Basin
The washbasin or sink set into or on top of a vanity. It is the bowl you wash at every day, and every HERA vanity set includes a top of your choice, ceramic among them.
What it means
A basin is the bowl-shaped fixture you wash your hands and face at. In Singapore, "basin" is the word most people use for the bathroom fixture, while "sink" usually means the one in the kitchen. Functionally they are the same idea: a bowl with a tap above it and a waste outlet below.
In most bathrooms the basin does not stand alone. It sits within a vanity, either set into the countertop or resting on top of it as a countertop bowl. The vanity provides the support and the storage; the basin is the working surface. Above or behind it sits the mixer, the tap that blends hot and cold water.
Basins come in different materials, and the most common by far is the ceramic basin: fired, glazed clay that is hard-wearing and easy to clean. That glazed surface is why a well-kept basin can look new for years despite daily soap, toothpaste, and splashing.
In a Singapore home
In HDB and condo bathrooms, the basin and vanity are usually bought as one set, and that is how HERA sells them. Every HERA vanity set includes a top of your choice, picked at the point of order from Apollo, Bcm or Helios Ceramic, Glossy White or Black Tempered Glass, White or Black Quartz Top, or Ash Wood or Brown Walnut Salena Top, and the price shown covers the cabinet plus the top. Tap fittings and waste fittings are sold separately, so you can pair the set with the mixer of your choice.
Size matters in a compact bathroom. HERA vanities come in 500, 600, 690 and 800mm widths in the 40 Series, and 600, 690 and 800mm in the 46 Series, and the 600mm 46 Series model measures 596mm wide by 455mm deep by 530mm tall, sized specifically for standard HDB layouts. The cabinet beneath the basin is solid PVC rather than MDF or particle board, so daily splashes from the basin above do not cause warping, swelling, or peeling. The full range is in the vanity and storage guide.
Installation is handled by our team: the vanity is wall-mounted with anchor screws, and the work covers mounting, alignment, basin fitting, and tap connection. For layout ideas in a smaller bathroom, see our guide to small bathroom vanity and storage ideas.
Quick questions
Is a basin the same thing as a sink?
In everyday use, yes. Basin is the word most commonly used for the bathroom fixture in Singapore, while sink usually refers to the kitchen. Both describe the bowl you wash at, connected to a tap and a waste outlet.
Does a HERA vanity come with a basin?
Yes. Every HERA vanity set includes a top of your choice, picked at the point of order, from a ceramic basin (Apollo, Bcm or Helios) to Glossy White or Black Tempered Glass, White or Black Quartz Top, or Ash Wood or Brown Walnut Salena Top. The price shown covers the cabinet plus the top. Tap fittings and waste fittings are sold separately so you can pair the vanity with the tap of your choice.
What are HERA basins made of?
The basins included with HERA vanity sets are ceramic, made from fired, glazed clay that is hard-wearing and easy to clean. Ceramic suits the wet, humid conditions of an everyday Singapore bathroom.
Is the basin covered by the warranty?
Yes. Every HERA vanity comes with a 1-year warranty against manufacturing faults, and that cover includes the ceramic basin along with the PVC body, soft-close drawer mechanism, and hinges.
Related terms
See the basin and vanity sets in person
The full vanity range, including all six finishes, is on display at the MacPherson showroom, or message us on WhatsApp and the team will help you pick a set, usually within 15 minutes during showroom hours.