The right sink can make a big difference in the appearance and functionality of your kitchen, having an impact on everything from cleaning and meal preparation to overall aesthetics. But with so many options available today, it can be challenging to choose the sink that will work the best for your specific tastes and needs.
Consider the size of your kitchen
Because copper sinks are made from a single sheet of copper, they are generally on the larger side. While this is a good thing in most cases, if you have a small kitchen, you need to make sure that you have enough room. Will a single copper sink or a double one be better for your needs and available kitchen space?
It needs to be installed by a professional
While it can be tempting to cut corners and fit your copper kitchen sink yourself, we recommend that you don’t, and get the professionals in. Copper sinks, particularly farmhouse-style ones, and undermount ones are tricky to put in, and it pays to have professionals put them in for you.
Choose one that is welded and not soldered
Some inferior copper sinks come with soldered seals, and while these might be cheaper in the short term, in the long run the seams will become discolored and eventually start to leak, costing you time and money to put right. The high-quality copper kitchen sinks we sell are made with full apron welded seams and by craftsmen with attention to detail and perfection in mind.
Make sure you do not leave lots of heavy items in the sink at the same time to avoid them scratching the sink and don’t put any foods with a high acidic content in there, such as citrus fruit and tomatoes. If they do come into contact with your copper kitchen sink, rinse it out immediately to avoid any damage.
Do you want a single or double kitchen sink?
Many people opt for a double kitchen sink, which features two basins with a separator in between. This allows you to wash dishes in one side and leave things to soak in the other, or separate dishes contaminated by raw poultry or meat. It also enables you to keep things that can easily be broken, such as glasses and mugs, away from heavier pots and pans.
However, if the size of your kitchen is an issue, you may want to stick to a single-bowl copper sink.
Choose the finish
Patina obviously makes the color change over the years, but when it comes to choosing the finish of your sink, there is a huge selection to choose from, including:
Antique: This is a warm and vibrant finish, and it looks like the patina has already taken place. This finish guarantees you durability and gives a more consistent look to your copper sink. It also needs less in terms of upkeep than a new penny finish.
New penny - This is copper at its very finest. It looks, just as the name suggests, like a new penny. You can choose how you want it to age, whether you let age and patina happen naturally with little upkeep or keep it shiny, polished, and looking brand new.
Here’s a breakdown of several popular sink styles and design components to help determine which are right for your kitchen.
Best Kitchen Farmhouse Sinks
Benefits:
- Both trendy and traditional appeal
- Exposed apron shows off sink’s natural material
- Deep basin for washing large cookware
- Extension from counter provides ergonomic benefits and keeps water from splashing on cabinetry
Perfect for: Any homeowner looking to add a unique design element to their kitchen, great for washing large cookware and complementing either trendy or traditional aesthetic.
The farmhouse style of sink – also often referred to as apron style – originally earned its name due to its traditional roots in farmhouse settings. Decades and centuries ago, these sinks were primarily used for their capacity to hold large volumes of water to be used in preparing food, washing dishes, and washing clothes – just about everything – and because their extended front prevented the user from having to lean strenuously over the sink when performing tasks. Today, the farmhouse sink is mainly still used for the tasks of food prep and dishwashing, but its aesthetic appeal has caught on to make it a trendy addition to both traditional and modern kitchens. The exposure of the front of the sink – or apron – allows homeowners to show off the sink’s material, and there is now a wide range of finishes and custom designs that can be implemented to look and function wonderfully. Apart from its visual appeal, the deeper basin of farmhouse sinks also helps in washing large pots and pans, while its extension from the counter prevents water from splashing onto the cabinetry under the sink.
Best Kitchen Undermount
Benefits:
- Sits beneath countertop’s surface to provide a clean look
- Seamless flow from countertop to sink
- Frees up more counter space
- Make it easier to keep countertop clean
Perfect for: A kitchen with limited counter space where ease of cleaning and overall budget are key concerns.
