In most homes, the bathroom is one of the rooms where one can unwind. The sound of flowing water is always relaxing. The décor of a bathroom needs to keep this fact in mind. In fact, most homeowners give equal weightage to the décor of the bathroom as much as the bedroom.
While the bath elements like the showerheads and bodysprays generally get priority of importance, often the humble washbasin gets some neglect. But it must not be so. Everyone looks at the washbasin often as we wash hands more than we take bath. A washbasin must be esthetically appealing as well as functionally robust.
Washbasins come in different materials such as stone, ceramic, glass, or metal. They also come in different styles such as above counter, pedestal, wall-mounted, and others.
Let us explore some ways of choosing the most suitable washbasin for your bathroom.
Top-mount Basin
It is probably the most commonly used washbasin, a top-mount basin, as the name suggests, is designed to sit on top of the bench. Most of the basin sits below the benchtop, with just the rim of the basin sitting on top of, and visible above, the benchtop. The rim can either be very slim or a bit chunky, depending on the style you choose.
Top-mount basins are suitable with pretty much any benchtop material including wood and laminate, as the cut out is completely covered by the basin and therefore there is no of its being damaged by water. They are also less costly to install into a stone benchtop because they don’t require laborious polishing of the cut-out edges as with an under-mount basin.
Under-mount Basin
An under-mount basin is one that sits underneath the benchtop. The rim of the sink is fixed to the underside of the benchtop, as opposed to sitting on top of it.
This style creates a very seamless, clean look, as less of the actual basin is visible. Another advantage is that water and spills can be wiped directly from the benchtop into the sink without any obstruction, making it a great, easy-to-clean addition to family bathrooms. However, they tend to cost more than top-mount basins.
Wall-mounted Basin
A simple wall-mounted basin is one that is fixed directly to the wall without needing it to sit in or on a benchtop. It looks streamlined and gives a minimalist feeling to the room that it’s in.
A wall-mounted basin doesn’t have any cabinets below it, which saves on space and also leaves more visible floor area, making the room feel bigger. Therefore, it is ideal for smaller bathrooms. In order for a wall mounted basin to work in your space, all the plumbing, including the waste, must be positioned inside the wall in order to have a clean look.
Pedestal Basin
If your basin preference is a simple wall-mounted basin, but your waste pipe has to go through the floor and can’t be changed, then a pedestal basin is a great option.
The pedestal under the basin sits between the underside of the basin and the floor, concealing any pipework in between. A pedestal basin is also aesthetically pleasing and perfect if you want to add a classical vibe to your bathroom. The only problem is that there is no storage space below the basin, and they are a bit tricky to clean.
Vessel Basin
A vessel basin is one that generally sits completely on top of your benchtop, although there are some models that sit partially below the bench.
Unlike most other basins that have little or none of the basins exposed above the bench, vessel basins demand attention and are a great way of creating a statement in your bathroom.
As the name suggests, a vessel basin is basically like a large bowl, so they are a great choice if you like a deep basin that you can hold plenty of water in.
However, the positioning needs careful planning so as to avoid the bowl being too high and uncomfortable. It is also a bit tricky to clean, especially the lower part of the bowl.
Semi-recessed Basin
If your bathroom has limited space, but you would still like some vanity cabinets below your basin for storage, then a semi-recessed basin might be the solution you need.
A semi-recessed basin sits proudly at the front of cabinets, and the benchtop that it sits on, allowing you to have much shallower cabinets – depending on the basin you choose. This frees up valuable floor space. It also keeps a lot of the bench space free for your cosmetics and products. Much like a pedestal basin, they are a good option for young children and people with limited mobility, as you can get closer to the basin to reach the tap without the obstruction of a benchtop and cabinets. However, there is a possibility of splashes spreading onto the floor, especially with children.
Once you decide to choose the right washbasin for your bathroom, carefully assess the available space, plumbing of your bathroom and measure the dimension of the washbasin. Such careful planning will help you to avoid any unnecessary hassles in the future.
