Best Sinks for Kitchen: Ultimate Guide for a Functional and Stylish Space

When it comes to elevating your kitchen, choosing the right sink is as crucial as selecting the perfect recipe for Sunday dinner. Think of your kitchen sink not just as a place for washing dishes or rinsing vegetables, but as the heart of your kitchen. And yes, sometimes it's even the impromptu bath for your muddy dog - because, why not? Sinks are ideal for a range of activities, proving their versatility and importance in our daily routines.

We understand the importance of a sink that combines functionality with style. That's why we're here to guide you through the myriad of options, ensuring you find a sink that not only meets your daily kitchen needs but also complements the style of your kitchen. Whether you're an avid cook who needs a spacious basin for pots and pans or you're looking for a sleek design to match your modern kitchen, we've got you covered.

Our journey together will explore various materials, designs, and brands, each offering unique benefits. From the durability of stainless steel to the traditional charm of ceramic, we'll help you understand the best options for your space. Remember, the right sink can elevate your kitchen from ordinary to extraordinary, blending functionality with aesthetics for a truly stylish space.

So, let's dive into the world of kitchen sinks together!

Exploring Kitchen Sink Materials

Choosing the best material for kitchen sinks is essential for ensuring your kitchen meets both your style and functional needs. Popular choices include:

• Stainless Steel
• Ceramic
• Composite materials 

Each of the above offer distinct advantages. 

Stainless steel is renowned for its durability and ease of cleaning, making it a favourite for busy kitchens. 

Ceramic brings a touch of tradition and elegance, perfect for those desiring a farmhouse or traditional style. 

Meanwhile, composite sinks, often made from a blend including quartz, offer modern kitchens a durable, heat-resistant option available in a variety of colours. 

Ultimately, the material for your kitchen sink should complement the style of your kitchen while standing up to the signs of wear from washing dishes and handling pots and pans.

The Durability and Shine of Stainless Steel Sinks

Stainless steel sinks stand out for their exceptional durability and the sleek, modern shine they bring to any kitchen. Ideal for those who prioritize low maintenance and longevity, every stainless steel sink in our collection is constructed from high quality 80/10 stainless steel which will not rust or chip. These sinks develop a lovely patina with every day use and maintain their luster for years. A simple clean and buff twice a month will keep it looking great. 

Whether you're rinsing vegetables or cleaning up after a big meal, stainless steel sinks handle the tasks with ease, making them a practical choice for any kitchen.

The  Franke Mythos MYX 160-34-16 Stainless Steel Sink embodies the perfect blend of style and practicality, making it a standout choice for any kitchen renovation. Its sleek design and stainless steel construction offer both durability and a modern look that complements any kitchen decor. This model comes with features designed for convenience, including a spacious basin that easily accommodates large pots and pans.

Ceramic Sinks: A Touch of Tradition

Ceramic sinks add a timeless elegance to any kitchen, echoing the luxury kitchen designs of yesteryears while offering modern functionality. Ideal for those who admire traditional style or farmhouse style kitchens, smooth, glossy ceramic sinks blend beautifully with various kitchen ideas, from rustic to contemporary. 

However, it's important to note that while ceramic sinks are durable, they can chip or crack if treated harshly. Therefore, when considering ceramic sinks, think about the level of kitchen activity and the care you're willing to invest. With proper care, a ceramic sink can be a durable, stylish addition to your kitchen, providing a blend of tradition and function.

We recommend lining the base on your sink with a sink mat or wire rack to avoid plate and cup breakages! 

For the ultimate convenience look no further than the  Caple Inset Butler Sink CINB800. This ceramic sink has been designed with 3 lipped edges. This unique feature allows the sink to be installed into a laminate worksurface, ideal for those hoping to embrace the farmhouse style without having to buy more expensive solid worksurfaces that are required for traditional ceramic sinks.

This striking sink has a double bowl set up in a stunning non porous, white gloss finish. It's also available in a single bowl; CINB600. These Caple Inset ceramic sinks are a great choice for those who don't want to splash out on solid worktops but love the stylish aesthetic ceramic brings to a kitchen space!

Composite Sinks for Modern Kitchens

For those seeking a modern twist in their kitchens, composite sinks offer an innovative solution. 

Made from a mixture of materials, including quartz, these sinks are incredibly durable and heat resistant, making them ideal for handling hot pots and pans. They're virtually scratch resistant too. 

Composite sinks are also available in a range of colours, allowing you to match your sink to your kitchen design seamlessly. With their sleek appearance and practical benefits, composite sinks are an excellent choice for contemporary kitchens, combining style with unparalleled functionality.

The  iivela Turano Single Bowl Inset Granite Sink offers the perfect mix of contemporary design and functionality. With a diverse range of colour finishes including black, graphite, gunmetal, stone and white, its easy to select the perfect sink to suit your kitchen decor style. Crafted to withstand the demands of daily kitchen use, the iivela Turano comes with a 5 year warranty for extra peace of mind.

