DESKTOP
MOBILE
The kitchen sink and tapware are the true workhorses of your kitchen, used daily for food prep, cooking, and cleanup. That’s why choosing the right sink setup is more than just a design decision; it’s about functionality, lifestyle, and how you use your kitchen day-to-day.
Whether you’re cooking for a busy family, love to entertain, or simply want a sleek and practical workspace, your choice of sink can make a big difference.
Sink Styles to Suit Every Kitchen
Sinks come in a variety of styles, each suited to different kitchen layouts and personal preferences:
- Overmount (Top Mount): This classic style is installed with the edges resting on top of the benchtop ideal for porous surfaces like wood, offering easy installation and a traditional look
- Undermount: Sleek and minimalist, undermount sinks sit below the benchtop, creating a seamless look and allowing you to easily wipe crumbs and spills straight into the bowl
- Apron Front (Farmhouse): With a visible front and deep basin, these sinks add character to your kitchen. While traditionally ceramic and ideal for rustic designs, modern stainless-steel options offer a contemporary, industrial twist.
Bowl Options: One, Two, or Three?
The number of bowls you choose should reflect how you use your kitchen:
- Single Bowl: A deep single bowl is perfect for washing large pots, baking trays, or when bench space is limited
- Double Bowl: Ideal for multitaskers and entertainers, use one side for washing and the other for rinsing or food prep. A smaller secondary bowl can house a dish drainer or waste disposer
- Triple Bowl / Butler’s Pantry Setup: For passionate home chefs, a three-bowl system often a double in the main kitchen plus a prep sink in the butler’s pantry keeps cooking efficient and mess out of sight.
No matter the number, ensure the sink can comfortably fit your largest dish or tray.
Finding the Right Fit and Shape
When bench space is tight, opt for a deeper sink rather than a wider one. This maximises volume without sacrificing precious workspace.
Shape Considerations:
- Rounded Corners: Easier to clean and maintain, with a classic look
- Tight Radius (Squared): Offers a more modern, minimalist aesthetic
- Rear Waste Drain: A rear-positioned drain frees up space underneath the sink, perfect for bins or storage
- Round Sinks: While elegant and symmetrical, they’re not always practical for square cookware. These are best suited to secondary or prep sinks.
Materials Matter
Sinks today come in a range of materials to match both function and style:
- Stainless Steel: Still the most popular, now available in brushed, matt, or polished finishes
- Ceramic: Durable and classic, especially in farmhouse or traditional designs
- Composite & Solid Surface: Tough, stain-resistant and available in a range of colours
- Coloured Finishes: Copper, brass, and black are trending pairing beautifully with modern appliances and tapware.
Choose a material based on durability, ease of cleaning, and how much wear and tear your kitchen sees.
Smart Sink Accessories
Maximise your sink’s functionality with clever accessories:
- Drainer Trays
- Chopping Boards
- Colanders
- Sink Caddies & Baskets
These additions help keep your kitchen organised and tailored to how you like to cook and clean.
Your kitchen sink plays a bigger role than you might think. With the right style, size, and accessories, it can transform your space into a more functional, efficient, and beautiful part of your home. Whether you’re renovating or building from scratch, plan with your lifestyle in mind — and let your sink work for you.
The kitchen sink and tapware are the true workhorses of your kitchen, used daily for food prep, cooking, and cleanup. That’s why choosing the right sink setup is more than just a design decision; it’s about functionality, lifestyle, and how you use your kitchen day-to-day.
Whether you’re cooking for a busy family, love to entertain, or simply want a sleek and practical workspace, your choice of sink can make a big difference.
Sink Styles to Suit Every Kitchen
Sinks come in a variety of styles, each suited to different kitchen layouts and personal preferences:
- Overmount (Top Mount): This classic style is installed with the edges resting on top of the benchtop ideal for porous surfaces like wood, offering easy installation and a traditional look
- Undermount: Sleek and minimalist, undermount sinks sit below the benchtop, creating a seamless look and allowing you to easily wipe crumbs and spills straight into the bowl
- Apron Front (Farmhouse): With a visible front and deep basin, these sinks add character to your kitchen. While traditionally ceramic and ideal for rustic designs, modern stainless-steel options offer a contemporary, industrial twist.
Bowl Options: One, Two, or Three?
The number of bowls you choose should reflect how you use your kitchen:
- Single Bowl: A deep single bowl is perfect for washing large pots, baking trays, or when bench space is limited
- Double Bowl: Ideal for multitaskers and entertainers, use one side for washing and the other for rinsing or food prep. A smaller secondary bowl can house a dish drainer or waste disposer
- Triple Bowl / Butler’s Pantry Setup: For passionate home chefs, a three-bowl system often a double in the main kitchen plus a prep sink in the butler’s pantry keeps cooking efficient and mess out of sight.
No matter the number, ensure the sink can comfortably fit your largest dish or tray.
Finding the Right Fit and Shape
When bench space is tight, opt for a deeper sink rather than a wider one. This maximises volume without sacrificing precious workspace.
Shape Considerations:
- Rounded Corners: Easier to clean and maintain, with a classic look
- Tight Radius (Squared): Offers a more modern, minimalist aesthetic
- Rear Waste Drain: A rear-positioned drain frees up space underneath the sink, perfect for bins or storage
- Round Sinks: While elegant and symmetrical, they’re not always practical for square cookware. These are best suited to secondary or prep sinks.
Materials Matter
Sinks today come in a range of materials to match both function and style:
- Stainless Steel: Still the most popular, now available in brushed, matt, or polished finishes
- Ceramic: Durable and classic, especially in farmhouse or traditional designs
- Composite & Solid Surface: Tough, stain-resistant and available in a range of colours
- Coloured Finishes: Copper, brass, and black are trending pairing beautifully with modern appliances and tapware.
Choose a material based on durability, ease of cleaning, and how much wear and tear your kitchen sees.
Smart Sink Accessories
Maximise your sink’s functionality with clever accessories:
- Drainer Trays
- Chopping Boards
- Colanders
- Sink Caddies & Baskets
These additions help keep your kitchen organised and tailored to how you like to cook and clean.
Your kitchen sink plays a bigger role than you might think. With the right style, size, and accessories, it can transform your space into a more functional, efficient, and beautiful part of your home. Whether you’re renovating or building from scratch, plan with your lifestyle in mind — and let your sink work for you.
Related Articles
Function Meets Form: Choosing the Right Kitchen Sink for Your Lifestyle
Modern sinks do more than hold water, they enhance your kitchen's flow, hygiene, and design
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Poggenpohl
Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Mastercraft was the brainchild of Murray Belz, a Chief’s supporter with an eye for design, a tonne of ideas and a passion for excellence.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Kitchen Things
Kitchen Things is a 100% locally owned and operated family business that pioneered European cooking in 1986. We specialise in high quality, premium European cooking appliances and our cooking range is complemented with dishwashing, refrigeration, laundry, sinks, taps and small appliances.
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Poggenpohl
Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Mastercraft was the brainchild of Murray Belz, a Chief’s supporter with an eye for design, a tonne of ideas and a passion for excellence.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Kitchen Things
Kitchen Things is a 100% locally owned and operated family business that pioneered European cooking in 1986. We specialise in high quality, premium European cooking appliances and our cooking range is complemented with dishwashing, refrigeration, laundry, sinks, taps and small appliances.