While not the first thing you’ll necessarily think of when building your home or renovating your current kitchen, the sink is a very important aperture and likely something you will use every day – not something that all your kitchen accouterments will be able to claim.
Being that there is such a broad spectrum of choices available on the market, it may take a bit of effort to get everything right, perhaps even feel a bit daunting. Take a deep breath and then answer these questions:
- How much room do you have for installing the sink?
- What material is going to best suit your needs? (Don’t worry, we go into detail on this later.)
- In what way would you want the sink to be mounted? (We’ll cover this in more depth soon.)
- What will you be using the sink for? Washing dishes? How big are your typical dishes? Just veggies? Etc.
- And how will you explain your choice of the bright pink enamel basin to your husband, or the dog paw print apron sink to your wife? Well, maybe not that exactly, but you will definitely have to decide what colors and style will be to your liking.
Somewhere between picking out the cupboards and countertops, try to squeeze in a little time to read this guide so you can make the most harmonious choice for one of the most vital rooms in your house!
Table of Contents
Form and Function
Whether you’re a chef at home or someone who barely touches their dishes except to put them in the dishwasher, it is important to find the right kind of sink to suit your needs. Because it will ideally be in your kitchen for many years, you will want to make sure you choose something that is both pleasant and practical.
Keep your other appliances in mind while shopping – if you choose a sink that is too large, you will take counter space away from them.
- Single Basin: If you prefer the dishwasher and just want to have a general sink for use in the kitchen or if space is an issue, this is an exceptional choice. A deeper bowl will assist in making the rinsing of large cookware and dishes easier.
- Double Basin: Ideal if you intend to wash dishes at the sink as you can rinse them in a second basin, or a garbage disposal could be mounted and food scraps could be kept out of the way until clean up. Double bowls sinks are among the most common found today. Many manufacturers offer one of the bowls extra deep for more versatility.
- Triple Basin: In more recently renovated homes, triple basin sinks are becoming the norm – these are just like the doubles, except that the third basin is used primarily for garbage disposal or in conjunction with a custom-made colander.
- Apron: Easily evoking period style charm, apron sinks have been set into a countertop with a stylish panel exposed in the front. Many are tiled or painted and can come in an undermount model. It is recommended that you keep the sink on hand when constructing new cabinets. These “farmhouse” sinks tend to come in primarily single and double basins.
- Tile-edge sink: With corners are squared off tile-edge sinks more closely resemble the tiles on countertop. The sink is mounted flush with the tile and sealed in with grout. This type of installation also makes it easy to clean directly into the sink.
- Self-rimming: Also known as drop-in and over-mounted sinks. These sit within holes of the appropriate shape cut into the top of your counter or base material. Once a hole has been cut into this to allow the sink to be placed within it, the rim forms a close seal with the surface. Very easy to install and tends to work well with most countertops.
- Undermount: With these sinks, the edge of the countertop material is exposed and finished to flow seamlessly into the sink beneath it with the aid of a waterproof sealant. This is a very contemporary style that makes wiping things into the sink from the counter a breeze.
While most sinks are available in many types of materials, some (such as undermount sinks) can only be made from certain things or will require extra support depending on what is used to craft them.
This is an important part of the decision making process, as picking the right material is both practical and aesthetic.
- Acrylic: This is becoming a more common material, especially since they resistant stains and some even have “built-in” antibacterial properties. On the converse, they can be a bit loud and are not as heat-resistant as most of the other types of sinks.
- Cast Iron: This traditional choice is very heavy and durable! Typically, these are coated with enamel or porcelain and they tend to be quieter than other sinks. They are resistant to most damage, but they can scratch pretty easily so you may wish to purchase a sink rack to protect the finish. Porcelain coating in particular can hold stains, and too much abrasive cleaning will unfortunately dull the finish. These are a fantastic choice if you plan on doing a lot of hand washing of dishes because of their heat-retentive properties.
- Composite: This is a hybrid of several compounds. Most commonly they are made from enamel-grade metal, porcelain, resins and other structural materials. Once they are bonded and the shape is formed, they are a long-lasting choice with a huge color palette – scratches (assuming you can even manage to scratch them, as they are highly resistant) can be buffed right out by using a sand cloth.
- Copper: Primarily these are hand hammered from extremely thick copper, giving them a rustic feel – and they age naturally into a gorgeous patina. This is a durable material that will resist impact damage, and copper sinks have the ability to self-repair small scratches over time.
- Fireclay: These sinks are made from heat-resistant clay. They tend to be germ resistant like vitreous china and are very easy to clean and maintain. It is recommended that you purchase a sink grid or rack to protect the finish. This is a more limited choice when it comes to sizes and colors.
