Bathroom sinks

One of the most often used pieces of bathroom furniture is the humble sink. It's the centre of hand washing, face beautifying and other activities which make it vital that the sink you choose for your bathroom needs to be practical as well as stylish and appropriate for your space. Choose the sink and mount carefully, from a range of options that will suit any look and budget.

Bathroom sinks

There are a variety of styles, sizes and materials to choose from when selecting a new bathroom sink:

• Enamel is relatively inexpensive and quite hard wearing. It comes in enamelled cast iron (which is somewhat prone to chips) or enamelled steel
• Vitreous china is also known as porcelain, and is a traditional sink material. It is great for retro look bathrooms. It is rather prone to chips and damage, and can be shattered
• Acrylic sinks can be scratched and heat damaged, but they are lightweight and easy to install. They are among the cheapest of the sink options
• Stainless steel looks great in modern look bathrooms, but often doesn't retain it's shiny look for long, as it is prone to tiny scratches that dull the surface
• Solid surfacing is tough and durable, is a medium price, and suits contemporary look bathrooms well
• Glass dish or bowl bathroom sinks are beautiful and look stunning in contemporary style bathrooms. However they are the most expensive option, and although fashioned from toughened glass may still be prone to chipping

The material you choose for your bathroom sink will depend on your budget, the look you are after and practical issues such as resilience.

Selecting a bathroom sink for your needs

Once you have chosen the material and style for your sink, choose a mount to set it on. Whether it's a bench style mount with a bowl set onto the top, an under mount sink (which sits at a level lower than the counter), or a wall mounted basin, take account of the mount in your design and budget. Of course, your new sink will need to be installed by a licensed plumber.

Choose taps and fittings which fit and complement the sink. Stylish modern taps will suit a glass bowl or steel sink better than traditional looking taps, and too big taps can result in mess.

The right bathroom sink for you

Choosing from the variety of options to find the best sink for your needs doesn't have to be bewildering. Consider the toughness you require, the look that would best suit your bathroom, and the price that suits your budget. The sink will be a centrepiece of your bathroom, so take the time to plan the sink and mounts as carefully as taps and fittings to complement it, to create a look and functionality that will serve you for years.