The Complete Guide to Renovating Your Kitchen Sink and Faucets
The kitchen is the heart of any home. It’s a place where friends and family gather for both daily family life and weekend entertainment – a casual place to talk, eat and relax. The kitchen is so important that more and more homes are being designed around an open-plan living space, with the kitchen as the centerpiece.
Inside the busy kitchen, it’s the humble sink that handles most tasks, making the faucet the hardest-working piece of equipment in the home. So when planning a new kitchen, it’s vital that your new sink and faucets look fabulous and are built to last.
But choosing the right gear can be an overwhelming experience, so where do you start? Here is a comprehensive guide to help you on your way.
Space
The first consideration when designing a new kitchen is how to arrange the layout to make the most of the available space. If you’re on a tight budget or looking for ways to save so you can splurge on the countertops of your dreams, you may want to leave the plumbing alone and install your new sink in place of your old one.
If you can afford to move your sink, make sure you do it for a good reason. Let’s face it: Doing laundry is a chore most people don’t particularly enjoy, but place your sink next to a window with a view and you might just be fighting over dishes. If you have an open plan living/dining room, you may prefer to position the sink so that it faces the room. That way you can keep an eye on the kids or continue to chat with your guests while you work.
Wherever you place your sink, making sure it’s paired with your dishwasher is a no-brainer. This allows you to easily scrape and rinse dishes before loading the dishwasher, and is useful for being able to pour any water that has collected on the dishes when emptying the machine.
Design
Next, it’s all about design. For traditionalists, Belfast or farmhouse sinks are a nod to the past that is coming back very fashionable. These solid, old-fashioned sinks resemble those found in historic farmhouses and add timeless appeal to your home.
Undermount sinks are becoming a favorite in contemporary minimalist kitchens as they offer a seamless look and are easy to clean. However, for an ultra-minimalist effect, look no further than a fully integrated sink that will give your kitchen the ultimate in sleek lines. If you’re looking for a tried and tested design, a self-rimmed sink will never go out of style.
Once you’ve decided on the overall style of your sink, you need to think about the practicalities. Choose between a large single sink or a double sink, perfect for the keen cook who likes to wash and drain food at the same time.
If you’re short on space, you have several options. A corner sink is a great space saver and fantastic if you have an unusually shaped kitchen. Another option is an accessory sink—you can find these with built-in cutting boards, drain grates, or even strainers, allowing you to make the most of your available space.
It is essential to choose faucets that match the overall design of your sink. If you’ve opted for a farmhouse sink, then a mixer with two separate crosshead taps looks striking, and the fine detailing on the taps complements the traditional look. However, if you are looking for a contemporary style, the possibilities are endless with a wide range of simple and elegant faucets on the market. For the ultra-minimalist approach, a single-lever faucet, which allows you to control temperature and flow with just one hand, is the ultimate.
As with sinks, there are a couple of practical aspects to consider when deciding on faucets. A swivel head is handy for filling the sink and then moving it to the side for rinsing when washing glasses or cleaning pots and pans, and with a choice of spout heights available, opt for a tall spout if you’re using a lot of large items. Also, for the kitchen or design enthusiast, choose a professional-style faucet with a 360-degree swivel head and pull-out spray.
material
Finally, there is a wide range of materials to choose from when designing the kitchen of your dreams. Depending on your choice of sink, the decision can be made for you: Belfast and farmhouse sinks are generally ceramic, while built-in sinks will be the same as your countertops, usually quartz or marble if you’ve gone for the high-end option. spectrum. .
Stainless steel is by far the most popular sink material, as it is resistant to heat and stains and is excellent value for money; however, a composite granite sink is durable and won’t show watermarks like the stainless steel option. If you are looking for something different in the market, try a copper sink, which has a lot of charm and is resistant to oxidation.
The finish on your faucets can go a long way toward achieving the desired look for the heart of your home. Opt for a warm gold or bronze finish for a traditional look, befitting your farmhouse or Victorian kitchen. Chrome suits all kitchen styles and is durable, while stainless steel or nickel faucets will perfect your minimalist and contemporary kitchen.