While the kitchen is the most used area of the home, the kitchen sink is probably the area that sees the most wear and tear.
Every day, people use their kitchen sinks to help prepare meals, clean dishes and other things, and wash their hands.
The kitchen sink is, without a doubt, the center of your kitchen, and it will need to be made with high-quality and long-lasting materials.
There are many types of kitchen sinks available.
If you are thinking of a kitchen renovation, it makes sense to know the difference between these types of sinks so that you can get the one that will work best for your needs.
Here are ten types of kitchen sinks that will help open your eyes to the choices that are available on the market today.
10 Types of Kitchen Sinks
1. Corner Sink
Elkay DE217323 Dayton Equal Double Bowl Stainless Steel Corner Sink
The corner sink is an option for those who have limited space in their kitchens.
If you are having a hard time finding enough flat prep area for putting food together, then it could be a smart choice to add a corner sink.
The corner sink has two small bowls that are set at a 90-degree angle to each other.
The corner sink allows you to move the faucet from one to the other.
This corner sink option can have both positives and negatives.
On the plus side, these are usually good if you like to have a drying area and a cleaning area when you are doing dishes.
You can keep the dishes that are drying in one section of the sink so that water can go down the drain as your dishes dry.
Another great benefit of the corner sink is that they are perhaps one of the most efficient because of the space that they use.
The corner space is a tough spot to fill, and it often just goes unused.
With the corner sink, you will be making sure that you are using all parts of your kitchen.
The problem with corner sinks is that they are often a bit more expensive than a traditional rectangular sink.
The design is rather unique and takes a bit of engineering to get it to function properly.
Therefore, you will find that these are also a bit harder to find.
Your options are certainly going to be limited by going with a corner sink design.
Another downside is that you are going to need to make sure you have the ability to get this to work with your counter.
You will have to cut two unique holes in the counter as opposed to just one, and that is something that can be discouraging considering the costs of counter material.
If the countertops are not cut properly, they may end up becoming a bit weaker as well.
It is always a good idea to keep the holes in your countertop to a minimum.
Anytime a hole is cut or drilled in the counter, it is going to reduce the overall strength that it has.
Traditionally speaking, the corner sink will be something that most people will only go to if they are having trouble finding a fit for their kitchen.
2. Integrated Sink
An integrated kitchen sink is starting to get more and more popular.
These sinks have a seamless style, have a very clean look to them, and can provide really good functionality in a kitchen.
This sink is essentially a part of the countertop.
When you purchase your counters for your kitchen, the sink will come along with it.
Instead of having a cut-out where you would traditionally drop a sink in, you will have the sink already built in.
The biggest benefit of this type of sink is the fact that the edge of the sink flows seamlessly into the counter.
If you are a person who likes to prep food on the counter and then push the scraps into the sink, this is a perfect choice for you.
The other great thing about integrated sinks is that they help to prevent the growth of mold and accumulation of debris.
With traditional sinks, there is usually some type of a lip or an edge where debris can collect.
Overall, the look of the integrated sink is gaining in popularity, and people are enjoying how this can make their home look and function.
The only real downside is that these sinks are going to be available as a custom ordered option.
As you can probably imagine, anything for your kitchen that is custom ordered or built by a manufacturer is going to be quite a bit more expensive.
If you are renovating your kitchen, make sure you are choosing an option that you’re going to be happy with for the long term.
Unlike a traditional sink, you will have to change your entire countertop if you decide you do not like the integrated sink and how it looks.
This also becomes an issue when it comes to potential damage to the sink.
If something goes wrong, you will have to replace your countertop.
Be careful how you treat these sinks so that you won’t have issues in the future.
3. Prep Sink
Ruvati 14-inch Undermount Wet Bar Prep Sink Tight Radius 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Single Bowl - RVH7114
A prep sink is not something that all kitchens will have room for.
This is not going to be used as your main sink in your home, but instead, it becomes more of a backup or a prep area.
These types of sinks are good for installing in an island or if you have a wet bar area in your home.
The best thing about having the prep sink is that more than one person can work on prepping food at once.
