How to choose a sink for the kitchen - photos and professional advice

What parameters should you pay attention to when selecting?

In order not to be mistaken with the choice, the following characteristics should be taken into account:

• Sink material for the kitchen.
• The shape and size of the product.
• Kitchen sink complete set.
• Installation method.
• Kitchen interior design.

What material will make the sink more practical?

Sinks are made from a variety of materials - even marble or wood. Such models are produced only to order: it is exclusive, but expensive and not always practical. The most common products can be found commercially, and most are durable, in a variety of colors and shapes.

Stainless steel

Unpretentious stainless steel sinks are the most popular in Russia: they are durable, non-corrosive and easy to clean. High temperature does not affect them, impacts of pots and cutlery do not leave scratches.

The only drawback of the stainless steel product is the increased noise during water intake. This problem is easily solved with a special pad, which many manufacturers supply in the kit.

If, when buying, the price for a car wash seems suspiciously low, and the brand is unfamiliar, it is best to refuse to purchase. Otherwise, the product may turn out to be thin, which means less quality and wear-resistant.

Shown here is a practical brushed stainless steel sink. It is easy to care for such a surface - small scratches and stains on it are invisible.

Ceramic sink

Ceramic models are made from budget faience or more expensive porcelain. Enameled products perfectly tolerate prolonged exposure to moisture, are easy to clean, environmentally friendly and quiet. Over time, the ceramic surface can become cracked, and the porous material actively absorbs dirt and grease. Only special enamel protects against adverse effects, making the product durable and glossy.

The disadvantage of a ceramic kitchen sink is its weight: installation will require the help of specialists. Such a product must be protected from any kind of mechanical stress.

Pictured is a ceramic sink that looks great in both traditional and modern kitchens.

A natural stone

Luxurious kitchen sink made of marble or granite is a piece product and is made only by personal order. One of the main disadvantages of a stone kitchen sink is its weight. The high cost of the product entails additional installation costs and a suitable stable cabinet. But the stone sink is durable, shockproof and quiet. Unfortunately, its surface is not resistant to microorganisms - some models start to smell unpleasant over time.

Fake diamond

Such sinks are made from granite chips or quartz sand, as well as polymer resin binder.Thanks to modern technologies, sinks made of artificial stone come out on top in terms of strength and shock resistance. Such products become a decoration of the kitchen, moreover, they differ in a wide color palette.

The main feature of a composite sink is its maintainability. Even if it was not possible to protect the surface from chipping, a specialist will eliminate the defect with sandpaper and acrylic glue. Another important nuance: the hole for the tap, which is drilled during installation, allows the mixer to be mounted in any convenient place.

Pictured is a sink for the kitchen, stylized "marble".

Acrylic

These sinks are made from a special type of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. They are comfortable, smooth, and relatively inexpensive. It is quite easy to care for them, but do not overuse abrasive or oil-based cleaning products. It is also worth protecting the coating from hot dishes.

Pictured is an acrylic sink with two bowls and stainless steel plates on the bottom.

Which form is more convenient?

It is believed that a round sink is more spacious than a rectangular and square one, since most plates and pans have rounded corners. Visually, it takes up less space, it is easier to care for it.

A round sink is the best choice if it needs to be installed in the corner of an L-shaped kitchen set. Also on sale there are angular multi-faceted designs. Triangular models are especially compact: due to the small size of the sink, it easily fits into the corner and does not take up much space.

In the photo there is an oval kitchen sink with a round bowl, which not only has an attractive appearance, but also differs in functionality.

Rectangular models have their advantages - unlike round ones, they can be large and have additional accessories. The most ergonomic shape of the sink is a square or rectangle with rounded corners. But ultimately, the shape of the product is a matter of individual preferences of the owner of the kitchen.

The photo shows a black sink, which looks noble and stylish. On such a surface, it is difficult to see most of the dirt.

Which size is best for the kitchen?

The wider and deeper the sink, the more convenient it is: more dishes will fit in there, and splashes from water will not fly onto the table. But in a small kitchen, you should not sacrifice cooking space and install a bulky sink that takes up the entire work surface. To make the dishes fit more, it is better to buy a deep structure. The presence of a dishwasher is another plus in favor of a small sink.

