Kitchen sinks blend function, style

When they were building their house in historic Roswell, Christen and Jason Flanders had to make decisions about everything — including the kitchen sink.

Christen, who loves to bake and cook, was “on the fence” about choosing a farmhouse sink, a popular option among decorators and today’s young homeowners. The high price tag was one reason. The look was another.

In the end, the mother of two young children selected a rectangular under-mount Kohler sink.

“It has a clean look,” Christen said, “and the wide, deep bowl accommodates my big dishes, pots and sheet pans.”

The kitchen sink was once an overlooked feature in kitchen design. Not anymore. Today’s sinks are not only functional, but stylish too when paired with an eye-catching faucet.

“Sinks are becoming more of a focal point in the kitchen,” said Cheryl Pett, an award-winning certified kitchen designer and owner of Cheryl Pett Design in Alpharetta. “Especially farmhouse sinks. I get a lot of requests for these as part of a kitchen remodel.”

In a regular week, your kitchen sink is the most used appliance in your kitchen. It is used to prepare meals and to clean up after them. So, it makes sense to choose a sink to match your space and needs — as well as your style and budget. For help in selecting a kitchen sink, consider these tips from Consumer Reports and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (nkba.org), a trade group.

Types/styles

• Double-bowl sinks have a partition that separates them into two sections. They are handy because they allow you to perform two tasks (washing and rinsing) at the same time. A single bowl may be more practical when space is tight or for large pots and pans.

• Farmhouse. Also known as apron or apron-front sinks. They usually have a wide base and a deep single bowl, but double-bowl sinks are available. They have exposed fronts that sometimes extend past the cabinet line and add dimension and texture to a space. The faucet is installed on the countertop or wall. Expensive, popular and now available in a variety of materials, they work well with most kitchen styles.

• Top mount. Also called a drop-in and self-rimming, these sinks are lowered into the counter, with the lip overlapping the countertop. They work with any countertop material, like laminate, and are relatively simple to install, making them a good choice for a tight budget. Grime can build up around the lip of the sink and detract from the look of your countertop.

• Trough. These are best for use as prep or bar sinks. Long and narrow, they can be practical for multiple chefs since they often have two faucets. They can be expensive and require custom cabinetry.

•  Under mount. Rather than being lowered onto the counter, these sinks are raised into place from below. They look sleek and provide easy cleanup. Because these sinks sit below the surface of the counter, you can wipe crumbs and spills directly into them. Avoid mounting on a countertop that isn't waterproof, such as wood. They are most often used with solid surface materials, like granite or marble.

• Prep and bar sinks. Also called entertainment sinks, these second sinks can make a big difference in the kitchen's work flow. Before you add one, ask yourself: Will you use it? Do you entertain often? Is your one sink always congested? An extra sink means additional plumbing and faucet expenses. However, a second sink can be handy on a large kitchen island. Make sure it is big enough to comfortably wash hands and vegetables or for rinsing bowls.

Features

• Size. The National Kitchen and Bath Association suggests a standard 22-inch-by-24-inch single-bowl model for kitchens less than 150 square feet. A larger kitchen can accommodate a sink with double and triple bowls.

• Number of bowls or basins. Large, wide, single-bowl sinks provide plenty of space for washing big pots and pans. Multibowl sinks allow you to wash dishes in one bowl and rinse fruits and vegetables in the other.

• Mounting. Consider how and where the sink is attached to the countertop before you order a new sink.

• Faucet holes. Shop for sinks and faucets at the same time, since one needs to be compatible with the other. The sink needs to contain the number of holes that are required for the faucet (or bridge-style faucet), plus any accessories, such as a spray hose, water filter or pot filler.

• Materials. More people chose stainless steel over any other sink materials, according to a 2013 NKBA survey. After stainless steel, popular materials included: porcelain enamel, fireclay and solid surfaces and copper. Other sink options include natural stone, such as granite, limestone and soapstone, plus concrete, glass and brushed nickel.

• Color. A colorful sink gets attention, like a black cast-iron sink in a traditional white kitchen or "Greenwich Green," one of several bold but limited-edition colors by designer Jonathan Adler for Kohler. In general, colorful sinks cost 15 to 40 percent more than white ones.

• Cost. Multibowl models start at about $200, but depending on the style and material, sinks ranging from $1,200 to $4,000 are not unusual in pro-style home kitchens.