Sink Solution
Creating solutions to pesky no mains water problems, we hear from Custom Basins as they share the background behind the brand, the biggest challenges faced so far, and their US expansion.
Please tell us how Custom Basins came about, what sparked this innovative business idea?
Back in 2017, Annie launched Bellissima Beauty, her home-based salon. By 2021, demand had grown substantially, and we were ready to move into a proper business centre. However, we quickly discovered that, like many commercial units, it had no access to mains water. Hot and cold running water weren’t just convenient, they were both a legal and practical necessity for running a professional salon.
We spent weeks researching solutions, but there simply wasn’t a viable option on the market that met our needs. That’s when we made the decision to create our own solution. We knew we couldn’t be the only ones facing this problem, and we were right. Since then, we’ve shipped thousands of units throughout the UK, Europe, US and Canada, and are incredibly proud to still be family-run.
What’s the main problem that brings customers to you?
Our customers typically face the same issue we originally had, no access to mains water in their premises. We also serve established salons that have used up all available plumbing and desperately need additional sinks or backwash stations to meet growing demand.
Some businesses require sinks specifically for licensing purposes, which can be a real headache without the right infrastructure. There’s also a huge growing trend of at-home hairdressers who want their space to feel genuinely luxurious for clients. Gone are the days of washing clients’ hair over kitchen sinks – our backwash units allow home-based stylists to offer expert hair washing in a truly professional setting.
You mentioned licensing requirements, can you explain more about this?
This catches many salon owners off-guard. Various councils across the UK require businesses to have access to hot and cold running water as part of their licensing conditions, particularly for aesthetics, tattooing/PMU and piercing where hygiene standards are paramount. These requirements often specify consistent water pressure and temperature control, which traditional workarounds simply can’t provide. Our units meet and exceed these requirements without expensive plumbing installations that can cost thousands and often aren’t even possible in certain buildings.
How user-friendly are your units? Is there a complicated setup process?
This was fundamental to our design philosophy, we wanted to eliminate every barrier to getting up and running. Our units arrive fully assembled and ready to use. I’m talking literally plug-in-and-go simplicity. You don’t need plumbing knowledge, special tools, or technical expertise.
The operation is just as straightforward: fill one container with water, empty the wastewater as needed. The units are fully automatic with consistent hot and cold water pressure – no pedalling required. If you need to move location (or have a room switch around like many of us like to do!), you simply unplug and go.
Do you offer bespoke options alongside your standard ranges?
Absolutely! Our bespoke solutions are incredibly popular. We have three ranges: Basics, Standard, and Bespoke, each designed to meet different needs and budgets.
Whether customers need a specific size, particular colour to match their decor, or special functionality, we love bringing these visions to life; although we don’t yet make units to measure, we can usually source something very close to individual requirements. We’ve created units with hidden bin compartments, extra storage solutions, or even a dual-sink setups. We’ve produced stunning units in various finishes for modern aesthetics. The bespoke process is collaborative, customers complete our quotation form or book a call with a member of our team and we work closely with them through every design stage.
What challenges have you faced as your business has grown?
One significant issue is other businesses using our product images, essentially passing our units off as their own. It’s frustrating because customers think they’re getting our quality and service, but they’re dealing with companies that don’t have our expertise, after-care support, or genuine product quality.
If you want authentic, high-quality craftsmanship, award-winning service, and the peace of mind that comes with our lifetime support, it’s crucial to deal directly with the original Custom Basins.
What’s next for Custom Basins?
We’re continuously innovating based on customer feedback while maintaining our personal, family-run service. We’re seeing incredible growth in the home-based beauty industry, and we’re excited to support these entrepreneurs. We’re also expanding internationally, our units are now available in the US and Canada, and we’re exploring additional markets while never compromising on the quality that got us here.
