Remodeling a kitchen, bathroom or bar can be a rewarding and exciting task. Starting from scratch can allow a homeowner to personalize and reflect individual taste. With a myriad of material options to choose from, the homeowner can feel overwhelmed. Should kitchen cabinets have solid wood doors or glass panels? Is granite the best option for a countertop or would limestone, soapstone or onyx be better? What style of sink will complete and complement the other components? An interior designer or decorator with kitchen or bathroom remodeling experience can often help simplify and organize potential confusion.
An often overlooked feature of a kitchen remodel is the kitchen sink. Most homeowners looking to upgrade cabinets and countertops in a kitchen remodel typically don’t put as much emphasis on the style and quality of the sink to install with a beautiful granite or other natural stone countertop. While double sinks are standard in homes today, triple sinks and large single sinks have made a comeback.
Triple sinks and offset double sinks provide greater flexibility to accommodate pots, pans and dishes while leaving a smaller section available for handwashing and food preparation. Large single sinks have an even better capacity to handle larger pans, cookie sheets, and cake pans. The depth of the sink can also vary as there is no standard for depth. With a deeper sink bottom, there is less chance of water or oil splashing on the countertop. For better utility and to make the sink a balance point for custom stone or granite countertops, the faucet and handles can have a long neck to pivot over deep pots and pans. A brushed nickel or steel finish also adds a nice touch of class.
The quality and gauge, or thickness, of the steel varies greatly from sink model to sink model. One of the main considerations when selecting a sink is how heavy the gauge of steel used is. The caliber is; less chance of denting the sink by dropping a pot or pan. However, the most important benefit of a heavier weight of steel is the sound insulation it provides when using the garbage disposal.
By looking at the whole picture, it becomes easier to see how an individual element can detract from the entire remodel. While the homeowner may have invested a considerable sum in natural stone, quartz and granite countertops and islands, the focal points of cheap cabinets and sinks will be quite obvious even to the untrained eye.
