Freestanding basins buying guide
A freestanding basin stands on the floor on its own, with no vanity, bench or wall cabinet around it. This page holds the Caroma Contura II 530mm freestanding basin in White, Matte White and Matte Clay. The guide below covers what the term means and how it differs from a pedestal basin and a console. It then gives the numbers for the basin on this page, where the waste and trap have to sit, and how the basin is fixed to the floor. Last come the taps that suit a basin with no tap hole, its height against common rim heights, and how to clean it.
What a freestanding basin is called, and what it is not
People search for this product as a freestanding basin, a free standing basin, a freestanding sink or a stand alone basin. A freestanding basin is a full floor-standing fixture and is often more sculptural. A pedestal basin sits on a narrower pedestal that hides the plumbing. A single-piece freestanding basin gives you the column and the bowl in one block. Some products sold as freestanding include pedestals, so check the product details before you buy.
Three types get mixed up, and the differences are practical. A pedestal basin has a bowl and a separate column, and the column conceals the waste pipe and supply pipes. The word pedestal is also used for a wall-mounted basin with a partial shroud that stops short of the floor, and that type needs a wall rated for more than 150kg. A console basin has open legs, is usually fixed to the wall and may stand on legs, so it shows the pipework. A freestanding basin is one floor-standing piece that carries its own weight. The basin on this page is the last kind, and it is fixed to the floor, not to the wall.
Buyers also ask what the difference between a basin and a sink is. Sink is the everyday word, and basin is the bathroom fixture. The product title says basin, so this page does too. If you are comparing other mounting types, see wall hung basins, above counter basins and consoles.
The basin on this page
The Caroma Contura II 530mm freestanding basin is ceramic. The overall height is 900mm, the overall length is 530mm and the projection from the wall is 380mm. It has a thin rim, a smooth stain resistant surface and no overflow. A flush-fitting plug and waste is supplied, and it is also compatible with the Urbane II basin pop-up plugs and wastes. The box holds the basin and the installation instructions. The range is Australian designed and engineered.
It comes in White, Matte White and Matte Clay. The Matte Clay is a natural clay colour and the other two are white. The projection of 380mm is the part that matters for a small room: the basin stands 380mm out from the wall, where a vanity depth of 460 to 550mm is usual, and the 530mm length is the width it takes along the wall. See Caroma Contura II basins for the rest of the range and Caroma basins for the brand.
If you need the bowl capacity, weight or bowl depth for a decision, ask us before you order, and do not assume it from the footprint.
Why the waste and trap position decides the room
A freestanding basin does not hide its plumbing behind a cabinet, so the waste position is part of the design. There are two set-outs. For an S-trap installation, the waste pipe comes up through the floor: position the basin over it, push the basin against the wall and keep the floor waste within a 150mm diameter circle of the basin waste centre. For a P-trap installation, the waste comes out of the wall: position the basin so the 40mm DWV pipe off the wall is within 75mm left or right of the basin centre line.
The Caroma combination S and P trap is supplied and must be used. It adjusts to the S position for a floor waste and angles down to the P position for a wall waste. In both cases a flexible waste connector, also supplied, joins the trap to the 40mm PVC DWV pipe. For the S-trap there is also a 40mm extension pipe from the basin waste to the trap. Make sure the flexible connector is not kinked and all joints are fully tightened.
This is the point to settle before the walls or floor are closed. If the room already has a waste, check it falls inside the 150mm circle or the 75mm band. If you are building new, give the plumber the numbers. A plumber usually has to remove a pedestal basin to reach the pipes if any work is needed later, and a freestanding basin is no different, so plan the service access too.
How a freestanding basin is fixed to the floor
The steps for fixing this basin differ from a wall hung or bench basin, so they are worth knowing before you choose.
- Fit the basin waste to the basin, then position the basin against the wall over the waste.
- Trace the basin fixing holes on the floor, and trace the foot print too so the basin can be put back in the same place. Then move the basin away from the wall.
- Do not use the basin screw holes as a guide for drilling, because this may crack the basin.
- Drill holes at the marked positions for the plastic plugs supplied, fit the plugs and tap them flush or just below the floor surface.
