Kitchen Sink Options: Completing the Kitchen Design

One easily overlooked area of the kitchen design is one of the most useful; the kitchen sink. Be sure to choose a sink that will be as beautiful as it is functional.

The cabinets have been ordered, the counter picked out, the flooring chosen and the kitchen designing is finished. Or is it? The kitchen sink will get lots of use each day; make sure that just as much thought goes into choosing it as everything else.

Suiting the Kitchen Design

The first thing to consider is which type of sink will best fit the rest of the kitchen. Is this a modern kitchen with lots of stainless steel that will benefit from having a large, sharply angled stainless steel sink? Or is this an old fashioned kitchen that will look good with a farmhouse sink or apron front sink? Would a copper sink work better, or one made of soap stone?

These questions should be considered while the rest of the kitchen planning is going on. Leaving the sink to an afterthought may mean an incongruous choice.

The Sink, the Cabinet and the Counter

Ideally, all three of these choices should be made in harmony. The kitchen counter should be one of the first choices made, leaving the sink and cabinet choices to follow closely behind.

The size of the sink will help to dictate the size of the cabinet below it. A sink base needs to be at least 3” larger in width than the width of the sink to accommodate an undermount sink. A drop in sink can fit more snugly into the sink base, as its rim will sit on top of the counter.

If using a farmhouse or apron front sink, the sink will need to be chosen prior to ordering the cabinets, as the sink base will be built up around it.

Which ever type of sink is chosen, it will need to be on hand for the counter templating and installation. This will help make sure that the cutout is done properly, and the sink fits with no gaps.

Bar Sinks and Prep Sinks

Today’s kitchen often has more than one work area, with more than one sink. The prep sink, or bar sink may be placed near a built in cutting board, or near an area for entertaining. This sink may have extra options, such as a built in drain rack, or salad washing station. It may also be more decorative, and be made of hammered brass, granite, or china.

For more modern kitchens, consider using an angled, square version of the larger sink. A hand-painted china sink will work well for more decorative kitchens, and those with apron front sinks.

Single Basin or Double Basin

When considering what type of sink to purchase, try to take into consideration how it will be used. If large roasting pans are typically used and washed in the sink, than either a single basin sink, or a sink with a large basin and a much smaller side basin may be a better choice than one with two equal compartments.

If soaking is done in one half while clean up takes place in the other, than the double basin sink will be more useful. For multi-tasking cooks, there are sinks with built in cutting boards, drain stations, and various drop in components to help section off the sink.

Consider if a garbage disposal will be used, and take care that the drain is located in a place that will allow room for the unit below. Some sinks will have side drains, or drains located more toward the back of the sink, so be sure to take these measurements into consideration. Some types of sinks, such as fire clay, china or stone, may not be able to handle a disposal unit, so always ask before installing.

Whatever the sink chosen, make sure that it is made of the highest gauge of metal possible for its type to help deaden sound and ensure that it lasts. Take care to avoid sinks that are pressed when being created, as this will make the seams and edges thin. If a stone sink is chosen, be sure that it’s sealed on a regular basis to help ensure that its beauty lasts as long as the kitchen does.