Timeless: Think farmhouse sinks in porcelain, soapstone sinks (integrated into the counter, or not), and surprisingly, concrete (subtle colors akin to soapstone or slate). Copper is a timeless material for pantries and bars.
The most popular type of kitchen sink is a dual-basin or double basin, which allows for washing on one side and rinsing or drying on the other. A single basin, which has only one area for both, is a more budget-friendly option. Other popular kitchen sink styles include self-rimming and drop-in.
'The easiest kitchen sink material to maintain is going to be one made of stainless steel, copper, cast iron or enamel because they will not support microbial growth as they are not cellulose material,' says Darren Hudema, director of training and technical services at PuroClean.
If you frequently wash larger items, such as pots and pans, a single basin sink may be the better option. However, if you prefer to keep your dishes organized and separate, a double basin sink may be the better choice.
Double Basin/Bowl Sink
The most popular type of kitchen sink arrangement, dual basins allow for washing on one side and rinsing or drying on the other side.
Double Bowl Kitchen Sink Cons
For one, double bowl sinks do take up more countertop real estate. What's more, then also eat away at your under counter storage space. While they take up more room in the kitchen, a double sink doesn't necessarily allow for easy washing of large items, such as casserole dishes and pans.
Quartz Composite
Best for: High durability, heat-resistance, and sound dampening. If the vulnerabilities of solid surface acrylic resin or enameled kitchen sinks are concerning, then a quartz composite kitchen sink is a great option.
Stainless steel sinks are very low maintenance; they are corrosion and rust resistant, and as long as they are cared for properly and wiped down after every use, they should not stain. Find out more about how to clean a stainless steel sink by reading our guide with handy tips and tricks from our experts.
Stainless steel has long been a material of choice for its hygienic properties, resistance to stains, rust, and corrosion, and affordability. But it is not the only metal on the market; copper and brass sinks can be used to make a design statement.
So, the best shape of a sink mostly depends a lot on the look you are going after. Oval and round sinks have a more traditional and classic look, while square and rectangular ones have a more modern and sophisticated look. Another factor that may affect your choice of sink shape is the available space.
A compact shape (like a sphere) doesn't have nearly as much friction with the water as a more spread-out shape- say like a screen. If you drop something compact (maybe a spoon) into water, it will sink more quickly than a strainer, even if the strainer has the same density and the same weight.
1. Stainless Steel. When choosing your kitchen sink, you pretty much can't go wrong with stainless steel. This top kitchen sink material is extremely durable and able to withstand heavy drops from pots and pans while also resisting scratches from sharp knives and utensils.
Because of the lack of fussy design elements, shaker style cabinets fit every kitchen style from traditional to modern – they're truly timeless. Solid wood shaker cabinet doors will never go out of style!
Pick Classic, Neutral Colors
Quartz can be a single consistent color or feature the looks of beloved white marble and other soft natural stone patterns. When choosing a quartz countertop that's designed to last through the decades, stick with neutrals like beiges, grays, off-whites, and bright whites.
The best color for a sink could be traditional white, multi-colored through to a statement black, including metallic finishes in silver, gold, and bronze. There is a huge selection of sink colors and shades to harmonize and blend with your existing bathroom, kitchen, and washroom color schemes.
Porcelain, Ceramic and Fireclay Kitchen Sinks
Their non-porous and high gloss finish makes the sinks stain-resistant and fairly easy to keep clean using normal everyday household cleaning products.
Natural stone. An increasingly popular alternative to a classic ceramic or stainless steel sink, a natural stone sink brings warmth and character to kitchen trends. Natural materials are a key tenet of 'soft' minimalism, the latest wave of the trend synonymous with calming, clutter-free spaces.
Deeper sinks typically are preferred by more avid cooks because they tend to use a lot of dishes, pots and pans when preparing meals and deeper sinks allows them to hide dirty dishes from the view of guests and others. Bakers also prefer deeper sinks because they can easily accommodate sheet pans and cutting boards.
In general, the standard sink size is 22” x 30”. While single bowl sinks can have a width upto 36 inches, double bowl sinks can go upto 48 inches. The other thing that you need to consider is the depth of the sink. Sinks can have a depth between 6 and 12 inches.
Some of the benefits of a double-bowl sink are: It's ideal for washing large pans and other items that you don't want to run through the dishwasher. It helps keep things organized. For instance, you can put dirty dishes in one bowl while you use the other for food preparation.
While stainless steel sinks are durable, they do tend to scratch if abrasive cleansers are used. You might notice tiny scratches on an older stainless steel sink if you look closely. Most stainless steel varieties have a grain or pattern to them.
Reasons to consider a double sink
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. The most common reason to choose a double sink is that you need more space because you share the bathroom with another person.