What Is the Best Kitchen Sink?
The sink, though generally not as aesthetically impressive as elements like the countertops and cabinets, is a crucial part of any kitchen. You want to make sure you choose a sink that fits with your kitchen, lifestyle, needs, and design taste. Fortunately, you have many different options! The sheer number of choices—mount type, material, configuration, etc.—can be overwhelming, which is why we’ve provided this quick guide.
Your Kitchen Sink Options
It’s impossible to cover everything in a blog post (you’ll get all the information and details you need when talking to a professional remodeler), but this is a good place to start. The sink type/mount and material are two of the most important decisions—they will play a large role in the functionality of your kitchen.
Type
- Top-mount: A top-mount (also referred to as self-rimming or drop-in) sink is mounted above the counter, with the lip overlapping the countertop. These types of sink are versatile and work well with nearly any countertop material.
- Under-mount: Very popular and complementary to many kitchen styles, under-mount sinks sit slightly below the countertop and provide a seamless, sleek appearance. One major benefit of under-mount sinks is easy clean-up.
- Basin: A large, single basin sink can work in nearly any kitchen—and it doesn’t have to be plain. Basin sinks offer more than ever before in terms of depth, width, and appearance. They make preparing large amounts of food and washing dishes a breeze. Farmhouse sinks function like basin sinks but are more distinctive and are designed to make an aesthetic statement. They work especially well in country style, rustic, and transitional kitchens.
- Double-bowl: Convenient for busy cooks, double-bowl sinks can be under-mounted or top-mounted. Rectangular and D-shaped ones are the most common.
- Trough: If you have the space for two sinks and you entertain often, a trough sink may be perfect for your kitchen. It’s not ideal for washing dishes but is perfect as a prep or bar sink—and provides unique look and commands attention.
Material
- Stainless steel: The most popular sink material, hands down, stainless steel complements nearly any kitchen. It has top marks for durability and easy clean-up.
- Porcelain or enamel: Like stainless steel, porcelain and enamel sinks are easy to clean (always an advantage when it comes to the sink). They are also available in many different colors—and work especially well in vintage or country style kitchens. Porcelain is often used for farmhouse sinks.
- Copper: Not your traditional sink material, copper is meant to make an aesthetic statement and provide a distinctive look. Copper sinks come in a variety of shades and are perfect for rustic kitchens.
- Composite: Composite sinks are durable and tough, resistant to scratches and chips. Granite and quartz are two popular composite sink choices.
- Soapstone: Although soapstone is very stylish and looks beautiful even as it ages, this type of sink may require more maintenance. It can scratch and chip fairly easily.
The Best Kitchen Sink
There are so many different choices—the ones in this blog post don’t even cover it all—so it’s tough to say that one sink is the best one. As with everything in remodeling, it comes down to your lifestyle, needs, aesthetic preferences, space, and budget. If you have a spacious rustic style kitchen and entertain often, a copper double-bowl farmhouse sink may be a good choice. On the other hand, if you have a small rowhouse kitchen and prefer easy clean-up, a single basin stainless steel sink makes sense.
When you’re remodeling your kitchen, you want to rest assured you’re making the right decisions. The Wentworth team has remodeled countless kitchens in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and can help you choose the right sink—and other elements—for your space.
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