Overhead bathroom sinks

Today, the so-called overhead bathroom sinks are replacing the classic washbasins. They are more practical in terms of ease of use, space, and ease of installation. In this article, you will get acquainted with the features of using and choosing overhead sinks for bathrooms.

Overhead sinks are rapidly gaining popularity in bathroom decoration today - this can be explained by a number of advantages that such designs have.

• Saving space... To install an overhead sink, you do not need a separate place or corner in the bathroom - it is installed directly on the countertop, which can be an ordinary cabinet with plumbing fixtures or detergents.
• Easy to install... Any sink needs proper installation and wiring of communications, however, due to its design, overhead models can be installed independently at home.
• Versatility. Overhead sinks can be installed almost anywhere in the bathroom, the only condition in this case is the presence of a horizontal surface. It is overhead sinks that are usually installed in hard-to-reach places such as corners or narrow niches.
• Tightness. Fortunately, sealing a countertop sink is very simple - the joints between the countertop and the bowl can simply be filled with sealant and the sink will be ready for long-term use.
• Practicality. The countertop on which the countertop sink will be installed can serve more than just the function of a base - it will also be an excellent platform for detergents and other bath accessories.
• Design. In the case of overhead washbasin models, you have a huge choice among the possible design options and design of such structures. The ability to install anywhere has led to the creation of completely non-standard shapes and sizes from a wide variety of materials. Such a sink can not only become practical furniture, but also effectively complement the interior of a room and even become its compositional center.

As such, overhead sinks have no drawbacks. Certain negative features relate to strictly defined models and may appear if the model is incorrectly mounted.

Today, overhead sinks for bathroom countertops can be made from almost any material with high strength. You can find models on the shelves of plumbing stores from metal, ceramics, natural stone, wood and even glass... However, the most popular raw material for the manufacture of overhead models of sinks in the bathroom remains sanitary porcelain and sanitary ware.

Consider the features of using each of the listed materials.

• Glass. A glass sink is an original and interesting choice from a design point of view, which can look good in many styles. Sinks can be made of glass in the most bizarre shapes and designs, which puts them much higher than sinks made of other materials. The minus of glass is obvious - every drop of water is perfectly visible on it, which dries out over time and leaves ugly white stains.

• Natural or artificial stone. Here, the most common products are made from natural porcelain, marble, granite, models made of stone chips or unusual minerals. Such sinks look extremely unusual in bathroom design due to their texture and original color, but as a disadvantage they have a lot of weight, which forces you to install countertops with a more rigid mount.

• Wood. Natural bamboo, oak or teak are commonly used to create wood sinks. Such models are rarely found in the design of standard apartments - all due to the low resistance of wooden components to moisture and a constant high level of humidity. This is not a very practical (albeit original) choice for the bathroom, since these models will require careful care and treatment with special oils to prevent moisture from entering the pores of the wood.

• Ceramics is the most popular and budget material for kitchen and bathroom sinks. This material is incredibly easy to clean, has a relatively low weight and can be made in a wide variety of designs and colors. In addition, ceramics rarely leave any streaks or scratches - this is an incredibly durable and clean material.

• Metal. If we talk about metal overhead models of bathroom sinks, then they are most often made of brass, stainless steel or copper.To make these models more attractive, they are usually covered with a layer of acrylic on the outside. Plus metal products in a relatively low cost and long service life.

• Acrylic... Usually, it is fonts for bathrooms that are made from acrylic, but this material has become a good alternative for washbasins. Acrylic is quite durable, lightweight, tolerates temperature extremes, looks good and does not need special care. In addition, acrylic models do not differ in high cost and can be made to order in absolutely any shape or size.

• Faience and porcelain sinks are considered one of the most popular, expensive and environmentally friendly. They are scratch-resistant and can withstand extreme temperature changes. Thanks to the smooth and opaque finish, these materials are very easy to care for.

There is a whole classification that is responsible for the variety of shapes of overhead bathroom sinks. It includes round (bowl-shaped), oval, triangular, rectangular models of sinks, as well as models of non-standard and asymmetrical shapes. When choosing an overhead sink of a certain shape, you should focus on the existing design in the room.

