The Secret to Selecting the Perfect Bathroom Washbasin
Learn the difference between eight different styles of bathroom basins and how to find the perfect one for your space
Anne Ellard
30 October 2018
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane, Australia. I strongly believe that above all else, the most important thing when designing a kitchen is creating something that the client loves!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane,... More
‘Eight’, I hear you say… ‘She can’t possibly be serious, isn’t a basin just a basin?’ But yes, I am serious – and my clients are often left baffled when trying to choose from the available options at their local bathroom supplies store. The truth is that choosing one can be a bit overwhelming, but only when you’re not sure what you’re looking for. Firstly, you will need to consider which room you are shopping for (master ensuite, family bathroom, powder room), who will use the room and how much space you have.
So before you head off to the shops to choose your new bathroom basin, grab a coffee, have a read, and then head out armed with all the information you need to help narrow down the best options for you and your space.
So before you head off to the shops to choose your new bathroom basin, grab a coffee, have a read, and then head out armed with all the information you need to help narrow down the best options for you and your space.
1. Top-mount basin
Probably the most commonly used basin, a top mount, or ‘drop-in sink’, as the name suggests, is designed to sit on top of the bench.
Generally speaking, most of the basin sits below the benchtop, with just the rim of the basin sitting on top of, and visible above, the benchop. The rim can either be very slim or a bit chunkier like the one pictured, depending on the style you choose.
Pros
Top-mount basins are suitable with pretty much any benchtop material including timber and laminate, as the cut out is completely covered by the basin and therefore doesn’t risk 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.
Cons
You can’t wipe water and spills straight from the bench into the basin.
Good for
Elegant ensuites and minimalist schemes.
Probably the most commonly used basin, a top mount, or ‘drop-in sink’, as the name suggests, is designed to sit on top of the bench.
Generally speaking, most of the basin sits below the benchtop, with just the rim of the basin sitting on top of, and visible above, the benchop. The rim can either be very slim or a bit chunkier like the one pictured, depending on the style you choose.
Pros
Top-mount basins are suitable with pretty much any benchtop material including timber and laminate, as the cut out is completely covered by the basin and therefore doesn’t risk 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.
Cons
You can’t wipe water and spills straight from the bench into the basin.
Good for
Elegant ensuites and minimalist schemes.
2. 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.
Pros
This 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.
Cons
Under-mounting a basin will usually only be possible under a solid surface benchtop such as stone, and isn’t suitable with a laminate benchtop, as it can’t be sealed as well against moisture. They also tend to cost more than top-mount basins.
Good for
Busy family bathrooms.
Take a look at these gorgeous basins
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.
Pros
This 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.
Cons
Under-mounting a basin will usually only be possible under a solid surface benchtop such as stone, and isn’t suitable with a laminate benchtop, as it can’t be sealed as well against moisture. They also tend to cost more than top-mount basins.
Good for
Busy family bathrooms.
Take a look at these gorgeous basins
3. 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.
Pros
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. 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.
Cons
There is no storage space and there is a lack of ‘landing space’ due to the absence of a benchtop. Consider your need for storage in your bathroom before opting for a wall-mounted basin and maybe reserve it for the powder room where storage isn’t as necessary.
Good for
Small spaces.
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.
Pros
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. 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.
Cons
There is no storage space and there is a lack of ‘landing space’ due to the absence of a benchtop. Consider your need for storage in your bathroom before opting for a wall-mounted basin and maybe reserve it for the powder room where storage isn’t as necessary.
Good for
Small spaces.
4. 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.
Pros
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.
Cons
Again, consider the fact that you won’t have any storage space under the basin, or any bench space around it. They can also be a bit tricky to clean around, as there is usually a gap between the wall and the back of the pedestal (as pictured here).
Good for
Period properties and traditional schemes.
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
Again, consider the fact that you won’t have any storage space under the basin, or any bench space around it. They can also be a bit tricky to clean around, as there is usually a gap between the wall and the back of the pedestal (as pictured here).
Good for
Period properties and traditional schemes.
5. Semi-recessed basin
If your bathroom or ensuite 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.
Pros
A semi-recessed basin sits proud at the front of cabinets, and the benchtop that it sits on, allowing you to have much shallower cabinets – maybe even as shallow as 300mm, 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.
Cons
The storage space underneath is limited. Also, because there isn’t any benchtop around the front of the basin to catch water, splashes and spills onto the floor are more common, especially if you have children.
Good for
‘Mini me’s’ and beauty queens.
See these gorgeous vanities and basins from around the world
If your bathroom or ensuite 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.
Pros
A semi-recessed basin sits proud at the front of cabinets, and the benchtop that it sits on, allowing you to have much shallower cabinets – maybe even as shallow as 300mm, 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.
Cons
The storage space underneath is limited. Also, because there isn’t any benchtop around the front of the basin to catch water, splashes and spills onto the floor are more common, especially if you have children.
Good for
‘Mini me’s’ and beauty queens.
See these gorgeous vanities and basins from around the world
6. Washplane basin
A washplane basin is the most simplistic of all basins, often spotted in sleek hotels and restaurant bathrooms. It’s slim, streamlined and stylish.
