Hand-wash basins are great for small bathrooms or downstairs cloakrooms. They enable you to have a decent washing area to comfortably clean your hands, wash your face or brush your teeth without ending up with a cluttered storage room. In fact, they can be wall-hung to give you more room beneath.

So, how can you utilise space-saving sinks and make the most of a small hand-wash basin in a limited space? Discover more about them below.


Table of contents


What is a wash basin?

A hand wash basin, also known as a washbowl or wash-hand basin, is a small sink designed to fit in limited spaces such as cloakrooms. On some occasions, you can also use one as a bedroom sink. However, what’s the main difference between a regular bathroom sink and a hand-wash basin?

It’s mostly a matter of size and design. Wash-hand basins are smaller and narrower, allowing you to wash your hands and face and brush your teeth comfortably, but not wash your hair.

A small wash basin with a tap


What is the minimum size of a wash basin?

When it comes to dimensions, the good news is there’s no minimum wash basin size required by law. Having said that, we should still point out that unless the basin is going to be used exclusively by young children, you don’t want to go with something impractically small.

Generally, a small toilet hand basin is less than 60cm wide. Many of the popular options on the market are around 45cm in width. This provides a good combination of compactness and functionality.

In terms of narrowness, the smallest washbasins are around 20cm-25cm in depth.

Finally, most small round washbasins are around 41-45cm in diameter.

A white sink with a tap


Space-saving sinks and tips

By this point, you’re probably wondering about your options in terms of slim bathroom sinks and handy tricks. Also, where do you put a wash basin anyway? Here are our top suggestions.

Opt for a wall-hung corner wash-hand basin

A wall-hung corner wash hand basin provides even more storage underneath. It’s a small hand-washing sink neatly tucked away in the corner, leaving you with enough room for other furnishings or uses.

If you’re not a fan of wall-hung, floorstanding works just as well. The corners of any bathroom, regardless of size, tend to be the most underused spaces. So don’t make the same mistake. Instead, make the most of your cloakroom corners with one of the many durable small hand basins for toilets.

A wall hung wash basin and tap

Combine a narrow cabinet and a countertop mini basin

The popularity of countertop basins has increased greatly in recent years due to their versatility, functionality and ease of installation. So, why not go for a small rectangular countertop mini basin on top of a lean cabinet or vanity unit?

As a bonus, you can put the tap on one side of the small wash basin and use the space on the other side to keep your hand wash dispenser.

Choose a slimline wall-hung vanity unit

If you don’t have the time or desire to look for a separate narrow cabinet and countertop basin for a small bathroom, but like the general idea, a slimline wall-hung vanity unit is the solution for you.

If you decide to go down that road, you don’t have to worry about finding a space saver sink and cabinet that match in style – the company’s designers have already done the work for you! All that’s left for you is choosing the right size and design.


To conclude

Using the right small hand wash basin in limited spaces such as cloakrooms, quarter bathrooms, or half bathrooms can make all the difference in the world.

Luckily, the days when you were faced with a handful of drab, unappealing options are gone.

With various shapes and types of space-saving sinks available nowadays, it’s easy to make the most of even the tiniest of spaces without compromising on style or ease of use.

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