noun. a hand basin built into a wooden Formica-covered or tiled top, usually with a built-in cupboard below it. Collins English Dictionary.
Featured in many bathroom installations, a vanity unit combines a washbasin and storage. Though most commonly mistaken for bathroom cabinets, this stylish piece of furniture swaps the traditional basin pedestal for additional storage with a wealth of style and finish options.
The major types of basins are river drainage basins, structural basins, and ocean basins. A river drainage basin is an area drained by a river and all of its tributaries. A river basin is made up of many different watersheds. A watershed is a small version of a river basin.
There are some standardised dimensions for sinks and basins as well. Most vanity basins range from 50 cm to 58 cm, with 53 cm being the most common depth. When you're thinking about the size of the vanity, it's important to think about all of the people that will be using it.
A significant part of your bathroom set up, a bathroom basin/sink can have a real influence on your bathroom's overall feel. At Bathroom City, we have a wide variety of basins and sinks that are fit for every style of bathroom. Here is a comprehensive guide on both bathroom basins and sinks: Basins and Pedestals.
As discussed above, the basic difference between a sink and a wash basin lies in their area of installation or application. The sinks are mostly used in kitchens and pantries and the basins are used in toilets and washrooms.
If you have a single sink it is useful to have a space down which one can spill detritus from plates without making the washing up water murky. A plastic bowl also acts as a noise insulator against the metal sink and as a less hard surface for glasses.
This is important when considering how many basins you need, what shape and material. If you experience the 'morning rush hour', then a double basin might come in handy. An above counter basin is perfect for an ensuite, but for the kids or family bathroom, the inset or vanity basin might be easier to use.
Vanity Depth and Height Considerations
The depth of standard bathroom vanities ranges from 450mm to 500mm. Consider a shallower vanity (around 350mm to 400mm) for smaller bathrooms to create the illusion of more space.
The Standard Wash Basin Dimensions:
Small: 15” - 20” length, 9” - 12” width & 5¾” - 7” depth are common wash basin small size measurements. Medium: 20” - 30” length, 19” - 24” width & about 7” depth is the wash basin standard size range. Large: 30” - 50” length, 19” - 24” width & about 5” depth.
Even though there is one world ocean, it has traditionally been divided into four major ocean basins: the Arctic, the Atlantic, the Indian, and the Pacific.
Dual Basins in the Master Bathroom
The most common place to see a dual-basin design is in the master bathroom. These are sometimes called a his-and-hers vanity design. The basic idea is easy to see: one sink for each half of the couple so that they can use the bathroom vanity at the same time.
Bathroom basins are often referred to as bathroom sinks, but technically a sink is something you only find in the kitchen! A washbasin is one of the most commonly used fittings in bathrooms and cloakrooms and a key part of any.
Basin: The basin is the part of the sink that holds water from the faucet. It has a drain in the bottom that allows water to escape.
The standard basin height is between 80cm and 85cm, but you can adjust this to suit your preference. We recommend finding a comfortable height for washing your hands and face or brushing your teeth.
The standard height for bathroom vanity units would tend to be between 760mm and 815mm, or 30 and 32 inches. However, with regards to modern bathroom vanities, a common design trend points towards taller models, around the 915mm or 36-inch range – the typical height of a kitchen countertop.
Your standard bathroom vanity units can range in height anywhere between 850mm tall to 900mm tall. When installing vanity units with a basin on top, rather than built in, the height usually runs to approximately 950mm to take in the top of the bowl.
Ceramic wash basins are durable (though they're heavier than other options) and tend to be easy on your back—they're an excellent choice for people who spend long periods washing their hands. Stainless steel wash basins are lightweight; unfortunately, they don't hold up well under long-term use.
Undermount Sinks: They're mounted below the countertop. An undermount bathroom sink exposes the edge of the countertop surface around the sink. With no rim to contend with, undermount models are the easiest to clean.
One commenter said they're ubiquitous in the UK where many homes have single-basin sinks, and said a separate tub makes it easy for Brits to pour cold tea down the drain without dirtying water used for soaking dishes.
Every sink, wash basin, and urinal discharging water inside a building requires a water trap at the point of connection into the waste pipework. The water trap provides a water seal between the appliance and the external drains or outside atmosphere.
The main draw is that the sections allow you to easily use the different sides for separate purposes. With a double bowl sink, you can: Use one side for food prep and one side for washing dishes as you go or for stashing dirty dishes until you can get to them. Soak dishes in one side while you wash in the other side.