If you are in the process of choosing a kitchen sink, I’m sure you are well aware of the abundance of options.  Sometimes it can be a bit daunting considering how many different sinks there are to choose from.  A good way to begin is to decide which material you would like your sink made from.  The vast majority of homes have stainless steel sinks, but that doesn’t mean that this is your only option.  Some people like to choose items for their kitchens that stand out a bit and attract positive attention.  A good way to do this is to choose a sink that is made from a material other than stainless steel, which nearly everyone else has.  While you have a few choices, which include fireclay ceramic sinks and composite sinks, another great choice is a sink made of granite.  Granite is a beautiful, natural rock that is ideal for use in kitchens.  It is waterproof, great looking, and versatile.  Another great thing about granite kitchen sinks is that they come in a few different colors and styles, so that you can choose one that fits well with your countertop.  Let’s take a look at some of the granite sinks that are available.

Types of Granite Kitchen Sinks

As far as colors go, the vast majority of granite sinks come in the following three colors:  black, white, and biscuit.  If you are wondering what color biscuit is, think of a creamy, yellowish color.  In terms of layouts, these sinks come in the usual patterns.  You can get a large single bowl sink, or the more common double bowl variety.  Some double bowl granite kitchen sinks are evenly sized, and others have one larger bowl and one smaller one.
Most kitchens these days have larger, double bowl sinks, but some small apartments only have room for a single bowl one.  Pegasus makes the Astracast granite single bowl sink in 2 different colors, black and tan.  Pegasus is a brand name that is owned and sold by The Home Depot, so buying a Pegasus granite kitchen sink is as easy and convenient as heading over to the store or looking online here.
The good thing about these sinks is that they can be installed as either drop-in or undermount sinks.  See below for more information on undermount sinks.
One other thing to look for when shopping for granite sinks is that some of them come with grooves on the base of the bowls.  They do this so that it makes it easier to wash vegetables, fruit, or other things without them sliding around to much.

Undermount Granite Kitchen Sinks

An undermount sink, as its name suggests, is mounted under the countertop, instead of above it.  Most sinks are known as drop-in sinks, because they are simply dropped into the hole, and the lip of the sink rests on the countertop to support the sink.  Undermount sinks, on the other hand are fastened from below to the countertop, so there is no sink lip protruding onto the countertop.  The good thing about this style of sink is that you can simply take your kitchen towel and sweep crumbs right off the countertop and into the sink.  Before you get one of these granite undermount kitchen sinks, you should know that you need to have solid countertop to support it.  The sink is bolted onto the counter from below, so make sure you countertop is rated to support this weight.  In addition, granite is heavier than stainless steel.  The sink itself can weigh 25 pounds or more, and when they are filled with water and heavy dishes, this can be a substantial pull on the counter.  If you are unsure about whether or not your counter can handle this weight, simply contact whoever installed or sold you the counter and ask them.

Brands of Granite Kitchen Sinks

Most of the big sink manufacturing companies make granite sinks as well.  While there won’t be as many choices as stainless steel, you will find some choices in layout and style.  There is a type of Franke granite sink for example, that has a natural stone finish.  What this means is that you can actually see the natural stone pattern in the sink.  Most other sinks have a solid coating over them so you see a smooth finish.  If you like the look of the latter type of black granite kitchen sink, one with a smooth finish, most sinks have this look.
If a black sink just wouldn’t match the layout of your kitchen, most companies have white or off-white versions as well.  You can get a beautiful Blanco granite kitchen sink that comes in a color called “biscuit”.  Their granite sinks are made of what they call Blancodiamond Silgranit, which is 80% granite and 20% composite material.  The result is a sink that is chip and scratch resistant, highly durable, and with the look and feel of real stone.

