Under or above counter basin in bathroom

[Hiahia]

Hi all,

we are currently renovating our old old house in Devon, and I am trying to figure out our bathroom's specs currently.

We have bought a lovely midcentury sideboard (see first image attached) with the idea of transforming it into a 2 basins vanity unit. We'll add a marble top to it to protect the surface from water.

We do not have children yet, but are hoping to start a family fairly soon.

We have the choice of going with fully under counter basins or rectangular basins sat on top of the counter... Both have benefits, but I was wondering if any of you felt strongly for or against on of these?

Under counter basins (Image 2):

• better height for children but not for adults (the sideboard's height is 865mm, and we are both tall)
• eats up on potential storage space within the unit

Over counter basins (Image 3):

• better height for adults but not for children
• better for storage underneath

I think we would prefer the taps to come from the wall but that could change as well if I get strong advice against this!

Does anybody have any wisdom to share?

Thank you Mumsnet!

FWIW I think basins on top are a bit old hat now. I had them in my last house (my mate described them as dentist's bowls) and they were harder to keep clean.
I've got x2 undercounted with taps coming out of the wall & it looks very neat.

Thanks Eastwickwitch, this is very much appreciated.

If anybody else has an opinion, please let me know!!!

We're doing something similar in our Edwardian house, although with just the one basin. We've bought an oak sideboard, with cupboards on one side and three drawers on the other. We've bought a marble top, and the basin will go on top of that on the left-hand side over the cupboard. The tap will go on the wall, with a long mirror above that.

There are a couple of reasons for doing it this way - firstly we like over counter basins , but also it maximises the cupboard space left for storage (and with three daughters approaching their teenage years, there are going to be a lot of bathroom products to be stored ).

Thanks tkkband3 that's good to know other people are doing this in their period houses! I love how this solution allows you to show more of the flooring...

I am definitely quite addicted to beauty products so extra storage might be a good thing...
But then again, I think of the beautiful marble, which will be more 'on show' with an under counter basin.

If anybody else has tips in regards to these, let me know!

Ours will be going in in the next couple of weeks, so if I remember, I'll post a picture!

oh would be amazing tkband3!

What a great idea! I'd go for under counter sinks myself as I'm both a short arse and short sighted so there's less for me to bang myself on when my glasses are off.

Please post your pics, I'd love to do something similar!

PS where did you get your lovely sideboard? I have a mid century house that needs one.

An undercounted sink won't date, imo. If you're going for a unique piece of furniture, you'll want it to last.

Eastwickwitch feel free to post a photo of your current unit :D

Apatite1, i am tall but short sighted too! Good point about the blindness and banging!
Photos taken today to show where we're currently at with the bathroom... I'll post another one when it's done in May. The unit will be close to the window, on the left. The bath will be opposite. Closer to the 'door' will be the toilet (next to basins) and a wetroom style shower butting up against the bath opposite. All the walls will be covered in Tadelakt render (so no tiles at all!) and the floors will have cement tiles with underfloor heating.
My husband found the Richard Hornby sideboard on eBay: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121484053725?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#viTabs_0. Paid £275 including delivery. It was on 1stdibs for A LOT more money!!! Go husband!
I reckon it will suit the purpose ok, as it's solid Afromosia which is relatively resistant to water (though not as much as Teak), and the drawers' position in the middle will allow us to keep at least the 2 or 3 bottom ones functioning if we go with under counter basins either side.
Good luck in finding your piece!

Chicaguapa: thank you for your advice :) I do want this to last, as with the cost of marble, basins, taps and carpentry, it will be quite a costly unit in the end. Love the kitchen you posted in the kitchen tips thread.

www.firedearth.com/bathrooms/type/furniture/vermont-bathroom-furniture-1400-washstand-with-two-double-door-cabinets
Not this one sadly but very similar made by local joiner

Ah yes, lovely. A LOT of storage! If you've got them, are the two drawers functional?

No, mine are just false drawers. There is a lot of storage, but it's not easy to access the back.
Looks pretty though.