The Basics Of Choosing A Basin For Your Bathroom

When it comes to choosing a new basin for your bathroom, you will be spoilt for choice with sizes, shapes and styles. You will need to consider several factors to help narrow down your selection, such as: how much space you have available, who will be using this bathroom and the style of bathroom you’re creating.

What’s the perfect basin type for your bathroom?

Will this basin mainly be used by adults, children, guests… or all of these? This is important when considering how many basins you need and what shape they should be to suit your style. If you experience the 'morning rush hour', then a double basin might come in handy. An above counter basin is perfect for an ensuite, but for the kids’ or family bathroom, this may be too high and an inset or vanity basin might be the better option.

There are six types of basins - let’s take a look at the differences:

Above counter: installed directly on top of a vanity with minimal installation requirements. They’re ideal for tall people as the rims are positioned above waist height and can also help compensate for low counters in the bathroom.

Inset / Under counter: designed to be installed into the vanity top, like vanity basins, but giving the look of an above counter basin. Reducing the appearance of the basin rim without reducing the depth of the bowl.

Semi recessed: designed to give more usable vanity space by partially overhanging the vanity.

Wall-hung: fixed directly to the wall with brackets and don’t require a vanity for installation. Perfect for saving space in a small bathroom or powder room.

Freestanding / floor-mounted: like the name suggests, they are floor-mounted and stand away from the wall. Can be a good option for powder rooms where vanity storage isn’t required.

Wall basin with integrated vanity: new and exclusive to our Caroma Elvire range, these basin/vanity combos are the next level in basin design.

What style of bathroom are you creating?

We recommend starting any bathroom renovation by making a mood board. This is to set the style for the bathroom you’re creating and help make important decisions, like the style of basin you require. Are you going for a classic look, or soft-edged and organic, or perhaps something minimalist and contemporary? Whichever, you decide, be clear about your choice and stick to it. With the amount of basin designs out there, knowing exactly the look you're after will help you make the right choice.

Remember to consider your tapware and vanity:

The type of basin you choose will influence your choice of tapware, so it’s important to get it right! Most bathroom basins in Australia are available with a choice of either one or three tap holes. If you opt for wall-mounted tapware, you won’t need any tap holes at all. For this reason, it’s important to choose your basin and tapware in unison.

Vanities are often used for storage, and ample storage means less clutter on the vanity top and enables you be more organised. When creating a powder room, it’s likely you won't require as much vanity space and a wall-hung or freestanding basin could be used.

Whilst vanity cupboards provide the ultimate storage, other items can also be used including mirrored bathroom cabinets above the vanity, some open shelving for fresh towels, or recessed walls in the shower to sit those shampoo and cleanser bottles. Wicker baskets underneath or to the side of the vanity are great storage options, and the advantage is that they double as a styling piece.