Although homeowners seem to know quite a bit about fancy stoves, and shiny cookware, they often have a harder time when it comes to selecting the right kitchen sink. It is one of the most important fixtures in a home and can be both stylish and functional. While selecting a kitchen sink that works for your home, there are many things to consider such as color, material, style, usage, and space in your kitchen. This guide will help you learn how to choose the best kitchen sink, style-wise, function-wise and practicality-wise. Okay, lets get started, that new kitchen sink is calling your name, but which one is it?
How To Select The Right Kitchen Sink?
Before we get started, there are several things to consider. Are you buying a sink to fit into an existing space or are you renovating? If you are buying a new sink for an existing spot, you will need to be very aware that unless the sink is exactly the same size and type, you may end up having to cut the sink hole larger (not always possible) or fill in some of the counter, not great!
So, generally, unless you are remodeling your kitchen, you will want to keep the kitchen sink in the same place, and the same size as the previous one. That said, a large new kitchen sink with a gorgeous and/or dramatic faucet is an example of a small home renovation project that can add great value to your home, so give it some thought.
Okay, lets dive in, and learn everything you need to know about how to select the right sink.
Above: Dark grey top mounted composite (either granite or quartz) sink.
What Material To Choose?
The most popular materials are stainless steel, natural stone, composite, and ceramic. All of these materials have pros and cons, so get to know the benefits of each material in order to make the right choice.
Stainless steel is light, and an easy-to-maintain material, however, can get stretched and dented easily. But, there are some types of stainless steel that are resistant to scratches and have a textured surface finish. Stainless steel sinks also come in the greatest range of size and depth. For those who keep a kosher kitchen, stainless steel sinks are the only ones that can be kashered, a huge plus.
Composite sinks come in a wide variety of forms and finishes, and have a slick modern look that is unmatched. You can easily maintain them,Because they are resistant to heat, scratches, and shock, they are long lasting and easy to maintain. The main con is that composite sinks can get stained over time, and speaking from experience a dark composite sink will show mineral build up if your water is “hard”. And just by the way, if you go with a dark sink, do think about balancing the dark color with some lighting or accessories in the same color. You can even go with something really budget friendly like my Ikea hack wall sconce.
Ceramic and natural stone sinks are durable and generally the most popular in traditional kitchen designs. But, they are a little bit less shock resistant in comparison with the other popular materials, meaning they are more likely to chip or crack.
Top-mount or Undermount Sink?
While there are various sink mounting styles present in the market, the most common ones are top-mount and under-mount sinks. You should choose it according to the type of countertop material and sink material type.
A top-mount sink is easy to install and is perfect with any countertop material. The sink is also known as the self-rimming sink. Some of them come with clips or screws to provide extra stability. As they can easily get installed, they are cheaper than under-mount sinks. The major disadvantage to a top mount sink is that you cannot wipe the counter down, together with any spills or garbage directly into the sink as the rim of the sink gets in the way. Also, the line where the sink meets the counter, usually filled with silicone collects dirt and mold and needs cleaning and replacing often.
An under-mount sink is a sink that gets installed from beneath the counter. They are typically suitable with solid-surface countertops. They are easy to clean and provide a sleek look for the kitchen. Under-mount sinks give the appearance of more counter space and are very practical as far as cleaning the counters go.
Above: A farmhouse kitchen sink sticks out beyond the counter.
Style
There are various styles of kitchen sinks available in the market, however, there’s no one size fits all! While a sink can have a vintage or rustic look, it can also give a lift to your kitchen style if it is slick and contemporary, and a new faucet is a great way to incorporate contemporary design into your home.
Here are some of the popular sink style options for homeowners:
Double basin/bowl: Most homeowners go for a double basin/bowl as one can be used for rinsing and the other can be used for doing regular washing. One of the benefits that you get here is the benefit of having two basins that can serve different purposes at the same time.
Single basin/bowl: Single-basin sinks are used by most homeowners. They offer the freedom to accommodate the larger pots, and pans which require soaking before scrubbing.
Drainboard: Sinks with built-in drainboards provide you with the freedom to freshly prepared vegetables and drain them. With this kitchen sink, you also get the freedom to drain utensils, pans, and pots. However, it takes up too much counter space, thus possibly decreasing the versatility of that counter space.
Corner: A corner can be a great place to put a sink, as the cabinet space under a corner is in any case problematic. A corner can accommodate a large rectangular since as well as a square one.
Farmhouse/apron front: This style sink can be ceramic or even copper, and adds a beautiful look to a rustic kitchen, while also being quite practical and generally spacious.
Size
While the standard size of a kitchen sink is about 22 to 33 inches long, do go for a bigger one if there’s counter space, and don’t forget to think about the depth of the sink! While a deep sink may not be great for kids who want to do dishes or someone who is on the short side, the extra depth is fabulous generally. Do choose a sink according to the space and style of your kitchen, but keep in mind that at one big sink in a kitchen is a must!
Maintenance
Another important aspect of even a sink, that most homeowners might overlook is maintenance. Cleaning the kitchen sink is just the begining you will also need to stay on top of how your plumbing fixtures are operating, and whether there are any leaks. One thing that you can do to safeguard yourself against any unexpected plumbing repairs or damage, is to invest in a home warranty, that of course covers much more than the kitchen sink, and can be a huge help!
Conclusion
Get the kitchen sink that fits your style and budget and be sure to do some research before making a decision, you will be glad you did, especially when that new sink holds all the dirty dishes!
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