Form and Function: Which Sink is Right for Your Kitchen?
If you’re wondering which sink style and material will work in your kitchen, this guide will help you decide
There are so many different styles of kitchen sink to choose from that it can be confusing to decide which one suits your scheme best. Take a look at this guide to consider the pros and cons of each type of fitting and material.
Top-mounted
A popular choice of kitchen sink is the top-mounted, or drop-in, model. The sink bowl is inserted into a pre-cut hole in the benchtop, with the edges on show above the surface.
Pros: A top-mounted sink is usually cheaper than an under-mounted one, and simpler to install. Your choice of benchtop won’t be limited, either, as it works with any type of surface.
Cons: The most obvious disadvantage of this type of sink is the exposed edge, where food and debris can get trapped. A good kitchen fitter will seal the edges well to ensure it’s watertight.
How to Pick the Right Kitchen Sink
A popular choice of kitchen sink is the top-mounted, or drop-in, model. The sink bowl is inserted into a pre-cut hole in the benchtop, with the edges on show above the surface.
Pros: A top-mounted sink is usually cheaper than an under-mounted one, and simpler to install. Your choice of benchtop won’t be limited, either, as it works with any type of surface.
Cons: The most obvious disadvantage of this type of sink is the exposed edge, where food and debris can get trapped. A good kitchen fitter will seal the edges well to ensure it’s watertight.
How to Pick the Right Kitchen Sink
Integrated
It’s possible to create a seamless transition between sink and benchtop by going for an integrated basin made from the same material as your kitchen surface. The Corian benchtop in this kitchen has been moulded to incorporate a simple square sink.
Pros: The seamless design of an integrated sink makes it super-easy to keep clean, as there are no joins where dirt can get trapped. It will also give your kitchen a slick, luxurious feel.
Cons: The work involved in creating an integrated sink makes it more expensive than some other designs. Also, as it’s attached, any damage to the sink might result in having to replace the whole benchtop.
It’s possible to create a seamless transition between sink and benchtop by going for an integrated basin made from the same material as your kitchen surface. The Corian benchtop in this kitchen has been moulded to incorporate a simple square sink.
Pros: The seamless design of an integrated sink makes it super-easy to keep clean, as there are no joins where dirt can get trapped. It will also give your kitchen a slick, luxurious feel.
Cons: The work involved in creating an integrated sink makes it more expensive than some other designs. Also, as it’s attached, any damage to the sink might result in having to replace the whole benchtop.
Which Material?
The material you choose for your sink will depend on the style of your kitchen and the practicality of each surface.
Ceramic
If your style is more traditional than modern, you could go for a ceramic sink in a butler or farmhouse design. Butler models are narrower than the wide French farmhouse sinks. This under-mounted model sits above a short cabinet and goes well with the Shaker-style kitchen.
Pros: These types of sink are elegant, timeless and hard-wearing, and can be a design feature in themselves. They’re also great if you have large pots and pans to clean, as the basin is generally quite deep.
Cons: Ceramic sinks are heavy to install, and if you’re going for an open-fronted model like the one here, you’ll need to design your cabinetry around it. It will also need cleaning frequently, as the white surface will show up stains more than most other materials.
The material you choose for your sink will depend on the style of your kitchen and the practicality of each surface.
Ceramic
If your style is more traditional than modern, you could go for a ceramic sink in a butler or farmhouse design. Butler models are narrower than the wide French farmhouse sinks. This under-mounted model sits above a short cabinet and goes well with the Shaker-style kitchen.
Pros: These types of sink are elegant, timeless and hard-wearing, and can be a design feature in themselves. They’re also great if you have large pots and pans to clean, as the basin is generally quite deep.
Cons: Ceramic sinks are heavy to install, and if you’re going for an open-fronted model like the one here, you’ll need to design your cabinetry around it. It will also need cleaning frequently, as the white surface will show up stains more than most other materials.
Contemporary butler’s sinks come in a double-basin version too. This top-mounted model is wide and shallow, with two equal sections. Unlike the traditional design where the tap is fitted into the benchtop, this one has a ridged area for the tap to be inserted.
Browse more beautiful kitchens for inspiration
Browse more beautiful kitchens for inspiration
Stainless steel
Versatile and durable, stainless-steel sinks have been popular in kitchens for decades. They’re available in most styles and the silver surface pretty much goes with any cabinetry.
Pros: Stainless-steel sinks are affordable and easy to fit. They’re also incredibly durable, so unless you get bored of the design, your sink should last forever.
Cons: Although it’s hard-wearing, stainless steel is susceptible to scratches, so avoid using abrasive cleaners. If you want a gleaming surface without water stains, wipe your sink dry after cleaning.
Versatile and durable, stainless-steel sinks have been popular in kitchens for decades. They’re available in most styles and the silver surface pretty much goes with any cabinetry.
Pros: Stainless-steel sinks are affordable and easy to fit. They’re also incredibly durable, so unless you get bored of the design, your sink should last forever.
Cons: Although it’s hard-wearing, stainless steel is susceptible to scratches, so avoid using abrasive cleaners. If you want a gleaming surface without water stains, wipe your sink dry after cleaning.
You don’t have to go for the standard model when considering a stainless-steel sink. This farmhouse design is a contemporary update on the traditional ceramic version.
Composite
Some modern sinks are made from a composite of granite and acrylic resin, and formed under a high compression to make them extremely durable and scratch-resistant.
Pros: These manufactured sinks are non-porous, heat-resistant and hygienic. They’re available in a number of styles and finishes, and bring a uniform look to a contemporary kitchen.
Cons: The hard surface of composite sinks is great for durability, but not so useful if you drop glassware on it. Also, if you’re looking for a natural material that forms a patina over time, composite sinks might not be the right choice for you.
How Do I… Choose a Kitchen Benchtop Material?
Some modern sinks are made from a composite of granite and acrylic resin, and formed under a high compression to make them extremely durable and scratch-resistant.
Pros: These manufactured sinks are non-porous, heat-resistant and hygienic. They’re available in a number of styles and finishes, and bring a uniform look to a contemporary kitchen.
Cons: The hard surface of composite sinks is great for durability, but not so useful if you drop glassware on it. Also, if you’re looking for a natural material that forms a patina over time, composite sinks might not be the right choice for you.
How Do I… Choose a Kitchen Benchtop Material?
Copper
To make a design statement in your kitchen, consider a more unusual sink material, such as copper. This design looks stunning alongside the mellow green units.
Pros: Copper is naturally antibacterial, so it’s a hygienic option. It’s durable and easy to clean, as long as you know which substances to avoid.
Cons: Maintenance is simple, but certain substances will cause damage – avoid hot pans and utensils, acidic foods and harsh chemicals. Copper isn’t the cheapest material to use, so it’s not a good choice if you’re on a budget.
To make a design statement in your kitchen, consider a more unusual sink material, such as copper. This design looks stunning alongside the mellow green units.
Pros: Copper is naturally antibacterial, so it’s a hygienic option. It’s durable and easy to clean, as long as you know which substances to avoid.
Cons: Maintenance is simple, but certain substances will cause damage – avoid hot pans and utensils, acidic foods and harsh chemicals. Copper isn’t the cheapest material to use, so it’s not a good choice if you’re on a budget.
For added durability and less chance of visible stains, go for a hammered copper sink rather than a smooth finish. This circular design contrasts beautifully with the white-veined benchtop.
Tell us
Have you had experience of any of these types of sink? Which style and material would you prefer in your kitchen? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments section.
More
Find a kitchen designer to help with your build or renovation
Have you had experience of any of these types of sink? Which style and material would you prefer in your kitchen? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments section.
More
Find a kitchen designer to help with your build or renovation
There are three main ways to fit a sink into your benchtop – under-mounted, top-mounted and integrated. Here’s a rundown of the options.
Under-mounted For a sleek look, go for an under-mounted design. These sinks are fitted below the benchtop, with the rim concealed, leaving no edges on show.
Pros: With no exposed rim to trap food, an under-mounted sink is a great option if you want something that’s easy to clean. They don’t take up space on the benchtop and they provide a streamlined, minimalist aesthetic.
Cons: As the sink will usually be hanging below the benchtop, you’ll need a surface that’s strong and water-resistant – if your benchtop is laminate, it might not support the weight. It’s also important to hire a professional fitter who can ensure your sink is well-supported and doesn’t leak.