Choosing the Right Kitchen Basins and Taps for Your New Home
If you are upgrading your home, or in the process of building a new one, you will probably find that you are spoilt for choice, and this can be daunting. Choosing kitchen basins and taps can also be challenging, and deciding on the right pieces for your kitchen is important, because they have to be able to fit in with your lifestyle, while still looking good. When choosing kitchen basins and taps, you have to ask yourself a few questions, and the most important of these is how the kitchen will be used. We provide you with some tips to help you choose the kitchen basins that will be best suited to your home:
- Materials: Typically, kitchen basins are made of stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, composite materials, or cast iron that is coated with enamel. Stainless steel is usually the most popular choice – it is lightweight and can be easily installed, with the added benefit that it doesn’t rust, and is hygienic. Stainless-steel sinks are also often preferred, because they can withstand a lot of wear and tear over years. While it is true that stainless steel sinks can be somewhat noisy in use, it is possible to choose a model with a noise-reduction facility. Ceramic or cast-iron sinks are beautiful and quieter, but they are not kind to fragile glass items, and it is easy to break or chip crockery in these sinks. Enamel sinks also tend to wear over time, leaving visible stains and scratches. Stainless steel is a lot more forgiving! Composite sinks are also hardy and usually cost less than the other varieties.
- Ease of cleaning: It is vital that all the parts of the sink can be reached easily in order to keep the kitchen clean and hygienic. Kitchen basins with solid surfaces can be properly cleaned, although putting hot pans and pots directly from the stove into the sink may damage the surface. Composite sinks work well, and there is a variety of these on the market to choose from. Polyester/acrylic sinks are usually the most popular, because they generally cost less than other types of kitchen basins, while still providing the same functionality. Even though they are not quite as durable as some, they are kinder to glass and porcelain and less inclined to chip and break your crockery. They can be a bit more difficult to clean though!
- How many sinks: A lot of people prefer to have a set of two sinks, such as the traditional double-bowl sink. Double bowls are usually used for washing dishes, and if you have a dishwasher, you probably won’t need a double bowl sink. In small kitchens, it is also difficult to find space for a double sink, but if you feel that a double bowl is absolutely necessary, despite space constraints, you can install a double sink that contains one large sink and a smaller one.
- Taps to go with your kitchen basins: Taps are usually up to personal taste, but functionality also has to be considered. In a kitchen, it is vital that a mixer tap is employed, and there are many different styles of these to choose from. The function and finish have to fit in with the lifestyle and the look and style of the kitchen. Modern, single-lever taps are becoming more popular, as the desired temperate can be set and the tap opened and closed with a push or a pull. Kitchen experts highly recommend the use of a spray arm that allows you to easily wash pots and pans. The style of the taps also plays a role; if you have a modern kitchen, it is best to stick to modern fittings and fixtures, and if you have opted for a more vintage or country kitchen, purchase fixtures and fittings that echo that ambience. Brass finishes have been popular for years, but they tend to work better in low-use applications. For more durable taps for your kitchen basins, it is best to opt for nickel, pewter, or chrome. If you simply have to have bronze, you can get a pewter tap with a bronze finish. These work particularly well in vintage and cottage kitchens.
If you are looking for the best kitchen basins and taps for your new kitchen, give our team at GEZA a call or take a look at our product page!
