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- Planning your kitchen
- Buying your kitchen
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- Maintenance and care
- Kitchen design tips
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Special features
KBSA Consumer Guide
Our FREE guide contains practical advice for consumers who are considering buying a new kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or home office.
Sinks
A sink can be a focal point of the kitchen or an unobtrusive, practical workhorse, depending on its design. A traditional Butler’s sink with brick supports sets the tone for a country kitchen, whilst undermounted stainless steel bowls allow a worktop to steal the show. Integral sinks made from the same material as the worktop are becoming more popular and can be of stainless steel or a solid surfacing material.
The choice of sink materials is huge. Stainless steel is self-healing, hygienic and co-ordinates with the latest trend in appliances. Fireclay or ceramic sinks are solid and traditional with the latter being available in a core range of colours such as blue and green as well as white.
The popular composite sink materials come in a large range of colours including speckled granite effects.
Manufacturers have given consumers an extensive choice of different bowl configurations, from standard single bowls with drainer to vast double-bowls flanked by two drainers. A half bowl between the main sink and drainer, or forming part of the drainer in compact versions, is a valuable addition for vegetable peelings or rinsing foods. Ensure that your largest pan can fit into the main bowl easily – take it into showrooms if necessary!
Consider which accessories might be beneficial. Many models can be supplied with a draining basket, chopping board and strainer bowls. A drainer extension can be useful for sinks without a drainer where worktop space is limited in a small kitchen.
All sinks will need regular cleaning with a suitable proprietary product. In the past ten years composite materials have improved considerably and now offer excellent impact and stain resistance, even in the paler colours.
