One of the most important problems that a huge mass of designers solve today when developing an interior in a bathroom is the most rational use of space. If the area of the room is large enough, then everything is very simple, but when you need to work with a small bathroom, which is the majority in many apartments, then serious difficulties begin here. Literally every centimeter counts, and experts have to think a lot. A mini washbasin for toilet or bathroom helps ease the task.
Features of compact sinks
This straightforward plumbing fixture is a small copy of the standard sink. Hence all the features of this solution. The minimum size of such a product is only 200 mm: this allows you to wash your hands, but alas, it will not work to wash your hair over such a wash basin. Therefore, a mini-sink is not a washbasin. Rather, it is a washstand whose functionality is significantly weaker than that of its full-sized brother. By purchasing such a compact product, you should be prepared for the fact that you have to spend some time getting used to it. But inconvenience is nothing, and especially when it is necessary to create a unique interior in conditions of acute shortage of free space.
Designed specifically for toilets
This product was developed and created not for the bathroom. A mini-sink for the toilet was created. The main purpose is to wash your hands after using the toilet without leaving it. And the sink perfectly solves this problem, even if the dimensions of the toilet room are very small.
Use this mini-product in bathrooms only because of an acute lack of free space. However, there are other methods to solve the spatial issue. For example, there are full-fledged washbasins with installation above a washing machine. This is an attractive and functional solution.
But in the traditional "Khrushchev", in which many families live, a mini-sink is the only way out that allows you to use the space of the bathroom and the combined bathroom as efficiently as possible. Often in such bathrooms only a toilet and a compact shower cabin are placed. On the side of the cabin there is a place for a small wash-hand basin or a tiny sink (you can call it anything you like).
Mini sink: pros and cons
If you start to consider products from this side, you get a very sad picture. This solution has a lot of disadvantages, and the number of advantages is almost zero. Such supercompact plumbing is acquired and installed only because other options are in principle impossible.
The first and only advantage that a mini-sink has is saving space. Such a washstand (otherwise it cannot be called) will freely go where it is impossible to squeeze a standard full-size product.
This is the only virtue that these small shells possess. And now it’s worth looking at the flaws, and there will be a little more.
Unfortunately, the dimensions of the mini-sink are such that it is very inconvenient to operate. You can fold your hands in a boat, as if you need to draw water to wash, and then compare the width of the palms with a mini-sink: the size is almost the same as the size of a compact wash-hand basin. It’s impossible to just bend over this sink.
The next minus is the spraying water. When it is necessary to brush your teeth, this becomes a problem: to bend over this miracle of plumbing thought is simply impossible, rinsing your mouth is also unrealistic, and if you try, the entire area of the bathroom will be splashed from water.
The weak functionality of this solution has already been said: the mini-sink does not even allow you to wash your hands comfortably.
There are still other disadvantages, you can find many more. But even these shortcomings are more than enough to find out that this device is a necessity or a solution for toilets.
Varieties
If we talk about the types of mini-products, then in this regard, sinks can hardly differ from their "big brothers". The washbasin is classified according to materials, according to its location, according to the installation method.
Mini Sink Materials
This type of product is most often made of earthenware or glass. Earthenware is more familiar to everyone and everyone, and glass plumbing equipment has a unique appearance. Take a look at how a mini-sink might look. The photo does not convey all the beauty, but from them you can understand that such models look very fresh.
In addition to these materials, which are quite widespread, washbasins can be made of porcelain stoneware, plastic, stainless steel or artificial stone. Also on sale are copper sinks (this is a real exotic today). For example, a copper sink made in the shape of a water lily resembles something rare.
Location in space
All shells are divided into two groups. These are traditional rectangular products and models for installation in a corner. To make the corner mini-sink as comfortable as possible in operation, the space around such a wash-hand basin should be as free as possible. Rectangular models, the approach to which is multiplied only on one side, can be used with the greatest comfort.
Mounting type
With regard to this point, there are suspended structures, shells, tulips, as well as products with a curbstone. Each model has features, and more on that later.
Installing a mini sink
In general, installation works have little differences with those for traditional full-size models. All the difference is only in some inconvenience. These inconveniences are access to fasteners.
Installation of a hanging sink
In order to fix this washstand on the wall, special studs are used. In this case, it is very important to carefully pre-mark. Two studs must be placed on the same horizontal level. The distance between the studs should very clearly coincide with the distances between the axes of the holes on the sink.
After the markup is completed, all work goes on the standard and familiar to each plan. Holes are drilled into which the studs are mounted. Then the shell itself is put on them, and then the whole structure is fixed with washers.
Very important: between the wall and the product you need to make a silicone pillow. Silicone will work as a softening buffer, which will prevent the product from being damaged by various mechanical stresses, and will also act as an additional fastener.
Installation of a tulip shell
Here, the whole process is identical to installing suspended models. A slight difference: the height of the location is set using the tulip. This will greatly simplify the work of marking points for fasteners. Holes are also drilled here, studs are installed, but the sink sits on the studs only when it is already standing with the help of a tulip.
Install "Moidodyr"
This is exactly what installers and plumbers call a mini-sink with a curbstone. Here, the installation process is simple. The fact is that the stand itself is already a reliable mount. Most often, you can not even use studs. The back face to the wall can simply be glued using various silicone means (any glue). An important point: the surfaces to be glued should be as clean as possible. Before gluing, you need to very accurately calibrate the height. This can be done with the legs on the pedestal.
That's all that can be said about these miniature solutions. Although, there is another type of data structures - a mini-sink, which is built into the countertop. They are no longer suitable for saving space, they have a different task. These models are installed on
silicone glue. Such a sink is convenient as an extra in the kitchen.