How to choose the type and material of your bathroom wash basin?

During your bathroom renovation, the choice of a wash basin deserves particular care. As the flagship of a bathroom, it plays a key role in the harmony and esthetic of your bathroom.

Because the choice of a bathroom wash basin can be a real headache, we are advising you, for a first time, to take a few minutes to think about the following questions:

• What is your budget?

• What type of use would you make of your wash basin?

• What kind of space do you have?

• Which visual aspect do you favor (modern, retro, etc. )?

Once you have all of these elements in mind, you could take some more time to reflect more concretely to the kind of washbasin ( pedestal, built-in, etc. ) and material ( stone, porcelain, etc. ) which corresponds more to your needs. Do not forget that interior designers can help and advise you on your renovations.

Pedestal, suspended, self-supported or built-in: To each bathroom its wash basin! The choice is wide and it is not always easy to pick, each option offering its own advantages and disadvantages.

The pedestal wash basin

Timeless, the bathroom wash basin on pedestal remains an ever so popular option nowadays. Relatively easy to install, it is supported by a pedestal (which can be completed by wall fixings ).

Round, square or rectangular pedestal, this bathroom wash basin gives a sleek style to your bathroom while completely hiding the plumbing. Robust and durable, the pedestal wash basin will resist the hazards of your every day for a long time.

The shadow of its success: The presence of a column reduce considerably the available storage space beneath the wash basin.

The self-supporting wash basin

For a more modern style, choose a self-supporting wash basin which owns its stability to its clean structure, without the addition of a pedestal or any other types of support.

The suspended wash basin

Contrarily to the pedestal wash basin, this suspended bathroom wash basin is fixed directly on your wall and entirely frees the space on the ground. Generally little exploited, this space can become really precious, especially in small bathrooms, like the ones seen in a bachelor. It will grant you the possibility to add a piece of furniture, a clothes basket or storage bins. It also offers more flexibility: the suspended sink can be fixed in the angle of the room and its height is absolutely modular.

However, it is important to make sure that your wall can be solidified to support the weight of your bathroom wash basin. In case of doubts, it might be advised to ask renovation experts.

Also, if you do not add storage spaces beneath your wash basin, your plumbing could be visible. In that case, do not hesitate to ask for the installation of a chromium decorative siphon for a more esthetic look.

The built-in wash basin

The built-in wash basin is directly integrated into a piece of furniture or a counter and does not necessitate wall fixings. It is easy to maintain and minimize splashing risks. Thanks to its easy installation, it can be added to almost any surfaces and offers multiple choices for possible storage and sets of bathroom furniture.

The under-counter wash basin

Chic and elegant, the under-counter wash basin ( or under-plan ) grants the ability to increase the appeal of a marble or granite counter.  It also limits splashing risks.

The over-the-counter sink

Contrarily to the built-in wash basin, the over-the-counter wash basin is fixed to the surface of a furniture in a way that allows the basin to be completely visible. Particularly trendy because of its modern and elegant value, this wash basin is easy to install. The over-the-counter wash basins also offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to the shape ( rectangular, square, oval, round, etc. ) as well as the surface on which it’ll be fixed.

In addition to choosing the type of wash basin you need, you also have to pick through a large selection of quality materials for your wash basin.

Porcelain

The porcelain is a popular choice because of its great quality-price ratio and because of its timeless value. Available in a variety of colors and shapes, porcelain is a material that’s easy to maintain and shock resistant.

Glass

Just as popular, glass wash basins are easy to install and also offers the advantage of being easy to maintain. However, a clean up must be done more frequently because of the increased visibility of blemishes on a glass bathroom wash basin.

Stone

Stone, available in its natural or synthetic form, allows you to distinguish your bathroom with a prestigious, authentic and urban style. Stone basins inspire luxury and refinement, as well as being incredibly shock resistant. It is nonetheless noteworthy that a stone sink requires a damp-proof treatment twice a year. In the same line, you could also let yourself be tempted by a « waxed » concrete wash basin, which is ideal for the realization of monoblock basins and offers both a raw and cleaner design.

Wood

Little known, wood gives a natural and chic style to your bathroom. Each wash basin is made of fossilized wood and offers the guarantee of being absolutely unique, which adds to its charm. The wooden wash basin nonetheless requires rigorous care and the application of a damp-proof product twice a year.

Stainless steel

Historically more used in a kitchen, stainless steel has gradually made its place in bathrooms. The stainless steel is a light and modern material for a bathroom, which can take multiple forms: square, round, etc. Resistant, the stainless steel wash basin, however, has the disadvantages of being easily scratched and of getting dirty easily. To minimize scratches and blemishes, choose a structured finish such as brushed or satin.

Composite materials

Composite materials ( such as synthetic resin ) are generally more expensive but allows to create original and ergonomic basin structures as well as offering a variety of colors.

Finally, do not forget to choose a stylish fitting that matches your wash basin because those are usually bought separately. If there are several styles offered ( walled, raised, etc. ), you’ll also have to choose the type of faucet: Mixer with two handles ( for a more classical style ) or mixer with one handle ( for a more practical design).

You are now ready to choose your new bathroom wash basin! Do not hesitate to discover our bathroom realizations and to contact ESPÉ’s professionals today. We will be happy to guide you through your choice.