You will also not have to walk across the entire kitchen to prepare a drink at your wet bar.
The sink is small and easy to clean and can make a nice addition of functionality to a kitchen.
Those who put one of these sinks in their island find that they then have everything they need to prep an entire meal without leaving their place in the kitchen.
There are, of course, downsides to this idea of a prep sink.
You will have extra costs, of course, because there could be more plumbing to run, and you will have to make sure that you have the counter space to spare.
For those with a large amount of counter space, this may not be a concern.
Make sure that, if you are going to install this sink, you have the intention to use it because, otherwise, you’ll be better off leaving yourself with the extra counter space that you have available.
Overall, this is not always a necessary addition to a kitchen, so you may want to consider this decision carefully if your budget is tighter.
4. Low Divider Double Sink
ZUHNE 32-Inch Stainless Steel Undermount Kitchen Sink Double Bowl 16 Gauge (60/40 Low Divide)
A double sink provides a lot of functionality because of its ability to allow you to separate both clean and dirty dishes.
You can also prep food in one area and wash dishes in another.
Having the division between the two sinks offers great functionality, but it is not always great to have the full divider between the two sinks.
Sometimes the divider can get in the way of washing certain dishes, which brings in the idea of the low divider.
If you are washing a big pan, you can fill the sink completely with water and the water will flow from one side to the other.
The real benefit of this sink is that the low divider is great for prepping different types of foods.
The only thing you will have a hard time with when it comes to the low divider double sink is that they can be hard to find.
The high divider double basin is much more popular than the low divider.
Even though you will have an easier time getting a larger casserole pan in a low divider sink, it can still be tough.
If you have a large family and are continually cleaning large roasting pans and dishes, the single large sink is going to make much more sense.
5. Drainboard Sink
GRIDMANN Stainless Steel 1 Compartment Utility Sink with Left Drainboard, NSF Certified Commercial Kitchen Sink, 18" x 18" x 12" Bowl
If you are a person who washes a lot of dishes, the drainboard sink could be a great choice to consider.
The drainboard sink provides you with an area to wash dishes and an area to allow them to drain as well.
These sinks have an area to the left or right of the main sink area which allows you to drain your dishes.
The water will run off and then it will drain into the sink.
The drainboard sinks quickly drain back into the sink, and it helps to keep water off your counters as you are washing.
There are, of course, some downsides to the drainboard sink.
The drainboard sinks are not always all that large, so you will be working with a single sink and having to make adjustments for larger items.
The drainboard functionality can also be created by purchasing a specific drainboard that fits on the counter next to a sink.
This tends to be a much cheaper option and it is a good choice for those who like the functionality of the drainboard sink.
The only other issue you can run into with this sink is that the water can get stuck in the drainboard area and create some extra cleaning for you.
6. Farmhouse Sink
30-Inch Farmhouse Kitchen Sink - Fireclay Farmhouse Sink Single Bowl - Apron Front Sink Contemporary European Design - Single Bowl Fireclay Apron Sink 30” - Single Basin Kitchen Sink
One of the most popular sinks on the market right now is the farmhouse sink.
People are finding that both the style and the functionality of the farmhouse sink are exactly what they need for their home.
There is no question that the farmhouse sinks have a nice large, clean, and modern look to them.
The farmhouse sinks are the best choice for large pans that need some extra effort and space to clean.
You will have the ability to submerge your entire pot into the sink so that it will be easy to care for.
The farmhouse sinks do not have the same type of edge that a traditional sink would have.
The farmhouse edge is a bit lower and flush with the edge of the counter.
This makes it easier to get close to the sink and do a better job of washing dishes.
You will find that the overall functionality of the farmhouse sink is probably some of the best on the market.
The farmhouse sink can also be called an apron sink.
The apron sink appears as though it has an apron over the edge of the counter.
There are only a few issues that you will come across with the farmhouse sinks.
The main issue is that the lower front edge can be a bit difficult when it comes to leaks.
Water can splash over the edge a bit more easily, and therefore, you have to watch out for your floors and your clothing.
