Kitchen Sinks

Start with the internal cabinet size, not just the sink’s overall width. The bowl, mounting clips, waste pipes and cabinet sides all need enough clearance, so a 600mm-wide sink does not automatically suit every 600mm cabinet. Measure the internal cabinet width and depth, benchtop depth and any drawers, bins or plumbing below. Also check the manufacturer’s minimum cabinet requirement before ordering. If space is limited, compare single bowl sinks with the wider kitchen sink range before deciding.

A single bowl sink gives you one larger uninterrupted washing area, which is useful for pots, pans and baking trays. It can also leave more cabinet or benchtop space in smaller kitchens. A double bowl sink allows two tasks at once, such as washing on one side and rinsing or draining on the other. Double bowls usually need more cabinet space, so the best option depends on how you cook, whether you regularly use a dishwasher and how much room is available under the benchtop.

A topmount sink is installed from above the benchtop with a visible rim, making it a practical option for many kitchen renovations and replacement projects. An undermount sink sits below the benchtop, creating a cleaner edge and making it easier to wipe crumbs and water directly into the bowl. Undermount installation normally requires a suitable water-resistant benchtop material and accurate cut-out. Neither style is automatically better. Choose according to your benchtop material, installation budget, preferred appearance and whether you are working with a new or existing benchtop.

A sink with a drainer can be useful if you regularly hand-wash dishes, dry cookware or want a dedicated wet area beside the bowl. It also helps keep draining water away from the surrounding benchtop. If you mainly use a dishwasher, you may prefer a larger bowl without a permanent drainer so more bench space remains available for food preparation. Drainer sinks usually require more overall width, so check both the cabinet and benchtop space before ordering. For busy kitchens, compare single- and double bowl sinks with drainer options.

Stainless steel is versatile, relatively lightweight and available in many bowl sizes, colours and installation styles. It is a practical choice for most kitchens, although normal surface marks can develop with everyday use. Granite sinks offer a heavier, matte appearance and are available in colours such as black, white and grey, making them useful when the sink is intended to become part of the overall kitchen design. The right material depends on your preferred look, maintenance expectations, benchtop, budget and installation method. Compare the complete kitchen sink range before choosing by colour alone.

Sometimes, but the new sink must suit the existing benchtop cut-out and cabinet underneath. For a topmount replacement, the new sink rim needs to fully cover the existing opening while still fitting inside the cabinet. An undermount replacement can be more restrictive because the cut-out edge remains visible. Measure the existing cut-out, sink dimensions and cabinet space before ordering, and do not rely on the advertised overall dimensions alone. If the existing opening is difficult to match, compare different sizes in the kitchen sink collection or review undermount sink options before modifying the benchtop.

Check whether the sink has a pre-drilled tap hole, optional tap-hole position or no tap hole at all. Some mixers are installed through the sink, while others are mounted directly through the benchtop. Also make sure there is enough space behind the bowl for the mixer base and handle to operate comfortably. If you want more reach for rinsing large sinks or cookware, compare a standard kitchen sink mixer with a pull-out sink mixer. Choose the sink and mixer together where possible so the mounting position and proportions work properly.