Oh, brilliant question! Right, so you’re thinking about one of those sleek wall-hung basins, yeah? The ones that look like they’re floating? Honestly, I installed one in my own flat in Hackney last autumn – total game-changer for tiny spaces, but blimey, did I learn a few things the hard way.
Let’s start with the fitting, shall we? It’s not like your standard pedestal sink. You can’t just plonk it on the floor and hope for the best. The wall behind needs to be solid – I mean properly solid. Stud walls with just plasterboard? Forget it. Mine’s on an old brick wall, thank goodness. My mate Tom tried fitting one onto a partition wall in his new-build in Greenwich. Let’s just say… there was an incident involving a leak, a collapsed bracket, and a very soggy downstairs neighbour. Nightmare. You need proper heavy-duty fixings, maybe even a bit of reinforcement. Get a good plumber who’s done these before – worth every penny.
Now, the magic happens *underneath*. That empty space below the basin is prime real estate! I’ve got this slim, vintage-style metal trolley on castors that I found at a car boot sale in Bermondsey. Rolls right under, holds all my towels, loo rolls, cleaning bits. When I need the floor clear for mopping or, I dunno, clumsy yoga attempts, I just wheel it out. Feels so clever.
Or, you can build in a wee shelf or a narrow cabinet. But keep it minimal – you don’t want to clutter up that lovely open feeling. I saw a gorgeous setup in a café in Bristol once: a raw oak shelf under a white ceramic wall basin, just holding a simple ceramic jug and a plant. Looked dead serene.
Speaking of plants, that’s your secret weapon for decorating! Since you’ve got wall space above the sink, go vertical. A couple of floating shelves with trailing ivy or a spider plant. Maybe a nice piece of art – something that can handle a bit of steam. I’ve got a framed vintage botanical print there. Adds personality without eating an inch of floor.
Lighting’s key too. With no bulky vanity unit, you can play with sconces on either side of the mirror. Gives a lovely, soft, spa-like glow. Much better than a harsh overhead bulb that makes you look knackered at 7 AM.
The trick is to keep the floor as bare as possible. A nice, small rug that’s easy to wash, but that’s it. You’ll be amazed how much bigger the room feels. My bathroom’s only about 2.5 by 2 metres, but with the wall-hung sink and clear floor, it doesn’t feel cramped at all. It’s all about creating that illusion of air, of breath.
Oh, and a final tip – spend on a good-looking tap! Since the basin itself is so simple, the tap becomes the jewellery. I splurged on a brushed brass one with a lever handle. Looks and feels gorgeous every time I use it. Little joys, you know?
So yeah, go for it. Just do the prep work on the wall, cherish that empty space below, and decorate upwards. It’s a proper little space-saver’s dream, once you get it right.
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