How to choose the perfect kitchen sink
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and we say the sink is the heart of the kitchen. It’s the focal point of your property’s most important room, so when you renovate it’s worth taking a little time to make sure you choose well.
Think about the practical stuff
Before you make any decisions you should have a good think about how you’re going to use your sink, and what you need from it. With that in mind you’ll be better placed to choose well.
Match your aesthetic
Your sink should be functional, but it also needs to look great, so make sure your choice ties in with your kitchen’s design. For example, if your kitchen is going to be modern and minimalist something like the Abey Boutique Lugano could be perfect. Or if you’re going for a more elegant, old world feel, something by Chambord could be ideal.
Choose a material
You’ve got plenty of materials to choose from, each with different advantages and drawbacks:
- Stainless steel – the most popular and affordable
This is an extremely long lasting material, that’s also easy to clean and hygienic. They can tend to scratch but if you buy a quality sink, this will add to its patina, rather than making it look worse. Stainless comes in several finishes including coloured, brushed, 306 (outdoor friendly) and polished. Our favourite in the Abey range is the Boutique Piazza double bowl.
- Granite – the longest lasting
Granite has stunningly smooth lines and a silky smooth finish. It’s also incredibly durable and stain resistant, with inert antibacterial properties. A decent granite sink may cost you a little more than a bottom of the line stainless, but it may last longer – especially if you go for a decent brand like Schock.
- Fireclay – the classiest
If you’re going for old classic charm or an elevated farmhouse look in your kitchen, Fireclay is a great option. It’s got an attractive white finish, it’s extremely resistant to high temperatures and very easy to clean. There are plenty to choose from, but we love the Chambord Constance for its simple, clean lines.
Select a configuration
Most people go for a single sink but there are actually several options, and what’s right for you depends on how you use yours.
If you like hiding dishes in the sink or soaking them, a double bowl like the Schock Typos might be the best option – allowing you to always have a working sink even when the other is full. You can go for two sinks the same size, or one mini sink and one larger one. If you’re mainly after bench space, a single larger bowl might be the best option.
Pick a size
The size of your sink will depend mainly on the size of your kitchen and the amount of bench space you’ve got. Within reason, bigger is usually better so as long as your sink doesn’t overwhelm your space, you’ll be grateful for it in the future.
Top mount or undermount?
There are two main ways to mount a sink on your bench – undermount or top mount. Top mount sinks have a lip on top of the benchtop so you’ll be able to see and feel its edges. Undermount sinks are installed underneath with either a flush or recessed sink lip, which is less obvious.
Undermount sinks require more planning and may be more costly to install. You’ll need your cabinetmaker’s help to create a substrate for the sink to sit on and your benchtop will have to be cut to the exact dimensions. On the plus side, they maximise your benchtop space, they look more premium and are far easier to clean.
Top mount sinks are easier and cheaper to install and replace. They do however feature a sink lip, which can cut into your bench space, look a little clunky and be harder to clean.
Get help from an expert
Not sure what sink is right for your space? The best way to make a decision is to speak to an expert and see all your options in person. To do that simply contact the team at your nearest Abey showroom and arrange a consultation with one of our in house specialists.