up-to-date designs combining hygiene and style. Let's have a look at the pros and cons of the various models of bathroom sink.

Important features

Style
Freestanding or in-built
Material
Shape
Installation

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The different types of bathroom sink

The main difference between a 'washbasin' and a 'sink' comes down to how it's mounted: a washbasin is either mounted on, or integrated within, a surface, while a sink is independent, fixed to the wall (hanging) or supported by a column (pedestal). The water supply goes directly to a conventional sink, whereas with a washbasin, the taps come out on the supporting surface behind the basin itself. Functionally, the two variants are exactly the same: providing access to clean water for washing, shaving etc. The choice between a washbasin and a sink should be made on the basis of bathroom size, budget and personal preferences (storage, appearance, etc.).

In terms of dimensions, considerations vary between washbasins and sinks:

for washbasins, think about height, width and depth, the width generally being between 60 and 90cm on standard models
for sinks, think about width (60-120cm), depth, and the height of the sink itself as well as the total height including the column if relevant. Sink height will be around 85cm - giving you an idea of hand-washing room and the volume of water it can hold

3 types of sink

Sinks come in a wide range of shapes, dimensions and colours. There are three main types.

1. Hanging sink

This type is fitted directly to the wall at your chosen height. Great for reduced-mobility users because of the space it leaves free; can also be fairly small and hence easy to install. Hanging sinks are very easy to maintain and can be had in various shapes and colours.

2. Built-in sink

This type of sink either rests on a platform or is embedded within a storage unit, making it both functional and attractive. These can be an excellent choice for small bathrooms and toilets where they're mainly used for hand-washing. Mini-sinks of this type are currently taking the market by storm.

3. Pedestal sink

These can either consist of a single block (basin plus column) or have a hollow pedestal covering the pipework, not actually supporting the basin which is instead fixed to the wall. Some even have two feet for extra retro points. Bathroom units can be integrated into the sink column, creating a storage system which can otherwise be lacking with this type of sink.

Bathroom washbasins: the cutting edge

Thanks to the many shapes available (round, square, rectangular, oval), as well as materials (resin, stone, teak, ceramic, glass, stainless steel) and colours (red, grey, black, clear), this fashionable alternative has become more and more popular in contemporary bathrooms.

Consumers seem particularly taken with the double-basin models, although these are only viable in large bathrooms with sufficient space (width 150-200cm plays 70cm for a basic model).

3 types of washbasin

Here things can also be divided into three categories: countertop basins, built-in basins and surface basins.

countertop basin

This type adds original aesthetic value to the bathroom unit that supports it, provided you combine the colours and materials carefully. A stone basin on a teak bathroom unit, for instance, or white ceramic on a black lacquer unit.

Built-in washbasin

This is distinct from a built-in conventional sink in that a broad lip is left around the basin in the top of the supporting unit. Generally made of ceramic, built-in basins are also available in a variety of shapes and colours.

Surface basin

If a washbasin and the surface it's embedded in are a single piece of the same material, this is known as a surface basin. Made of resin, ceramic or glass, these can be fairly large in size (between 70 and 120cm). Just like conventional sinks, they can be hanging (fixed to the wall with rawlplugs), resting on a pedestal, or integrated into a furniture unit which may be tiled. In the latter camp, the supporting unit is completely watertight and can be sized to your suit your requirements and made to fit in with your bathroom decor, so you can let your creativity run wild!

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Sinks

Different available materials

As regards materials, a wide range is now available on the sink and washbasin market. Appearance and ease of cleaning are the main criteria when thinking about what material to choose.

	Resin	Glass	Stone	Ceramic
Choice of colours / textures	***	***	**	*
Ease of maintenance	***	*	**	***
Resistance to scratches	***	**	***	***
Resistance to shocks	***	*	***	**

*Poor **Average ***Excellent

Bathroom taps: the original customizable accessory

Taps have an important role to play in the appearance of your bathroom. They add the finishing touches to your decoration. Ultra-modern, classic, retro… many different styles of bathroom taps are available. A strong choice of taps will really set off your contemporary washbasin or add character to your old-fashioned bathroom sink.

Tap height and spout length together determine the clearance available for washing hands; the jets should always be kept central. If you really want to take your sink to the next level, install taps with infra-red motion detectors - to save water and maximize hygiene!

Learn more about bathroom design...

To find out more about bathroom design, follow our editors' advice and check out their other guides:

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See our bathroom sinks and washbasins !

Guide written by:

Anne, Painter, Cambridge

After 8 years of trade, I turned professional: I trained myself to be a painter and carpet fitter, either on my own or with 16 year old comrades. 9 months later, following vocational training, I created my company. I’m a self-taught DIYer and decoration enthusiast, I love to find and restore furniture and to create unique decoration pieces. I completed the renovation of my sister’s house with my niece: electrics, tiling, plasterboard...we did it all. And today, if I can share my experience I'm happy to do it. Good Luck.