Types of Sinks Based on Installation

When selecting a kitchen sink, the installation type is as important as the material. Different installation methods can affect your kitchen's look and functionality. The main types, each bringing their own unique advantages, include:

• Inset
• Undermount
• Belfast sinks

Choosing the right installation type can significantly impact your kitchen's overall look and efficiency.

Inset Sink: The Classic Choice

Inset sinks, also known as drop-in sinks, are a classic choice that never go out of style. Their design allows for easy installation, as they simply drop into a pre-cut hole in the countertop. This not only simplifies the installation process making installation cost cheaper, but also offers versatility in design as they can be incorporated into virtually any kitchen style. Additionally, the rim of the sink sits above the countertop, providing a distinct visual boundary that many find appealing.

Inset sinks are suitable for big and small budgets. They can be installed into all work tops including laminate for greater installation flexibility. If you need to replace an inset sink as part of a kitchen refresh it's quite a simple job making an inset sink a really popular choice for a quick kitchen refresh or rental property. 

You can find out more about installing and replacing inset sinks in our  Inset Sink Buying Guide.

Undermount Sink: Seamless Integration into Your Kitchen

Undermount sinks offer a sleek and modern look by being mounted beneath the countertop, creating a seamless surface that's not only visually appealing but also incredibly functional. 

This type of installation increases counter space, making it easier to wipe crumbs and spills directly into the sink without getting caught on the rim. The clean lines and unobtrusive design enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen, making undermount sinks a favorite for those pursuing a minimalist or contemporary kitchen style.

Undermount sinks can only be installed into solid work surfaces including granite, quartz, corian, concrete and solid wood. Drainer grooves are often cut into the work surface prior to installation or, by a professional kitchen fitter during the kitchen installation.

Belfast Sinks: Adding Character to Your Kitchen

Belfast sinks, known for their large, rectangular shape, are a fantastic way to add a touch of character to any kitchen. These traditional styled farmhouse sinks blend functionality with aesthetics, offering a deep basin that can handle all the washing up after a big family dinner. Their timeless design works well in both traditional and contemporary kitchens, making them a versatile choice for homeowners.

Belfast sinks are made from heavy-duty ceramic, so a stable, supportive base is crucial. Installation of 'sit on' ceramic sinks is quite straight forward as the sink sits on top of a kitchen unit, typically a 600mm wide cabinet. The edges of the worktop slightly overlap the back and side edges of the sink by about 10mm meaning, like an undermount sink, sit on ceramic Belfast sinks require solid work surfaces for installation due to the exposed edge around the sink.  

Kitchen Sink Designs and Features

When it comes to kitchen sink designs and features, there's a wide variety to choose from. Each type offers different benefits, catering to the varying needs and preferences of homeowners. From single to double bowl kitchen sinks, the choice significantly affects how kitchen tasks are managed. Selecting the right design and features is crucial for creating a functional and stylish kitchen space.

Single vs. Double Bowl Kitchen Sinks

Choosing between single and double bowl kitchen sinks is a common dilemma for homeowners. Single bowl sinks offer ample space for washing large items, making them ideal for kitchens with limited counter space. On the other hand, double bowl sinks, or 2 bowl sinks as they're sometimes known, provide versatility, allowing for multitasking in the kitchen. Users can wash dishes in one bowl while rinsing food in the other. We often advise customers to consider their kitchen habits and space when deciding between these two options. 

For those wanting the take advantage of a secondary bowl but have a smaller work area, a single and a half, otherwise known as a 1.5 bowl sink, is a fantastic option. 1.5 Bowl sinks offer a small bowl for rinsing and large bowl for washing without taking up as much space as a double bowl sink.

Tap and Sink Combos for Efficiency

By combining the sink with a versatile tap, such as the Quooker Flex, a boiling water tap with a convenient pull out hose, homeowners can enjoy the convenience of having multiple functions at their fingertips. 

Dependent on the brand of tap you choose, you could create a sink and tap combo that can provide boiling, chilled, filtered, or sparkling water directly from the tap, eliminating the need for separate appliances and saving valuable counter space. For those looking to streamline their kitchen setup, these combos are worth considering.

Standout Brands for Quality and Innovation

In our journey to find the best kitchen solutions for our customers, we've come across many brands. However, some stand out for their commitment to quality and innovation. Brands like Franke and Abode lead the pack with their superior stainless steel sinks and advanced kitchen taps. 

Caple offer a great range of sinks too while relatively new brands such as iivela offer high quality materials with very reasonable, low price tags.

These brands are celebrated not just for their high-quality materials but also for their innovative designs that cater to the needs of modern kitchens. Choosing a product from these brands means investing in durability, style, and the latest kitchen technology.

Franke: Pioneering Excellence in Kitchen Sinks

Franke is a name synonymous with excellence in the world of kitchen sinks. With over a century of experience, they have mastered the art of combining functionality with elegance. Franke sinks are known for their robustness, thanks to the premium quality stainless steel that can withstand the rigors of daily kitchen use. Their commitment to innovation is evident in every sink they design, making them a preferred choice for homeowners seeking reliability and style.

