Sinks for the kitchen: varieties, selection and care of the sink

In the whole world, it is possible to meet very few people who are ready to boast of their love for washing dishes. Some do not like spending a long time near the sink, others are not satisfied with the compositions of detergents, which is why they give their vote in favor of dishwashers, and use the sink only for washing vegetables and defrosting food. Still others are oppressed by the process itself. But if you choose the right sink, the daily work of tidying up the dishes will be much easier.

The sink in the kitchen work area is considered an indispensable element. Therefore, it should not only be of high quality, but also have attractive external characteristics. Convenience of use and versatility are important factors of good cleaning. All these characteristics create the most comfortable conditions not only for washing dishes, but also for rinsing vegetables. And most importantly, high-quality sinks will serve their owners for many years.

The variety of kitchen sinks is great. They can be of a variety of shapes, have multiple bowls, and even be equipped with a dryer. Models can be made from different materials. In order not to feel like an amateur and to independently cope with the search for a suitable design, you should familiarize yourself with a detailed overview of the variety of sinks.

• Single-cup sinks are considered simple and familiar to all products. Such designs are ideal for kitchens with a small work area.Single-cup products are made in the shape of a rectangle and a square, due to which they have rather spacious dimensions. Many housewives note the ease of use of the described product. And thanks to design developments, single-bowl sinks began to be produced in a round and oval shape, the main difference between which is the depth and wide circumference, which allows you to place a large amount of dishes inside.

• Multi-cup sink designs are found in the interiors of modern kitchens much more often. In most cases, such models are installed in one line, and in some cases they can be placed at an inconspicuous angle of descent to the mixer. This type of sink is very convenient for housewives who love to pamper their relatives with the splendor of delicious dishes. Dirty dishes used during the cooking period are stored in one bowl of the sink. In the second, you will be able to rinse the vegetables for cooking. An important advantage of multi-bowl sinks is the possibility of installing a drying rack with a rigid attachment, on which it will be possible to lay out clean dishes, from which the remaining water will drain.

• A fairly modern option is one-and-a-half shell... The design of this type has several compartments. The large section is intended for washing dirty dishes, the smaller container is intended for defrosting. One and a half sinks are ideal for a small headset.

• Sinks with one or more wings are the successors of the workspace. On each wing it will turn out to fold clean dishes, place pots with boiling water, put other containers.

Below you can watch a video with expert advice on choosing a sink for the kitchen.

Dimensions - this is one of the main characteristics by which the choice of a sink for the kitchen is made. Along with this indicator, the area of ​​the room and the features of the installed kitchen set, made in a certain style, are considered.

• Square or rectangular shapes shells are considered classic. Moreover, modern models can be mounted in a tabletop or suspended on anchors. They harmonize perfectly with any style of kitchen, especially if the sink is located in the center or closer to the edge. In models of square shapes, it is very convenient to wash dishes, rinse vegetables.

• Round and oval shells look stylish and very impressive. It is these varieties that are easily cleaned of various types of dirt and greasy deposits, since they do not have corners. Housewives, however, note that much more crockery is placed in such products than in square structures. The only drawback is the lack of additional parts and recesses for storing dishwashing detergents and items. In terms of installation, round and oval washbasins are built into a solid worktop.

• Corner sink installed in headsets with a corner. Such models can be either with one or with several bowls. A small space in the middle serves as an additional place to place detergents, sponges, brushes. Basins are most often made in the form of a beveled trapezoid. They are ideally combined with small kitchen sets. From the constructive side, corner sinks are considered the most convenient. Of course, they cannot accommodate a large amount of dishes, but it is quite convenient to rinse vegetables and fruits in them.Despite the disadvantages of the product, corner models are able to save the working space of the kitchen area as much as possible.

• Trapezoidal structures sinks are ideally combined with modern kitchen interior designs. The façade of products can be straight or concave. This type of sink should be placed in the cabinet included in the kit. It is extremely difficult to adjust the slot in the tabletop on your own, and improper installation can negatively affect the operation of the cabinet.

• In modern kitchen interiors, designers suggest installing five- and hexagonal sinks... The design got its name due to the presence of additional wings and sections with different types of surfaces. In appearance, this type of sink seems cumbersome, but after installation it will be miniature and inconspicuous. Despite the visual characteristics, the pentagonal and hexagonal models are comfortable and spacious. Basically, such structures are mounted in corner kitchens. They are placed along the wall only when the working surface area reaches its maximum size.

At a shallower depth, water droplets will spray over the adjacent area. In deep bowls, it will be inconvenient to wash dishes and dishes, since you will have to bend over very strongly. On the other hand, deep kitchen sink designs can be used to wash large baking trays and pans.

Modern kitchen sinks, as a rule, have standard sizes, but in some cases the length of the structure may differ from them.

• Square models most often have dimensions of 50x50 cm or 60x60 cm.
• Rectangular varieties are 50 cm wide, and their length ranges from 55 cm to 125 cm. If ordered individually, the length of the kitchen sink may be longer.
• Round structures have a diameter of 45-55 cm.

