Wall-Hung Basins: Sizes, Fixing Height and Wall Strength

A wall-hung basin is bolted directly to the wall with nothing touching the floor. It is the most common choice for compact apartment bathrooms because it takes the least space and leaves the floor below open for mopping. It is simple, but a few details decide whether it stays firm and looks neat for years.

Common sizes

Wall-hung basins are usually called by their inch size at the counter. Common sizes run from about 410x330 mm to 485x430 mm:

The inch name is a trade name, not a measurement. A basin sold as "22x18" can measure closer to 455x365 mm, so always check the size in mm before you plan the space. The first number is the width across the wall, and the second is how far the basin projects into the room. In a narrow bathroom, check the projection more carefully than the width, because that is what you walk past.

Some basins are sold as wall-hung and table-top "combo" pieces. They have a flat underside and fixing holes, so you can bolt them to the wall now and later place them on a vanity if you redo the bathroom. Ask the shop what combo pieces are in stock.

Wall strength and fixing

A basin full of water, plus someone leaning on it, puts real load on two bolts. So:

• Fix into solid wall. The bolts must go into solid brick, block or concrete. Avoid hollow partitions, gypsum walls and areas where stone or tile cladding sits over a gap.
• Use the right fasteners. Use the fixing bolts or rag bolts meant for basins, with proper anchors, not small screws.
• Check for pipes before drilling. Concealed water lines often run near the basin point. Mark them before the plumber drills.
• Do not let it rest on the pipes. The waste pipe should not carry any weight.

Some wall-hung basins come with, or can take, a support bracket. On older or weaker walls, a bracket adds peace of mind.

Fixing height

The rim of a wall-hung basin is usually fixed around 800 to 850 mm from the finished floor. Remember to measure from the floor tile level, not the rough floor. For a family with children, you can drop it a little. If most users are tall, a little higher saves bending.

The bottle trap

With a wall-hung basin, the waste pipe and bottle trap below are on show. A chrome bottle trap looks tidy and is easy to wipe. A plain PVC trap works but looks plain. If you want the trap covered, a half pedestal adds a short column under the basin without touching the floor. Our pedestal basins page compares both.

Tiling behind the basin

Tile the wall first and fix the basin after. A basin fixed on plaster with tiles cut around it later always looks patchy and lets water seep behind. Plan the basin height with the tile joints in mind, so the basin does not sit awkwardly across a joint line. A 300x600 mm wall tile gives fewer joints behind a basin. Our bathroom page has more on wall tiles.

Is wall-hung right for you?

Choose wall-hung if your bathroom is small, your wall is solid, and you want easy floor cleaning. If you want storage below, look at table-top and under-counter basins on a vanity instead. The wash basins overview compares all types.

Measure your available width and how far a basin can project, then contact the shop to ask which sizes are in stock.