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Basin

Matte Vs Glossy Bathroom Sink

When it’s time to select a bathroom sink in your bathroom design, an important question arises: Should the sink finish be matte or glossy? Armrock Constructions specialises in bathroom renovations on the Gold Coast QLD, and we have used both matte and glossy sinks in a number of projects. In this article, we examine the benefits of both approaches, and hope to provide some insight to help with making a decision for your own bathroom design. If you’re considering a renovation on the Gold Coast, please contact our team – we provide a free consultation and quote, and look forward to assisting you.

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Understanding the role of the Bathroom Sink

Once upon a time, bathroom sinks were not as glamorous as they are today. They were a purely functional bathroom inclusion – a necessity to capture water and enable washing. While we’re still spitting our toothpaste into them, their role has evolved. They now play a vital part in the presentation of the room. This is accomplished via these two main avenues:

  1. Presence: The bathroom sink may have more or less presence by the way it is mounted in the vanity unit. A fully recessed sink has a lower presence than a sink mounted above the vanity unit.
  2. Finish: The finish of the sink is the other important factor. The colour and texture of the sink, as the centrepiece of the vanity, which is the centrepiece of the whole bathroom, are extremely important from an aesthetic point of view.

From a functional perspective, both matte and gloss sinks perform in a similar way. There are minor differences, but they’ll both make your toothpaste disappear. However, in terms of aesthetics the outcomes are different. In this article, we examine the difference between matte and gloss sinks, and how they can be optimally applied to achieve specific design goals for your bathroom.

The Different Between Matte & Gloss Sinks

Matte and gloss are different finishes. They convey a different look and have different textures. Here is the breakdown:

Matte: Less reflective, more texture, diffuse impression
Gloss: More reflective, smoother, shiny impression

The key difference in comparing these finishes relates to their interaction with light. Because the different finishes absorb (matte) and reflect (gloss) light to different degrees, they can be judiciously added to a bathroom to create different relationships, references and continuities in a bathroom renovation design.

Here are a couple of pics from recent Armrock Gold Coast bathroom renovations to demonstrate the difference of matte and gloss sinks in action:

Gloss Bathroom Sinks – Armrock Constructions
Matte Bathroom Sink – Armrock Constructions

As you can see, depending on the amount of light in the room, they both have a degree of reflection; however, the matte finish creates a more diffuse & less shiny result. You can learn more about using matte and gloss in interior design in this article

Why Does it Matter?

I could tell you that everything matters in a bathroom renovation, but hopefully you already know that! Here’s a thought. In a bathroom, the centrepiece of the room is the bathroom vanity – it’s the key expression of the bathroom. And what sits on top of that, like a trophy on a table?

Especially in a bench-mounted format (as opposed to an inset basin), the sink becomes a signature aspect of the signature part of the bathroom design. Accordingly, it is certainly worth getting the right type of sink in place to achieve an optimal result.

How Colour Fits in

Matte and Gloss finishes can be applied to create different effects from the same colour. These finishes are colour-independent. For example, you could have a white basin with a matte finish, or a white basin with a gloss finish. Either way, it would still be white – but the finish would create a slightly different expression of the colour. There is virtually no limitation to bathroom sink colours, although mainstream design trends usually see them being available in common colours such as white, black, grey, and beige.

Matte White Sink with Timber Laminate Benchtop

Simplifying Colour

The unlimited options in interior design are liberating, but a degree of restraint is usually part of the recipe for success. The more colours you introduce to a design, the more challenging it can be to reconcile the design. Here’s where a major advantage of matte and gloss finishes becomes apparent. They provide a non-colour method of approaching diversity in bathroom design – creating subtle relationships and references that don’t take you away from your design goals. For example, if you would like to introduce a degree of contrast with your bathroom sink, it can be accomplished with a different finish, rather than a different colour.

The Natural Connection

Underpinning many modern bathroom designs is the goal to make a natural connection. In natural water environments, there is usually a combination of matte and gloss, and often relationships interchange as well. Think of river rocks, and the way they might dry out to a matte finish, only to sparkle to life when water is introduced. In these environments, everything is neither shiny nor dull – there is an interplay, and combining matte and gloss textures in a bathroom design is an extension of this naturalistic tendency.

Following are some examples of gloss an matte sinks in action in different combinations for different outcomes:

Working with Timber

Timber is a popular, enduring material for bathroom vanity design, both in benchtops and cabinetry. The relevance being that the sink appears closest to these aspects, particularly the benchtop, making that relationship very important. In the following image, which is from an Armrock renovation on the Gold Coast, you can see the gloss white sinks create a high degree of contrast with the warm, tactile timber tones.

Double Gloss Sinks with Timber-Look Laminate Vanity

In the next example, the matte sink is very similar to the vanity unit – is shares a textural and tonal relationship. Both of these outcomes are fantastic, but they feel very different. The first example is bolder, brighter, more forthright and engaging; the second example is more natural, subtle, less overtly visually engaging and somewhat understated. There is no right or wrong – it just depends on what type of bathroom is best for your home and family.

