How to Choose the Right Kitchen Sink & Faucet

Four Important Sink Design Considerations

Before you plunge into the water hub marketplace, take some time to think through a few key questions and considerations. Not only will the answers help guide your search, they may also impact other aspects of your renovation timeline.

Sink installation: How and where will your sink be installed?

Certain decisions and preferences may have a ripple effect that extends far beyond the sink area. We suggest thinking about sinks and faucets when you’re making all your major remodel design decisions, not just as an afterthought.

For example, if you decide you want an undermount sink installation, it’s important to inform your contractor early on so they can install the sink before the countertops. Also, carefully measure all the space around your sink area to ensure you pick elements that fit within the space. If you have cabinets over the sink, measure from the sink’s deck plate to the bottom of the upper cabinet to map out the ideal faucet height. You don’t want to wait until the plumber tries to install the faucet to figure out it’s too tall.

How do you use your sink? How is that working for you?

This is your chance to makeover, troubleshoot and solve anything that’s not working with your current sink setup, from minor hassles to major obstacles. Some common examples:

• How often have you started to wash or prep veggies in the sink, only to find it filled with dirty dishes? If you’ve faced this scenario, maybe it’s time to invest in a small prep sink for your kitchen island.
• Does your back or neck ache after spending time at the sink? You may not feel like you’re straining, but repetitive reaching and overextending can take a toll over time. Look for sinks that fit your stature better.
• If the counter and floor around your sink look like a splash zone, the problem could be a mismatched sink and faucet. A tall or “high-arc” faucet that ends 8-10 inches above the sink basin tends to propel water if paired with a shallow sink.

Consider sink sizes. Bigger isn’t always better.

An oversized sink may be perfect for some jobs, but a hindrance for others. Think about how you use your sink most often. If your sink space doubles as another prep area where you frequently wash and prepare vegetables or fill large pots with water, an oversized farmhouse sink is a great choice. If you’re simply looking for a sink to rinse glasses or plates that may be overkill. In that case, a smaller sink or a second sink that’s dedicated to quick tasks, like a bar sink, are ideal.

Consider your sink’s configuration. How many holes are in your sink or counter?

Most sinks come with one to several pre-drilled holes to accommodate a variety of faucet fixture configurations and “extras.” If your dream faucet set-up requires more holes than available, you’ll need to add holes to accommodate them...which is doable, but may require more planning if you’re working with an existing countertop.

Choosing Sink & Faucet Types

Now that you’ve got a kitchen sink and faucet game plan, it’s time to compare your options. Below, we’ve created a quick-read checklist that walks you through the most popular sink and faucet choices on the market, along with their key features so you can build a sink station that looks great and works even better.

Sink Types

• There are two different ways your kitchen sink can be installed. Drop-in sink installation is where your sink is literally dropped into a cutout in your countertop, with the lip resting on your countertop surface. This installation method is popular because it is less expensive and easier to install. Undermount sink installation is where your sink is mounted below your countertop, with the lip secured just beneath the opening instead of sitting on top of it. This option is considered more contemporary and may have a higher perceived value, which can help when it comes time to sell your home.
• Farm sinks, also known as farmhouse sinks, are inspired by the oversized sinks that were often used in large country kitchens to handle all sorts of household chores. Adapted and updated to fit the modern farmhouse style, these sinks are built to handle oversized pots and pans with ease. They typically feature a wide, exposed front panel that sticks out slightly beyond the countertop, drawing the eye. BLANCO’s IKON farmhouse sink collection offers traditional charm and slightly angled apron design for a subtle architectural detail. For a more contemporary take on the apron-front sink, the VINTERA collection brings a modern and simplified version of the farmhouse sink, boasting a slim apron front, deep bowls and versatile installation capabilities.
• Kitchen islands with sinks are a popular upgrade for kitchen remodels. Choosing to install a sink in a central location, like your kitchen island, instead of along the perimeter of your kitchen, opens up a world of new layout and workflow possibilities. Plus, it transforms your island into a more versatile workspace and frees up valuable counter space at the same time. However, if you go this route, in addition to the proper plumbing work, you’ll also need to either retrofit an existing island or custom build an island with a sink to your exact specifications.

