How to Choose Bathroom Basins

The process of choosing the right basin sink for your bathroom begins in the same manner as any decorating project anywhere in the home.  You start with a description of how you use the bathroom.

The function of a sink basin in a guest powder room is different than the function of a sink in a master bathroom.  Since powder rooms are frequently smaller, they will require a smaller sink and since they are only used for hand washing, the depth of the sink is not an issue.

Sink basins in a master bathroom are used for shaving, face washing, and teeth cleaning –all tasks that are better performed in a deeper sink.  Storage might be an issue in both kinds of bathrooms.  The absence of bathroom cabinetry to store toilet paper or cleaning accessories might dictate the selection of a vanity cabinet style bathroom sink basin.  If storage is not an issue, a stylish pedestal sink is a possibility.

Before searching for either style of basin sink, you need to determine your plumbing requirements.   Unless you are planning a major bathroom remodel where fixtures will be moved, your plumbing piping will remain in place.  While most water supply pipes are located in the walls, some come up through the floor, which would eliminate most pedestal sink basins from consideration as the unattractive piping and water connectors would be visible.

Drain piping is almost always in the wall, but it is not always positioned in the center of where you want to place a vanity cabinet.  These are called offset drains, and if you have a drain offset to the left you need to know this before you look for vanity cabinets.  Why?  Many come with drawer storage and if the drawers are pre-assembled on the left side of the cabinet, they won’t work with an offset left drain.

With a center drain, pedestal basin sinks are a possibility but even here, you need to know how high the drain pipe is from the floor.  Some high end pedestal basin sinks have closed bottoms.  With a center drain near the floor, the trap fittings needed to connect the sink to the wall drain will not clear the closed bottom of the sink.

If your budget permits, it’s a good idea to consult with whomever you will be hiring to install the basin sink for advice before you buy.  If not, create a rough sketch of your wall, with measurements for where the drain and water supply pipes are placed and take it with you as you shop.

Both pedestal basin sinks and vanity cabinets are available in decorating styles to suit your décor.  A very popular contemporary trend is the under-counter basin sink available for use with vanity cabinets.  The sink itself is fused to the countertop and gives a sleek modern look and is very easy to clean.

While it is possible to buy a basin vanity top and the vanity cabinet as separate items, it is generally cheaper to buy them as a combination unit.   Traditional china tops work well with traditional décor but for a more modern look, granite tops are now commonly available in a variety of color finishes.

The final consideration is the faucet taps.  If your existing taps are in excellent condition and you like their style, make sure they will fit the new basin sink you purchase.   To ensure a proper fit, you need to measure the distance between the supply inlets from underneath your existing sink.