- Solid Surface: An increasingly popular choice, the solid surface sinks are offered in a wide variety of colors that coordinate wonderfully with countertops. Often, they are made to mimic high end stones such as granite; they are stain and heat resistant, and while not scratch-proof they do buff or sand beautifully.
- Stainless Steel: Perhaps the most economical choice due to its price and ease of cleaning. Like copper, they are impact resistant. These are the ultimate cook’ sinks, durable and tough. They do tend to scratch easily (a satin finish will help to prevent this) and can be louder than most other types of sinks (by intensifying the sounds of water and the garbage disposal).
You might wish to be sure which gauge of steel you are getting before you choose your new sink. The lower the gauge, the thicker material; the thicker the material, the quieter and more sturdy they are. - Vitreous China: Most wall-mount and pedestal sinks are made from this material. Ceramics are fired at a very high temperature to form a non-porous surface, and then it is coated with an additional ceramic glaze. The same process is used with toilets and bidets! These can be damaged by heavy impact, but they are resistant to abrasion, very durable and easy to clean.
Other Considerations
Now that you’ve decided what type of sink you’d like and what material it should be made from, you can focus on the more “fun” aspects. A simple rectangular white sink isn’t all you’re going to be finding these days.
- Accessories: Most important – if your sink doesn’t come with a drain strainer, be sure to purchase one! Custom-fitted cutting boards are a practical choice, and some units even offer specially designed drain baskets and colanders to make your cooking tasks easier. Think of the extra cupboard space you’d reclaim by replacing these separate utensils in your sink!
- Colors: Pretty much unlimited in today’s industry, to the point that if you do not find what you are looking for some manufacturers will customize one to suit your décor. Anything from neutrals to vibrant, dazzling fruit hues are out there… not to mention prints, painted accents, and so forth.
- Holes: Also known as tapping, there are typically 1 to 5 holes in a sink for the faucet and various accessories like spray hoses, filtered water, soap dispensers, air gaps and so forth.
- Shapes: vary wildly; many of the secondary and tertiary basins will range from old standbys to unexpected designs.
- Size: Sinks can range anywhere from just a few inches wide to several feet across, so once you have your space measured you should be able to find something just right. The typical installation width for a single basin sink is going to be 34 inches; double is 40 and triple is 60.
One quick tip for you to think about: deeper sinks tend to keep water from splashing back up and dirtying the countertop. The standard depth for sinks is 8 inches, but you might want to consider 9 to 10 inches if you have roasting pans, stock pots, etc. - Web or Divider: For double bowl sinks, make sure the web divider between the two bowls is lower than the outside sink walls. This will provide overflow protection by allowing water to flow from one bowl to the other.
- Side Walls: Deeper bowls can accommodate soaking and rinsing large pots and pans. A relatively flat sink bottom increases usable bowl space and allows dishes and glasses to be safely stacked.
- Off-set Drains: Placing the drains to one side provides more flat space for stacking dishes and glasses and creates more usable space under the sink. Offset drains also allow water to drain, even if a large pan or tray is soaking in the sink.
Finding Your Perfect Kitchen Sink: The Final Step
And there you have it! Choosing the right kitchen sink might seem like a daunting task at first, but armed with this guide, you’re more than ready to make an informed decision. Remember, your sink isn’t just a functional piece; it’s a central part of your kitchen’s personality and style. Whether you go for a single, double, or even a triple basin, an apron front, or a sleek undermount, your choice will shape your kitchen’s look and feel for years to come.
But wait, there’s more to a great sink than just the basin. The right faucet can make or break your kitchen’s functionality and style. Don’t let your sink feel lonely! Pair it with the perfect faucet to complete the look. Dive into our Buying Guide for Kitchen Faucets to find that perfect match. Whether you’re looking for something sleek and modern, or classic and timeless, we’ve got you covered.
With any project, 80 percent of the work is done in the planning stage. We have simple checklists to help you get organized and make sure you’re prepared for every step along the way. Download them now for FREE:
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Buy a Kitchen Sink With One or Two Bowls?
Consider how you use your kitchen sink. Do you wash a lot of baking pans? If so, consider a large single bowl sink or a dual level sink with enough room to lay the pans down to soak.
If you share kitchen responsibilities, consider two sinks. One can be used for food prep and the other for clean-up. An island or bar sink, usually a smaller single bowl sink, is the best option.
thewriteDuffy
At home, April is a mom, wife, and DIY darling. Among other home projects, she helped her husband Dan renovate their 1986 bungalow and is currently designing and decorating the 2023 custom home they are building themselves. Professionally, April is a writer, author, and online marketer with 15 years of experience writing for newspapers and magazines, building online authority websites, and publishing books.
With any project, 80 percent of the work is done in the planning stage. We have simple checklists to help you get organized and make sure you’re prepared for every step along the way. Download them now for FREE: