There are some things that every kitchen just needs to have, and a sink is one of them.
It’s non-negotiable for a room that’s dedicated to preparing meals - how else will you wash produce and dirty hands, not to mention clean pots and pans without one?
While the technology of fridge freezers, microwaves and air-fryers has changed, the kitchen sink has remained a constant. There may not be concrete evidence to support it but we’d bet good money that cavemen had some form of water supply in their rubble-themed kitchens too.
If you’re planning a kitchen makeover or just want to replace your grotty sink with something shiny and new, you’ve come to the right place.
While fitting a kitchen can be done by a keen and confident DIYer (as long as you’re using the existing pipework that’s been seen to by a professional), if you’re going for a radical kitchen sink rethink - say swapping a standard basin for one of those luxuriously deep Belfast models - you may want to find someone with the skills to ensure the woodwork around it is watertight.
We’ve rounded up the best sinks for the kitchen below. Each pairs together both style and substance because while a sink is a functional tool first and foremost, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be nice-looking too.
See our pick of the best kitchen sinks below
Best flat-pack kitchens: Top suppliers to shop from in the UK
Best kitchen taps: quality brass, chrome and black taps to fit your sink
Best wallpapers for kitchens in 2023 that will freshen up your space
Best kitchen lighting for a modern, stylish look to your space
Rangemaster Farmhouse Double Bowl Ceramic Sink with Waste
Suited to large, busy homes with a large and busy kitchen to match, this fire-clay ceramic Belfast design offers a deep double bowl to allow you to wash produce and clean crockery without fear of flooding.
Finished with an easy-to-clean glaze, the design may look old-fashioned but uses the latest materials to keep the sink as light as possible, easing strain on supporting cupboards. It is also highly heat-resistant, so won’t warp when slinging oven-hot cooking tools inside to wash up later. Comes with a 10-year guarantee.
Buy now £374.92, Plumbworld
New Nano Kitchen Sink 304 Stainless Steel Grey Waterfall Sink
While not every kitchen has the room to accommodate a double sink, that’s not to say smaller spaces can’t enjoy a bit of theatre with their washing up. Made from stainless steel, this 21cm deep sink comes with a drain basket to wash fruit and veg, a high-pressure cup washer to quickly clean glasses (useful when you’ve run out of glasses at a party), and sports nano-coating to encourage smoother water flow.
Multiple faucets are included in the purchase, including one for water purification and another pull-out design for cleaning awkward objects or small pets. Our favourite feature is the waterfall mode, which channels a larger body of water over the sink for a faster and more thorough cleaning experience.
Buy now £169.99, Amazon
Modern Drop In Butterfly Corner Kitchen Basin Double Bowls Stainless Steel in Black
If you’ve got a small kitchen, it’s vital to consider every inch carefully. For those who want a double sink but are short on counter space, the answer could lie in a corner sink unit. Also known as a butterfly sink, this fire-clay look allows you to make the most of unloved corners.
The single unit sees two equal-sized bowls sitting at right angles with space to install your own tap (ideally one that swivels) into the centre. The sink is compatible with waste disposal units and can be a DIY job if you’re up to the challenge.
Buy now £399.99, Homary
Shaws of Darwen Egerton double bowl kitchen sink
Had your head turned by vintage-looking kitchens on your news feed? With high capacity and elegant designs, who could blame you? English company Shaws of Darwen specialises in lust-worthy sinks (there’s a sentence we didn’t think we’d ever say) like Egerton, pictured here.
Not inspired by the actor, but offering the same polished performance, it boasts an etched front and a dividing wall to transform one sink into two - useful for holding dirty dishes while cleaning fruit at the same time. Made by master craftsmen, it comes with a lifetime warranty, a testament to the level of durability and quality. Everything is made to order with a waiting time of up to four weeks.
Buy now £1444.00, Shaws of Darwen
Lusso Louis Carrara Belfast Marble Polished Kitchen Sink 800
The stuff of kitchen fantasies, sinks don’t get much dreamier than Lusso’s lineup. The company specialises in elegant designs that promise to give your home the uplift it so richly deserves - but be warned, it does come at a price with a typically four-figure price tag. We’ve been seduced by this polished marble single-basin design which comes with a drain kit and a lifetime guarantee.
Buy now £1095.00, Lusso
LONHEO Kitchen Sink
For less grand sink updates, this classic stainless steel basin is perfect for busy homes. The single bowl comes with a drain basket as well as a soap dispenser to keep the sink as tidy as possible. There’s also a drain basket that’s useful for organising clean cutlery or small amounts of fruit and veg that need washing. The compact brushed silver look is a great option for small kitchens, tight budgets and campervans that need an operational basin.
Buy now £135.99, Amazon
Cooke & Lewis Burbank Gloss White Ceramic 1 Bowl Sink & drainer
This practical sink comes with a drainer to place washing up so that it doesn’t stain or damage your precious worktops.
The single bowl design is made from robust yet pretty ceramic and needs a minimum base cabinet size of at least 60cm to rest on. The purchase is solely for the sink which means you can pair it with fancy taps of your choice to create a bespoke kitchen sink situation that works for you.
Buy now £193.00, B&Q
London Basin Co.
When is a sink not a sink? When it’s a work of art, like the pieces on sale at London Basin Co.
The luxe brand specialises in unusual shapes and hand-painted porcelain designs to the extent that they almost look like fancy dinnerware. These basins guarantee to make your sink the bathroom’s main attraction.
Prices sit hover at the £900 mark reflecting the level of craftsmanship devoted to each one, and you can shop complimenting accessories like mirrors, taps and vanity units too.
Buy now, London Basin Co.