Another issue that you must consider is that the farmhouse sinks are getting more and more expensive.
Most of the reason behind the expense is that the sinks are very popular at the moment.
If that were to change in the future, the pricing could go down.
7. Bowl Sink
POPFLY 22 Inch Drop in Kitchen Sink,304 Stainless Steel Single Bowl Sink,Topmount Handmade Sink with Drain Strainer
A single basin or bowl sink is known for its basic functionality.
This is an easy sink to use, and it provides a good deal of versatility.
Since this is considered a classic or traditional option, the bowl sink is always usually priced quite a bit lower.
A bowl sink allows you to wash both big and small items.
These are a great choice for those who have a lot of dishes to do.
The single basin sink is going to be easy to install and won’t force you to sacrifice quite as much of your counter space.
Of course, the other downside of the single basin becomes obvious when it comes to washing dishes.
You are going to need to put a drying rack of some kind next to your sink.
Since these sinks don’t have room for you to store both dry and dirty dishes, you will need someplace to go with the clean plates and cups.
Overall, this is a classic design and very easily installed and used through the years.
8. Double Basin Sink
PROFLO PFSR332263 PROFLO PFSR332263 Bealeton 33" Drop In Double Basin Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
Chances are you have a double basin sink in your kitchen currently.
A double basin sink is very popular because it gives you two different areas to prepare and prep food and clean dishes.
The double basin sinks offer a lot of functionality.
One of the things we love most about double basin sinks is how helpful they can be in homes that don’t use a dishwasher.
You can wash the plates on one side and then make sure they are set to dry on the other side.
This helps to make sure that water does not drip all over your counter.
The double basin sink tends to be pretty affordable because it is one of the easiest to manufacture and install.
Chances are, if you are looking to save money but still get good functionality, your contractor will recommend the double basin sink.
The double basin does have some issues when it comes to cleaning large dishes.
You will have a hard time getting certain things to fit in either side of the sink.
In the end, you will have to be creative as to how you get these larger dishes like a roasting pan clean.
9. Undermount Sink
Kitchen Sink, MENSARJOR 30'' x 18'' Undermount Single Bowl Kitchen Sink 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink
An undermount sink will sit just below the countertop, and you can easily push any food debris that you have come across into the sink.
The sink is usually sold as a single large basin and it can create a very clean look from the transition of the counter to the sink.
We really like how contemporary the undermount sink is and the fact that it blends in so nicely in the kitchen.
If you are someone who is looking for a sleek look in your kitchen, the undermount sink is going to be a great choice to consider.
There are special precautions that are taken when putting an undermount sink in place.
Since the sink is going to have the strength of the counter to hold it in place, there are other precautions taken.
As you can imagine, the weight of water is quite high.
If the sink is not properly clipped in and supported, it can be a problem.
The other issue that you sometimes deal with when it comes to the undermount sink is the buildup of debris and mold.
There are some sneaky areas you are going to have to clean when dealing with the undermount sink.
Be sure to inspect the entire sink surround when it comes to your cleaning procedures.
10. Drop-In Sink
Bonnlo 25 Inch Top mount Kitchen Sink Drop-in, Farmhouse Kitchen Sink with Sink Protector 18 Gauge, Workstation Sink, Stainless Steel Single Bowl Kitchen Sinks for RV, Travel Trailer, Garage, 25x22x9
A drop-in sink is going to sit in a hole that has already been created in your counter.
The drop-in sink rests partially on the top of the counter and the rest will sink below the counter.
Drop-in sinks come in a variety of different sizes, but they are going to all function in the same way.
These are easy to install, and they provide good functionality.
The problem that you will run into with the drop-in sink is that you cannot push debris from the counter directly into the sink.
The edge of the sink will make this difficult and leave you creating more of a mess.
Some people find that the under-sink mount also gives a more modern look than the drop-in sink.
Drop-in sinks come in a variety of materials, and they tend to be rather affordable.
If you need to replace a drop-in sink at some point, it won’t be all that difficult to do.
Hopefully, these ten types of sinks have helped you realize what is going to work best in your home.
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