Choosing The Right Style Of Kitchen Sink

As perhaps the most practical element of any kitchen, you might think that the 'style' of your kitchen sink is largely irrelevant. Surely all you need is a standard stainless steel sink for doing the dishes, right? Wrong. In fact, sinks come in a huge range of shapes, sizes and materials, and your choice of sink will have big practical and aesthetic ramifications for your kitchen. But what are the different types of sinks available, and how will they impact on the way that you use your kitchen? Here's a rundown of the sinks on offer:

Materials

Stainless steel is the most popular sink material out there and with good reason. Durable, easy-to-maintain and very cost-effective, the sleek metallic effect fits seamlessly into almost any kitchen. If, however, you're looking for something different, you might want to consider granite, which is incredibly resistant to scuffs and scrapes, and offers a contemporary aesthetic that is both understated and imposing.

If you can't stretch your budget to high-quality granite, though, you might be attracted to composite sinks, which are made from a mixture of natural materials and fillers. Coming in at a slightly lower price, they offer some of granite's best qualities, which makes them a great choice.
Alternatively, you could opt for the classic tones of ceramic sinks, which combine a brilliant white material with a high-gloss finish to create a dramatic focal point in the kitchen.

Styles

While one-bowl sinks are almost ubiquitous in domestic kitchens, there's a lot to be said for some of the alternatives. Two-bowl sinks, for example, offer enough space for you to do food preparation and washing-up at the same time, without the risk of dropping your carrots into soapy water. However, they do take up a lot of space, which means they might not be suited to smaller kitchens where space is tight.

One-and-a-half-bowl sinks offer a good compromise, giving you an extra area that doesn't eat up too much surface space. There's still a lot to be said, though, for large one bowl sinks, especially if you have a dishwasher. A big single sink allows you to soak larger pans and dishes that won't fit in the machine.

Mounting Options

In terms of mounting options, you can opt for surface, under-mount or set-in sinks. Surface-mounted sinks are dropped into a pre-cut hole in the worktop surface, and offer a good all-round mounting option for many different types of worktop material. For a subtler touch, you might consider an under-mount sink, which is installed below the counter and creates no rim between sink and worktop surface. This makes the area around the sink easier to clean. Finally, set-in sinks are built into the worktop and are made of the same material, which offers a seamless aesthetic that works perfectly with granite.

And there you have it. An almost endless range of options available, meaning that you're sure to find a sink that is a great fit for your home.