Sink Materials

• Stainless Steel - This traditional sink material is heat and stain-resistant, but can show water spots and scratches more readily than other options. Some sinks can also be noisy, depending on the gauge or thickness of the stainless steel. All BLANCO stainless steel sinks are made from premium quality 304 series, 18/10 chrome-nickel content to prevent additional sound.
• Granite or Quartz Composite - Made up of around 80% quartz sand (the hardest element of natural granite), composite is one of the most durable sink materials around. Because it retains the durable qualities of natural stone, it’s stain- and scratch-resistant, without the need for extensive upkeep. BLANCO’s exclusive SILGRANIT® material is produced with advanced engineering to easily withstand everyday wear and tear. Known for its unsurpassed durability and easy-to-clean surface, Silgranit sinks are a beautiful way to incorporate colour without sacrificing strength or style. Plus, Silgranit sinks are proudly manufactured in North America and Germany and are a great selection for avid cooks.
• Fireclay - This popular sink material is formed of ceramic clay that’s molded into a sink shape and coated in porcelain enamel. Hand-finishing techniques and high firing temperatures used during the production of a BLANCO fireclay sink results in a smooth, glossy surface.

Faucet Types

Your water hub upgrade will need a stylish kitchen faucet that packs in a strong performance. Beyond how they work, here are some of the most popular types of kitchen sink faucets, based on their design and features:

• Pull down vs. Pull out faucets - Both styles refer to faucets with a hose attachment in the faucet head, which can be pulled out or down to reach beyond the sink basin. Pull down faucets are currently very popular in kitchen design. They feature a dramatic high arc with a faucet head that pulls down like a wand attachment. Most feature 2-3 spray styles of varying intensities. Pull out faucets include a spray head that pulls directly out of the faucet body.
• Bridge faucets - This type of faucet is often seen in modern farmhouse-style kitchens. It features two handles -- one for hot water and one for cold. The bridge faucet requires only two holes for installation, one for each handle. The faucet itself emerges from a “bridge” connecting pipe that joins the hot and cold inlet, giving this faucet a high-end, architectural look.
• Semi-professional faucets – Inspired by faucets used in professional, commercial kitchens, the semi-professional faucet features functional details such as pressure sprayers, flexible spring coils and magnetic docking arms to make meal prep and clean up a breeze. BLANCO’s RIVANA semi-pro faucet provides home chefs with the ultimate in luxury and performance.
• Bar faucets - These small, compact faucets are often used in a secondary kitchen sink and feature a high neck that makes filling and rinsing glasses a breeze. Bar faucets are also known as additional “prep faucets” if that sink is primarily used for washing fruits, vegetables and other ingredients before cooking.

Faucet Design Details

• Faucet finish - Faucets today come in a variety of finishes to truly accessorize, from traditional chrome and steel to trendy gold and matte black. Look for a finish that complements the overall style of your kitchen. It’s a good idea to pick another element in your space that coordinates with the finish, like the cabinet hardware.
• Colour coordinate - Don’t forget to consider matching your sink and faucet for a cohesive, monochromatic look. Traditionally that’s matching a stainless steel sink with a faucet, but you can incorporate more color into the kitchen with Silgranit. Select the overall hue and a full or dual-tone faucet to customize your color-coordinated BLANCO UNIT.
• Water efficiency - When possible, upgrade your kitchen with sustainable solutions. One easy way to do this is with the kitchen faucet. The most commonly used gallons per minute (GPM) rate is 1.8 to 2.2. The majority of BLANCO faucets are engineered to 1.5 GPM to provide homeowners with better water-saving benefits while still delivering a strong, powerful spray.

Water Hub Accessories

To make your BLANCO UNIT even more efficient, consider adding one (or several) popular sink enhancements. Some take advantage of extra holes in your sink deck, while others optimize your workflow and declutter underneath the sink. Accessories include:

• Soap dispensers - Reclaim valuable counter space by installing a soap dispenser for easy-access without the clutter. BLANCO offers several styles and finishes to match their faucet collections.
• Sink strainers and baskets - Gain more control over your sink with strainers and mesh baskets designed to keep items out of the drain. Space-saving baskets are designed to fit precisely within the sink to rinse produce.
• Cutting boards – Create the ultimate workstation sink with the addition of cutting boards that fit directly into the sink, giving you more room for meal prepping.
• Under sink organizer – Keep organized and maximize space beneath the sink with the BOTTON II, which is perfect for storing cleaning supplies and recycling material.