Pros
Washplane basins take up very little space, so they are great in a room where space is limited, such as in a powder room. You can buy a washplane basin, made of ceramic, porcelain or even glass, off the shelf from a bathroom supplies shop. Alternatively, a stonemason can make them from granite, marble or engineered stone. They simply mount a small stainless steel trough under the basin to catch the water before it runs into the waste pipe in the wall behind.
Cons
Washplane basins are best suited to a powder room where the basin will be used just for hand washing. A washplane basin doesn’t have the option of having a plug, plus it is extremely shallow, so it’s not designed to hold water.
Good for
Powder rooms.
A washplane basin is the most simplistic of all basins, often spotted in sleek hotels and restaurant bathrooms. It’s slim, streamlined and stylish.
Pros
Washplane basins take up very little space, so they are great in a room where space is limited, such as in a powder room. You can buy a washplane basin, made of ceramic, porcelain or even glass, off the shelf from a bathroom supplies shop. Alternatively, a stonemason can make them from granite, marble or engineered stone. They simply mount a small stainless steel trough under the basin to catch the water before it runs into the waste pipe in the wall behind.
Cons
Washplane basins are best suited to a powder room where the basin will be used just for hand washing. A washplane basin doesn’t have the option of having a plug, plus it is extremely shallow, so it’s not designed to hold water.
Good for
Powder rooms.
7. 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.
Pros
Unlike most other basins that have little or none of the basin 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.
Cons
Due to the height of vessel basins and the way in which they sit above the bench, careful planning of the bench height, and of the height of the cabinets below, is required to ensure that the basin doesn’t end up being too high and uncomfortable for you to use – this often leads to less storage space under the bench. Cleaning around the base and back of the basin can also be a bit tricky.
Good for
Ensuite bathrooms.
Check out these amazing ensuites
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.
Pros
Unlike most other basins that have little or none of the basin 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.
Cons
Due to the height of vessel basins and the way in which they sit above the bench, careful planning of the bench height, and of the height of the cabinets below, is required to ensure that the basin doesn’t end up being too high and uncomfortable for you to use – this often leads to less storage space under the bench. Cleaning around the base and back of the basin can also be a bit tricky.
Good for
Ensuite bathrooms.
Check out these amazing ensuites
8. All-in-one
Many off the shelf vanity cabinets that can be purchased from bathroom supplies stores offer an all-in-one benchtop and basin that sits on top.
With this style of basin, the basin itself is actually moulded as part of the benchtop. They can be made from various materials such as porcelain or acrylic.
Pros
The main advantage is that it’s so easy to clean. There are no ridges or joins so it’s very streamlined and a great choice for busy family bathrooms.
They are generally available in set standard sizes, however some suppliers may offer the option to have one custom made to the size that suits your space best.
Cons
These all-in-one tops are usually designed so the benchtop gradually slopes down and inwards to create a basin in the middle – this can lead to having less flat bench space to put things on than what you would have had if you opted for a top-mount basin sitting on top of a benchtop, for example.
Good for
Time-poor renovators, and if you need to buy something straight off the shelf and don’t have time to wait for custom made.
Many off the shelf vanity cabinets that can be purchased from bathroom supplies stores offer an all-in-one benchtop and basin that sits on top.
With this style of basin, the basin itself is actually moulded as part of the benchtop. They can be made from various materials such as porcelain or acrylic.
Pros
The main advantage is that it’s so easy to clean. There are no ridges or joins so it’s very streamlined and a great choice for busy family bathrooms.
They are generally available in set standard sizes, however some suppliers may offer the option to have one custom made to the size that suits your space best.
Cons
These all-in-one tops are usually designed so the benchtop gradually slopes down and inwards to create a basin in the middle – this can lead to having less flat bench space to put things on than what you would have had if you opted for a top-mount basin sitting on top of a benchtop, for example.
Good for
Time-poor renovators, and if you need to buy something straight off the shelf and don’t have time to wait for custom made.
Read more:
9 Extraordinary Basin Designs
Tell us:
What basin did you choose for your bathroom? Tell us in the Comments below.
9 Extraordinary Basin Designs
Tell us:
What basin did you choose for your bathroom? Tell us in the Comments below.
What are you working on?
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Bought a house that has vessel sinks in the bathrooms. To make it even worse they are rectangular and the previous owners chose these tall 3 separate piece faucets. There is barely any room between sink and faucets, and faucets and backsplash. I get bruises every stinkin’ time I clean. The sinks also flare out from bottom to top wasting valuable counter space. I can’t wait till I can replace them.
Only undermount for me.
My biggest decision on sinks is what shape to use - oval or rectangular. I’ve personally had both and as a personal choice most often go with oval. It’s easiest to clean, provides a smidge more counter space and is classic.
However, rectangular is highly popular and I understand the draw to the clean lines and modern look. Still, it’s hard to get smooth, nicely polished and even corners in the countertop materials for undermount rectangular sinks.
I think a good compromise would be a rounded rectangle (imagine a miniature standard bathtub) but the sink manufacturers will have to initiate that change.
Maybe they are watching Houzz comments and one will pop up at a 2025 design show… … here’s wishing …
For many years I had an integrated sink in a Corian white top--which was entirely flat, easy to clean. Really a perfect bathroom sink.