Classic bathroom basins that look great in modern spaces
Posted on 24th November 2020
There’s been an exciting shift in bathroom design in the last few years โ it’s now really cool to add whatever the heck you like to your scheme*. By which I mean it’s goodbye to the trusty bathroom ‘suite’ that saw years and years (and years!) of popularity and a big hello to mix and match schemes that ooze personality.
Want to mix classic bathroom basins with a slick freestanding bath or frameless shower enclosure? Go for it. Fancy traditional style taps with a sculptural basin? Why not. How about adding colour? Yes please.
It’s all about adding your taste into your space and when it comes to creating a focal point that has a bit of wow factor, a bathroom basin is a good place to start. It’s often the thing you look at through the door (tip: try to place the loo out of sight!), so is a great starting point for a really stylish scheme.
Need some help on choosing a basin and tap? Come this way…
Classic bathroom basins are also having a moment โ but with a modern twist. I’m talking Shaker-style vanity units with chunky white ceramic basins; tradition pedestal designs in a trendy colour and old-faithful shapes accented with brass, copper or chrome.
(*within reason…carpet in a bathroom is STILL a no go. And so are those cramped corner shower cubicles.)
Classic bathroom basins that look great in modern bathrooms โ curated by bathroom design journo Jill Morgan…
Symmetrically arranged bowl-style basins are great if youโre sharing your bathroom and want your own wash area. These Curva basins, ยฃ499.20 each, from William Holland are handcrafted from pure copper. Choose from 11 exterior and seven interior finishes to mix and match as you please.Lift the spirits every day with a colourful basin. Sophisticated and cheery this neat countertop basin suits softer dรฉcor with a light and natural palette. Ellipse Countertop Basin in custom colour pink – RAL 3015, ยฃ365, Waters Baths of Ashbourne.Simple but with a touch of period styling, VitrAโs Valarte washbasin unit in Matt Ivory, ยฃ1077, has a deep storage drawer, shelf and room for a recessed basin.
What’s your bathroom basin style?
Classic bathroom basins (you’re in the right place!)
Slick and contemporary – these styles should fit the bill
A mix of high-polished chrome, china and near-black finishes make this vanity basin design a real head turner. Three-hole pillar taps with matching wenge levers complete the look. Atlantic basin and cabinet in wenge, ยฃ1750, Fired Earth.Highly polished on the inside, these marble basins are cut from deposits, each one has its own unique marks and colouring. The finely grooved exterior is known as a Rigato finish, where a multi-headed tool has ground down the stoneโs rough surface. Exo Stri grey marble washbasin, ยฃ199, Tikamoon.Understated dรฉcor lets a traditional vanity shine. Drummondsโ Naver basin, ยฃ2394 has a china upstand and the frame includes a towel rail. Shown with the Mull classic bridge mixer, ยฃ1170 and rectangular tilt mirror, ยฃ828.Reminiscent of a farmhouse pantryโ the chunky rim and high back of this wall hung basin shows off crosshead taps to perfection. Front painted on site in chosen shade. Smithfield Basin 60cm, ยฃ600, Claybrook Studio.Undulating lines and a fine rim give this countertop basin a refined feel which works beautifully with natural textures and soft pastel shades. Brassware in polished chrome adds a smart finish. Florenza basin, ยฃ299, Clearwater Baths.Traditional style meets contemporary simplicity with this neat washstand and basin. Details such as the rolled top, visible underside and the stainless-steel frame create an elegant finish. Clearwater traditional medium roll-top basin with stand, ยฃ688, Soakology.
Crosswater Belgravia Lever Tall Basin Monobloc, ยฃ329, from Sanctuary Bathrooms.
Let a stand-out material do the talking by recessing a drop-in basin into a chunky slab of marble. Finish the design off with a simple wall-mounted mixer and crosshead handle for maximum impact. Avalanche marble, from ยฃ924 per sq m, Cullifords.Neat, tactile and full of character, this basin and wall stand combines polished granite slabs with decorative cast iron for a traditional country feel. Choose brackets in a range of painted or burnished finishes. Mistley wall basin stand with Tuscany bowl and Harvest granite top, ยฃ780; Mistley Wall Splashback in Harvest Granite, ยฃ149, from Albion Bath Company.Take a classic shape basin like this black pedestal design and opt for a colour other than the usual white. Jet Edwardian 560mm basin with Jet standard pedestal, ยฃ798, Burlington Bathrooms.