Single Matte Sink with Timber-Look Laminate Vanity

Working with Stone

In a similar way to timber, the relationships between matte and gloss bathroom sinks and their stone (or stone-look) benchtops is defined by contrasts in texture, tone, and reflection. In the following Gold Coast penthouse renovation, we have paired glossy white sinks with a black stone-look laminate benchtop with a highly reflective finish. The dual reflective finishes and high-contrast colours create a striking, sophisticated and strong impression.

Gold Coast Penthouse Renovation

Meanwhile, (and, appreciating that these are two different bathroom renovations and not directly comparable) in the following image we paired a pastel, matte raised sink with a stone-look benchtop for a completely different effect. Irrespective of colours and styles, using a matte finish in the basin generally creates a reduced, softer impression that their glossy counterparts.

Pastel Matte Bathroom Sink with Stone-Look Benchtop

We hope some of the ideas in this article have been useful for you as you approach planning your bathroom renovation, and coming to terms with matte and gloss options for your bathroom sink. If you’re on the Gold Coast, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. We look forward to helping with your bathroom renovation.

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Filed Under: Renovation Design Tagged With: Basin, Bathroom Design, Gloss, Matte, Matte Vs Gloss Bathroom Sink, Sink

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Andrew Watkins

Roland and his team were very professional and affordable. We had two bathrooms and a laundry renovated by Armrock Constructions and we couldn’t be happier. Would definitely recommend them.

Al Dobie

Roland and his team were fantastic. The work was done on time and of a very high standard. Cheers Roland.

Terry Christo

We had the pleasure of dealing with Roland and his team. They are professional courteous clean and most importantly excellent communicators during the process. Their workmanship and pride in achieving an excellent result is a breath of fresh air when dealing with trades people. I highly recommend them.

Cameron

Roland from Armrock constructions has completed a few projects for our company and is always a pleasure to deal with. Always reliable, not like some tradies we have chosen in the past. Quality is something Roland strives for and it shows in his work. Would recommend to anyone.

 

Keith Munday

Very pleased with a very professional job completed by Roland and his team. Roland never failed to turn up when expected or respond to a message if he was unable to take a call. He was also helpful and patient while we changed our minds repeatedly about what we wanted. We’re getting him back to do the kids bathroom!

 

Joel Boniwell

The moment I contacted the owner Roland I was at ease with proceeding with this company. Not only does he come across as a genuine person, he is punctual and sticks to his word. He had everything organised and the renovation of my en-suite went exactly as planned and the quote was spot on. The tradesman he organised for the job are all extremely punctual and extremely qualified at their specific trades. I can’t give this company a stronger recommendation and will be sure to use Roland and his team for any future renovations. A+ Service in an industry that you will seldom find it in.

Small Reno Testimonial

I don’t often write reviews but felt this time I had too. A huge thank you to Roland from Armrock constructions. From the first time I contacted Roland he could not have been more helpful and professional. Roland was on time, got the job done and left my home clean and tidy. Please if your wanting a small spruce up or a full reno done these are the people to call. Thanks once again Armrock.

Mark & Di Branks

Roland delivered an exceptional product. Our Bathroom upgrade was completed on time and to budget. As with most renovations there were a number of unforeseen issues and Rolands ability to offer practical, cost effective solutions was exceptional. A very professional, clean and tidy builder and we have no hesitation in recommending his services.

Lucy Fisher

Great communication, good attention to detail. We were so impressed. Our new ensuite looks amazing!

 

Geoff Haigh

Excellent workmanship. Professional, on time. Easy to deal with.

Cameron Grant Ruksenas

Great service from the owner Roland. Nothing was a problem and service and price was reasonable! Will recommend to others.

 

Renovation Testimonial

From quote to completion, Armrock was outstanding. We couldn’t be happier. Hassle free and on budget. If you’re after attention to detail you’ve come to the right place. Highly recommended. Thanks again.

 

Reiner Ebenhoch

Armrock Constructions did our powder room first. We were so impressed with their work that we contracted Armrock to do a minor reno to our master bathroom and a major renovation of our guest bath room, which also included the complete rebuilt and conversion of one room into a steam room. Again, Armrock did an excellent job! What sets Roland and his team apart is their customer focus, their uncompromising attitude to quality, integrity and customer satisfaction. We can recommend Roland and his team unconditionally and have so already to many of our friends!

Graham Robertson

Roland renovated both the Ensuite & main bathroom, removing the walls around separate toilets which increased the overall spaces. The team of guys who did the demolition & construction were really easy to deal with & the finish is excellent. It was no problem for us to request minor changes along the way. We’re really pleased with the outcome & would thoroughly recommend.

Shayna Kivlins

Highly recommend your company to anyone wanting an amazing and highly professional job done your attention to detail with our kitchen was 120% you were very helpful in all aspects from start to finish and the end product exceeded my expectations. You are a very talented guy and I can’t thank you, Luke the sparkie and Chris the plumber enough for making my kitchen dream come to life.

 

Richard Anyos

Good, friendly, prompt, reliable service with attention to detail.

Matt Lyons

Attention to detail. Great finish. Highly recommend these guys!

 

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