Granite Kitchen Sink Prices

While it is highly unlikely that you will be able to find the sort of ultra-cheap sinks like those made out of stainless steel, you will probably be surprised to know that there are some very affordable granite sinks as well.  The cheapest models that I’ve come across are made by a company named Swanstone.  You can get a low-end Swanstone granite kitchen sink for as little as $170.  This is a great budget choice, as it is great looking, durable, and can be mounted either as a drop-in or an undermount.
If you want to go a step up, there are a lot of granite sinks that are in the $200 – $300 range. This includes most of the better known brands like Pegasus, Blanco, and Elkay.  Of course, these companies also offer high end sinks that are priced quite a bit higher as well.  For a real luxury, consider the Elkay E-Granite double bowl sink. This sink has two bowls that are offset, and come in three different colors:  bisque, black, or mocha.  If you are looking for a unique colored sink, this is a good bet.  Take a look here for more information.

Tags: Counters, Sinks by Jeffrey
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You might have heard this term before, but not really understood what it really means.  A modular kitchen can best be described as individual pieces that fit together to create a complete kitchen.  Many people simply go to a large home supply store such as the Home Depot or one like it and purchase individual items until they have everything they need.  Although there is nothing inherently wrong with designing your kitchen this way, there is a good chance that when you put everything together, you will find a few problems.  One problem may be that the sizes of your cabinets and large appliances differ too much, resulting in items sticking out too far.  Another problem that arises is the colors don’t match each other very well.
As I type this article from the dining room table of a friend’s house, I can see a few areas in the kitchen that weren’t thought out very well.  The stove, for example, sticks out about 5 inches past the surrounding counters and is a color that doesn’t match its surroundings.  The refrigerator is a bit clunky looking and awkward as well, which is most likely the result of a purchase without much thought of integration.  Millions of homes are designed like this, but with just a little bit of planning and thinking, you can have a kitchen where each individual unit fits together like a puzzle and looks great together.  Modular kitchen designs are meant to provide this type of integration.

Modular Kitchen Design

The best way to think about modular kitchens is by either looking at pictures in books or on the internet to get an initial idea about the styles you are interested in.  The Ikea website has lots of great modular kitchen photos that can really get your ideas flowing. When you know what you want, the next step is to visit a kitchen showroom.  These are abundant in almost every modern town and city in the world these days.  With a basic design in mind, you will be able to piece together a kitchen that matches in all aspects:  dimensions, color, and style.

Modular Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinetry makes up such a large percentage of most kitchens that consideration of these units is absolutely crucial.  The cabinets that you choose will set the look and feel of your kitchen, so you will want to take your time at this step.  Most large kitchen showrooms will have a large number of modular kitchen units so that you can piece together a complete design that you are satisfied with.

Tags: Counters, Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Furniture by Jeffrey
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If you have a large enough kitchen, one of the best things you can get for it is a kitchen island cart.  With so many appliances competing for valuable counter space these days, kitchen island carts are great for adding extra room to work.  While many smaller kitchens won’t have room for a kitchen island, a larger one should.  They come in a few different sizes, so you can find one that will work.

Types of Kitchen Island Carts

While many people use the terms kitchen carts and islands interchangeably, they are really two different things.  Kitchen islands tend to be larger, have drawers and cabinets, and are usually fully enclosed.  Kitchen carts on the other hand, normally don’t have cabinet doors on them and are open.  In addition, islands will usually have a countertop covering them, and in many cases it is made of the same material as the rest of the counters.  Carts usually come with a top already on it, and it most likely won’t match your countertop.
One of the most popular styles is called a Dolly Madison kitchen island cart.  These units are normally highly mobile due to the wheels under them.  Although models may vary depending on who makes the cart, most of them are fully enclosed and have two drawers on top and side by side cabinets on the bottom.
You can find a kitchen cart and island that is topped with various materials.  Some are made with a stainless steel surface, which is easy to keep clean.  Others have a granite top, which is a very popular countertop surface.  The most common top you will see is wood however.  If you want a customized counter-top placed on your kitchen island, you will need to get one with an unfinished top.  If you don’t mind it not matching the rest of your kitchen, you can just get a stainless steel kitchen island cart or a granite one.  Choosing between the larger kitchen islands and carts will most likely be a decision based upon the size of your kitchen.

