In the kitchen, your selections are more important than any other room. That’s because what you initially choose is going to be difficult to remove - like tile, flooring, counters, cabinetry, and sinks. So you want to get it right the first time. And, with most of the selections, it’s all about how you will use your kitchen and how you like to cook. So here are my top tips for selecting your kitchen sink!

Installation Type

There are several installation types for kitchen sinks, but the most popular are drop-in, undermount, and apron front, also known as farmhouse sinks. Drop-in sinks sit on top of the countertop (see the one above). I selected that type for this kitchen with wooden counters because it would help protect the wood from water and debris and keep those counters looking fab much longer. The farmhouse type of sink is great if you want that modern farmhouse look or if you want to keep the cabinetry below from getting wet when you’re washing dishes. The classic look today is the undermount sink that sits below the countertops and creates a flat surface that’s easy to clean. Decide which one will fit the style of your kitchen and will also be the right one for your clean-up style.

Material World

This is usually the sticking point for most people - what type of material should your sink be? And it’s understandable that this one causes a lot of questions because there are so many options. You could choose stainless, ceramic, copper, cast iron, stone composite, and more! Whew! Here are some pros and cons that will help you decide what’s right for you and your kitchen:

• Stainless steel is the most popular choice and there’s a reason for that. It’s very durable and handles a lot of wear-and-tear. But it can also dent and show water spots more often. If you want to avoid the dents, choose a lower gauge steel for more strength.

• Cast iron is absolutely beautiful and comes in a lot of colors. It can really hold up to heat, too, so putting hot pots and pans right into the sink isn’t a problem. But the ceramic layer over the cast iron can chip and scratch, so you have to watch out for that.

• Copper sinks are gorgeous and they’re naturally antimicrobial, too. But it will change color over time. And this sink requires more upkeep than other types of sinks.

• Stone sinks like granite composite and fireclay are fabulous selections. They come in all sorts of colors and they hold up better than any other material. They’re also really easy to clean.

Basin Numbers

For a long time, a sink always had two basins. It was a holdover from the time when not everyone had a dishwasher, so you could soap up dishes in one side and rinse in the other. Today, almost every home has a dishwasher so the options are more open for how many basins a sink has. Almost all of my clients go for single basin sinks now because they can hold very large pans or a lot of dishes. But if you like having the option of a prep side and a dish side, a double basin is still a great option. Look for one with a smaller opening on one side and those that have drop-in cutting boards. They are fabulously functional!

Use these tips to help you make that all-important sink selection!

Warmly,

Beth