No kitchen is complete without a sink, yet these underrated workhorses are ignored until the last moment. Every family uses the kitchen sink for washing dishes, food prep, cleaning up after doing the homework, the list is endless. However, buying the perfect sink for your kitchen can be overwhelming due to the dizzying number of options available.
Manufacturers like BLANCO offer many kitchen sink options, so you are sure to find one that matches your needs and the kitchen decor. But where do you even start?
The purpose
Before you start thinking of materials and colors, first consider the common tasks you will use the sink for. Do you have large pots and pans that you often wash by hand? Then a large single bowl sink is perfect. If you have two people who cook at the same time, a double bowl sink may help you do multiple tasks at once. This way, one person can wash dishes while the other preps the food. You may even want two sinks in the kitchen – one for food and the other as a bar sink for making drinks.
The type of daily tasks will also determine the faucet features you want. Do you need extra holes for a soap dispenser and a pot filler? While you can retrofit some accessories late, it’s generally easier to plan for them from the start. BLANCO sinks come in both single bowl and double bowl configurations to suit any kitchen.
Installation type
There are 3 main types of sinks based on installation type – drop-in, undermount, and farmhouse sinks. Drop-in sinks are the most common type you might see in a kitchen. They are easy to install, as you simply ‘drop’ them into a premade cutout on your countertop. They have a lip that sticks out over the edge of the counter, so they do not need any additional support or reinforcement.
Undermount sinks install from underneath the countertop. In other words, the edges of the countertop extend a bit into the sink space. They are a bit trickier to install and you do need to plan for them in advance. Once the countertop is cut, you cannot later add an undermount sink. The advantage of these sinks is that they are inconspicuous and easy to clean, as you can sweep debris from the counters directly into the sink. The Blanco Quatrus R15 U2 is a good example of a double bowl undermount sink.
The third type is the farmhouse sinks, so-called because they are typically found in older farmhouse-style kitchens. These sinks feature an exposed front or apron that is visible above the cabinet. They are the most difficult to install as the cabinet underneath has to be a different height than the rest and also be strong enough to support the weight of the sink.
Wall-mounted sinks are another option, although not commonly found in home kitchens. They can save you floor space as they don’t need a cabinet for support and are also accessible for those using a wheelchair. These types of sinks are common in business establishments as they need a sturdy wall that can handle the extra weight.
Sink material
Sinks come in a wide variety of materials to suit any interior design style. However, the most popular is the stainless steel sink due to its finish and strength. Stainless steel sinks are also common because they complement other appliances such as the oven or refrigerator. They offer a good balance of durability, affordability, and looks. You can find stainless steel sinks in single or double bowl configurations as well as drop-in, undermount, and farmhouse styles.
Another popular option is a mix of granite and quartz composite. They provide a sturdy surface that is easy to clean and can withstand hot cookware. They also tend to be scratch-resistant and do not show smudges and water spots like stainless sinks.
Fireclay is most commonly used to make farmhouse sinks, often found in white. It has a smooth, non-porous surface and resists acid damage. It’s extremely durable and can be tricky to install due to weight and support requirements. However, you will not find a more suitable sink if you have a farmhouse or French country-style kitchen.
Other sink materials are cast iron and copper though they are more niche than stainless or fireclay. That’s because they do not fit easily into most decor schemes unless you decorate the kitchen around them. Copper sinks are unique and develop a patina over time that suits some kitchens perfectly.
As you can see, there is no perfect sink that fits perfectly in every kitchen and suits all budgets. It all depends on what you want from the sink, how much you can afford to spend on it, and the design of your kitchen. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with so many choices, so narrow the list down using a budget and the common tasks you do in the kitchen as guidelines.
