Sinks and kitchen taps

The sink and tap fittings are essential elements in a kitchen, not only from a merely practical and functional perspective, but also because they can contribute to the aesthetic outcome of a furnishing project, due to the variety of forms and materials available. Materials and finishes are to be chosen in harmony with the kitchen style. A sink in ceramic or stone fits better with a classic or rustic style, while steel or composite materials are the perfect solution in kitchens with a more contemporary mood.

Kitchen sink: materials, shapes and characteristics

In the first place, the kitchen sink must be easy to clean, scratch-resistant and adequately sized in a way to be comfortably used. The classic kitchen sink in stainless steel is certainly the most popular. It is directly built-in in the kitchen top, cut to size for the purpose. Alternatively, you can opt for a ceramic kitchen sink, which often has only one bowl and is installed on a countertop, on a piece of furniture that enables to level it with kitchen top, or for a kitchen sink made of composite materials (such as Solid Surface, Corian®, Krion® or Lapitec®, just to name a few), which can be installed flush with the top, for a very contemporary outcome, thanks to the seamless continuity with the kitchen top and the sharp edges that usually distinguish it. Composite materials are a great choice also for their excellent endurance and for the great degree of customization they allow. They are available in all nuances of white and there is a host of colored options, which also includes dark tones, from gray to black. The shape and size of the sink will depend on the needs of the kitchen user. Kitchen sinks with a single bowl are the ideal option in case of limited spaces or in the presence of a dishwasher; however a single bowl can also be larger than a traditional sink, thus becoming a valid alternative also for those who use the kitchen intensively. Alternatively, you can opt for a sink with two bowls, which make its use more practical. In all cases, the drip tray can be provided, if the top at the sides of the sink allows it.

Choosing the kitchen taps: aesthetics and function

Kitchen taps can be installed in two different ways. Countertop taps are certainly the more common and they are directly installed on the kitchen top or through the hole already present on the sink (where applicable). They feature a much higher neck, compared with other taps typologies and it can twist right and left, so as to allow to make the best use of the sink depth. Kitchen taps can feature accessories, such as the pull out shower, very handy to wash or fresh up fruits and vegetables, as well as to rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Wall-mounted kitchen taps are an alternative solution, normally used when previous elements with the same installation are replaced or by lovers of retro design, since they remind the kitchens of the past. The most used material, here again, is stainless steel, hygienic and easy to clean, available in plenty of finishes; from classic chrome plated to satin, from brushed to less traditional finishes, which turn the smooth surface of steel into a matte black surface.