• Round sinks or bowl-shaped models. Today this variety is deservedly considered a classic. Small round sinks are only suitable for washing hands, while large ones can be used to wash your hair, dishes, or even become a full-fledged font for a child. Another advantage of round sinks is the fact that they can be approached from any side.

• Oval-shaped models. This is the most popular form for countertop washbasins. The oval is considered a versatile choice and is ideal for both shampooing and general hand washing.

• Square or rectangular shapes. These are also fairly common options that can be found in abundance on store shelves. The advantage of models with right angles is that they can perfectly fit into absolutely any interior and can be installed in a room of any size. For bathrooms with limited free space, you should choose models of rectangular sinks with rounded corners. This shape of sinks is considered extremely convenient from the point of view of practicality - in a rectangular sink, due to the flat bottom surface near the drain, it is convenient to wash dishes.

• Triangular or angular models. The advantage of the triangular shape is that such models can be installed in the corners of the bathroom. This allows you to make the most of all the available space in the room and maintain a sense of spaciousness.

• Models of shells of complex and unusual shapes... As a rule, here we mean creative author's models of sinks in the most unusual design. These can be sinks with two mixers (or sinks), models made in the form of flower petals, fonts with holes cut directly into natural stone.

If we talk about the choice of sizes of overhead sinks for the bathroom, then here you need to rely not only on the size of the room itself, but also on the purpose of such structures. For example, in small and compact washbasins, you can only wash your hands or use them to brush your teeth, larger and larger designs are suitable as a font for washing a child, washing the head or kitchen utensils.

When choosing the dimensions of the sink pay attention to the material of manufacture of your countertop. For materials that are susceptible to the destructive effect of moisture (wood or MDF), you should choose sinks of increased size with great depth. Such dimensions will not allow excess moisture to get on the countertop (for example, when you wash your hands or shake them off of water).

Fortunately, there are no strict standards that require the installation of overhead sinks of a certain size.

All overhead sinks can be roughly divided into 3 groups depending on their size:

• miniature or compact models - all sinks with dimensions not exceeding 40x40 cm;
• models with medium sizes - structures with length and width dimensions not exceeding 70x60 cm, as well as depths not exceeding 20 cm;
• overall and volumetric sinks - all models with dimensions over 120 x 60 cm and a depth of up to 30 cm.

An important factor when installing a countertop washbasin in a bathroom is its installation height. Usually this indicator is selected based on the installation height of the countertop itself, however, it can be adjusted using various sealed stands (to increase the height) or by installing the sink in a cut at a lower height.

Standard bathroom cabinets are usually installed at a height of no higher than 80 cm - this is the optimum height for an average human height. For people with a taller height, overhead sinks with thicker edges and a total height with a countertop of 85 cm or more can be selected.

Fortunately, in the case of height, there are no strict dogmas here - You can adjust the height of the sink yourself, for example, taking into account the height of your children.

Today, overhead bathroom sinks can be made in a wide variety of fanciful designs. Some sink models will only work well in a certain style, while others (for example, the standard oval or rectangular washbasins in white) are versatile and will fit perfectly into any design.

• Classic. For a classic-style bathroom, oval or rectangular washbasins in white, wheat or cream color are best suited. The main requirement for such sinks is a rich appearance, which can be achieved through the use of gilded faucets or sinks.

• Minimalism. Minimalist bathrooms do not accept excess grace. These should be purely practical models of white or dark colored shells, usually oval or square. If we talk about the material for making the sink, then absolutely all elements with a calm and uniform texture will look appropriate here - without patterns, bizarre shapes and contrasting colors.

• Modern. Unlike the styles described above, Art Nouveau does not set any serious requirements for the shape or color of countertop washbasins or countertops. Here shells of absolutely all shapes, sizes and colors (usually light) can be successfully used.

• Country. Bathrooms in this style simply adore pastel and warm colors. Both porcelain, wood, acrylic and stone models of washbasins will look great here. The main emphasis here is on the choice of the countertop - it should be in harmony with the background of the room, but create a pleasant contrast between the color of the sink.

