Basins

Two brands, two approaches

Nood Co is an Australian maker of concrete basins. Its range covers bowls, boxes, cylinders and shelf basins in a wide choice of colours, including a two-tone design, and many can be wall hung or mounted on a benchtop.

Caroma is an Australian bathroomware brand. Its Contura II, Riviere and Liano II basins cover the classic mounting types: inset, under counter, above counter, hand wall basins and a freestanding basin.

Choose by mounting type

• Above counter: sits on top of the vanity or bench as a feature. See surface mount basins.
• Inset: drops into a cut-out so the rim rests on the benchtop. Simple to fit and simple to replace.
• Under counter: fixed beneath a stone top for a clean edge you can wipe straight into the bowl.
• Wall hung: fixed to the wall with no vanity below. See wall hung basins.
• Freestanding: a standalone piece that needs no cabinet. See freestanding basins.
• Shelf: a basin with its own ledge for the tap. See shelf basins.

Tap holes and tapware

Check the tap hole before you choose your mixer. Some Caroma basins come with a tap landing and one tap hole, so the mixer mounts on the basin itself. Others have no tap hole, so the tap goes on the benchtop or the wall. Above counter basins raise the rim, so pair them with a tall basin mixer or a wall mixer and spout with enough reach. Where a basin has an overflow, it is shown in the product name.

Shape and size

Round basins suit smaller benches and soften a room of straight tile lines. Rectangular basins give a larger usable bowl and line up neatly with the edge of a vanity. Hand wall basins are compact, which makes them a good fit for powder rooms and guest toilets.

Pairing with a vanity

Measure the vanity top before you buy. Leave enough bench either side of the basin, and enough depth behind it for the tap. Browse vanities for cabinets that suit each mounting type.