Through these unprecedented times, while we all may be living in uncertainty across the globe, there is one thing we all have in common in every home right now—being mindful of washing our hands.

Whether this is a habit some of us followed to a fault our entire lives, or it is something whose benefits some others have only recently discovered, one thing is certain—the bathroom wash basin is a space being used a lot right now. And, with ample time on our hands these days, many of us have turned to spring cleaning or home-improving projects in our homes.

So, if that served as inspiration for you and you are now ready to give your wash basin or bathroom a makeover by yourself, here are eight easy and quick tips to add a stylish change to your home right away or to plan for a bigger renovation in the future.

A MINIMAL WASH BASIN DESIGN? ALL WHITE AND ALL CLEAR

This look works especially well in small wash basin to make the bathroom look less cramped and more functional. A cluttered table top wash basin looks busy and isn’t easy to manoeuvre—especially if the countertop barely extends beyond the sink. Keeping the area as empty as possible with only the bare essentials is a clever way to unclutter and open up the space.

EASY HACK: Don’t waste the space under your sink—use this area to create a storage solution for all your shower and beauty products.

Minimal wash basin design for a small bathroom in all white and with only bare essentials

White wash basin with concrete countertop left bare, bathroom walls in light grey, small plants and hanging lamp bulbs

ADD AN EARTHY TOUCH TO YOUR WASH BASIN DESIGN WITH CONCRETE

Although in our last tip we abode by the common rule of using all-white to create a minimally aesthetic space, simple earthy tones can also lend a tranquil element to your bathroom. A basic concrete look countertop for your wash basin paired with walls in a complementing shade (light grey works well here) will be a unique way to add a hint of brutalist style to your designs.

STYLE TIP: Don’t take away the focus from the concrete countertop—keep fittings and lighting fixtures minimal and leave the countertop bare. You can also add a dash of colour with a small plant or potted flower.

EVERY INCH OF SPACE COUNTS IN YOUR WASH BASIN DESIGN

This bathroom judiciously makes use of the all the space in this small bathroom by extending the table top wash basin from one end of the wall to another. The area under the sink, as well, has been utilised to the fullest creating ample storage space.

INSIDER’S EYE: To avoid a too cramped look, the illusion of space has been created under the countertop drawer with an open shelf at the bottom. This could be an easy space to stow away a simple, neat wicker or rattan basket to tuck the dirty laundry away.

Wash basin with a big countertop and ample storage space, a shower with glass wall on the left and a blue bath mat

Wash basin design with gold metalling detailing, white marble, matching mirror frame and tap

A WASH BASIN GLAM MAKEOVER? TRY OUT METALLIC DETAILING

In this corner wash basin, a conventional white porcelain sink gets a style upgrade with a simple gold tap fitting. Swapping out your existing fittings in the bathroom for newer ones in chrome or metallic finishes will instantly add a polished look to the space, without the burden of an overall renovation.

STYLE TIP: For a neater look, make sure all your fittings are in the same finish to avoid making the space look busy or unplanned. We love the matching mirror frame that complements the tap in this wash basin design.

THE ART OF CREATING A WASH BASIN DESIGN FOR THE GUEST BATHROOM

Before entertaining or hosting house guests, a few things come to mind—clearing and tidying up the home, stocking up on groceries and other essentials, and reserving spaces for your visitors to feel comfortable and right at home. One of these spaces has to be the guest bathroom. Whether it’s for an evening soirée or for a visitor staying over the entire weekend, the guest bathroom should be as inviting and spruced up as possible. This includes clearing

the countertop off all your shower and beauty products while also adding a fresh stock of hand wash, towels and other essentials your guest may require.

PRO TIP: Add uniformity to this space by swapping branded soap dispensers with a simple refillable one from a home store. Bonus points for including a matching dispenser with hand lotion. If the countertop feels too empty, spruce it up with plants.

Guest bathroom with white wash basin, countertop cleared from clutter, wooden storage cabinets and beige tiles on the wall

All-white bathroom with two wash basins, mirrors and sets of fixtures, a plant on the left and a towl rack on the right

CREATE A BATHROOM WASH BASIN FOR EVERYONE

Sharing a space with anyone is never easy—be it with a sibling while growing up, your flatmate in college or even your spouse or life partner afterwards—and a shared bathroom is even trickier. However, if you have the space and budget for it, consider creating his and her wash basin designs in your bathroom to separate sinks and supplies storage spaces between the two of you. This will not only help maintain some personal space but also give you the freedom to use the area as you choose to without compromise.

HOW TO CREATE MORE SPACE AROUND YOUR WASH BASIN

For an average home in urban India, the idea of space is a luxury, and the square footage in a bathroom is the first to be sacrificed. So, for many, a wash basin with a countertop is impractical. However, necessity is the mother of invention and improvising around your existing layout and fittings will take you a long way. We love this simple yet ingenious wooden slab that’s been designed to fit perfectly atop this wash basin to accommodate any bath supplies necessary.

INSIDER’S EYE: This sort of slab or tray is very easy to make at home with the help of a carpenter or even as a weekend DIY project. Notice the slats created in this slab to release any water droplets that may accumulate on the surface—making for a cleaner, drier look.

Minimal wash basin design with wooden slab for supplies and no countertop, wooden mirror with shelf

Uncluttered wash basin on a black countertop, personal items and an ornamental piece on the right with plants and flowers

DON’T DISPLAY ALL YOUR PERSONAL PRODUCTS AROUND THE WASH BASIN

The final and most important takeaway from all the style tips for a wash basin design is to not unnecessarily over clutter the countertop. This is a space meant for the bare essentials and should always be kept as clean and dry as possible. Hoarding or stocking all your beauty and shower supplies here will make the simple act of washing hands a tough endeavour while also turning the regular countertop cleaning into a laborious chore. Besides, your personal products should remain personal, not something for the rest of the world to see.

STYLE HACK: A storage box is a simple yet genius way to store away all non- essential items while adding a design element to the space. If you’re a minimalist, a simple container box will do the trick; and if you’re a maximalist, display your personal style with an intricately designed ornamental piece like the one shown here.

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