Based on the dimensions presented, even inexperienced housewives understand that in a kitchen with a small area it is best to place a sink of a smaller size, but with a deep bowl.

Kitchen sinks differ not only in size and shape, but also in the material of their manufacture. Sinks made of artificial stone, stainless steel and ceramics are in wider demand. Moreover, each individual type of material has a certain number of advantages and disadvantages.

The most common and familiar sink models are those made of stainless steel. In most cases, the consumer pays attention to the matte and chrome surface of the product. Lovers of gloss will love sinks covered with a glossy layer.

But despite the presented number of advantages, stainless steel sinks have a small list of disadvantages, the most important of which is noise from water. To make sure of the quality of a stainless steel sink, a little experiment should be carried out when buying. This requires a small magnet.You should put it on the base of the bowl and start moving it over the surface. Inside a quality product, the magnet will slide easily in any direction.

Over the past few years, copper and brass models have become more popular, which are decorated with interesting patterns that allow the designs to successfully fit into the unusual composition of the kitchen set. The richness of the appearance of the kitchen set is emphasized by the bronze sink, only we are not talking about the original material, but only about the surface finish in bronze.

Porcelain and earthenware sinks have an attractive appearance and can be a special decoration for any kitchen interior. They can have any shades, have pronounced patterns or have a matte surface.

Ceramic sinks are ideally combined with classic style, while each model looks very rich. An important advantage of these sinks is their resistance to household chemicals and boiling water. In addition, they easily tolerate the impact of metal brushes, which leave marks and scratches on any other surface. And most importantly, a ceramic sink does not require any special care.

The only drawback is the weight of the product. Among other things, ceramic sinks are very fragile.

Natural stone sinks are considered the most luxurious addition to any kitchen set. Such models are of high quality and can serve their owners for more than a dozen years. An important advantage of stone sinks is resistance to ultraviolet rays, as well as the absence of loud sound from water.

By its structure, stone is a durable material, it is not afraid of hot water, it tolerates detergents.

Composite sinks are used in the design of modern kitchen sets. This material is 80% stone chips, and 20% are polymers, which are a binder. Such sinks absorb noise from water as much as possible. But their most important advantage is the ability to select a product in any color. In addition, composite sinks, similar to stone products, can last for more than a decade.

For the design of country kitchen sets, plastic sinks are used. For their production, ordinary polypropylene is used. The design has no connecting seams, so there is no chance of leaks at the bottom of the product.

The glass sink looks very impressive and sophisticated in the decoration of modern kitchen interiors. On the one hand, it may seem that a glass product is not durable, but in fact everything is different. For the manufacture of sinks, only durable material with additional rubberized protection is used. Such a sink is easy to use, it is not susceptible to hot water and chemicals, and it is easy to clean.

In the recent past, kitchen sinks did not differ in color or size and were identical to each other. But decades later, technical progress has modernized kitchen sets with all its constituent elements. The kitchen sink has also gone through the stages of transformation, and now in every home there are unusual models made from the highest quality materials.

In this case, a stylish rectangular sink with a matte surface is considered. The product is distinguished by its exquisite modern design, which is in perfect harmony with not only wood-like countertops, but also stone-like ones. It goes well with an antique-worn headset.

The rich chrome finish of the kitchen sink blends perfectly with the retro style. Visually, it seems that the structure has a miniature size, but in fact the sink can accommodate a lot of dishes.

The classic design with ideal shapes and sizes is able to decorate any style of kitchen set. In the model, there is a place at the back wall where you can put together detergents, sponges and dish brushes.

The versatility of the design allows the drying space to be used as a defrosting compartment. A slight inconspicuous tilt will automatically direct the liquid towards the drain.

The integral view of the working area of ​​the kitchen space speaks of the completeness of the interior. In order to get the perfect result, you will need to spend a considerable amount of time and choose a sink of the most suitable color or shade that matches the tone of the countertop. Although, on the other hand, sinks look very interesting and unusual, contrasting with the color of the working area of ​​the kitchen set.

Sinks made of stainless material such as copper or brass come in a variety of metallic shades, such as chrome, gold or copper.

With sinks made of ceramic or stone, the situation is quite different. Manufacturers of these varieties offer a wide variety of products, presented in different shades of the color palette. Thanks to this, each customer will be able to choose the wash bowl that fits perfectly into the interior.

Ceramic structures have a special aesthetics, so they do not go out of fashion for a long time. They fit perfectly into country, classic and Provence style kitchen sets. In a variety of colors, beige is in special demand. It is he who perfectly matches the warm tones of countertops made of wood or natural stone.

Along with beige, a creamy shade looks very interesting. It also matches wood worktops and white work areas. The soft, snow-white shade recalls the tenderness of spring flower petals, which makes the sinks look very sophisticated and sophisticated.

The soft, crisp white is ideal for combining a work area in a variety of styles. Particular attention is paid to the crystal white sinks with a glossy surface. Shades of white are ideally combined with classic and modern styles. It is worth noting that the crystal white design will refresh the kitchen space, giving the headset additional expressiveness of the work area.

