Everything But the Kitchen Sink – How to Choose your Ideal Sink

Everyone knows the saying ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ but it is often the unsung hero when it comes to kitchen design. The kitchen sink is much more than the item that gets left behind – it is an item that is very much on display and part of the overall design. It is also used every day and can have an impact on how pleasurable the time spent in the kitchen is.

Changing the sink and a worktop can transform a kitchen giving it a new lease of life.

There is a wealth of choice now when it comes to materials, shapes, sizes and even colours, so it pays to give some thought as to the best sink for you.

Many homeowners decide to have more than one kitchen sink when designing a new kitchen, extending their single bowl from before into two bowls or adding a smaller sink into an island. The optimum configuration will come from exploring how the kitchen will be used, how much cooking, food preparation, washing of dishes and hands will be done.

As sinks come in many different shapes and sizes there is often a combination that works best for any given design or kitchen environment. Having two sinks side by side is a popular choice maybe one smaller than the other – one for washing up and the other for preparation.

Once the practical aspects have been considered this can be integrated into the design and at this stage the homeowner will usually have an idea of what material they want.

Stainless steel has traditionally been the number choice but there are now several alternatives.

A stainless steel sink is practical and stylish. It will be hard- wearing and easy to clean and take care of. The quality can vary according to the quality of the stainless steel and the thickness. They won’t crack or chip but it’s common for minor scratches to appear in the first weeks of use. This can be avoided by using a bottom grid – a wire tray that is placed in the bottom of the sink to prevent scratching.

Ceramic sinks are Ideal for traditional and country kitchens. Traditionally this would be a Belfast sink, these are still popular for those looking for a certain style but there is more choice available now. The latest designs will blend happily both with traditional kitchens as well as modern designs. They come in a variety of colours to contrast or match existing colours and shapes and you can select a glazed or matt surface. They are also easy to clean as long as they are wiped down regularly.

In our showroom the most popular by far is the composite quartz sink. Composite sinks can be made from a variety of different materials but we love the beauty of the Silestone Integrity. Silestone is a compound made up of 94% natural quartz, which makes it extraordinarily hard and resilient, it can also withstand high temperatures of over 200 degrees centigrade. The worktop and the sink come as a single piece, resulting in no joints, which makes them super hygienic and low maintenance. The lovely flow and uninterrupted clean lines also work well in sleek contemporary designs.

Corian® sinks are also popular. They are similar to Silestone in that they are a continuous sheet of material that is hygienic and provides a clean flush surface, the material is slightly warmer than Silestone and they are available in a range of off white and soft colours.

We have some stunning Silestone and Corian® on display in the showroom, why not call in and take a look? We look forward to seeing you soon.