Take the drama out of choosing your kitchen sink.

​Designing a new kitchen is a daunting task and with so many decisions to make it can feel a little overwhelming. Ironically some of the most straightforward decisions can actually be the most complicated, and time and time again we have found that the sink of all things is the hardest to choose.
​
Here is a handy guide from us for you to sink your teeth into.


Double bowl sink in stainless steel with Quooker boiling water tap undermounted in a Corian worksurface in one of our kitchens.
3 questions to ask yourself:

How will your sink be used?

This may sound like a silly question but, it is the most important thing to start with. Consider exactly what activities you use your sink for. Do you wash your dishes here or use a dishwasher? Do you often use it when preparing meals? Do guests make use of it when they are over? These things affect the sinks location and design. This planning will help you decide on things like how many bowls you need, the size of your sink and if it is to have extra features.
If you have the space, a practical idea we love is having a second sink elsewhere in your kitchen. This way you can separate your kitchen into different activity zones and it makes it easier for multiple people to use the kitchen at once.
In this kitchen our client opted for a large double Belfast sink under the window that they use for most of their cleaning and then a prep sink in their island when preparing and cooking.
The double Belfast sink sits beneath the window with the additional prep sink in the island.

What style is your kitchen?

The style of your sink can affect the overall look of your kitchen so its worth carefully considering the shape and mount that you choose. For a classic country or traditional kitchen you want your appliances to have character and that's why a Belfast sink is always a winner. Its large bowl is both practical and bold, softened by round edges. 
​
​If you are aiming for a contemporary look we would recommend something minimal and sleek. An under mount means your sink can be hidden below the work surface and only seen when you actually want it to be and leaves your worktop looking uninterrupted. Flush-mount is where the worktop and sink blend harmoniously and is great if your sink is so snazzy that you want to show it off.
 Belfast sink in this country style kitchen for a Scottish Castle by Christopher Howard.
Some examples of different mount styles - Apron front, over-mount, flush mount and under-mount.

What material and finish to choose?

This decision affects the overall look more than anything. Here are a few tips:

Maintain the same finish throughout: where possible keep the finishes of everything the same for a polished look, e.g. your tap, door handles and appliances all in stainless steel. If you decide you want a feature like a gold sink then commit to this in at least a couple of other places like the tap or some accessories so that it does not stick out in the wrong way.

Each style has a material that it looks best in, for example you'll most often see a Belfast sink in ceramic or cast iron and contemporary designs are better suited to stainless steel.

Practicality is the most important thing when choosing a material for your sink. Research the durability and maintenance required for the material before committing to it. Copper, for example, can make a stunning statement, but its colour dramatically changes over time. Ceramic has lots of qualities but can chip easily too. Cast iron and stainless steel are generally considered to be the most hard wearing.
Products we love
Here are some extra special sinks and taps that could transform your cooking experience:
Kolher Stages sink 
​An original design for those who like multi-functional gadgets. This sink comes with a full array of accessories to simplify food preparation and a stepped side platform discreetly hidden to the side for drying dishes. Other accessories include a specially fitted chopping board, and small prepartion/serving dishes.
Kohler True sink

​A very sleek bowl sink with a diagonal run off. Specially designed for the smooth flow of water and to soften the noise of a running tap, this sink is truly luxurious. Its thin edges and sharp corners make for a crisp, modern look.
Kohler Icerock Trough sink
​Now, if you have a lot of extra room for sink no.2 a trough sink makes a great feature. Distinctively thin and wide with sloping sides this is often used as a statement piece. This design by Kohler is ideal for filling with ice and holding a bottle of wine... or 5. Day to day these can be a handy extra sink in your kitchen or the inserts can be used to transform it into a drying rack or would also make an ideal spot to hold herbs or small plants. 
To the left is a trough sink in our Edinburgh showroom.

To tap it all...

Quooker Flex tap
A boiling water tap has lots of benefits – it eliminates the need for a kettle, so no more waiting for it to boil, it frees up space on your worktop and its actually more eco-friendly because you are only using the amount of water you need rather than boiling enough for 3 cups when you only need 1. The Flex tap is extra special because of its handy pull out rinse which is great for washing dishes, but as a safety precaution the boiling water cannot spray when this is in use. There is also the option for adding on the Cube feature which gives you the added option of sparking or chilled water.
Pot filler tap
Available in deck mounted or wall mounted versions, these taps are in styles to suit both traditional and contemporary settings.  The high rise  with extension arms can fill a pot without dropping it into a sink and then move out of the way when not in use.  Great for those big pasta pots!
Kohler Karbon tap Ideally suited for a kitchen in a spaceship, but failing that it would still look at home in a modern or industrial style interior. It is designed to maximise manoeuvrability with 5 pivot points. Available in 5 different finishes. What makes its appearance especially unique is the tubing on the arms that gives it a robotic like look. 


​
Also seen in one of the images of the Stages sink above.