So you thought a sink was just a sink!

The kitchen sink is the pivot point in designing the work flow of a kitchen. Making a dual statement in function and aesthetics, it is the most frequented location in the kitchen.

      Sink styles and options have vastly expanded in recent years. The popular sink-style trend is one main multi-task: a large single-bowl, stainless-steel sink. And if the preference  is a double bowl, then one side is often larger  and deeper than the other. The sink portion usually installs into a 36-wide or less sink base cabinet. A corner sink, however may offer a unique design solution. Larger-sized bowls permit soaking and washing baking sheets and broiler pans. The shape and size of the bowls should accommodate place diameters and cookware. Bowl depths are usually 8" to 12" with 10" being the most requested. Also all corners of the sinks should be at a slight radius for easy maintenance.

     Multi-tasking sinks are often fitted with "custom" accessories that make the sink work. Included are sliding wood cutting boards or sanitary glass-prep boards. Convenience is extended with fitted colanders, overlay sink basin, single and/or second level, adjustable draining racks or with large plastic utility bowls suspended in the sink that create an additional basin complete with drain.

Supporting the "form follows function" model, space is extended with built-in drain boards, usually overlaying the dishwasher. A new concept in sinks is the unique "work bench" that functions as a partition between bowls. The work bench supports heavy pots and pans at a comfortable height without concern of tipping over.

Restaurant-style high-neck faucets and pull-out faucet heads minimize a sink's utility for both food preparation and clean-up. Deck-mounted pop-up strainers make it easy to drain the sink.

A second sink may be added to facilitate entertainment or to service an island or a wide peninsula. These secondary sinks make a design statement in shape and material. They also come with accessories. If the island is an important food-preparation area, then consider a trough sink. One of these long, gentle slopped troughs incorporate an automatic rinse down of small food refuge and waster disposal action with a touch of a button.

Whatever the sink combination, most consumers prefer under-counter versus self-rimming. They also prefer the drain locations offeset at the back of the sink for a gentler bottom slope. This helps avoid tipping over standing glasses and covering the drains when stacking plates for scraping or rinsing. The offset location is important for waste disposal installation as the kitchen faucet is usually centered at the back of the sink.

                                                          Blanco Silgranite Sink

                                                     Kohler Sink

Kohler undermount sink

The vast array of sink choices is overwhelming. A sink selection should meet the consumer's expectations in beauty, function and maintenance. Knowledge of performance, styles and accessories is the first step towards maximum satisfaction. The bottom line is that the sink and system should serve all of the needs of the consumer!