If you have a small bathroom or a downstairs cloakroom to work with, you’re probably worried about how to fit all the items you need without ending up with a cluttered storage room.
And while there are bathroom items you can simply forego altogether, a hand wash basin is most certainly not one of them.
To lend a hand, at Plumbing Superstore we put together a guide on space-saving sinks and making the most of a small hand wash basin in limited spaces.
Let’s dive in.
Table of contents:
- What is a wash basin?
- What is the minimum size of a wash basin?
- Space saving sinks and tips
- Final thoughts
What is a wash basin?
A hand wash basin, also known as a washbowl or wash-hand basin, is a small handwash sink designed to fit in limited spaces such as cloakrooms. On some occasions, you can also use one as a bedroom sink.
What’s the main difference between a regular bathroom sink and a hand wash basin?
It’s mostly a matter of size and design. Wash-hand basins are smaller and narrower, allowing you to comfortably wash your hands and face and brush your teeth – but not, say, wash your hair.
Just how much smaller?
That’s what we’re going to look at next.
What is the minimum size of a wash basin?
When it comes to dimensions, the good news is:
There’s no minimum wash basin size required by law. Having said that, we should still point out that unless the basin is going to be used exclusively by young children, you don’t want to go with something impractically small.
In general, a small toilet hand basin is less than 60cm wide. Many of the popular options on the market are around 45cm in width, which provides a good combination of compactness and functionality.
In terms of narrowness, the smallest washbasins are around 20cm-25cm in depth.
Finally, most small round washbasins are around 41-45cm in diameter.
Space-saving sinks and tips
By this point, you’re probably wondering what your options in terms of slim bathroom sinks and handy tricks are. And where do you put a wash basin anyway?
Here are our top suggestions.
Opt for a wall-hung corner wash-hand basin
The corners of any bathroom, regardless of size, tend to be the most underused spaces. Don’t make the same mistake! Instead, make the most of your cloakroom corners with one of the many durable small hand basins for toilets.
Having your small hand-washing sink neatly tucked away in the corner will leave you with enough room for other uses.
But don’t stop there – take your game to the next level with a wall-hung option. This way, you’ll have even more room for storage underneath.
Combine a narrow cabinet and a countertop mini basin
The popularity of countertop basins has increased greatly in recent years due to their versatility, functionality and ease of installation. So, why not go for a small rectangular countertop mini basin on top of a lean cabinet or vanity unit?
As an added bonus, you can put the tap on one side of the small wash basin and use the space on the other side to keep your hand wash dispenser.
Choose a slimline wall-hung vanity unit
If you don’t have the time or desire to look for a separate narrow cabinet and countertop basin for a small bathroom but like the general idea, a slimline wall-hung vanity unit is the solution for you.
If you decide to go down that road, you don’t have to worry about finding a space saver sink and cabinet that match in style – the company’s designers have already done the work for you! All that’s left for you is to choose the right size and design.
Final thoughts
Using the right small hand wash basin in limited spaces such as cloakrooms and quarter or half bathrooms can make all the difference in the world.
Luckily, gone are the days when you were faced with a handful of drab, unappealing options.
With plenty of different shapes and types of space-saving sinks to choose from nowadays, it’s easy to make the most of even the tiniest of spaces without compromising on style or ease of use.
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