8 Simple Questions to Help Find the Right Washbasin
Congratulations! You’ve decided to remodel your bathroom. That’s a biggie in itself. Because you know it’s just the start of a whole new decision-making process involving design, products, suppliers, tradespeople and money. So, we’re going to take one of those decisions – “which washbasin should I buy?” – and give you a little help with it… just because you’ve got a lot to think about already.
Peace DuPont™ Corian® Double Vanity Top
1. Washbasin or vanity top?
“What’s the difference?” is usually the first question people ask when we pose this particular conundrum. Well, it’s pretty straightforward. A washbasin is a complete unit that’s either freestanding, counter-top or wall mounted. A vanity top is the flat surface with sink incorporated that sits on top of a piece of furniture.
It’s really a question of space, taste and budget. A washbasin will tend to set you back a bit less financially as, firstly, they tend to be priced a little lower and you don’t have to buy the piece of furniture within which they sit. A vanity top gives you much more flexibility in terms of design – you can pair it with whatever piece of furniture you want, especially when it’s made-to-measure. In terms of space, well, a vanity top allows you to maximise your space by combining it with a storage unit.
Carrara C2 Marble Wall Mounted Double Washbasin
2. Double or single basin?
This should be fairly straightforward to answer. If you live alone and/or have a small bathroom, you’re obviously going to choose a single washbasin. It’s if you have a significant other or kids who like to freshen up at the same time as you in the morning, then you’re going to want to consider getting a double washbasin (sometimes known as a, ‘Jack and Jill’ washbasin, though it’s a bit of an old-fashioned term).
Yes, a double washbasin will cost you more, of course, but the peace it will bring might well be worth the investment.
Grape Solid Surface Wall Mounted Washbasin
3. What material should I choose?
Again, this is mainly a question of style and budget. If you want something opulent and jaw-dropping, you need to be looking at marble. It can be used in the most amazing contemporary settings but it’s also utterly timeless. If you want minimalist austerity, you should be choosing a Dupont™ Corian® washbasin or vanity. The material is matt finish and softly chalky to the touch, it retains its newness for years and years and it comes in a range of amazing colours. If you want Corian® style but don’t have the budget, there are a range of other solid surface materials you can choose from.
Venice Wall Mounted Washbasin customised in DuPont™ Corian® Laguna
4. What kind of space am I working with?
If your bathroom is a box-shaped room with a fairly standard layout and plenty of space, the world is your oyster, really, in terms of where to source your products. If you have a more specific layout in mind, though, or if you’re working in a strangely shaped room or trying to squeeze the maximum amount of usage out of the space, you’re going to want to get a washbasin or vanity that’s been made to measure. Custom built products cost a bit more, but they tend to be of a higher standard of design, better built and will look like they belong in the room.
Dietes Solid Surface Counter Top Washbasin
5. Should I just get my fitter to source something for me?
If you don’t care too much about how your bathroom will look, sure, get the plumber or installer to source the basin for you. But surely not. It’s your bathroom – you can’t just take it back if you don’t like it, once it’s been installed.
Find a fitter who’ll work with you so you can have the products you want. That might mean scheduling their work to coincide with the arrival of your washbasin or vanity. The best thing to do is to make sure it’s delivered before they’re due to start work. If you have the space to store it, build in a few weeks to leave room for error. Or pencil a couple of potential dates with the fitter and stagger the work in the bathroom to give you that margin.
Key Island DuPont™ Corian® Double Washbasin
6. If I don’t want marble, am I stuck with the choice of a white ceramic washbasin?
No. Absolutely not. There are loads of solid surface producers making washbasins and vanity tops in black, which is incredibly popular at the moment. And Dupont™ Corian® recently issued a whole new collection of amazing colours to choose from. The white shades alone number 15, so you can just imagine the rest. You can find washbasins in everything from wood textured Mahogany Nuwood Corian® to the startling Citrus Orange Corian®. The only limit to the look of your basin is your imagination, to be honest.
Alabama Plus DuPont™ Corian® Wall Mounted Washbasin
7. This one looks like it doesn’t have a plug. Does it have a plug?
Truth is, not all washbasins do anymore. It’s getting rarer and rarer that people fill up their basins to use them. It’s more economical and better for the environment not to waste so much water, for starters. And, before you write off a washbasin because it doesn’t fill up, take into account the design. Sometimes drainage can be built into the styling, like with the Alabama model by Galfia, which planes the water along the angled bottom of the Corian® basin. Who needs a plug?
Nevada DuPont™ Corian® Wall Mounted Double Washbasin
8. What if I don’t like it once it’s been installed?
Well, unless you’re so wealthy and frivolous that you don’t mind ripping it out and starting over, it’s sort of tough, really, isn’t it? So the answer is: take your time, consider all the options and choose wisely from as many different suppliers as you can find.
You’re looking for three qualities above all (these are our own company’s benchmarks for luxury, in fact):
- Design quality – is it stunning, timeless and does it deliver wow factor?
- Build quality – has it been built to last from the best materials available?
- Customisability – can I get it made to fit my specific needs?
Of course, it’s subjective and you’ll have your own quality standards that help you to make the best decisions, but if the answer to all three of those questions is ‘yes’, then you’ve definitely found a keeper.
Now check out our Guide for Shopping for Bathtubs.