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Pill Shape Basins

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Pill Shape Basins Buying Guide


Pill shape basins have straight long sides and fully rounded ends, like a capsule. They combine the clean line of a rectangle with the softness of a round bowl. This collection includes Caroma Liano II pill basins in above counter, inset and under or over counter versions, plus pill and capsule-style basins from ADP, Bao, Otti, Timberline and Eight Quarters.

What is a pill shape basin?

A pill basin is a long, narrow basin with parallel sides and semi-circular ends. It reads as modern and relaxed, and suits both minimalist and organic interiors. Because the shape is slim front to back, it works well on narrow vanities and in ensuites where space is tight.

What size pill basin do I need?

Sizes here include the Bao Pill at 500mm, the Caroma Liano II 530mm pill (530 x 350 x 120mm above counter, holding 11.9 litres) and the Caroma Liano II 580mm pill. The ADP Patty at 450 x 280mm and the Eight Quarters Mini Pod at 400 x 280mm suit very small vanities and powder rooms. As a guide, leave at least 100 to 150mm of bench either side of the basin.

Which mounting type should I choose?

An above counter pill sits on top of the vanity and becomes a feature. An inset pill, such as the Liano II 530mm inset, drops into a cut-out with its rim on the bench. Under or over counter models, like the Liano II 580mm, can be installed either way, giving flexibility if you change your benchtop. The Liano II hand wall basin is a compact wall-mounted pill at 530 x 280mm with one tap hole.

What tap goes with a pill basin?

Most above counter and inset pill basins have no tap hole, so you need a tall basin mixer on the bench or a wall mixer. A wall mixer keeps the bench clear and is easy to clean around. Under counter pills pair with a standard-height mixer. Check that the spout reaches the centre of the bowl.

What is the standard waste for a pill basin?

Most bathroom basins use a 32mm waste. Check whether your pill basin has an overflow, as this decides whether you need an overflow or non-overflow waste. Some Caroma Liano II basins are non-overflow, and metallic wastes and dress rings are available separately to match your tapware.

How do I care for a pill basin?

Wipe daily with a soft cloth and a mild, non-abrasive cleaner, then dry. Matte finishes, such as the Liano II matte white and Bao matte white, benefit from a quick wipe to stop toothpaste and soap residue setting. Avoid scourers and harsh acids. Concrete basins such as the Eight Quarters Mini Pod should be cleaned with pH-neutral products only.

Completing the room

Compare oval basins, arch basins and above counter basins, and pair your pill basin with a tap from basin mixers or a matching pill shape mirror from The Blue Space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pill basin?

A pill basin (sometimes called a capsule basin) has two rounded ends joined by straight or near-straight sides, giving it a shape closer to a capsule or a stretched stadium outline than a true oval. An oval basin curves continuously along its whole length, while a pill shape has flatter run along the sides before the curve kicks in at each end. The result reads as a bit more structured and linear than an oval, while still avoiding the hard corners of a rectangular basin.

How is a pill basin different from an oval basin?

The difference is in the sides. An oval basin has a continuous curve with no flat sections at all, while a pill basin has distinct straight edges running between the two rounded ends. Side by side, a pill basin looks slightly more elongated and geometric, which suits a longer, narrower benchtop or a more contemporary design brief than a fuller oval shape.

What size pill basin suits a 900mm vanity?

A 900mm vanity comfortably takes a single basin up to around 450mm to 500mm wide, which leaves clearance either side for the tap and everyday bench use. Pill basins tend to run a little longer and narrower than an oval or round basin of a similar bench footprint, so check the basin's full length dimension (not just its width) against the vanity's cut-out template before ordering, particularly for an inset or above-counter installation.

Are basin wastes all the same size, including on a pill basin?

No single size fits everything, but the large majority of Australian basins, pill shape included, use either a 32mm or 40mm waste outlet. The shape of the basin bowl has no bearing on waste size, it's the outlet diameter moulded or cast into the basin that decides this. Always check the specification listed for the specific basin rather than assuming a size from its shape or footprint.

What is considered a standard basin size?

There's no single fixed standard, but most basins sold in Australia, across shapes, fall somewhere between 350mm and 600mm wide, with 400mm to 450mm common for a single vanity. Pill basins sit within that same general range, though their proportions tend to favour length over width compared with a round or square basin of similar overall size. Confirming the specific basin's width, length and depth against the vanity is more reliable than working from a general standard figure.

Does a pill basin need a different tap to a round or oval basin?

Not because of the shape itself. What matters for tapware is the mounting type and rim height rather than the bowl's outline, so a pill basin mounted above the counter needs the same tall spout clearance as any other above-counter shape, while an inset pill basin suits a standard deck-mounted mixer. See tall basin mixers if you're pairing this shape with an above-counter installation.