- Connect the trap and the waste as set out above, with the basin pulled off the wall to reach the connection.
- Check the bedding area is clean and free of building material. Place spacers about 2 to 5mm high inside the traced footprint, lift the basin onto them and push it against the wall.
- From the fixing kit, fit the two bushes into the fixing holes, insert the screws and tighten. Over-tightening these screws may crack the basin. Then fit the two blanking caps over the screws.
- Run a bead of acetic cured silicone sealant around the foot and the back of the basin, leaving a 15mm gap in an inconspicuous position for leak detection. Remove the spacers and fill the gaps with silicone.
- Clean off excess sealant and let the silicone set for at least 24 hours before use.
Have the work done by a qualified plumber. Local authority, water board and building regulations may apply, and installation must be in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.2. All measurements are subject to accepted manufacturing tolerances, so check the actual product dimensions before drilling. Two details stand out. The basin is fixed to the floor with two screws, so the floor has to take plugs, so your plumber should check the floor before the day. And the 15mm gap in the silicone is deliberate: a leak at the waste then shows at the gap and does not run under the basin out of sight.
No tap hole, so choose the tap first
This basin has no tap hole. That means the taps go on the wall or on a tall fitting that does not need a hole in the bowl. Freestanding and pedestal basins often need wall-mounted or tall deck-mounted mixers so the spout reaches over the bowl, so check the spout reach and tap hole layout before buying. Wall-mounted taps need earlier plumbing planning, which is the same point seen from the other side.
With a basin that stands 900mm tall, a wall-mounted mixer or a wall spout and handles is the cleaner answer, because it avoids a floor-standing tap. The height of the wall tap has to clear the rim, and the spout has to reach over the bowl, so measure the projection of the spout against the 380mm projection of the basin before you set the rough-in. Fix the tap position when the wall is open. See basin mixers and basin wastes for the fittings, and keep in mind that this basin comes with its own plug and waste.
Height, clearance and where it fits
The overall height of this basin is 900mm. Rim heights for basins in general sit below that: about 810 to 850mm from the finished floor, adjustable for the user, with 800 to 850mm as a starting point. A floor-mounted vanity sits at 850 to 900mm, and an accessible rim at 800 to 830mm. The 900mm figure is the overall height of the basin and not necessarily the rim, because a freestanding basin has a bowl and a body below it, so confirm the rim height with us before you decide who it suits.
For clearance, leave at least 600mm of clear space in front of the basin, and plan a circulation space of 900 by 1200mm for an accessible bathroom. With a 380mm projection, the basin takes less depth than a vanity, which is why people pick it for a powder room or a narrow ensuite. Measure the door swing and the toilet position first, then place the basin. See small basins if the space is tight and you want to compare footprints.
Other freestanding materials
This page holds a ceramic basin. Freestanding basins come in vitreous china, solid surface, stone composite, concrete and ceramic, and each differs in durability, finish, weight and maintenance. Shapes include cylindrical, rectangular or square and organic. Concrete freestanding pedestals and modular cylinders come in 29 colours. Check sizes, tap holes and care on each product before you compare them in detail.
If you want a different material, see concrete basins and solid surface basins for what the store carries. Care and weight differ, so read each product page. For a white ceramic look in other mounting types, see ceramic basins, white basins and matte white basins.
Cleaning a ceramic freestanding basin
For day-to-day care, water and a damp cloth are all a ceramic basin needs. For water marks, grease and soap scum, use a proprietary bathroom cleaner. For limescale, lay a piece of kitchen paper soaked in household vinegar on the deposit for 30 minutes, then rinse. Keep products that contain fluoride, such as rust removers and toothpaste, from sitting on the surface, because deposits left behind can stain it. Cream cleaners dull the surface if overused. For a gentler option, work bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar over the surface lightly and rinse well, so the rubber seals in the waste are not damaged. Avoid harsh chemicals, and never mix cleaning products.
Clean with a soft cloth or a non-abrasive sponge and mild detergent, with no harsh chemicals or abrasive pads, and rinse and dry to prevent water marks. For a basin with a matte finish, test any stronger product on a hidden area first. Clean the silicone joint at the foot as well, because soap and water collect there, and keep the 15mm leak gap clear so you can see it.
