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Abey's Five Tips for Sink & Tap Designs
When it comes to designing a kitchen, sinks and taps are elements that are often overlooked. However, they can add so much value in terms of both style and functionality, when used the right way. From sink mounting to pull out taps, Ellie from Abey shares her top five considerations when creating your dream kitchen.
1. Sink Style
When choosing a sink, think about the way you wash up. Ask yourself the following questions – Do you use a dishwasher? Do you wash up and rinse? Do you soak oven trays? Do you like draining? The answers to these questions will determine the sink you pick. For example, if you use a dishwasher and soak oven trays, you can get a large single bowl sink. But if you love the accomplished feeling of washing up by hand and drying, you could purchase a sink with an attached drainer or pair a single/double bowl sink with a drainer tray accessory. You’ll be using your sink virtually every day, so it needs to work for you and your lifestyle.
2. Sink Mounting and Bench
With so many different styles of sinks, it can be hard to pick a specific one. Think about your benchtop construction before you choose your sink and decide how to mount it. There are three ways to mount a sink, but not all sinks lend themselves to all three methods. Undermount sinks are installed underneath your kitchen bench to give your benchtop a clean, undisturbed look. Flush mount sinks are recessed into a specially cut groove for a seamless flow from benchtop to sink. Then there’s the more traditional top mount (or inset) installation, where the sink rim sits atop your bench. Many top mount sinks today have a micro edge, whereby the sink lip is noticeably thinner. Think about the following in terms of cost – undermount and flush are the most expensive ways to install while top mount will set you back the least. If you have a natural stone benchtop, it’s worth noting an undermount sink could potentially chip the stone over time, so it’s best to opt for flush or top mount.
3. Tap Location
When choosing a tap, think about where it will sit in your kitchen. Do you want your tap to be a centrepiece? Or do you want it to blend in with its surroundings? And does it sit beneath a window? These considerations will determine the height of the tap you choose. If it's sitting on a large island, you’ll benefit from a bit of height; however, if it's sitting under a window, you want a lower, squarer neck so as not to cause obstruction.
4. Pull Out Taps
If you choose a pull out tap, remember that you need space within your cabinetry below. You need enough space to ensure your pull out hose moves freely and doesn’t kink. There are too many tales of pull out hoses breaking because the cabinetry beneath is rife with obstructions.
5. Colour
Remember that colour comes in all shapes and sizes, including taps and sinks! There are so many options in metallic and organic finishes that can add a burst of colour to your kitchen. Consider this as part of your overarching kitchen palette.
