The basin is the piece you use every day and the one that sets the tone of the bathroom. A well chosen basin makes a small ensuite feel considered rather than cramped, and it is one of the few bathroom upgrades that changes the look of a room without touching the tiles.

Choosing the Right Basin for Your Bathroom

Mounting style comes first. An above counter or vessel basin sits on top of the vanity, which gives a strong visual feature and keeps the drawers below mostly usable, but it raises the working height and needs a tall tap or a wall mounted spout. An inset vanity basin drops into the benchtop for a flatter, more practical surface. A wall hung basin fixes straight to the wall with no vanity underneath, which is the best option in a tight powder room since the open floor beneath makes the space read larger. After that it comes down to size. Measure the benchtop depth as well as the width, and leave enough bench either side to actually put something down.

Key Things to Look for in a Basin

• Mounting type: above counter, vessel, inset vanity or wall hung, each with different plumbing needs.
• Size and depth: from compact 355mm round basins up to 65cm, measured against your benchtop.
• Tap hole or no tap hole: decides whether you need a basin mixer, a tall vessel tap or a wall spout.
• Overflow: whether the basin has one, which affects which waste fitting you need.
• Material: glazed ceramic for easy cleaning and durability, concrete for a heavier, textured look.
• Shape: round and oval soften a room, square and rectangular read sharper and more contemporary.
• Finish: classic white, matte black detailing or a gold line for something less plain.

What You Will Find in This Collection

Glazed ceramic basins in above counter, vessel, inset vanity and wall hung styles, in round, oval, square and rectangular shapes from a compact 355mm through to 65cm. Mostly classic white, with a matte black and white vessel, a gold line detailed round basin and a matte black wall hung concrete wash basin for something different. Finish the room with pieces from our toothbrush holders and bath towels ranges.

Styles to Suit Your Space

A crisp white above counter basin suits almost any scheme and is the safest choice if you are updating rather than renovating. A matte black vessel or concrete wall hung basin makes a stronger statement and works well against pale tiles or a timber vanity. In a small powder room, a wall hung basin with open floor beneath does more for the sense of space than any other choice. Ground the room with a bath mat and keep the vanity clear with a laundry basket nearby.

Ordering with Allure Home Collections

Every basin ships from our Australian warehouse with fast local delivery and honest pricing, with no inflated recommended retail prices to discount against. Send us your benchtop dimensions and we will confirm which basins fit before you order. From our family to yours.

Basin Questions, Answered

Do I need a plumber to install a basin?

In Australia, yes. Connecting a basin to the water supply and waste is licensed plumbing work in every state, and doing it yourself can affect your home insurance and cause problems at sale. It is generally a short job for a licensed plumber, and worth budgeting for alongside the basin.

What is the difference between an above counter basin and a vessel basin?

The terms overlap and are often used interchangeably. Both sit on top of the benchtop rather than dropping into it. In practice a vessel basin usually refers to the taller, more bowl like shapes, while above counter covers flatter designs. What matters more is the height, since it decides which tap will work.

What tap do I need with an above counter basin?

Because the basin sits high, a standard basin mixer will be too short. You need either a tall vessel mixer or a wall mounted spout. Measure from the benchtop to the basin rim, and make sure the spout reaches far enough over that water lands near the centre rather than at the back edge.

What size basin suits a small bathroom?

Around 355mm to 415mm works in a powder room or a narrow ensuite. A wall hung basin at that size leaves the floor clear, which makes far more difference in a small room than the basin footprint itself. Just leave enough bench or wall space to set a soap dispenser down.

Does a basin come with a waste or tap included?

Check each listing, as it varies. Basins are commonly supplied on their own, with the waste, trap and tapware bought separately to suit the installation. Ask your plumber what they need before ordering, since the waste type depends on whether the basin has an overflow.

What is an overflow and do I need one?

It is the small hole near the top of the bowl that drains water if the basin is left running with the plug in. Basins with an overflow need a slotted waste, and those without need an unslotted one. Fitting the wrong type is a common mistake, so confirm which the basin has.

Can a wall hung basin go on any wall?

It needs solid backing behind the plasterboard, usually noggins or a fixing plate installed during the build or renovation. A ceramic basin full of water carries real weight, and a concrete one considerably more. Have your plumber or builder check the wall before you commit to a wall hung design.

How do I clean and care for a ceramic basin?

A mild bathroom cleaner and a soft cloth is all it needs. Avoid abrasive scourers and harsh acid based cleaners, which dull the glaze over time and make the surface harder to keep clean afterwards. Wiping it dry occasionally keeps water marks from building up in hard water areas.

Is a concrete basin practical?

It looks striking and wears well, but it is heavier than ceramic and the surface is sealed rather than glazed, so it needs gentler cleaning products and the seal may need attention over the years. Worth choosing for the look with that in mind rather than expecting ceramic behaviour.

Can I replace a basin without renovating the whole bathroom?

Often yes, provided the new basin suits the existing plumbing position and benchtop cutout. Swapping like for like is straightforward. Moving from an inset basin to an above counter one usually means a new benchtop and possibly new tapware, so check with your plumber before ordering.