Kitchens .com - How to Decide on Sinks and Faucets

Products : Sinks & Faucets : How To Decide

How To Decide

As you gaze at a retailer’s display, you spot it: a striking cobalt blue basin. You start to question your Dutch colonial design and wonder if it can incorporate such an expressive detail. Before you lose too much perspective, take a step back and survey all your options. You may find that you can indeed work the blue basin—and maybe a sleekly curved platinum spigot—into your Dutch colonial. Or you may discover a more suitable compromise. Your countertop material will also affect your choice. Some, like solid surface and stainless steel, offer more flexibility in how a sink can be installed.

Look

There are many different styles and combinations of sinks and faucets for you to choose from. But it’s hard to pigeonhole them into a particular style such as American Colonial or Art Deco. Like cabinet hardware, they function as the kitchen’s jewelry, adding a touch of color or a little sparkle.

Sinks

Consider which installation method, material, and basin arrangement you prefer.

Installation: Do you prefer self-rimming, undermounted, or integral?

Material: Do you prefer stainless steel, enameled cast iron, solid surface, or composite?

Basin arrangement: Do you prefer a single, double, or triple bowl?

Faucets

Consider which handles, height, and finish you prefer.

Handles: Do you prefer single, lever, or dual controls? Curved or straight lines?

Height: Do you prefer standard or extra tall?

Finish: Do you prefer metallic or a color?

Needs

How you plan to use your sink and faucet may have the greatest effect on what style you select. If you need a pullout sprayer, for example, then you will have eliminated the curved spigot or lever handle styles.

Sinks

If you need:

Then choose:

Low cost

Self-rimming stainless steel

Easy cleanability

Undermounted or integral

Professional-style look

Stainless steel

Colored sink

Enameled cast iron, solid surface, or composite

Integral sink

Stainless steel, solid surface, or composite

Heat resistance

Stainless steel, enameled cast iron, or composite

Stain resistance

Stainless steel or composite

Basin for rinsing dishes and large pots and pans before loading into dishwasher

One deep, wide single bowl

Basins for washing and rinsing

Double bowl

Basins for washing and rinsing plus a smaller space with disposal for preparing vegetables

Triple bowl

Space for entertaining

Bar sink with disposal on island

Faucets

If you need:

Then choose:

To reach all corners of the sink

Pullout sprayer

To fill tall pots

Extra tall, curved spigot

To have easy water access while your cooking

Separate pot-filler faucet mounted on the wall by the range or cooktop

To be able to control the water using one hand

Pullout sprayer or lever

Filtered water

A filter that can be separately attached to your faucet