Blimey, small bathrooms. Right? I remember my first flat in Clapham, the 'bathroom' was basically a glorified broom cupboard. You could practically wash your hands and brush your teeth at the same time… if you were a contortionist. Choosing the right sink wasn't just about style, it was a survival tactic.
That’s where going wall-mounted changes the game completely. It’s like magic, innit? All that awkward, dead space under a traditional pedestal just… vanishes. Suddenly, you’ve got room for a little wicker basket for loo rolls, or a sleek cabinet for all your bits and bobs. The floor looks bigger instantly—trick of the eye, but it works!
Now, for the real space-savers, you’ve got to get specific with the bowl shape. The classic rectangular basin? Sometimes it juts out too much. My absolute favourite for a tight spot is the semi-recessed style. I saw one last year in a project near Spitalfields—a gorgeous, minimalist white ceramic bowl that sat *partly* into the vanity top. Gave you a proper basin to use, but the cabinet underneath could be shallower. Genius. You get storage without feeling like the cupboard door is hitting your knees.
Or, go the other way—super shallow but wide. I fitted a stunning, almost dish-like basin from a Danish brand in a Chelsea studio. Barely 10cm deep, but it stretched wide. Perfect for a quick freshen up, and the visual line made the whole wall feel broader. You wouldn’t wanna wash your hair in it, but for a powder room? Perfection.
Corner units! Why does everyone forget the corners? A neat, triangular wall-hung basin tucks right in. I helped a mate in Bristol do this, freed up the entire adjacent wall for a proper, full-length mirror. Changed the whole feel of the room.
And the material? Right, this is key. Avoid anything chunky or ornate. Go for thin, crisp edges. Porcelain or fine vitreous china with a tight, curved profile. That thick, “country cottage” rim? It eats up visual space. A slimline basin makes the room breathe.
Oh, and the taps! Don’t get me started. If you’re tight on width, get wall-mounted taps. Or a sleek single-lever mixer that sits tight to the back. Those big, traditional pillar taps? They’ll bully a small basin, honestly.
It’s not just about the sink itself, though. It’s the illusion. A wall-hung basin in a light colour, with a mirror that goes right up to it, and maybe a splash of lovely, light-refracting tile behind… your eye just glides over it. No clunky obstacles.
I learnt the hard way, mind you. My Clapham cupboard? First I bought this beautiful, but frankly enormous, “vintage-inspired” basin with claw feet. Nightmare. Could barely open the door. Had to sell it on Gumtree at a loss. Live and learn.
So yeah, think shallow, think wide, think corners. And get it up on that wall. It’s the single best trick in the book for making a wee bathroom feel, well, not so wee. Gives you a fighting chance to actually move in there!
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