The ideal color option for a high-tech kitchen sink is gray with a cool tint. The gray palette fits well into the work area, decorated with steel inserts. Of particular interest are the dark gray sinks, which lend extraordinary elegance to the structure. These models are ideal for work areas and worktops made of wood and stone.

Shells with a black glossy texture look quite bold and at the same time rich. They are rarely found in stores, mostly they are made to order, but if you managed to find such a model in a regular store, then you need to take a closer look at it. The black shade has a lot of interesting possibilities, the main one of which is the combination of different elements of the kitchen set.

Composite models of sinks are more budgetary, they do not have a high level of strength, but despite this, they look very attractive and interesting. Constructions made of natural stone are considered to be more durable and of higher quality. Accordingly, their cost is quite high, which is why not everyone can afford to decorate their kitchen space with them.

Both proposed options have a wide range of color shades, so that each customer can choose the most suitable tone for the kitchen sink.

Manufacturers, for their part, offer consumers a variety of models with a special color palette. For example, a dark brown shade. When you look at it, thoughts of hot cocoa arise in my head. A natural beige shade infuses the kitchen with the sweetness of vanilla ice cream. Ivory is associated with cold. But the right accessories will help you get rid of the feeling of coolness. Of particular interest are the black surfaces of sinks, which add a special zest to the kitchen space.

Choosing a kitchen sink that matches your work area is no easy task. Not everyone can choose the perfect design the first time, but if you pay attention to the advice of experienced people, you will be able to spend quite a bit of time looking for a suitable sink.

When choosing a suitable size for a structure, one should proceed from the number of people living in the house, the time spent on the cooking process, and the complexity of the dishes created. The depth of the bowl and the number of additional wings depend on these characteristics.

When choosing the most suitable model for the kitchen, it is necessary to build on the area of ​​the room and the used work area. For small rooms, miniature sinks with deep bowls are appropriate. In more spacious rooms, sinks of different designs and sizes will look good, while the number of bowls can be up to five. We are talking about the popular one-and-a-half or double models with several additional compartments.

An important criterion when choosing the most suitable model is the shape of the bowls. They can be rectangular, triangular, square, oval, or round. Moreover, the last two subspecies are considered to be the most capacious. Corner designs are ideal for kitchens with small dimensions, which saves working space.

This characteristic of the washbasin design is an important aspect in choosing the right product. The deep bowl allows you to store much more dirty dishes and also reduces the risk of strong splashes in the work area.

When choosing the most suitable sink for the kitchen, you should also consider the style of the headset:

• to the classic the working area is ideal for models made of natural stone.
• modern style inherent in products made of stainless steel or composite material
• in antique-style kitchens, metal sinks with a bronze or brass coating look good.

After choosing the technical characteristics, you should pay attention to the additional washing functions. Economy-class sinks in most cases have only small wings for placing detergents on them. Products of the premium class are multifunctional and non-standard, they are distinguished by a variety of grooves and inserts with various types of surfaces.Some housewives will like a high-quality sink-washbasin for a kitchen with a large drying room, others will be attracted by the design with a cutting board. It is worth making the final choice only after you have identified the criteria you need.

Despite the constant interaction with water and detergents, billions of harmful bacteria accumulate in sinks. And this is not without reason, because it is in the sink that dishes with any types of contamination are washed, food is rinsed, hands are constantly washed, and sometimes expired products are poured into the drain hole.

It may seem that the water is rinsing the surface of the kitchen sink, but in fact bacteria remain there and can negatively affect the lives of all family members. Harmful microorganisms get on clean dishes, which are located in the additional drying bowl, and thus enter the food.

To make it easy for housewives to cope with the disinfection of the sink, it is suggested that you familiarize yourself with several ways to clean this surface.

• The most common option is dish detergent. It is enough to rub the surface with soapy foam, and then rinse with hot water. After the procedure, you should not immediately turn off the water, it is necessary that the stream of hot water continues to flow into the pipeline for maximum washing away of the dirt.
• The second way to clean the surface is to regularly disinfect the sink with special products. The substance is applied to the walls according to the instructions, washed off with water and wiped dry with a towel.
• The third method is considered to be the most effective. It should be carried out once a month, so that it will be possible to prevent the formation of dirty deposits on the walls of the sewer pipes. A small amount of soda is poured into the drain hole, after which boiling water is poured into the pipeline. As an analogue of soda, you can use special industrial blockages.

Special attention should be paid to unpleasant odor from the drain pipe, which also promotes the development of disease-causing bacteria. First, you need to determine what exactly it is caused by, and then proceed to the cleaning procedure.

• The most common way to eliminate unpleasant odors is to clean the drain pipe. plumbing cable, allowing you to get rid of spoiling products inside it.
• An easier cleaning option requires the use of chemical powder to help dissolve product residues inside the pipeline. Particular attention should be paid to alkaline powders, as they allow you to get rid of old fat. Table salt can also be used as a cleaning aid.

For information on how to care for a stone sink in the kitchen, see the video below.