The  Franke Box Center 1.5 Bowl Sink, for example, takes sink design to a whole new level! With a spacious bowl and a range of kitchen accessories it has many kitchen essentials in one neat set up. Accessories include a draining rack, knife holder, 3 x knife set, sanitized plastic chopping board, wooden chopping board, stainless steel strainer bowl and a frame cover, all of which, can be stored in the sink itself. It'll add the wow factor in your kitchen for sure!

Abode: Excellence in Stainless Steel

Abode shines in the world of stainless steel sinks, setting a benchmark for quality and design. Their products are a blend of modern aesthetics and timeless durability, making them an ideal choice for any kitchen remodel. 

Abode's stainless steel sinks not only resist corrosion and staining but also add a touch of sophistication to your kitchen. Their commitment to excellence ensures that every sink is crafted to meet the highest standards of functionality and style.

iivela: High Quality, Low Prices

For quality design at affordable prices look no further than iivela. Their collection of sinks and taps are designed for the modern home with stylish crafting and modern functionality. 

With many excellent reviews from recent customers, whether you're a first time buyer or undertaking a brand new kitchen renovation, iivela are committed to creating products to highest standards at a price point that is suitable for everyone.

Answering Your Queries

We understand that choosing the right sink and taps for your kitchen can be a daunting task. That’s why we’re here to help answer any questions you might have, making the decision-making process as smooth as possible. 

Whether you're curious about the best materials, the latest designs, or how to install your new kitchen sink, we've got the answers. Our goal is to ensure you're equipped with all the information you need to create a kitchen that’s both beautiful and functional. 

Common questions include which sink material is best, what the standard sizes are, and how much a replacement sink might cost. We aim to demystify the process, offering clear, concise advice to help you make the best choice for your bespoke kitchen.

Which Kitchen Sink Is Best?

The best kitchen sink for you depends on your lifestyle and kitchen habits. Granite composite sinks are a popular choice due to their durability and resistance to scratches and stains. They come in a variety of colors, allowing you to match your sink to your kitchen’s decor. These sinks are also known for their ability to withstand high temperatures, making them ideal for busy kitchens. 

Our advice is to consider how you use your kitchen daily to find a sink that meets your needs both functionally and aesthetically.

When advising our customers, we often highlight the benefits of stainless steel sinks as the range on offer, is vast. Their resilience makes them suitable for those who love cooking and need a sink that can keep up with their culinary adventures. Plus, their low maintenance and easy-to-clean surface make them a practical choice for any kitchen. If you're looking for a sink that is well priced, looks stylish and is practical, a stainless steel sink might be the perfect fit for your kitchen.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Kitchen Sink?

The cost of replacing a kitchen sink can vary widely depending on the type of sink, the material, and whether any adjustments to plumbing are needed. We always recommend setting a budget before beginning your search for a new kitchen sink.

On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from around a hundred pounds for a basic stainless steel inset sink to over a thousand pounds for a sink that comes complete with accessories such as colanders and chopping boards. 

It's important to factor in the cost of the sink itself, as well as installation fees and plumbing accessories. Undermount sinks will incur extra installation costs when compared to installing an inset sink. 

High-quality materials like granite composite can be more expensive upfront but this type of sink offers greater durability and longevity, potentially saving you money in the long run.

Remember, investing in a high-quality sink can enhance the functionality and appearance of your kitchen, making it a worthwhile expenditure. Our team is here to help you find a sink that fits your budget while meeting your expectations for quality and style.

What Are Standard Kitchen Sink Sizes?

Standard kitchen sink sizes can vary, but a common option is the single bowl sink, which typically measures around 600mm in width. This size is ideal for most kitchens, offering enough space for daily tasks like washing dishes and preparing food. 

If space is really limited, you can find small single bowl sinks measuring around 350-400mm in width. However, the right size for your kitchen will depend on your specific needs and the available space. Some homeowners may prefer a larger double bowl sink for added convenience which can reach up to 900mm in width. 

When selecting a sink, it's important to consider both the size of your kitchen and your usage habits. A one bowl sink might be perfect for smaller kitchens or for those who use a dishwasher and need the sink primarily for food preparation. 

Our team can help you measure your space and suggest the best sink size to suit your kitchen's layout and your lifestyle, ensuring you make the most of your kitchen renovation.

As we conclude, remember that the perfect sink for your kitchen blends practicality with beauty. Whether you prefer the traditional elegance of Belfast sinks, the robustness of granite composite, or the sleek design of a stainless steel sink, we're here to guide you. 

Our expertise and wide range of options ensure that you can find a sink that not only meets your daily needs but also adds to the overall allure of your bespoke kitchen. Let us help you make your kitchen the heart of your home.

Our selection caters to every preference and need, ensuring that your kitchen is not only practical but also a reflection of your personal style. From choosing the right materials to selecting the perfect design, we're with you every step of the way.