Lightweight Campervan Sinks: 2025 Buyer’s Guide
- Little Vanporium
- Aug 31
- 4 min read
Melamine vs stainless, real‑world weights, sizing, colour ideas, and quick install tips for vans, motorhomes, boats and tiny homes.
If you’re building or refreshing a campervan kitchen, the sink is a small decision with a massive impact. It dictates your layout, water use, cleaning routine and—crucially—your payload. As full‑time vanlifers turned makers, we designed lightweight, colourful sinks that look joyful and save kilos where it counts. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to choose the right sink for your rig.
Why weight really matters in van conversions
Every kilogram you save gives you flexibility—more range, better handling, or room for a bike, board or battery. Traditional materials like stainless steel or ceramic can be surprisingly heavy for tiny spaces. Our melamine bowls are around 1 kg each, including drain and strainer, so you don’t burn payload on the basics.
Typical weights at a glance
Material | Example size | Typical weight | Notes |
Melamine | Ø 36 cm x 11 cm round | ≈1.2 kg | Durable, chip‑resistant, colourful finishes, super light. |
Stainless steel | 33–38 cm bar/prep | 3–6 kg | Great durability, but heavier; can be noisy without pads. |
Ceramic/porcelain | 38–40 cm Rectangle | 4–7 kg+ | Classic look; heavy and prone to chips in mobile use. |
Swapping a stainless or ceramic bowl for melamine typically saves 2–5 kg
Materials compared: which sink suits vanlife?
Melamine (our specialty)
Featherweight & tough: Built for movement—less likely to chip or shatter than ceramic.
Heat & stain resistant: Designed to cope with daily living off‑grid.
Colourful by design: From speckled Sage to bold Lisbon Yellow, colour is the point.
Best for: Any size of camper, weight‑conscious builds, colourful interiors.
Stainless steel
Pros: Ubiquitous, easy to source, takes heat, looks modern.
Cons: Heavier; water spots and noise unless padded; usually just silver.
Best for: Builders who want integrated workstations or undermounts in big vans.
Ceramic / porcelain
Pros: Timeless look, glossy finish.
Cons: Heavy for tiny homes; Fragile, chips can happen on the move.
Best for: Static tiny homes where weight isn’t a factor.
Sizes: Mini, Midi, Maxi—what fits your layout?
We offer three core families so you can match bowl to layout.
Common sizes: Ø 20–24 cm, depth 5–8 cm.
Great for: Micro‑campers, compact bathrooms, outdoor galleys, teeth‑brushing, kettle filling and quick rinses.
Pair with: Our No‑Electric Tap Kit or 12 V cold‑water kit for a tiny, tidy setup.
Common sizes: Ø 30–32 cm, depth 9–11 cm.
Great for: Everyday van kitchens where space is tight but dishes happen.
Pair with: Our No‑Electric Tap Kit or 12 V cold‑water kit for a tiny, tidy setup.
Common sizes: Ø 36 cm, depth ~11 cm; Low Rider variants are ~35 cm x 7 cm for even less water use.
Great for: Family vans, weekenders who cook lots, or anyone who wants a hero sink.
Sizing tip: Tape an outline on your worktop and mock a wash‑up: pan in, kettle fill, quick hand wash. If elbows clash with hob or door, size down or slide the sink towards the edge.
Water systems: tidy options for any build
Easy plumbing taps: Our No‑Electric No‑Plumbing Tap Kit gives you running water in five minutes—perfect for festival setups and stealth builds.
12 V pump kits: Compact and quiet, great water pressure from a tiny footprint.
Full kits: Bundle a sink with a battery tap and waste pipe for a one‑box install.
Portable units: Need water outside the van? Our Portable Sink Units bring a full wash station to campsites or tailgates.
Pro move: keep your freshwater and waste containers portable (10–12 L) so you can lift, empty and refill without hoses or faff.
Colour: make tiny spaces feel joyful (and bigger!)
Colour is a design tool in tight quarters:
Light speckled tones (Cotton, Storm Grey, Sage) bounce light and make a small galley feel larger.
Warm patterns (Lisbon Yellow, Wildflower, Talavera) add personality without repainting cabinets.
Wood‑effect bowls soften modern builds and pair with butcher‑block counters.
Palette tips:
Pair cool bowls (blues/greens) with warm timber to balance tones.
Use one bold hero (the sink!) and keep surrounding finishes simple.
Repeat your sink accent colour in two small places: tea towels + tile strip = cohesion.
Check out our inspiration page for ideas
Frequently asked questions
Can melamine sinks take hot water? Yes—melamine is heat‑ and stain‑resistant and ideal for daily vanlife use. Always run cold water alongside boiling pours to protect any sink material.
Will a colourful sink look dated? We design patterns and subtle finishes with classic palettes so they read as happy, not trendy. And swapping a bowl later is far easier than repainting cabinets.
What about scratches? Any sink will mark with use; melamine is very durable especially with patterns, hides minor scuffs far better than polished metal.
How do I keep water use low? Choose a Low Rider basin or Mini sink (7 cm deep) and keep containers to 10–12 L to self‑limit.
Is melamine safe for tiny homes? Yes—our sinks are made from high‑quality melamine and built for long‑term durability in moving spaces.
Recommended next steps
Browse sizes: Micro → Midi → Maxi to match your layout.
Pick a palette: Start with cabinets or tiles you already love, then choose a bowl that complements or contrasts.
Select a water kit: From no‑electric festival setups to full 12 V systems, we’ve got a kit that fits.
Ready to make your galley joyful and lighter? Shop our lightweight, colourful campervan sinks.
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