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Basin Buying Guide: Help Choosing A Bathroom Sink

Basin Buying Guide: Help Choosing A Bathroom Sink
Zoe
Written By: | House Designer Expert
Last Updated Oct 24,2022

A bathroom sink, or wash basin, is one of the key focal points of any bathroom. Of all your bathroom fittings, your basin is arguably where you’ll spend the most time. For that reason, it needs to be right.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional Victorian-style basin or a contemporary semi pedestal basin, we have the perfect solution for you here at Bathroom Takeaway. Find out everything you need to know about choosing the right basin for you.

What To Look For When Buying A Bathroom Sink?

There are several elements to bear in mind when choosing a bathroom wash basin. We’ve produced this bathroom sink buying guide to arm you with all the facts you’ll need to make an informed decision. So, what should you look for?

Bathroom & Basin Dimensions

When it comes to choosing a bathroom sink, size matters. First and foremost, it’s the size of your bathroom that will determine which style of basin will best fit the space. For instance, if you have a sizable bathroom to work with, then a conventional pedestal basin can be the perfect centrepiece. On the other hand, a countertop basin offers contemporary, minimalist style.

Smaller bathrooms, such as cloakrooms or en-suites, might require a more innovative approach. This is where compact semi-pedestal basins and cloakroom basins come into their own. We have a range of space-saving options suitable for even the tiniest of spaces and they are every bit as stunning as they are practical.

Choice Of Taps

The type of taps you choose can make or break the aesthetic appeal of your basin. It’s important to choose a tap that blends with your basin and your bathroom.

Certain types of bathroom sinks can also have a bearing on your choice of tap. That’s because some feature a central tap hole for a mixer tap, whereas others have two for traditional hot and cold taps.

Mounting And Additional Parts

Don’t forget to consider your mounting options. Practical essentials like basin wastes and bottle traps aren’t normally included with your basin. Basin waste is a channel connecting the sink to the waste water pipe and acts as a slot for your plug. Bottle trap, in turn, is the piping connecting the basin waste to the outlet pipe.

Mounting options, including wall-mounting or on top of a unit, can significantly change your installation, so are worth bearing in mind before you buy.


Abbey Traditional 595mm Basin with Full Pedestal

How To Choose A Bathroom Sink

There are several types of bathroom sinks to choose from when planning your bathroom overhaul. Nowadays, there are various modern options available. Each option comes with its own distinct design characteristics, which gives you plenty of scope to work with.

Full Pedestal Basin

The classic full pedestal basin is your archetypal bathroom sink that’s sure to bring a dash of sophistication to any bathroom. Available in contemporary and traditional designs, full pedestal sinks offer timeless styling that will seamlessly blend with the rest of your suite. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, which means there’s always a best-fit design for you. Plus, with our 10-year ‘Fit and Forget’ guarantee across all our basins, you can enjoy an extra peace of mind.

Semi-Pedestal Basin

If floor space is an issue in your bathroom, then semi-pedestal basin could be the perfect choice for you. These space-saving sinks are fully wall-mounted, with just a partial pedestal to hide the pipework under your basin. Ideal for cloakroom and en-suite bathrooms, semi pedestal basins give you all the refinement of a full pedestal, but with a cool, contemporary twist. If you want to make your small bathroom feel bigger, then a semi pedestal can work wonders.

Cloakroom Basin

Of course, you could go one step further in the space-saving department by opting for a cloakroom basin. These supremely compact basins are specially designed to fit even the most petite bathroom spaces. If you thought all that functionality means scrimping on style then guess again. Our beautiful cloakroom basins are small but oh-so-perfectly formed, offering some of the sleekest designs around.

Counter Top Basins

Counter top basins are designed to sit serenely on top of a worktop or vanity unit. Their minimalist design, often shaped like a free-standing bowl, gives countertop basins a truly luxurious feel.

Paired with a gorgeous vanity unit, these stylish basins can inject a high degree of flair to any bathroom while adding storage space. All of our countertop basins are sleek, striking and built to last. They’re the perfect accompaniment to our chic range of countertops.

What Is The Best Material For A Bathroom Basin?

As the basin has developed over the last two centuries (originally named a washstand), so has the material they are made from. In the 17th-century, washstands (now known as basins) were typically made from stone, lead, marble or iron. As the 18th-century came around, cast-iron basins began to be coated in white porcelain enamel. These type of basins quickly became popular and provided foundations for the ever-popular ceramic basin we see today.

Whilst in this century, basins are now available in a variety of other materials such as tempered glass, natural stone and even timber amongst others; the ceramic basin is still hands-down the most popular material for a bathroom basin.

Ceramic is typically known for its bright white appearance, a colour that is associated both with traditional and modern bathrooms. It is scratch resistant, durable and easy to clean which is why you can’t go wrong with a ceramic bathroom basin.

All of our basins are made from ceramic and some are even vitreous coated, which is an enamel coating applied to our basins. This increases not only strength and durability, but also adds to the glossy finish of the bathroom basins, perfect for your brand new bathroom.

Are Bathroom Basins Available In Different Shapes?

In addition to the different styles and materials that bathroom basins are available in, there are also different shapes to consider. These shapes vary depending on the sort of basin you’re looking for. For example, there are many more options in regards to basin shape when looking at a countertop basin over a pedestal basin.

Pedestal basins and semi-pedestal basins generally come in round, curved D-shape and square options, whilst countertop basins usually have a few more options such as square, round, bowl, and oval

Consider how the shape will impact the feel of your bathroom and how it ties in with other elements within.

Ivory Vanity Unit Countertop Basin Floor Standing 600mm

Where To Buy A Bathroom Basin

Bathroom Takeaway is one of the UK’s leading online bathroom retailers. We offer the finest bathroom products at unbeatable prices. Our Everyday Low-Price Promise means that you can splash out on your dream bathroom today. We aim to give you the highest quality bathroom products at honest, affordable prices.

Buying bathroom furniture and fittings has never been so straightforward. Simply visit our online store, browse our extensive selection of more than 200,000 bathroom products and pay securely online.

We'll ship your goods directly to your door and, if your order is over £399, we’ll even deliver them for free. In the unlikely event that you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase, we’ll give you our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. However, we’re sure you’ll be over the moon with the standard of products and services available at Bathroom Takeaway.

Zoe

House Designer Expert

Make your house a home with our house designing expert Zoe! Her knowledge of designing homes with specific knowledge in bathrooms is gospel to the Bathroom Takeaway Team! Check out her blogs to see her design ideas.