Kitchens are the heart of the household, at least for many of us out there.  It stands to reason, then, that there are so many different styles of kitchen appliances.  Sinks are a pretty key feature, realistically speaking.  They are where we do a lot of food preparation, where we wash our hands, and more.

The question often becomes: What type of sink do we choose?  Today, we are here to help you answer that, at least if you’re interested in something like stainless steel ones!  There’s a lot to cover, so just hang tight and keep reading if you’d like to know more about how it works!

Kitchen Design: How Do Sinks Fit in?

As we mentioned, one of the most important parts of many houses across the globe is the kitchen.  Whether you’re a gourmet chef or you’d prefer to get takeout, it’s not like cooking is the only thing we do in these spaces.  You can check out a blog like this one to get some general inspiration on kitchen design, but when you think of the core of the space, what comes to mind?

For some, it might be a refrigerator, an oven, or even the dishwasher.  You’d be surprised at just how important it is to have a sink there, though.  This is especially true if you also have a garbage disposal built in, but more on that in a bit.

Styles of Sinks

Often, this sort of thing doesn’t really come to mind until we are planning out and designing our own kitchens, but there are a ton of different styles of sinks.  The most popular these days are undermount ones, which offer a sleek and stylish appearance that many people find quite appealing.  You can find them almost anywhere. 

You will typically see them in the form of an undermount single bowl stainless steel kitchen sink, although they can be made of other materials as well.  For the most part, stainless steel tends to be preferred because it is easy to clean, and that’s really a must for these parts of our homes.  The main appeal of an undermount sink is that you do not have the metal rim surrounding the sink, meaning you have more counter space.

Drop-in sinks are the ones that do have the rim, and they are much more common in older homes.  Modern styles have veered away from this, but it is really up to personal preference.  If you are looking for quaint and old-timey charm, then a farmhouse sink may be the option for you.  There are so many possibilities that it can be pretty hard to choose.  Explore what’s out there!

Coordinating the Aesthetics

Some of us aren’t huge fans of interior design, but others are super into it.  The main thing to keep in mind either way is that if you’re going for a certain style or aesthetic in your kitchen, then you’ll probably want to coordinate it all the way through the space.  What type of appliances do you have?

Stainless steel has been in style for a while now, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.  As you can see here: https://www.decoist.com/budget-friendly-kitchen-ideas/, even cozy kitchens can be home to stainless steel refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers.  They’re so convenient and sleek that they make a great pairing with any cabinets and countertops.

The same can be said for sinks, and if you’ve got stainless steel appliances, then there’s a good chance you’ll want to start looking for a sink to match.  Because it’s such a versatile material, you should be able to find options in any style that you want.  You will have to mull over your options, of course.

Consider which ones are easy to install.  For instance, the undermount ones are fairly simple as long as you follow the guides and instructions that you can find with the model you get.  If you aren’t comfortable installing yourself, you can also get help from a contractor; after all, if you’re remodeling the whole kitchen, then you may already be working with one!

When Should We Replace Our Sinks?

Another consideration in "should you get an undermount sink" is this: How do we know when it's time to replace it? The simple answer is, of course, "whenever we want to"—if things aren't matching and you want them to, that's a perfectly valid reason to make a change.

Consider checking out pages like this one to get an idea of what to expect from the process, but there are plenty of other reasons why we might want to replace our sinks that stray more into the realm of practicality.  For instance, if you’re noticing a ton of scratches or stains.

When you’ve had one for decades, it’s pretty much inevitable that you’ll start to notice some things like that.  While cosmetics might not seem like the best reason to make a change, remember that with scratches and other damage, molecules of food and grime can build up.  That’s pretty gross to think about.

Other signs it’s time to get a replacement include if you’re noticing a lot of leaking or if your sink is constantly clogging.  Both demonstrate normal wear and tear, but after years and years of that, it can reach a tipping point.  The repair bills may not be worth it, not to mention the expenses of plumbers if that ends up being necessary.

Are They Worth it?

As far as whether or not an undermount sink is worth it, it will largely be up to personal preference.  If you’re already replacing your sink or have been considering it, then there’s a good chance you’ll get a lot of use out of a stainless steel undermount.  However, if you aren’t into that style, don’t forget that there are plenty of other options out there.

Our kitchens are where we spend a lot of time, after all.  We should make them as comfortable as we can!