There are so many washbasin designs on offer, with a comparable choice of prices, that you will be completely spoilt for choice.

Most are made from vitreous china, although a selection of contemporary-styled washbasins made from various materials, such as stainless steel or glass 1,

is now available from certain retailers. These new materials may look very stylish and modern, but they are generally quite expensive to buy and often require more work than usual to keep clean.

Depending on the overall style of your bathroom, washbasins can be hung from a wall 2,

placed on a matching pedestal 3 or frame 4.

Washbasins can be fitted into the top of a storage unit 5, which may be freestanding or part of a run rather like in a kitchen. A freestanding corner unit is also useful if you have limited space, for instance in a cloakroom 6. If your bathroom is large enough, consider installing a double handbasin unit 7. This ‘his-and-her’ arrangement is great for busy working couples, but a large family would also make good use of it. You could have, for instance, underslung washbasins set in a granite, limestone 8 or marble top. An old pine cabinet beneath can provide attractive storage.