With so many different types of bathroom sinks to choose from, making a decision on just one might seem impossible. Our bathroom sink style guide is here to assist you in choosing the perfect bathroom sink size and design ahead for your bathroom renovation.

Types of Bathroom Sinks

Before you take the plunge and buy a new bathroom sink, why not clue yourself up on how to remove your existing basin and install your newest model with our handy bathroom sink installation guide.

Countertop

Countertop sinks are basins that sit on top of a bathroom vanity unit rather than located inside it. Countertop sinks are easy to install however many don’t come equipped with overflow drains and are prone to chipping due to their upturned sides.

Wall Hung

If you have a smaller bathroom or are looking to avoid installing a bathroom vanity, wall hung bathroom sinks are a great choice. They don’t require a countertop for installation and help to maximise your bathroom’s floor space. A wall hung sink's exposed plumbing fits nicely in an industrially designed bathroom, but can be covered if needed. The wall bears all the weight of these sinks, so a professional should install them to ensure they don't damage the wall.

Inset

Inset sinks are installed by being placed on top of the bathroom countertop with a top lip. An external frame is mounted around the edges of the sink to allow it to hold it's position. Most inset sinks feature a square frame and come with a draining board.

Full & Semi Pedestal

These elegant, unobtrusive basins sit atop a pillar of the same material. Pedestal sinks are good for smaller bathrooms, as they don’t take up a lot of space and come as either a full of semi-sized. These classically designed pedestals merely help hold the sink’s weight; all the plumbing lines attach at the wall and not the floor.

Cloakroom

Cloakroom sinks are much more compact than most other sink styles and are an ideal choice for the even the tiniest of bathrooms. Cloakroom basins mount neatly against a wall without the need for a countertop for support. Some basin styles also feature slim metal legs.

Corner

Similar to cloakroom sinks, corner sinks are the ultimate solution to limited space. They fit snugly into the corner of the bathroom and don’t require any countertop space. Most corner sinks are wall-mounted, though some can have a pedestal. These aesthetic basins require a very specific plumbing layout.

Under Counter

Under counter sinks are installed from under the surface of the bathroom worktop with a cutout made to the correct size of the bowl. Since they're fixed from below, under counter sinks are easy to clean and maximise space on the bathroom vanity unit.

Semi Recessed

Semi recessed sinks sit half-in, half-out of a bathroom countertop resulting in an elegant, stylish look while giving the user enough space to not have to awkwardly lean too far forward.

Bathroom Sink Sizes

There is no standard bathroom sink size but here are some general measurements for you to use when choosing a sink for your bathroom.

Standard under counter and inset basins tend to be 40 – 50cm across (length), 25 – 40cm from front to back (width), and 10 – 15cm deep. Rectangular basins with these dimensions will hold more volume than ovular or U-shaped basins of the same dimensions.

The rim of drop-in basins adds about 2 – 7cm to the length, width and depth of the entire sink.

Wall hung sinks trend smaller than vanity-mounted sinks, usually measuring 30 – 40cm long, 18 – 30cm wide, and 7 – 15cm deep. A common set of measurements for this style is about 40cm long, 28cm wide and 10cm deep.

Most pedestal sinks are larger than wall-mounted styles as they can hold their own weight but are still smaller than standard under counter and inset sinks. A full pedestal sink typically comes as between 82cm and 96cm tall.

Round and square countertop sinks tend to be between 35cm and 45cm in diameter (or in both length and width) and 10 – 15cm deep. A common size for a countertop sink is 42cm in diameter and 15cm deep. Because countertop sinks rest atop a bathroom counter, they will add height to your vanity.

Bathroom Sink Materials

Bathroom sinks come in a variety of material options, with the most popular including ceramic, glass, metal and stone.

Ceramic: Smooth and sturdy, this clay-based material is one of the most popular for bathroom sinks. Vitreous china, porcelain and fireclay are all types of ceramics, ranging in price and fragility.

Glass: Often tempered, glass sinks are commonly used for countertop sink styles. The surprisingly strong material is resistant to scratching and cracking. Hard water spots can appear but are easily cleaned with household solutions. Glass sinks can be transparent, translucent or opaque and come in a variety of colours.

Metal: Sinks made of metal like copper and stainless steel are eco-friendly, rust-resistant, durable and naturally antibacterial. Metal sinks can be modern with a smooth, shiny finish or rustic with a hammered, handmade look.

Granite: Stoneware sinks have a one-of-a-kind natural look. They’re often hand-carved and can be made to fit a variety of shapes and sizes.

Bathroom Tap Compatibility

The type of sink you choose will dictate the type of bathroom tap you purchase. If you already have a tap, you'll need to match your sink accordingly.

If your sink has pre-drilled holes for a tap, it's important to choose taps that will fit these holes perfectly. Make sure to take careful measurements of the distance between pre-drilled holes so you can choose the right tap and handles. For utmost accuracy, be sure to measure from the centre of each hole to the centre of the other holes.

Types of Bathroom Taps

Mono Basin Mixer: Mono basin mixer taps allow you to controle the water's temperature through just one tap rather, than having to juggle with two.

Wall-Mounted: This tap style requires three installation holes in the wall above the sink. Wall-mounted taps come in many installation styles but your sink must be set close to the wall and your plumbing lines must be compatible.

Deck Mounted: The bottom of a deck mounted tap sits flush against the surface it is mounted on rather than a wall.

Pillar: Pillar taps are the classic set up of two taps, one hot and one cold, for bathroom basins with two tap holes.

Timed Flow: Timed flow taps are designed to switch off after a set running time to prevent water waste or misuse.

Taps Included: Some sinks are available with accompanying taps, so you won’t need to worry about buying them separately.

Tip: If you do decide to buy separate taps, then check out our tips on how to find the perfect bathroom taps before you invest.