11 Times a Bathroom Basin With an Exposed Bottle Trap Looked Ace
Thinking of making the basin the star of the show in your bathroom? These examples might encourage you further
To hide the pipework under your bathroom or cloakroom basin, you might go for a pedestal or perhaps a functional vanity unit incorporating storage – in which case, what’s under your sink doesn’t matter and white plastic pipework will do the job just fine. But if you want to let your basin go it alone, exposing its waste or bottle trap, there are many ways to style it. Check out the examples below and get inspired.
Try vintage-style
A grand old basin like this is a very good advert for skipping the built-in route. And that extensive brass hardware looks wonderful, doesn’t it?
As with many a roll-top bath, the exterior has been painted – and could be painted any colour you like. The downside is that these wall-hung vintage-style trough or farmhouse sinks are few and far between, both as reproductions (Kohler used to make them) and as restored originals. Typically high-backed (meaning taps come out of the wall, but via the basin), they were more common in the US than in the UK, used in situations where, in the UK, we might have had butler sinks instead. But they are out there. Increasingly common over here are a newly produced enamel take on the style – look out for one.
If you have tips for sourcing one of these beauties, do share them in the Comments section.
A grand old basin like this is a very good advert for skipping the built-in route. And that extensive brass hardware looks wonderful, doesn’t it?
As with many a roll-top bath, the exterior has been painted – and could be painted any colour you like. The downside is that these wall-hung vintage-style trough or farmhouse sinks are few and far between, both as reproductions (Kohler used to make them) and as restored originals. Typically high-backed (meaning taps come out of the wall, but via the basin), they were more common in the US than in the UK, used in situations where, in the UK, we might have had butler sinks instead. But they are out there. Increasingly common over here are a newly produced enamel take on the style – look out for one.
If you have tips for sourcing one of these beauties, do share them in the Comments section.
Shelve it
As already said, when dispensing with a beneath-basin cabinet you might miss the storage – and presumably you’ll have factored in other space in which to stash your bathtime bits and pieces – but you could risk missing a flat surface around the basin itself upon which to put a toothbrush mug or a soap dish.
To gain one, without losing the sleek, weightless look of a floating basin, choose a shallow sink for starters, as this gives you more depth to play with. Here, one has been mounted onto a beautifully warm, chunky piece of polished wood, which acts as a useful shelf without adding too much bulk. A slimline shelf in a pale wood would serve the same function if that is more your bathroom’s style. Ensure your wood is regularly treated to protect from water damage.
As already said, when dispensing with a beneath-basin cabinet you might miss the storage – and presumably you’ll have factored in other space in which to stash your bathtime bits and pieces – but you could risk missing a flat surface around the basin itself upon which to put a toothbrush mug or a soap dish.
To gain one, without losing the sleek, weightless look of a floating basin, choose a shallow sink for starters, as this gives you more depth to play with. Here, one has been mounted onto a beautifully warm, chunky piece of polished wood, which acts as a useful shelf without adding too much bulk. A slimline shelf in a pale wood would serve the same function if that is more your bathroom’s style. Ensure your wood is regularly treated to protect from water damage.
Go back to black
Monochrome and wood is a classic combination to conjure up a Scandi feel, and this pale and interesting bathroom does it well.
Unusually, though, it is the tapware that’s black. Here, the style is slick and modern – for a less contemporary dark look, seek out oiled bronze or weathered copper if you can find them.
Monochrome and wood is a classic combination to conjure up a Scandi feel, and this pale and interesting bathroom does it well.
Unusually, though, it is the tapware that’s black. Here, the style is slick and modern – for a less contemporary dark look, seek out oiled bronze or weathered copper if you can find them.
Surprise with sanitaryware
White isn’t the only colour for your basin… here, a glossy black bowl is part of a rich theme that is part Scandi – in the pale wood and classic white-painted chair in miniature – and part exotic, with egg-yolk-yellow walls and concealed LED lights highlighting the colour and creating a warm glow.
Both the trap and the tap have a glossy finish to match the basin, but you could also mix and match textures, with matt and high shine sitting together.
White isn’t the only colour for your basin… here, a glossy black bowl is part of a rich theme that is part Scandi – in the pale wood and classic white-painted chair in miniature – and part exotic, with egg-yolk-yellow walls and concealed LED lights highlighting the colour and creating a warm glow.
Both the trap and the tap have a glossy finish to match the basin, but you could also mix and match textures, with matt and high shine sitting together.
Revert to retro
Already mentioned with this type of sink arrangement is the potential lack of surface area around the basin for essentials – toothbrushes, soap and so on.
This weeny cloakroom basin in a vintage style is also a smart design, in that it has its own little shelf included. In a compact space, this is a great move – be prepared to cast your net wide, think outside the box and do lots of research when seeking a model for your bathroom, as the perfect design may not be the most ubiquitous.
How to rev up the style in a small bathroom
Already mentioned with this type of sink arrangement is the potential lack of surface area around the basin for essentials – toothbrushes, soap and so on.
This weeny cloakroom basin in a vintage style is also a smart design, in that it has its own little shelf included. In a compact space, this is a great move – be prepared to cast your net wide, think outside the box and do lots of research when seeking a model for your bathroom, as the perfect design may not be the most ubiquitous.