Undermount sinks sit just beneath the countertop’s surface and provide both a cleaner look and function than a traditional drop-in sink. They also deliver a seamless, continuous flow from the countertop to the sink and free up more counter space. Undermount sinks are typically less expensive farmhouse sinks, although prices may vary depending on the vendor. With traditional drop-in sinks, food and debris can easily collect on the lip resting on top of the counter, which is rather unsightly. Undermount sinks do a better job of keeping food and residue in the sink, and also better lend themselves to countertop cleaning as crumbs and excess food can be wiped right into the sink rather than into the seam which can be an issue with drop-ins.
Best Single bowl sinks
Benefits:
- Doesn’t take up much counter space
- More in-sink space than a double bowl of the same or similar size
- Great for handwashing larger cookware
Perfect for: A kitchen with limited counter space and fairly basic cooking and cleaning needs.
A single bowl sink is much what it sounds like – a single basin structure that works well in small spaces because it doesn’t take up as much counter space as a larger alternative. Single bowls also typically offer more in-sink space, as there’s no divider like there is in a double bowl sink, making it useful in handwashing larger pots and pans.
Best Double bowl sinks
Benefits:
- Great for handwashing dishes – soak in one basin, rinse in the other
- Essentially provides a second sink for busy kitchens
- Available in many different size configurations
Perfect for: A kitchen with more demanding cooking and cleaning needs where counter space is not an issue.
A double bowl sink is made up of two basins separated by a divider. This style became popular when dishwashing by hand was more common, as people could soak dishes in one half and rinse in the other. Of course, double bowl sinks still work very well in this regard. When both bowls of a double bowl sink are large and spacious, it can be extremely useful when there’s a lot going on in the kitchen as it’s essentially like having two sinks. This variety now comes in many different styles and configurations (e.g. with one bowl smaller and shallower than the other), and finding a unique style that works well for your kitchen should be more than doable.
Custom Workstation Sinks
Benefits:
- Can be built into almost any sink
- Added utility with the help of many features within the same sink unit
- Can make food prep and clean up easier and more efficient
Perfect for: A kitchen where food prep and cleanup are more complex and often occur simultaneously.
Both farmhouse and undermount sinks in both single and double bowl variations can also be made to feature a workstation, which is a built-in element or series of elements that includes cutting boards, dish racks, strainers, etc. The goal of workstation sinks is to maximize the usability of your space, allowing you to dry dishes, wash food, defrost and cut meat, and more, all within the same sink unit. This can make food prep far more efficient and easier to clean up afterward. Rather than wetting a rag and wiping down the counter as you would normally after a meal, you can now run water right from the sink into the workstation and have it run directly into the drain. With many different styles and finishes available, you can find a workstation sink that will suit the appearance and functionality you’re looking for.
Think about the size of the drain opening and where it is
When you are making your decision about a copper kitchen sink, you need to factor in the size of the drain opening. If you need to change the drain or waste pipe at any point, you may find yourself hunting around for one that fits the size of the drain hole in your copper kitchen sink. By having a standard-sized drain hole, you will avoid any hassle and be able to find one quickly and easily.
You also need to think about the positioning of the drain and how it can impact its effectiveness. In most cases, the drain in a kitchen sink is in the middle of the sink, but sometimes people choose other locations for it. Make sure everything aligns when confirming your copper kitchen sink design. However, drainage will never be a significant issue, as the bottom of the sink will slope slightly downward.
With copper kitchen sinks being an investment, it is important to do your research and choose the right style, design, finish, and size for you. We hope the above tips will help.
Textures and finishes
While structure and function are extremely important when choosing your sink, the physical appearance is also crucial in achieving your dream kitchen. Many modern sinks today come in a wide variety of textures (hammered, smooth) and finishes (stainless steel, antique copper, bronze, new penny, rose, and more) to best suit your tastes. The truth about copper sinks is a great article you should consider reading if you're looking to buy a new sink.
Complete your dream kitchen at CopperSmith
CopperSmith partners with the world’s greatest artisans, manufacturers, and industry-leading brands to deliver the highest-quality sinks on the market. Browse our catalog to find the perfect addition to your kitchen and give us a call at 1-888-431-4677 for prompt and reliable customer service.