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Purchase advice: Washbasin & Base Cabinet

How should the wash area look like? One of the most important questions at the bathroom. Because the combination of washbasin and base cabinet determines significantly how the bathroom looks later, how convenient it is, how easy it will be to care for, and how much storage space it has. It is therefore wise to buy smart and plan a bit more, which washbasin really fits.

We reveal what you should look out for:

1. Determine the correct size first
Because with the right measurements in the hand, it is much easier to buy. The most important rule is to choose the washbasin and vanity unit so that the size makes sense for your bathroom – neither too big nor too small.

Of course, your taste and your needs are important (for example, in the storage room) – but in the end it is always the space that you have available for your laundry.

And this is made up of: dimensions of the washbasin PLUS the distances that you have to observe all around, as there would be at least:

  • 20 centimeters to the left and right as well
  • 70 centimeters of movement area in front of the washbasin (may overlap with movement surfaces of other sanitary objects)

For a medium-sized washbasin of 70 centimeters wide x 50 centimeters deep, the space requirement would be about 1.3 square meters – provided that the base cabinet is not larger.

Types and Overall Space Requirement

Further common washbasin sizes with space requirements at a glance:
Hand washbasin: 40 cm width, 28 cm depth, 80 cm wide x 98 cm deep (0,78 m2)
Single washstand medium: 60 cm width, 48 cm depth, 100 cm width x 118 cm depth (1.18 m2)
Single washstand large: 80 cm width, 47 cm depth, 120 cm wide x 117 cm deep (1,41 m2)
Double vanity small: 100 cm width, 47 cm  depth, 140 cm wide x 117 cm deep (1,63 m2)
Double vanity large: 120 cm width, 47 cm depth, 160 cm wide x 117 cm deep (1.83 m2)

For couples and families with larger bathrooms, of course, double washrooms are also popular. We have put together four variants for double washing places including advantages and disadvantages here.

It does not matter how much space you have – measure well, which washbasin fits in the designated place and which washbasin size is appropriate for your bathroom. Include other bathroom equipment, such as the bathroom mirror, which will hang over the vanity.

2. Decide on a mounting method
Now it’s time to choose the mounting method. In Germany, most people opt for the “wall hanging” variant.

Why?

Because wall-hung cabinets bring some real benefits:

  • Your bathroom looks more modern.
  • And even bigger thanks to the open ground.
  • You can adjust the height of washbasin and cabinet to your height.
  • And are done faster with cleaning.

Not so important to you?

Then we recommend that you take a look at the range of floor-standing wash stands – here you will often find very charming cabinets, such as the Cape Cod by Duravit in our picture.

3. How should the washbasin be installed?
Vanity units with vanity units are available in countless variations. Important differentiation criterion: The installation of the washbasin – either it is placed in the lower cabinet or it is on top of it.

Which variant suits you better depends on various factors:

  1. How much you like to clean: The more base cabinet and washbasin form a unit, the fewer transitions and the easier to clean. You will need to clean the top and bottom of the washbasin with the storage surface.
  2. How much you want to turn off: built-in washbasins used from above have no storage space on the left and / or right, counter-top washbasins already.
  3. Whatever style you like: wash basins look more charming, built-in sinks are cooler.

​4. Which style do you like?
If size and design are decided on, now it goes on to the fine tuning. And here is (finally) only your taste important, which washing place style you like. Basically, there are three styles in the bathroom design: Modern, traditional and everything in between.

Typical of modern bathrooms are a monochrome color palette with gray or white, in addition to smooth, shiny surfaces and slender fixtures with clear shapes and no frills.
Traditional-style bathrooms use wood bathroom furniture, counter-top washbasins and two-handle faucets with cross handles or other small details.
And everything in between? Well, as the name implies, is a mix of different worlds, modern but homely. How does it appeal to you, you decide…