A Little Bit of Bath Sinks: Fittings with Big Decor Potential
When it comes to giving a bathroom some styling up, we each have our own idea of what tweaks and accents would make it perfect. From rich colours, luxe fixtures, replacing a tub with a sleek shower, it’s easy to forget that basins have their own importance too. So, if you’re planning a bath redo, a new basin sink is a stylish, affordable and quick update. For something we often take for granted, wash hand basins offer a lot in terms of functionality and decor.
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What Goes into Choosing the Ideal Basin?
As the stores are abundant when it comes to stylish bath sink designs (and at convenient prices, for that matter), it’s advisable to consider a few things to avoid making mistakes with the purchase. Hence, if you want it to be your statement piece start considering:
The Style
Perhaps you want to use the bathroom as the one room where your eclectic style shines. Or maybe you’d like to translate the modern style you already have in the home and make your bath stand out with well-chosen furnishings. Whichever sounds more like you, be assured there’s a wash basin that will suit your style.
The eclectic mix calls for a new piece with a retro appeal. For example, a white rectangular sink with a black rim as a finishing touch, made from vitreous china that gives off minimal smoothness would fit great even in Scandinavian style homes. For the modern bathroom, marble is always a good idea. It brings warmth, texture and interest, especially when it’s got some gold details.
In case you’re up for making a bath sink the focal point of the room, opt for a piece that truly grabs all the attention. A traditional bowl in black for the dramatic outcome, a pedestal piece with classic beauty, or a transparent bowl made from glass for a sleek touch are perfect for the bathroom that lacks windows.
The Mounting Options
Not less important than the style, the mounting of the sink is related to your bathroom as a whole, specifically the size and the storage needs.
- If you have a small bathroom and you can’t afford to waste any centimetre of space, the countertop basins are perfect for vanities with cabinets. Not only do they provide you with enough elbow space, they also offer extra storage. Depending on the style you’re after, you can have the vessel sink (i.e. above-the-counter model) for a distinct look, or the more seamless integrated, drop-in and under-mount models.
- For minimalist and industrial homes, wall-mounted sinks would be the best option. These models also make a great choice for tiny bathrooms as they don’t take up much of the floor space (they only occupy some space on the wall) and provide an open floor plan.
- Those up for a mix of both modern and vintage (and where space isn’t an issue) could give the pedestal models a go. Though they don’t necessarily take up much space, they don’t offer any storage which can be a drawback for smaller bathrooms.
The Material
In terms of appearance as well as ease of maintenance, you can’t overlook the material the bath sink is made from. Some of the typical materials for sinks are traditional ceramics, vitreous china and fireclay. However, you aren’t out of options if you’re looking for something other than these classics, be it a natural stone, cast iron, stainless steel, brass, and glass which is perfect for combining with the bath shower screen.
If easy maintenance, durability and stain resistance are what you look for in a sink, then opt for vitreous china and ceramics like porcelain that make cleaning it a piece of cake. Stainless steel is another material that won’t give you too much trouble, unlike natural stone or glass. Natural stone does give off an incredible warmth and texture, however it can be porous. It’s prone to staining and requires more maintenance, same as certain finishes like copper. Glass bathroom sinks also require some work when it comes to removing water stains. Moreover, they’re prone to scratches but are also more durable than they seem.
The Faucet
Same as you’d take into consideration various specifications (size, material, design) when deciding which sink basin would be the best fit for your bath, you should pay attention to the choice of the faucet too. This is important because some sinks come with pre-drilled holes, and the number of holes might not be suitable with those from your chosen faucet. The single-hole faucet model is the single handle though sometimes it might require three holes. The same goes for the models which come with separate handles for the hot and cold water.
To avoid any mistakes, it’s advisable to also consider the finish along with the sink style. For instance, faucets suitable for vessel sinks may not pair well with wall-mounted models. Think of it this way, the more you learn prior to the shopping, the better the shopper you’re going to be.
