How to Pick Your Kitchen Sink:

If you’re installing new cabinets, counter tops, and everything that goes along with a kitchen remodel, don’t make your kitchen sink an afterthought. A kitchen sink can be the focal point of Your Kitchen. It can have both functional and style qualities that will make your time rinsing food, washing dishes, or doing any number of tasks that much more stylish and enjoyable.

If you’re shopping for a new kitchen sink, we have some considerations you should keep in mind during your search.

Mounting:

The majority of kitchen sinks are drop-in, meaning you put them into the counter top opening with an exposed rim that goes around it. However, a recent trend is to install an under mount sink. This type of sink is typically seen with solid surface or granite counter tops as the counter edge is exposed with the sink sitting just beneath the surface—making for easy clean-up. Simply wipe crumbs straight into the sink. If your counter top won’t allow you to install an under mount sink, some manufacturers are also making drop-in sinks with a lower rim.

Drop In Stainless Steel

Under mount stainless Steel

Material:

Depending on how much you use the kitchen sink and your decor theme, you’ll want to consider a range of materials.

Stainless Steel is widely used and can range from inexpensive to moderately expensive. The thicker the steel, the better the quality and noise reduction! You don’t want to turn on your garbage disposal and have the entire house shake.

Composite sinks by brands like Franke, Swanstone, or Blanco provide many choices as far as shape, color, and pattern. Composite sinks are made out of a blend of materials such as resin, acrylic, and natural stone, but are extremely durable, easy to clean, and scratch resistant. They also hide water spots well.

Enameled iron is a great option for homeowners looking for an old farmhouse sink style. These types of sinks can last a lifetime and are heavy-duty. This glossy finish is non-porous and easy to wipe down. Just don’t use abrasive cleaners.

 Fireclay sinks, like the Shaws Original by Rohl (pictured below) also have the same smooth-as-glass finish. This is another durable option for a contemporary or country style home. Like enameled iron sinks, it’s non-porous and cleans with ease. You can keep it looking its best by adding a protective sink grid to prevent scratches from abrasive surfaces, such as cast iron pots and pans.

Sale Price: $1500

 Stone (yes, rock) is also a solid option for your kitchen sink. Stone sinks are typically carved out of a single piece of rock, giving your kitchen a unique look. Because it is stone, it’s very heavy—weighing around 300 pounds. Because of this, you’ll need to build extra support to hold it in place. The “sculpture like” qualities of this sink will make it the centerpiece of your kitchen. You can have these sink carved to suit your unique tastes.

 Shape/Design

Apron-front sinks, also called farmhouse sinks, slide right into your counter leaving an exposed front panel. The sink apron is mounted flush to the cabinet allowing you to stand close to the sink. This makes it much easier on your back when you work at the sink for extended periods of time.

Kohler manufactures apron-front sinks with a special feature added: a lip on the front sides of the apron that will cover the gap between the cabinet and the sink. This can come in handy as the cut made into the cabinet doesn’t have to be as perfect.

Traditional apron front sink

Apron front with lip

Flat bottom sinks, opposed to sinks with curved bottoms, can hold more dishes with ease. Also, dishes, such as wine glasses, can rest flat on the bottom of the sink, allowing more room to stack without fear of glasses tipping over and breaking.

Drain placement is also something to consider. New kitchen sinks will oftentimes put the drain near the back of the bowl. If your sink is piled with dishes, this will allow you to access the drain more easily as well as give you more usable space in the cabinet below for a waste basket.

Depth is all about personal preference. If you don’t want to lean over the sink too far, a shallower kitchen sink may be your best option. If you plan on putting a lot of stuff in your sink, opt for a deeper one.

Deeper sink

Shallower sink

Think about the number of bowls you’ll need. Some kitchen sinks have a low divider that sits below the top level of the sink so bulky items can remain in the sink, yet you can keep clean and dirty dishes separate. You can opt for a sink with a single bowl or a double bowl where each bowl is separate.

 You can also opt for unique bowl sizes and shapes to fit large items.

Fireclay

extra wide back ledge

Finally, you need to know the placement and number of faucet holes you need before installation. You can have one or many, making one for the faucet, soap dispenser, filtered water, and hand sprayer.

Only you can make your kitchen what you want. Your choices will decide if your kitchen is cozy, chic, modern, or homey. The power is in your hands. Use it well.

Come on down Highway 111 and see us today. Many of the sinks pictured in the blog are in our showroom. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am CST to 5 pm CST.