How to rev up the style in a small bathroom
Mix marble and brass
When you have a vanity unit, cupboard or pedestal concealing your basin waste you can go for white, plastic – and cheap – pipework. But it’s good to be aware when fitting your basin and choosing the perfect taps that your bottle trap will probably look better matching them.
Also be aware that, in exposing this functional feature, you’re going for looks – and the more expensive your taps are, the more expensive your coordinating bottle trap will be – shiny chrome is next up in the price bracket from plastic, but once you start getting into lesser-seen metals, you’ll probably pay a premium.
And there are choices within choices… If you’re going for a golden finish, like this one, choose carefully – especially if you’re buying unseen online. A polished finish, especially gold, will look very shiny and bright, and will give your bathroom a bit of bling. If it’s a more muted or a vintage effect you’re after, go for brass, and consider antique or weathered rather than lacquered or polished finishes to tone things down (or search online for guides on de-lacquering – it’s pretty simple to do).
As a sidenote, extra love here for the subdued light choice and artwork. The combination makes for a room in which to hang around, feel calm and enjoy the mood – as well as the gentle reflections bouncing softly off the brassware.
How to make the most of on-trend brass in your bathroom
When you have a vanity unit, cupboard or pedestal concealing your basin waste you can go for white, plastic – and cheap – pipework. But it’s good to be aware when fitting your basin and choosing the perfect taps that your bottle trap will probably look better matching them.
Also be aware that, in exposing this functional feature, you’re going for looks – and the more expensive your taps are, the more expensive your coordinating bottle trap will be – shiny chrome is next up in the price bracket from plastic, but once you start getting into lesser-seen metals, you’ll probably pay a premium.
And there are choices within choices… If you’re going for a golden finish, like this one, choose carefully – especially if you’re buying unseen online. A polished finish, especially gold, will look very shiny and bright, and will give your bathroom a bit of bling. If it’s a more muted or a vintage effect you’re after, go for brass, and consider antique or weathered rather than lacquered or polished finishes to tone things down (or search online for guides on de-lacquering – it’s pretty simple to do).
As a sidenote, extra love here for the subdued light choice and artwork. The combination makes for a room in which to hang around, feel calm and enjoy the mood – as well as the gentle reflections bouncing softly off the brassware.
How to make the most of on-trend brass in your bathroom
Here, a shinier finish really stands out well against a navy backdrop.
Say it with silver
A silvery antique-finish metal here does the job of antiqued brass, conjuring up period drama, but with a cooler tone.
The basin is supported on a traditional basin stand, which ramps up the focus further on the taps and waste, as they come as a collection. A basin stand like this one, with a grid shelf at the bottom, which could be used for towel storage, is a useful addition.
A silvery antique-finish metal here does the job of antiqued brass, conjuring up period drama, but with a cooler tone.
The basin is supported on a traditional basin stand, which ramps up the focus further on the taps and waste, as they come as a collection. A basin stand like this one, with a grid shelf at the bottom, which could be used for towel storage, is a useful addition.
Build a picture
In this bathroom, the metal finish of the bottle trap and the taps becomes the starting point for a theme.
Brushed steel rather than chrome will give you this sort of effect, which works well with the duller finish on the mirror frame and lamps.
In this bathroom, the metal finish of the bottle trap and the taps becomes the starting point for a theme.
Brushed steel rather than chrome will give you this sort of effect, which works well with the duller finish on the mirror frame and lamps.
Have a hero
As just seen, a floating basin is not the only way to show off your hardware. This antique table has been topped with marble complete with cut-outs for the double sinks.
Though there are multiple finishes in this room – aged wood, the marble, tiles, grey-painted wall and brass – the latter holds its own and becomes a key feature as the taps and waste match the loo-roll holder as well as the lighting above the mirrors. Having a ‘hero’ finish can be a good way to tie a scheme of disparate pieces together.
What is your bathroom basin like, and what do you love/would like to change about it? Share in the Comments sections.
As just seen, a floating basin is not the only way to show off your hardware. This antique table has been topped with marble complete with cut-outs for the double sinks.
Though there are multiple finishes in this room – aged wood, the marble, tiles, grey-painted wall and brass – the latter holds its own and becomes a key feature as the taps and waste match the loo-roll holder as well as the lighting above the mirrors. Having a ‘hero’ finish can be a good way to tie a scheme of disparate pieces together.
What is your bathroom basin like, and what do you love/would like to change about it? Share in the Comments sections.
A wall-hung basin with no vanity unit or cupboard beneath it can be a thing of beauty, appearing to float, while enhancing your bathroom’s sense of space as the arrangement maximises your floor area.
Here, the all-white combination is complemented by matching chrome bottle traps and high arched taps for contemporary good looks.
A lack of vanity unit can mean you’re short on storage, and in this bathroom a full-wall shelf, as well as basins with a flat surface for occasional use, will be hugely useful. Think about what else you could include to compensate for not having an under-basin cupboard without cluttering up the clean, serene look you’ve created. Perhaps mirrored wall units?