Style Guide for Bathroom Washstands

When inviting guests into your home, everyone will give the living and dining rooms a spring-clean look, and many will even add some polish to the kitchen. One room, however, is often neglected. The bathroom is frequently forgotten and left unclean and untidy when guests are expected, but it will most likely be used at least once by every one of your guests at some point in the night. A set of appropriately designed and durable furniture can lift the appearance of any washroom and render it an unrecognisable jewel of your home rather than a room you are afraid to reveal to your guests.

Whether a bathroom is contemporary or historically inspired, it should fit seamlessly into its surroundings. One of the accessories that can help this area look organised is a washbasin stand. Some prefer not to have a cupboard underneath the counter since the included kickboard may prevent you from standing as close to the sink as you would like. For this reason, many opt to place a bathroom stand underneath the sink instead. These stands are usually made of wood and are designed to hold the basin in place with a minimalistic structure. While this may not seem appealing to all, the minimalist design can look great in any bath area where space is a limiting factor, providing that the bottle trap underneath the sink is also hidden.

When compared with a traditional vanity unit installation, Bathroom Washstands are space-saving and extremely cost-effective: two attributes that anyone who has undertaken a remodelling project is sure to appreciate. They also have a way of transforming the space that they inhabit. Homeowners and designers are turning to these versatile furnishings to provide convenience, comfort and aesthetic interest when updating an interior design.

Most even come with a towel rail immediately below the sink so that a separate wall-mounted hand towel rail is unnecessary. This can be a lifesaver in bathrooms for which available wall space is an issue though many would prefer that their stored items are not visible as they are in the basin stand.

Current bathroom decor trends lean towards minimalism and clean lines. Adding a washstand to your space doesn’t need to contribute to clutter; there are hundreds of options that are streamlined and can enhance the simple overall style.

Washstands can also be easily customised to fit your needs and preferences. Many people see an overlap between washstands and bathroom vanities, and although they are technically distinct pieces of furniture, combining elements of one with the other can result in an aesthetically pleasing (and useful) bathroom feature.

For DIY enthusiasts, remodelling a washstand can be an enjoyable challenge if you have the patience. Sanding wooden surfaces can lend a folksy feel to an old washstand. Along with minimalism, interior designing also embraces the use of wood to soften an otherwise sleek and stark appearance.

Our Top Picks

Antique Appeal

In any house, but especially in one inspired by period design, it’s the little touches that create a special atmosphere. This Imperial Linea Vessel Bowl Unit is an updated version of an old classic. The elegant shape of the basin recalls the traditional china pitcher and bowl you’d find on the bedroom dresser of any Victorian house but with the convenience of a tap. The warm oak finish and gently bowed doors of the cabinet also bring a lovely sense of timelessness to this piece. It would be wonderful in a vintage-themed B&B or any home inspired by the styles of years gone by.

Spartan Space Saver

Simplicity is beautiful. There is something about stripping back an item to its most essential elements that bring a new appreciation for both form and function. The Starck 3 Washbasin puts this philosophy into action. As imagined by designer Philippe Starck, it features a beautiful white alpine finish sink mounted on a plated chrome console with clean, glistening lines. We could see this piece holding a place of pride in a small but perfect bathroom in a carefully curated apartment design.

Mid-century Masterpiece

Recalling the superb craftsmanship, groundbreaking design and down-to-earth appeal of years gone by, this Duravit 2nd Floor Rosewood Vanity Unit manages to be both classic and utterly contemporary. It offers a generous amount of storage space for such a compact unit, with a solid sink and attractive wood panelling. This is another piece that would be equally at home in a bathroom or a guest room. With five different finish options, it’s possible to customise this washstand to match any decor beautifully.

Don't forget to check out our style guide for bathroom vanity units.

Sarabeth Asaff
Sarabeth Asaff is a former kitchen and bathroom designer who now works as a home and garden industry writer and expert. She has a working knowledge of all areas of the home improvement industry, and specialises in functional design and material advice.