Not all of us have a spacious bathroom. But it is precisely the limited area that often becomes a huge problem - you need to consider competent arrangement of furniture, so you have to save on something. This is especially true for owners of apartments with a separate bathroom.
But sometimes the area does not allow even the most necessary. For example, in a small bathroom there may not be room for a sink. But do not give up the wash basin, even if, it seems, there is no place for it. Today on sale you can see a huge number of miniature sinks that will save space. We’ll talk about them: what are their pros and cons, and how to choose the right one.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before choosing a plumbing item, you need to familiarize yourself with its qualities, advantages and functions. Therefore, we will analyze the pros and cons of a small bathroom sink.
Advantages:
- takes up little space due to its miniature size;
- there is the possibility of installing a mini sink both in the bathroom and in the toilet;
- a small-sized sink is very easy to install, preserving the beautiful appearance of the product without visible communications;
- it is easy to use unnecessary space - a miniature washbasin can be hung in a corner, above a washing machine, built into a toilet bowl and so on;
- the mini-sink is easy to clean because of its size;
- the small price for these products allows you to choose not only the desired size, but also the shape and design.
But there are some disadvantages.
- The smallest sinks are not very convenient to use.Of course, you can wash your hands without difficulty, but washing or brushing your teeth will be more difficult.
- Due to its small size, water can splatter and even leak out at high pressure.
- Such a sink has very few functions - some do not even fit soap, and even get water into the bucket.
Each item has pros and cons, but which shells to give preference to is an individual matter for everyone. However, in some bathrooms, a mini-sink is simply irreplaceable.
Species overview
As mentioned above, miniature sinks are diverse. To choose the suitable option, consider the main types of small washbasins.
They are determined by the installation method and shape. Let's start with the types of installation.
- Hanging - This is the most common sink model. Convenience is that it is possible to install a washbasin in any place you like with virtually no damage to space. But, of course, not everyone will cope with its installation. It will take some professional skills to ensure that the sink is firmly fixed. Another disadvantage is the visibility of the pipes, but they can be masked with a hanging cabinet, which will provide additional storage space.
- Floor or sink-tulip. This sink can also be seen in many homes. The washbasin is mounted on a pedestal, which ensures reliable fastening and the ability to hide communications. Basically, sinks of standard sizes are installed in this way, but there are also miniature options with a thin leg.
- Mortise sink - that which is built in a curbstone or a table-top. For a small bathroom, a cabinet is still preferable. The sink can be partially or completely cut into the cabinet. Such a washbasin looks very noble and performs many useful functions.
- Overhead sink also attached to any base (stand, tabletop, console, table). Very easy to install and reliably holds on to the base. But at the same time, the price of such products is quite high.
- Sink combined with other furniture. This option is on sale slightly less than the previous ones. Such a sink can be mounted on a horizontal loading washing machine or even on the bathroom, which will save enough space. And also recently one interesting toilet model with a sink built into the tank has become popular.
Forms can also be different.
- Square the sink is the most convenient to use, since even the smallest model will not allow splashing around the room, especially if the wash basin is built into the countertop.
- Rectangular the model is a bit inconvenient to use, but it saves space.
- Round and oval sinks are preferred in small bathrooms. They save space due to rounded corners and ensure safety - in a small room you can catch on the sink and be injured by sharp corners.
- Triangular sinks are mainly placed in a corner to save space, but it can also be hung or mounted on a countertop.
Dimensions
Shape and color play a small role, it is more your preference for design performance. But if you need to save space as much as possible, it is important to consider the size of the washbasin.
The parameters of a standard bathroom sink are 60 cm long and 40 cm wide. Miniature versions of washbasins are much smaller. Approximate parameters of a mini-sink: a length of 20-40 cm, a width of 18 to 30 cm, and as for depth, it is better to choose deeper models for convenience - about 25 cm or more.
Materials
The material from which the sink is made should have some necessary qualities: strength, durability, resistance to external influences and attractive decorative appearance. But on sale there are not only common ceramic models. Consider other possible materials, their pros and cons.
- China. Porcelain products are not susceptible to corrosion, although quite fragile. Smooth surface does not allow dirt to linger. But still a lot of weight and high price are significant disadvantages.
- Faience. Earthenware washbasin is an analogue to a porcelain product. Such sinks are most popular because of the affordable price. However, the surface of such a sink is not always perfectly smooth, which contributes to the accumulation of dirt. In addition, scratches and chips are more likely to appear on budget sinks. But with a careful attitude, such a product will last quite a long time.
- Marble. A marble sink is not a cheap pleasure, but the price is justified by the quality and aesthetic characteristics. The natural stone washbasin has great strength, durability and looks luxurious. Of the minuses - a lot of weight, difficulty in installation and sometimes porosity, which can cause difficulties in care.
- Fake diamond. Reasonably priced substitute for natural stone is artificial, with virtually no difference in appearance. Advantages - low cost and smooth surface. The disadvantage is fragility.
- Glass. Glass sinks, without a doubt, look dignified and elegant, especially matte products or with a pattern. But, despite this, the high price is not their main disadvantage. The most difficult thing is to keep this sink clean, as drops of water and soap can remain on the walls, which is very noticeable on the glass surface.
The glass is fragile, if you drop something on the sink, a chip, scratch or crack may occur.
- Metal. We are used to seeing metal sinks in the kitchen. But it turns out that they have a place in your bathroom. The price for them is low, they are very durable, the product is easy to care for. And also on sale you can find washbasins in different stylistic inclinations. But there are several drawbacks: scratches may appear, gloss will disappear over time, and you also need to monitor the cleanliness of the sink so that leaks do not appear.
- Wood. Wooden sinks are much less common due to the fact that they are made by hand and go through many processing steps for resistance to water. In addition, the content of such a product will cost a lot, since once in several years it needs to be restored. Care of the sink must be careful so as not to damage the protective coating.
Manufacturers
If you want the sink to last you as long as possible, then pay attention to well-known manufacturers of mini-sinks: Jacob Delafon (France), Duravit (Germany), Laufen (Austria), Roca (Russia and Spain), Simas (Italy). If you are a bit limited in budget, you can choose a washbasin from a domestic manufacturer Sanita.
Criterias of choice
When buying, it is important to consider some nuances.
- To make the bathroom interior look harmonious, choose sinks that fit the general style.
- Please note that the use of the washbasin must be safe. Check the store for overflow holes.
- Buy a sink with the calculation of free space in the bathroom, if possible, choose deeper models.
- The sink must be functional, so it is better to choose more convenient standard materials of the product. Make sure there is a place to store items.
Choose reliable manufacturers so as not to overpay after a product breakdown.
See how to choose a sink for a bathroom.