“Happiness is a small house with a big kitchen“. -Alfred Hitchcock
Choosing the perfect kitchen sink design with good functionality that blends with your kitchen aesthetics is indeed a difficult task. Imagine: is there any day in your kitchen life when you don’t use the kitchen sink at least once. Washing vegetables, fruits, utensils, and hands in the sink area happens to be one of the most used parts of the kitchen. Given that the kitchen sink is intended to last for many years, careful thought should go into replacing or selecting one.
If you are renovating your kitchen and plan on replacing the kitchen sink, then your new kitchen sink size would be the same as the one you wish to replace. If you’re building a new kitchen, analyse the space you have and your usage style to decide on the size of the sink you need.
We have a list of kitchen sink designs to help you decide the best suitable kitchen sink design for you.
Keeping durability in mind, the sink build material needs to resonate with the aesthetics of the kitchen. Here, we will introduce you to different types of kitchen sink materials.
Stainless steel is the most popular option when it comes to kitchen sinks. They can blend with any kitchen room aesthetic. They are lightweight, economical, and easy to install. Apart from being affordable, durable, and rust free they are also customisable. A thicker gauge or a thinner gauge steel build can be added to the kitchen as an under-mount, overmount, or even in more varieties. A thicker gauge is heavier and cheaper, while a thinner gauge can be expensive and lighter. The stainless steel sink can maintain its shining nature for years and can be cleaned easily as it doesn’t accumulate germs.
The downsides of stainless steel include:
• They can be noisy while cleaning utensils.
• They can dent and are also susceptible to scratches, depending on usage.
Granite is a naturally formed combination of minerals found underground. They radiate elegant beauty and superior strength. Each type of granite has its own colour and nature, depending on the combination and density of its mineral composition. Pure granite sinks are the most expensive. Composite granite is composed of 95% granite and 5% resin, which comes at a fraction of the price of pure granite.
Granite is heavy and requires strong support for installation. They are extremely durable and hydrophobic (by their water-resistant nature), which means they don’t facilitate germ growth. They are also easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and heat-resistant.
Cast iron is made by pouring melted iron into moulds to achieve a desired shape. They have an enamel coating, which creates a smooth, non-reactive layer. This aesthetic appearance pleases people who would love to have a vintage element in their kitchen. The enamel layer can be done in any colour, depending on the aesthetics of your kitchen. Cast iron’s thermodynamic feature holds the heat while you’re washing dishes.
Cast iron falls into the expensive category, along with granite sinks, and is also vulnerable to scratches.
Copper is the first choice when it comes to health conscious people. It has an anti-microbial quality and is made of 99% pure copper. It adds a rustic ambience to a kitchen and is also easy to clean. Maintenance is required as it oxidises with time.
Fireclay sinks are identical to cast iron sinks, except they last longer than cast iron sinks. They are made from glaze and fire fused together at high temperatures. Even though they are expensive, unlike cast iron sinks, fireclay sinks have fewer chances of accumulating scratches or chips. They are more expensive than cast iron due to the extensive handcrafting process involved. Also, they are easy to clean and maintain.
Sinks can also be customised depending on how many bowls you need for your culinary space.
• Single Bowl sink
• Double Bowl sink triple Bowl sink
• Kitchen sink with drainboard
As we are now familiar with the basics of kitchen sink design, let’s dive into the different types of kitchen sink designs.
Undermount kitchen sinks are mounted under the kitchen counter top to give a sleek feel. Cleaning is easy as there are no rims projecting on the counter surface.
Topmount kitchen sinks are mounted on top of the counter. They give off a royal look, and the design also holds itself on the counter. They are popular and can work seamlessly with any type of material.
It is a single-bowl kitchen that can be added to a main sink and can also be an efficient choice for small kitchens. Bar sinks are usually used to wash hands and vegetables. They usually come with a stainless steel or copper design. With ease of installation, they can be strategically placed in compact spaces. If you’re planning to add this design as an additional sink, expenses can be extra. A small bar sink can also limit usage.
Corner sinks are installed at the corner of your kitchen. Mostly found in L-shaped and U-shaped kitchens, they can be difficult to install. They can be designed as a single unit or installed part by part. Corner sinks are a good example of the efficient use of kitchen space. It can transform a blank-unused corner of your kitchen into an active space.
This type of sink design extends over the edge of the counter. It has a vintage charm. They can be designed with fireclay, granite, or cast iron. The extra space can be useful in terms of functionality. If you have a lot of friends or a big family, the farmhouse sink won’t disappoint. It is also possible to do laundry in such a wide space, which is a plus point of functionality.
Depending on your kitchen countertop space, usage, and preference, you can choose a single, double, or triple sink. A drainboard on the side will enhance the functionality of the sink space. Imagine washing utensils and placing them right next to the sink to drain the water. Yes, that’s where the drainboard comes in. It’s a smart option if you are irritated by water dropping out of your utensils into the holding spaces. Who wouldn’t love an accessory that helps keep the kitchen dry.
Are you aware of the Kitchen Triangle Concept? It is a crucial element when it comes to designing a kitchen, and the sink is a very important part of it.
• The Kitchen Triangle Concept: It is a design concept that helps create a functional and efficient kitchen layout by focusing on 3 main areas:
1) The Sink
2) The Cooking area (Stove & Hob)
3) Fridge
The key idea is to place these 3 areas strategically close in such a way that working in the kitchen would be seamless with minimum traffic.
After you have chosen the type of kitchen sink, there will surely be faucet design confusion. Faucets are chosen independently, as most of them will go along with the aesthetics of any kitchen and sink. There are a wide variety of faucets available on the market, like solid-fixed faucets and ones that have mobility.
We hope you enjoyed this informative blog on kitchen sink designs. When it comes to choosing a kitchen sink, your choice of design will elevate the elegance of your kitchen and invite comfort into your culinary lifestyle. There are factors of budget, space, and aesthetic compatibility. The exciting fact is that the kitchen design market is incredibly vibrant, with the finest choices of all kinds of kitchen appliances suitable for every budget range.
Cheers to a happy and exciting design journey!