Choosing a kitchen sink to match your personality

Embarking on a renovation journey is an exciting prospect. After years of living with someone else’s kitchen, you finally get the opportunity to set everything up just how you like it.

But with so many design resources out there (blogs, magazines, solicited or unsolicited advice from friends & family) it’s easy to get lost in a sea of possibilities and lose track of which ideas are yours and which belong to your mother-in-law!

After all, a particular design aesthetic may work great in some stranger’s kitchen on HGTV, but it might not be a perfect fit for your tastes and needs.

Here are a few simple tips to find the right sink to match your unique personality.

What’s it made out of?

The first step in selecting the right sink is determining the best material to suit your kitchen style. We’d all like to choose a sink that’s both aesthetically pleasing and durable but it’s important to note that not all materials behave the same way over time.

Are you the type who is susceptible to being hard on sinks? Do you cook often and tend to toss or throw dishes into the sink? If yes, you might want to consider stainless steel. Stainless steel is also a great choice when opting for engineered stone or granite counters as an undermount sink is oh-so-easy to keep clean.

Enamel-coated cast iron was once the standard for sinks, so this material is ideal for those seeking a “classic” look and feel. However, even high-end models can be prone to scratches or chipping over time if you’re tough on sinks.

What are your dish washing habits?

The traditional sink bowl arrangement since the 1950’s has been two bowls, equal size. All too many people automatically presume that this is the way to go. (And for some it is.)

But guess what? It really depends on how you wash your dishes!

The reality is that most people these days wash the majority of their bowls, plates, glasses and cutlery in the dish washer – so really you don’t “need” two equal-sized bowls at all.

Unless you’re an old school hand washer, consider a gorgeous extra-large one bowl model or a handy hybrid like this Executive Chef by Kohler.

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The larger, deeper bowl is perfect for hand washing bulky pots and pans while the smaller, shallower bowl is ideal for food prep.

Pro tip: If you’re planning on installing a garbage disposal unit, be sure to keep this in mind when deciding on a bowl configuration. It’s even possible to purchase a 3-bowl design with a dedicated disposal.

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How’s your taste in faucets?

Face it, not every kitchen faucet style goes with every sink. So if you’ve got your heart set on a particular faucet, this will absolutely play a role in narrowing down your choice of sinks.

Sleek and modern models such as Delta’s Addison Collection work well with stainless steel or contemporary shaped cast-iron whereas Kohler’s Antique Line looks great with a vintage styled sink such as an Apron-Front or Farmhouse.

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Often the easiest way to discover the sink of your dreams is to pick out a faucet and then work backwards!

Your top priority matters

Every single sink on the market has a distinct set of pros and cons. Deciding on the perfect balance of looks, price, durability and functionality is enough to make your hair fall out. Always figure out what’s most important in your heart of hearts and use this feature as the driving factor in your buying decision.

After all, there’s nothing worse than finishing your renovation only to find you’ve once again built someone else’s kitchen.

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