42 Best Kitchen Sinks for Every Style and Space

Sourced everything but the kitchen sink for your kitchen design or upcoming remodel? You are in the right place. Though often overlooked, the sink is an integral part of the power triangle in kitchen design: the refrigerator, the stove and the sink. The kitchen sink brings efficiency to daily life by streamlining general cleaning and meal prep.

A quick Google search will flood you with endless kitchen sink options to sift through, but take it from me: All kitchen sinks are not equal. Consider it crucial to invest in the type of kitchen sink that best suits your needs and lifestyle.

I'm breaking down six popular kitchen sink styles, as well as the advantages of each. Plus, we have curated a list of the best options for each category to make your shopping a breeze. Keep reading to get the scoop on apron-front, under-mount and double-basins, then snag the sink of your dreams in the links below.

Best Apron-Front Kitchen Sinks

Apron-front (or farmhouse) kitchen sinks combine form with function and are sought after by homeowners and designers alike. This roomy sink style features a deeper basin than standard sinks and an iconic exposed front that protrudes slightly from surrounding lower cabinets. The statement-making silhouette is available in various materials and finishes to create a jaw-dropping focal point in kitchens of all design persuasions.

Snag the apron-front sink of your dreams; use your existing kitchen finishes or design style as your muse. A classic, white fireclay or cast-iron apron-front sink makes a seamless fit for a farmhouse and cottage kitchen. Inky black or industrial steel apron-front sinks are failproof picks for modern or contemporary cookeries, while hammered copper or brass is well suited for glamorous or traditional designs.

Best Drop-In Kitchen Sinks

A drop-in (or top-mount) kitchen sink is aptly named as it installs into a pre-cut hole in the lower cabinets by dropping it in from above. The popular, budget-friendly option is worth considering if you want to refresh your kitchen without reconfiguring or replacing your existing counters (read: breaking the bank) in the process.

Drop-in kitchen sinks are available in every material and finish imaginable, so you have plenty of options. If you're unsure which drop-in sink is best for your kitchen, determine whether you want your sink to shine as a focal point in your design or if you want it to take a backseat and blend into your countertops. Invest in a deep black or charcoal drop-in sink to bring an edgy contrast to your modern white kitchen. If uniformity is more your vibe, install a white fireclay sink for a cohesive visual.

Best Under-Mount Kitchen Sinks

Another properly named kitchen sink style: the under-mount kitchen sink. Under-mount kitchen sinks are named for their installation process. Unlike the drop-in sinks outlined above, under-mount sinks install into a pre-cut hole in the countertop, from below. This technique ensures a sleek, seamless, and rim-free transition from the countertop to the sink basin.

Under-mount sinks are advantageous across the board, but one of the main selling points for this kitchen sink style is that cleaning is a breeze. The rim-free installation ensures no tiny nook or cranny is waiting to fill with crumbs and dust on your countertop. Pro tip: Skip this style if you have laminate counters. Under-mount kitchen sinks work best when paired with waterproof countertops like quartz, granite or other durable natural stones.

Best Single-Basin Kitchen Sinks

If soaking pots, pans and dishes is your MO, then a single-basin (or single-bowl) kitchen sink is the way to go. This sink style has (you guessed it!) one basin, a single drain and no middle divider. Single-basin sinks are great options for small kitchens because they are typically deeper than wide, requiring less counter space than a double-basin kitchen sink.

You can snag a single-basin kitchen sink for your home in popular styles like apron-front, under-mount and drop-in. The best part? These dish-ready beauties are also available in materials like cast iron, hammered metals and fireclay to suit all kitchen design styles.

Best Double-Basin Kitchen Sinks

Double-basin kitchen sinks are the go-to for anyone who appreciates organization. As the name suggests, a double-basin (or double-bowl) kitchen sink features two basins separated by a divider. Some double-basin designs feature dual drains and an even, 50/50 divide between each side; others boast a single drain and a 60/40 separation.

This sink style is a popular pick for dishwashing, with washers using one side to soak plates in soapy water and the second side to rinse them clean. The dual-bowl design also offers streamlined food prep space and parking for dirty cooking utensils while preparing meals.

Best Prep Kitchen Sinks

A prep sink is a pint-sized fixture packed with style potential. This practical feature is prime for entertaining as it provides hosts and hostesses with an out-of-the-way space to prep food and drinks without interfering with the main kitchen sink. Bonus? The small-scale design allows you to go bold with a luxurious material or flashy finish — without breaking your budget to do so.

What to Consider When Shopping For a Kitchen Sink

According to Max Isley, style is secondary when choosing the best sink for your kitchen. Isley is a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD) and is the owner of Hampton Kitchens in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Isley's primary task is to help clients select a sink and faucet that will work well and withstand years of daily use. To that end, Isley always asks clients how they plan to use the kitchen sink. "It will make a big difference in which one I will recommend," he says.

Style: The most popular kitchen sink styles include apron-front, drop-in, under-mount, single-basin, double-basin and prep basins. Each of these can be incorporated into most kitchen designs, but some types appear more at home within certain aesthetics than others. Glossy apron-front sinks bring unparalleled charm to farmhouse, cottage and traditional kitchens, while streamlined drop-in or undermount sinks fit modern and contemporary cucinas like a glove.

Size: Choosing the best kitchen sink size comes down to personal preference and the amount of counter space you’re willing to sacrifice. The standard kitchen sink ranges between 30 and 33 inches in length, 22 inches in width, and between seven and 10 inches in depth. If you're working with minimal counterspace, we recommend choosing a sink between 28 and 30 inches in length to maintain your kitchen functionality. If you have room to spare, an oversized single basin or apron-front sink is a beautiful option guaranteed to make washing dishes feel like less of a chore.

Material: Kitchen sinks are typically made from copper, stainless steel, enamel-coated cast iron, fireclay, solid surfaces and composites.

Enamel-Coated Cast Iron: Once the standard in kitchen sinks, enamel-coated cast iron still has a place in today's kitchen. "They're probably the prettiest of all the sinks on the market today," Isley says. However, he cautions that enamel can scratch and wear over time, which may not make this sink the best choice for people who are tough on sinks.

Stainless Steel: For clients who choose solid surface countertops, like granite or engineered stone, Isley recommends a stainless steel sink because of its undermount capability. Isley always asks his clients if they're prone to throwing things in their sink. If so, stainless is often the best choice. When shopping for a sink, keep in mind that lower-gauge stainless steel makes for a better quality sink. Some people find stainless steel sinks noisy, but that's a problem that can be addressed by choosing a design featuring sound-absorption technology.

Fireclay: Fireclay is a sought-after material because it's exceptionally durable, scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, non-porous and quiet. Better still, fired clay sinks are timeless in style, easy to wipe clean and resistant to staining.

Copper: Copper sinks are stunning and make a statement in any kitchen design. The glamorous sink is naturally antimicrobial, highly durable, and becomes more beautiful as it develops a one-of-a-kind patina over time. The main drawback of copper sinks is that they are prone to surface scratches and may stain with exposure to acidic foods or hot pans.