• Art Deco. This is perhaps the richest and most demanding style among the rest. In such bathrooms, only expensive options for porcelain or earthenware sinks of an oval or square shape will look good. The color here is usually chosen white, cream or dark.

Today in stores you can find just a huge number of overhead models of sinks of various brands, but not all of them deserve attention. Below is a list of manufacturers who produce the best washbasin models.

• Among Russian manufacturers, the brand can be distinguished Melana, which produces very high quality, albeit quite budget products from sanitary ware. This company has been working on the Russian market for over 13 years and produces models no worse than European ones.

• Villeroy & Boch is an international company specializing in the production of classic wall-mounted washbasins. The prices for the goods of this company can seriously hit the wallets of ordinary Russian consumers, but this technique, made of high-quality ceramics and sanitary porcelain, is worth the money.

• Roca Is one of the most popular Spanish building materials companies. As a rule, this brand is engaged in the production of high-quality, beautiful and durable ceramic washbasins.

• If we talk about French brands, then the manufacturer's attention cannot be ignored. Jacob delafon - he has been manufacturing plumbing fixtures for over a century. This company specializes in the production of sinks in classic shapes and sizes, and also offers an impressive selection of custom-shaped washbasins made of glass and natural stone.

• Turkish brand Vitra offers durable, safe and affordable bathroom countertop washbasins. In addition to the above, almost every element of the product is offered a long-term warranty of up to 25 years.

• Polish firm Cersanit has been producing world-class sanitary ware for over 20 years. The products of this brand are made of durable and high-quality materials, but they are distinguished by an affordable price.

Of the lesser-known brands that also produce decent sanitary ware, one can single out two Chinese manufacturers (Salsa Basin, Salsa Basin), the German brand Duravit, and the Swiss company Laufen.

When choosing overhead sinks for bathrooms, just as when buying absolutely all furniture items, you need to follow certain recommendations. The factors below will help you find the perfect model for your bathroom.

• Room and countertop dimensions... This is the main factor when choosing overhead sinks. Before buying, be sure to evaluate the dimensions of your room, measure the width and length of the existing countertop, and also try to imagine which of the shapes of the sinks will look best in your bathroom. Already with this information, go to the store and choose the right model for yourself.

• Integrity and appearance. Since most of the overhead structures for bathrooms are made precisely of fragile materials that do not tolerate mechanical damage and scratches, carefully examine the proposed models when buying. They should be free of chips, cracks, scratches and dents (if we are talking about metal models). The appearance of the sink can be used to determine whether it has been used before, and to estimate the thickness of the outer coating (if any).

• Forms. If you have small children or elderly people in your home, it is better to choose sink models with rounded corners. This will avoid serious injury. If you choose a sink that will also serve for bathing a child, it is better to choose oval-shaped models and materials that are not too stiff and heat up quickly.

• Accessories. When choosing a countertop sink, be guided not only by the unit itself, but also by the dimensions of the accompanying accessories. For example, if you bought a deep model of a surface-mounted sink, low taps will not work here either in terms of practicality or appearance. If, when choosing an overhead design, you lean more towards practicality than towards appearance, you can buy models of sinks with two faucets, an offset drain or special holes for bathroom accessories.

• Style. When choosing a certain model of a countertop washbasin, it is not enough to stop at some beautiful washbasin. It should be in harmony with the chosen style solution of the room, as well as with its color background.

And it will also be useful to pay attention the choice of the countertop itself for mounting a surface-mounted washbasin. The standard option in this case are models made of wood, plastic or MDF.

Below will be presented beautiful and stylish examples of overhead sinks in different designs and styles of the bathroom.

• Classic... Pay attention to the pleasant white, cream tones of the washbasins and the gold and silver of the faucets.

• Minimalism... The striking signs of this style are practicality and simplicity, neutral colors and classic forms.

• Country. This style loves warm and pastel shades, in addition, stone and wood textures of the countertop or the sink itself are often found in this design.

• Creativity. Pay attention to the variety of shapes, materials, sizes and colors in which overhead sinks can be made.

For information on how to choose a sink, see the next video.