Choosing a bathroom sink is not only a style statement but also a matter of practicality. The bathroom sink materials you choose will have an impact on your overall finish so it's worth taking your time to get it just right.

The latest bathroom sinks are wide, shallow designs, sometimes even irregular in shape. These can be inserted into a slab-type work surface, wall-mounted with shelves and towel storage below, or installed as part of a basin unit.

Types of bathroom sinks

Bathroom sinks come with one, two or three holes, depending on the number of tap(s) you choose:

Photo: Double, semi recessed, wall hung

• Double sink - if you have space practical for busy households
• Semi recessed sink - set into a hole or part of an integral bowl
• Wall hung sink - raised off the ground giving a feeling of space

• Pedestal sink - conventional sink, supported by a pedestal
• Corner sink - can save space and look stylish
• Counter top sink - installed into hole on counter top

Bathroom sink materials

Perhaps top of the bathroom sink materials list is ceramic, which is easily cleaned but can crack and chip. As a sink material it is the most commonly bought so people tend to like the finish it gives. Other possible sink materials include enamelled steel, plastics and even hand beaten copper.

Ceramic is one of the more affordable of sink materials used in the manufacture of sinks, and is the most hygienic and durable sink material. Provided you look after it properly, remove limescale build-up and take care to avoid any accidental damage it will still look as good as new after 10 years use.

Stylish alternative sink materials such as glass or steel will need more work to keep the sink looking good:

• Toughened glass sink materials are as strong as ceramic and no longer carry the high price ticket they used to, but needs to be wiped clean after every use to remove watermarks.
• Steel sink materials have an industrial chic quality and are impossible to chip, but can be easily scratched, so take care when cleaning the surface. Stone and marble sink materials may look fantastic but are extremely heavy and expensive.
• Wood can now be used as a very individual sink material in an organic twist to the 'neutral and natural' theme to bathroom design, with the advantage that it will not break if you drop something into it. The colour will change though and generally darken with age, although strong sunlight will bleach the wood, so if you prefer sink materials with a consistent look then it probably won't be your first choice.

What bathroom size sink?

When planning your bathroom, you need to use the space wisely and keep the fixtures and fittings in proportion to the size of the room. If you are fitting a small bathroom, cloakroom or en-suite, there are sinks which are designed specifically for that purpose. Larger bathrooms can carry the more modern oversized sinks, or maybe you want to install more than one to speed up those busy mornings!

Standard depth 400mm (16in), plus 700mm (27in) clearance on front and at least 200mm (8in) to either side.

Taps for bathroom sinks

Flexibility and choice are very important so sinks may be supplied with 1, 2 or 3 tap holes which allows you to select alternative tap configurations to the conventional pair of pillar taps. Remember though to check that the taps you choose will fit the sink, because although the size of the tap hole will be constant from sink to sink, the amount of space the base of the tap takes up may differ. This is particularly important with sinks with a narrow tap ledge. Of course if you opt for a sink without tap holes, you could install wall-mounted taps instead.

So take time when planning your new bathroom sink - look at the bathroom sink materials available and work out what is most important for you. For some more bathroom sink ideas browse the bathroom ideas gallery.