Designing a Custom Kitchen Part 4: Sink and Faucet Options

In a kitchen, one of the spots that is the most used is the sink area, thus necessitating good design and functionality. As more and more modern homes have adopted the use of dishwashers, sinks in the kitchen are now allowed to sacrifice a little bit of practicality for style, opening up more design options for your custom kitchen.

 

 

In today’s blog, we will be guiding you through your sink design options for your custom kitchen:

 

 

 

 

Types of Sinks

 

There are many different types of sinks that you can choose from depending on the overall theme and style of your kitchen. Here is a brief breakdown of the types of sinks:

 

1. Farmhouse

As its name suggests, this type of sink is more commonly used in a traditional or farmhouse-style kitchen. Its dimensions extend over the edge of the counter, creating a comfortable area for you to brace against. It is liked for its large size and deep basin, being perfect for large families. They are typically made with a porcelain material, creating a striking and classy look.

 

2. Undermount

These sinks are installed under the counter, with the edges of counter extending a little over into the sink area. They are usually made with stainless steel and as such can match with a wide variety of custom kitchen designs. Stainless steel is also lighter than materials such as porcelain, allowing this sink type to be easily installed using industrial-grade glue.

 

3. Top Mount

Contrasting with the undermount sink, this sink is “dropped-in” into your counter, with a rim around the sink that attaches to the countertop. It is preferred for its stability and ease of installation, though they may be quite limiting in terms of their design options. The biggest downside of this type of sink is the potential for grime to get caught on its edges, though regular cleaning should curb this issue.

 

Configurations: Double Basin vs. Single Basin, Drainboards

 

No matter what type of sink you get, you can usually find it in different configurations to suit your needs. Double basins are useful for when you want to sort your dishes into different piles. You can even configure the size of each basin, with one larger and the other smaller if you intend to use one side for smaller items such as cups and utensils. In addition, you can configure the height of the divider. Low dividers do not rise to the top of the sink, stopping partway up and thus allowing you to use both basins as a single basin if enough water is filled to cover the divider.

 

If you have opted for a single basin, you can consider getting a drainboard attached to it for easy drying and sorting. Drainboards are most commonly used alongside single-basin top mount sinks.

 

Don’t Forget the Faucets!

 

One of the key themes of this blog series is that no detail is too small. This is why you must also carefully plan your faucets for your custom kitchen. Faucets are typically made from metal materials for extra durability, though you can always go off the beaten path and opt for something more unique such as brass, bronze, or pewter.

 

Generally, the main considerations for faucets are the style of faucet and the colour you choose. Here are some popular types of faucets:

 

• Pull-down faucet: directs straight down into your sink and can come with an extendable hose.
• Pull-out faucet: unlike the pull-down faucet, does not curve downward into you sink.
• Single-handle faucets: a single handle to control both temperature and pressure.
• Dual-handle faucet: one handle each for a water temperature, more precise.
• Commercial-style faucets: a longer, more flexible design suitable for power washing and a modern feel.
• Faucets with a separate spray: a regular faucet plus an extra hose with a trigger and spray nozzle to the side.

 

Choosing a Colour

 

As with many other things in your custom kitchen, choosing the right colours is important. Generally, stainless steel sinks or faucets can be matched with most colours, especially more traditional tones and designs. If you are going for a unique look and your kitchen already contains splashes of brightness here and there, don’t be afraid to go bold with your faucet colours. When it comes to being colourful, faucets usually get away with it easier as they are smaller. A colourful faucet could still work well with a muted or generically-coloured sink. Match your faucets with your sink—they do not always have to be the same colour, but they should still complement one another, as well as your countertops.

 

We hope today’s tips on custom kitchen designs give you even more insight into the little details that go into the process. For more custom kitchen design ideas, check out our previous blog on countertops. It is generally wise to think about your sinks and countertops together so that you do not end up with clashing designs.

 

Stay tuned next week for a new blog on custom kitchens!