There is no such thing as the perfect kitchen sink.  There is no one size fits all solution to kitchen issues, no one, perfect sink that will fit the bachelor in his apartment and the family of seven in their sprawling estate.  There is no right kitchen sink, but there is a kitchen sink that is right for you.

If you haven’t spent much time thinking about it, you may well think that a sink is just a sink – no need to overcomplicate things.  However, if you’re looking to choose a new kitchen sink, you may be surprised at the sheer number of options and decisions you need to make.  Here are some of the most important ones, so you can know what to look for when choosing a new sink.

How many basins?

Sinks come in a variety of different sizes.  A deep single basin means you can easily soak or wash a big pan, or prep large quantities of food at one time.   It’s also best for the space-conscious.  However, only having one basin means you may have issues if you need the sink for multiple uses – say, soaking a dish and prepping vegetables.

Many people like two basins, but even then, you have choices – two basins of the same size appeals to the more symmetrically inclined of us, but you can also have one larger basin and one smaller one – giving you one larger basin for those larger pots and pans.  You can even go wild and have three or more basins – usually two large basins, and a third, smaller one for the garbage disposal.  That can come in handy when you need to use the disposal while also soaking pots and pans.  Ultimately, the size will depend on how you use your sink.

What shape?

In addition to your “standard” sinks, there are a number of common shape alternatives to choose from.  Farmhouse sinks are large, single basins, with a distinctive, apron front.  It gives a nice vintage vibe, and is convenient for holding large amounts of water.  It’s deeper than your traditional sink.  You can also get that in a double-basin style, though it won’t bring that same vintage charm.  You can also get a sink with rounded edges, as opposed to traditional square edges, which some people find easier to clean.

Another possibility is getting a built-in drainboard, which sacrifices some counter space for an easier time hand-washing dishes or drying fruits and vegetables.  If you don’t have a dishwasher, or just enjoy washing dishes by hand, it’s a good option to choose.

What material?

Sinks come in a wide variety of materials. Stainless steel is durable and easy to clean, though it can also scratch.  If you have hard water, it will also eventually leave a variety of spots on your sink.  Porcelain is a very traditional material, and comes in a wide variety of colors.  However, it can also chip, and potentially be damaged by metal pans.

A granite composite sink resists those scratches and chips, and won’t show water spots.  However, it can stain, and requires more special maintenance than steel or porcelain.  Similarly, natural stone, such as soapstone, requires special cleaning products and can scratch and chip, but can be a wonderful aesthetic choice, matching your countertops exactly.  A solid surface like Corian can be the perfect blend of aesthetic desirability and maintenance-free durability.

These are just a few of the decisions you have to make when shopping for a sink.  We hope this gets you started – and if you have any questions, the experts at Corian Pros will be glad to help you out!