Who a freestanding basin suits, and who it does not
A freestanding basin suits a room where you want the basin to be the object. Freestanding basins remove the need for a large vanity. That frees the wall and the floor around it, and it suits a powder room or a feature wall. The thin rim and the single-piece form are the visual points of this model.
Three limits are worth stating. There is no storage, because there is no cabinet. There is no bench, so soap, a cup and a toothbrush need a shelf on the wall. And the plumbing has to be right where the basin stands, because the waste position is fixed by the set-out above, so a new location in an existing room can mean opening the floor or the wall. If you want storage, look at bathroom vanities or at other basin types.
Choosing between White, Matte White and Matte Clay
The three finishes suit three different rooms. White is the clean choice and sits well with white or pale tiles and with any tapware finish. Matte White has a softer, flatter surface that shows fewer reflections, so it suits a room with strong downlights or a large window. Matte Clay is a natural clay colour, and it suits a room with warm plaster, timber or stone tones, where a bright white fixture would look cold.
Choose the finish after you choose the wall. A basin that stands against a dark wall gives the strongest contrast in White or Matte White. A basin that stands against a light, warm wall looks calm in Matte Clay. Hold a sample of the wall colour or tile against the finish photos before you order, and look at both in the light of the room.
Planning a powder room around a freestanding basin
A powder room or a narrow ensuite is where this basin earns its place. Because the projection is 380mm, the basin leaves more floor than a vanity would. Plan the room in this order.
- Mark the basin position on the floor, centred on the waste, with 530mm along the wall.
- Check the waste against the 150mm circle for a floor waste or the 75mm band for a wall waste.
- Place the tap on the wall above the basin, with the spout reaching over the bowl.
- Hang a mirror centred on the basin, with the lower edge clear of the tap handles.
- Add a wall shelf or a niche for soap, a cup and a hand towel, since the basin has no bench.
- Add light at both sides of the mirror, or above it, so the face is lit evenly.
A basin that stands 900mm high reads as a piece of furniture, so keep the surrounding wall simple. A plain painted wall, a single tile or a vertical timber panel lets the shape stand out. For storage that does not need a cabinet under the basin, add a recessed niche beside it, a wall cabinet above the toilet or a shallow shelf.
Questions buyers ask
Does a freestanding basin need a vanity?
No. The basin is a complete floor-standing fixture and carries its own weight. It is fixed to the floor with two screws and sealed at the foot.
Does the Contura II freestanding basin have an overflow?
No. The basin has no overflow, and the flush-fitting plug and waste supplied with it suit that design.
Can I fit a mixer on the basin?
No. There is no tap hole, so the tap goes on the wall. Choose a wall-mounted mixer or a spout with separate handles, and set the rough-in before the wall is lined.
What warranty does the basin carry?
The Caroma Contura II freestanding basin carries a 20 year warranty. Keep your invoice with the installation record.
Is it suitable for a small bathroom?
Yes. At 530mm long and 380mm out from the wall, it takes a small footprint. Check the door swing and the clearance in front before you fix the position. For other compact options, see small hand basins.
Details to confirm before you order
Some details are worth confirming before you order. Bowl capacity, weight and bowl depth are not confirmed for this basin, and there is no tap hole, so ask us if those figures matter to you. Check the actual product dimensions before you build around it. Wall-mounted and column pedestal basins are a different install from this one, so their rim height and clearance figures serve as context only.
How to choose
Start with the plumbing, because the basin has to stand where a waste can reach it. Check if the room has a floor waste or a wall waste, and if it falls inside the 150mm circle or the 75mm band. Then check the floor, because the basin is screwed down. Then choose the tap, because the basin has no tap hole, and fix a wall tap position before the wall is closed.
Last, choose the finish. White and Matte White are the two white finishes and Matte Clay is the natural clay colour. Measure your space against the 530mm length and 380mm projection, and place the basin so the door and the toilet are clear. That order puts the expensive decisions first and the finish last.
Before fitting, book a licensed plumber for the water connections, and check the plumbing positions against the basin before it is fixed.
