When a laundry is being renovated or fitted out for the first time, the sink choice gets less attention than tapware or tiling — but it has a bigger day-to-day impact than either. The two main options, a vanity-style cabinet sink and a servery-style trough, suit genuinely different households.
What a vanity-style laundry sink offers
This is a sink set into a cabinet, similar in style to a bathroom vanity but built for laundry use — usually a single, deep bowl with storage underneath. The main appeal is exactly that storage: detergent, stain removers, ironing gear, and cleaning supplies all have a home behind closed doors instead of sitting on open shelving.
It also tends to suit smaller laundries better, since the cabinetry gives you a finished, contained look rather than open plumbing underneath. The trade-off is usable basin size — vanity sinks are typically shallower and narrower than a dedicated trough, which matters if you regularly hand-wash bulky items.
What a servery (trough) sink offers
A servery or trough sink is the deeper, wider option, often set on simple legs or a basic stand rather than full cabinetry. If your laundry sees regular use for soaking sports gear, hand-washing large or delicate items, bathing pets, or general utility tasks beyond clothes, the extra basin depth and width make a real difference.
The trade-off is storage — without a cabinet underneath, you'll need shelving or a separate cupboard elsewhere in the room for detergents and supplies, which matters more in a smaller laundry than a larger one.
Questions worth asking before you decide
- How is the laundry actually used day to day? Mostly machine washing with light rinsing, or regular hand-washing of bulky or dirty items?
- How much bench and storage space does the room have elsewhere? A vanity sink's built-in storage matters less if you already have a linen cupboard or shelving nearby.
- What's the room's overall size? Larger laundries can comfortably fit a trough plus separate storage; smaller ones often benefit from the vanity's all-in-one footprint.
- Is this laundry visible from a living area? Some homes have laundries that open onto hallways or kitchens, where the more finished look of a vanity cabinet matters more aesthetically.
Installation considerations either way
Both styles need the same fundamentals done properly: correctly positioned water supply and waste points, a level and secure fixing (particularly important for trough sinks on legs, which can wobble if not braced properly), and adequate sealing where the sink meets any surrounding benchtop or wall. If you're also stacking a washer and dryer nearby, it's worth planning the sink position around that from the start rather than retrofitting around fixed plumbing later.
Frequently asked questions
Which option is cheaper?
A basic trough on legs is typically less expensive than a full vanity unit, simply because there's less cabinetry involved. Once you factor in separate storage solutions for a trough setup, the total cost gap often narrows.
Can I fit a vanity sink into an existing trough space?
Usually yes, but it depends on the existing plumbing rough-in position and the available width and depth — worth having assessed on site rather than assumed from measurements alone.
Do I need a licensed plumber for this?
Any work connecting to water supply or waste lines needs to be done to code, which in most cases means licensed plumbing work for the connection itself, even if the sink and cabinetry installation is handled separately.