The standard bowl depth is 15-18 cm. This is enough to fill a saucepan or soak dishes. When installing a sink, it is worth leaving at least 5 cm to the wall or the edges of the cabinet.

The optimal dimensions for a square sink are 50x50 and 60x60 cm, for a rectangular one - from 55 cm in length and 50 cm in width. Round products are made from 45 cm in diameter.

Choosing a complete set of sink

Some additional attributes may seem useless, but practice shows that they save up to 30% of the time spent in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.

Determining the optimal number of bowls

For traditional small kitchens, a sink with two large bowls is a rarity. Sometimes you can find a product where one bowl is standard and the other is smaller. The double sink is very functional, as it allows you to soak and rinse dishes in different containers. It is convenient to wash food in it if one bowl is occupied by pots and plates. Additional accessories can also be used in the double sink.

The product with one bowl is much more popular and cheaper, moreover, it does not require special siphons with two outlets.

When should you use a sink with drainer?

The fenders take up a significant area of ​​the tabletop, but are very useful from a functional point of view.On an additional surface made of stainless steel or acrylic, you can put wet dishes, which will extend the life of the kitchen set. When choosing a product with a wing, you should pay attention to its slope: the direction towards the drain will help to avoid the accumulation and stagnation of water.

If there is enough space in the kitchen to install a sink with a wing, then this design will be a useful and practical acquisition.

The photo shows a comfortable sink with a wing, located opposite the window.

What accessories will help in everyday life?

Here are some more interesting additions to save time and energy in the kitchen:

• A dryer that hangs on the bowl and is used after washing the dishes. Purchased from a plumbing store.
• A waste shredder in the drain (disposer) helps to get rid of frequent cleaning of sewer pipes.
• Special grates or plates to protect the bottom from damage.
• Collander is a removable perforated baking sheet designed for washing, drying or defrosting food. For ease of use, it is installed on the bowl.

The photo shows the original kitchen sink, the configuration of which allows you to build in additional accessories, for example, boards for vegetables and fruits.

Which installation method should you choose?

It is worth thinking in advance about the type of installation when choosing a sink for the kitchen. It depends on several factors.

Consignment note

The product, like a lid, is put on a curbstone, replacing the tabletop. An overhead sink is considered the optimal solution for modular, that is, prefabricated, kitchen sets. The design flaw is that water can get on the side walls of the cabinet.

The photo shows a reliable and practical overhead construction, the installation of which is easy.

Mortise

If the countertop is a solid chipboard, artificial stone or metal plate, then the sink is mounted in a special slot for the size of the product. In a worktop made of wood or chipboard, you can cut a hole yourself. In other cases, it is better to trust the professionals.

The disadvantage of this installation method is the likelihood of moisture penetration between the sink and the cabinet. To avoid damage to the material, it is treated with a water-repellent impregnation.

Under table

The sink is mounted just below the level of the countertop. Suitable only for moisture-resistant slabs made of artificial or natural stone, as the material is constantly exposed to water.

Built-in

An integrated kitchen sink, in comparison with the listed types of installation, is the most attractive and expensive option. The washbasin is integral with the worktop, which protrudes slightly beyond the cabinet. Made to order from artificial or natural stone, as well as plastic.

In the photo there is a kitchen with a sink integrated into an artificial stone countertop.

Professional advice

Sinks for the kitchen are divided into types not only in size, shape and material of manufacture, but also in their design.

• The product should be in harmony with kitchen furniture and appliances. The universal colors are white and metallic. A stainless steel sink will fit well into a modern interior, but more noble materials and colors are suitable for a rustic and classic style.
• It is necessary to correlate the design of the plumbing fixture and the style of the kitchen: the "antique" sink will not fit into a loft or high-tech.
• The sink can contrast with the countertop or, conversely, merge with it. Contrast is appropriate in a kitchen where accents are lacking.
• The optimal shell height is considered to be when a person's elbows are about 10 cm from it.

How to choose a convenient sink for the kitchen, taking into account the dimensions and properties of materials, is described in detail in this video:

The modern kitchen sanitary ware industry offers many varieties of sinks, from the simplest to the most sophisticated. The sink, which used to have only a practical function, today can turn into a decoration of the kitchen.