Basin and Tap Guide: Counter Top, Undermount or Wall Hung?

A basin and its tap have to work as a pair. Choose a beautiful counter top bowl with a standard tap and the water lands on the rim. So the order matters: pick the basin first, then the tap that suits it.

The short version: a counter top basin needs a tall mixer or a wall mounted mixer. An undermount, semi recessed or wall hung basin with a tap hole uses a standard height mixer.

The four main basin types

Counter top (also called a wash bowl or vessel) sits on top of the vanity and becomes a feature of the bathroom. It is also easy to replace later.

Undermount basins are fixed under a stone or solid surface top. The counter runs straight into the bowl, so you can wipe water in without a rim in the way.

Semi recessed basins sit partly in the counter and partly stick out at the front. Handy on shallow vanities.

Wall hung basins are fixed to the wall with no cabinet underneath. A good fit for small bathrooms and guest toilets.

Getting the tap height right

The spout needs to clear the rim of the basin and reach far enough over the bowl.

Basin	Tap to pair with it
Undermount, or a basin with a tap hole	Standard height mixer, for example Hansgrohe 100 and 110 sizes
Counter top wash bowl	Tall or extended mixer, for example Hansgrohe 190 to 260 sizes, or a wall mounted mixer

A wall mounted mixer leaves the counter completely clear, but the valve goes inside the wall, so it has to be planned during renovation.

Don't forget the waste

Some mixers come with a pop-up or push-open waste and some do not. Check the product page, and make sure the waste suits your basin, for example whether the basin has an overflow.

Water efficiency

Basin mixers carry a WELS rating. A 3 tick basin mixer uses 2 litres per minute or less, and a 2 tick mixer more than 2 up to 4 litres per minute.

Browse basins and taps and basin cabinets.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a normal basin mixer with a counter top basin?

Usually not. A standard mixer is too short for most counter top bowls, so water splashes onto the rim. Choose a tall mixer or a wall mounted mixer instead.

What is a push-open waste?

A basin plug you press to open and close, with no lever on the tap. It looks cleaner than a pull-rod pop-up waste.

Get help choosing

Not sure what fits? Bring a photo and your measurements to any Lucky Khoon showroom and our team will help you pick the right model. We are an authorised dealer for the brands we carry, and our in-house installation team can supply and install for you.

• Enterprise One: 1 Kaki Bukit Road 1 #01-01 to #01-05, Singapore 415934. Bathroom and kitchen: +65 6346 2172
• Tradehub 21: 24 Boon Lay Way #01-72/73, Singapore 609969. Bathroom and kitchen: +65 6795 1862
• TOTO Boutique, Oxley Bizhub: 61 Ubi Road 1 #01-10, Singapore 408727. Tel: +65 6320 3778

Opening hours are on our contact page.