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.

Bathroom sinks: Double, semi recessed, wall hung

Bathroom sinks: Double, semi recessed, wall hung

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.

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.

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.