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What to take note of when selecting a sink and faucet? Your choice of bathroom sink should be determined by your personal washing habits and bathroom layout - not by interior design trends. So, how to choose a bathroom sink and tap?
Well, some basic considerations - say if you like to splash water on your face, you need to get a very deep and wide washbasin. The slim bathroom sink styles look good, but are best suited to powder rooms, where users only wash their hands. If you already know what type of bathroom sinks you want, click here to jump down the article to the specific type of bathroom sink and faucet you're looking for:
- Vessel basin sink
- Semi-recessed basin sink
- Undermount sink
- Wall hung sink
- Pedestal sink & others
- Wall mounted tap
- Basin mounted tap
- Standalone tap
Buy bathroom sink and faucet together
Always buy the bathroom tap together with the sink, as the style and height of the tap, as well as its fitting all need to match the shape and height of the bathroom sink.
For instance, if you decide on a counter-mounted sink, you'll need a taller tap with a long spout that projects over the rim of the sink. Get the salesperson's help to check that the design of the tap's spout is compatible with your bathroom sink, as you get vastly different water flows depending on your tap design. If your basin is a shallow bowl, for instance, you need the water to jet into the centre of the basin, and not flow down the side.
Now, let's get into the specifics of choosing a bathroom sink and tap together.
The only bathroom in the home gets a regal treatment with a splash of blue-green, paired elegantly with a couple of Gubi mirrors and antique-inspired brass taps which Nathan found from a shop in Geylang.
How to choose bathroom sink and tap
Don't just choose the best-looking washbasin and tap for your bathroom. Make sure they match in terms of how they function as well.
His-and-hers sinks in the bathroom evoke a resort-like feel.
1. Vessel basin sink
Vessel basin sinks (pictured above) are placed on a countertop, so consider the basin's height when taking measurements for the built-in counter. If you fancy a vessel basin that's too tall to match even the tallest standalone taps, install wall-mounted taps instead. This is called an "above-the-counter" sink.
A set of two semi-recessed basin sinks in a house in Bukit Batok.
2. Semi recessed basin sink
Semi-recessed basin sinks (pictured above) are the ones that you typically see in shopping mall toilets or hotels. These sinks free up more countertop space, crucial if you don't have a big bathroom. They are best matched with sleeker, narrower countertops. Just like the vessel sink, this is considered an "above-the-counter" sink.
When choosing a tap for vessel basin or semi-recessed basin sinks, ensure that the water from the tap emerges towards the centre of the sink. The angle of the nozzle also matters. Taps with nozzles angled outwards means that you won't have to reach directly under it to catch water, making the tap less of an obstruction during your daily routine. A tap which protrudes too far into the sink might also make it hard for you to manoeuvre around it.
The double-sink vanity top near the bed is supported by deep cabinetry. By storing all of their toiletries in it, this jumbo HDB home's uncluttered appearance is easily maintained. Image by Desmond Ong.
3. Undermount sink
Undermount sinks (pictured above) are set into a cut-out in the vanity top and secured. Undermount sinks, or drop in sinks (or sometimes referred to as self-rimming basins) can easily be replaced without having to destroy the entire countertop. However they are prone to accumulating dirt along the edges of the rim. Such basins are called "under-counter sinks" and are the easiest to maintain as water splashed around the counter can be swept into the sink with ease.
The wooden vanity counter lends rustic charm to the master bath. Bathroom accessories from Howards Storage World. $250,000 Renovation by Md.Ma
The wooden vanity counter lends rustic charm to the master bath. Bathroom accessories from Howards Storage World. (Reno: $250K excluding furniture)
What tap to get for an undermount sink? The clearance height, or comfort zone between the spout and the bottom of the washbasin, is purely based on personal preference. If you use your sink for other purposes, such as to fill vases or wash bulky items, you might want a larger clearance height to allow for more room. Do remember that the higher the water falls, the bigger the splash. You're not limited to the height of a tap when it comes to getting the right comfort zone - you can play around with the depth of the sink, too.
The mirror with gold trimmings works brilliantly to add emphasise against the darker bathroom tiles. Instead of the traditional wall mount hang rack, a 'steel ladder' was used to hang towels, clothes and whatnot.
4. Wall hung basin sink
Ceramic wall hung basin sink (pictured above) usually come in fixed widths of either 45cm or 60cm. It's advisable to construct a cabinet under a wall-hung basin because these models seldom have enough surface area for toiletries. The height from the bathroom floor to the top of your sink should be around 85 to 90cm. This height ensures that you can use the tap and washbasin comfortably without stooping.
A ceramic wall hung basin sink in a black and white boutique hotel-themed bathroom with white wall tiles in Yishun.
A ceramic wall hung basin sink in a black and white boutique hotel-themed bathroom with white wall tiles in Yishun. Interior design by The Scientist
What tap to get for a wall hung basin sink? For HDB dwellers, note that in order to install a wall-mounted tap, a false wall of about 20cm-30cm would need to be built to accommodate it. Deck mounted three-hole taps are recommended for longer basins, as this arrangement looks better.
Wall-hung Bucket Basin by Italian brand Scarabeo, designed by Giovanna Talocci
5. Pedestal sink and others
Pedestal sinks are the most common type of sinks, where the washbasin comes with its own "leg" stand and conceals the water trap. This is the usual HDB sink that most of us get. Since it doesn't come with storage, most HDB-dwellers tend to switch out these basic sinks in favour of counter sinks that can incorporate storage (the ones listed above).
These are also unconventional and special design basins with no edges to hold the water in. The water hits a flat surface and runs on the side, like an infinity pool. Most suitable for powder rooms, they function mostly just for washing hands. Water pressures have to be low to prevent problems of backsplashes. You may have seen some of these in fancy restaurants and hotels.
Wall-mounted tap and Bucket Basin by Italian brand Scarabeo, designed by Giovanna Talocci.
6. Wall-mounted tap
The wall mounted tap's design (pictured above) provides a neater overall look and ensures you have adequate space between the tap spout and the basin’s rim (approximately 8cm clearance) to fit your hands comfortably in between. If the width of the back rim is wide, get a tap with a longer spout.
Vintage retro standalone tap paired with a deep vessel sink for a retro feel to this boutique hotel-inspired bathroom in Yishun.
7. Basin-mounted tap
Basin mounted taps are for sinks that come with holes that dictate the tap’s position. Others come with pre-punched holes that give you options on placement – the holes are only punched through later.
8. Stand-alone tap
Like a pillar, standalone taps (pictured above) are mostly used with a “salad bowl” vessel countertop basins with a narrow rim and commonly placed on the left or right to save space. If you have double sink set up, place the mixers so the two are mirror images of each other where it’ll both serve function and aesthetics.