Tags: Counters, Kitchen Furniture by Jeffrey
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If you find yourself struggling to find spare room for preparing food on your counter, there is one simple solution to this problem:  kitchen islands and carts.  Wondering what the difference between a kitchen island are cart is, here is the answer:  Kitchen carts tend to be smaller, have wheels on them so you can easily roll them around, and have an open-air structure.  This means that they may or may not have drawers on them, but normally just have one or two open shelves underneath that are used as storage.  Kitchen islands, on the other hand, tend to be larger, have a top that matches the rest of your countertop, and are fully enclosed.
Now that you know the difference between kitchen a cart and islands, you can decide which one is right for you.  If you are in the design phase of your kitchen, or are remodeling it, you are in the position to get an island that matches the rest of your kitchen.  It is more economical to buy a little more of the countertop that you are installing and use it for your island.  If you have room in your kitchen for an island, this is a great way to do it.  Kitchen islands vary in size from small and square to rectangular units large enough to double your counter space.
If your kitchen is already built, and you have no plans for remodeling, a kitchen cart will suit you just fine.  You can just get one that you like, even though the top most likely match your countertop.  You do have a choice of colors and styles however.  The most common style available is a natural wood finish, which can be either light or dark in color.  Also available are white and black carts.  As for the layout, you can choose between fully enclosed units with drawers and cabinets, and those with simple open shelves, or a combination of both.  Cheap kitchen islands and carts can be found for under $100, but these will be very basic structures either made of steel or wood.  Expect to pay at double this amount for a nice looking unit, and quite a bit more if you want one with drawers and cabinets made with a quality construction.  There are quite a few very good looking kitchen carts and islands on sale for between $100 and $200.  If you look around, either on the internet or in your local kitchen store, I’m sure you will be able to find one you like that suits your needs.

Tags: Counters, Kitchen Furniture by Jeffrey
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What is an Undermount Kitchen Sink?

A lot of people don’t even know what an undermount kitchen sink is.  It is a sink designed to sit below the counter top level.  While the majority of kitchen sinks have a lip that fits over the counter top, undermount sinks have a lip that attaches to the bottom of your counter top.  Having the sink at a lower level than your counter lets you easily clean the countertop, wiping scraps right into the sink.
One major difference between undermount kitchen sinks and normal sinks is that they should only be used with solid counter tops.  They work great with marble, granite, or any other solid rock.  You can also use them with solid Corian counters or those of another type.  The reason why you don’t want to use them with counters that aren’t solid is because the cut edge of the counter will be exposed, and being around water and moisture constantly, moisture will inevitably seep into the counter top material and cause it to bulge and de-laminate.  When this happens, you will be forced to either live with an ugly looking counter top or replace the whole thing.  In addition, while the sink itself weighs very little, a double kitchen sink full of water and dishes can be pretty heavy, which is why it needs to be attached to something very solid that has no chance of breaking off.

Types of Undermount Kitchen Sinks

In terms of sink layouts, you usually have a few choices.  Sinks come in either single bowl or double bowl layouts.  Single bowl kitchen sinks are normally used when space is limited and there simply isn’t enough room for a larger sink.  Most homes these days are large enough for double bowl undermount kitchen sinks to be installed, which is a bit more convenient for washing dishes.  Unless space is very limited, I would recommend installing a double bowl sink. One other sink layout worth mentioning is the offset model.  Offset sinks have one larger bowl and one smaller one.  These are a popular choice for small kitchens as well, since some of them are the same size as single bowl sinks.  Others are large, and the offsetting serves to give the sink a bit of style.

By far the most common type is the stainless steel undermount kitchen sink.  Stainless has long been considered the best material for kitchen sinks because it is doesn’t rust or stain and is extremely easy to keep clean and sanitized.  An undermount stainless kitchen sink is also relatively inexpensive, and many sinks can actually be installed either on top of the counter or below it.

If you want something a little different than the run of the mill stainless steel undermount kitchen sinks, there are a few other options available.  One choice is cast iron. Undermount cast iron kitchen sinks have some great advantages.  First, they are virtually indestructible, and many of them carry lifetime warranties for as long as you own the home.  Cast iron won’t dent or scratch like stainless steel will.  In addition, cast iron sinks come with an enamel coating, so you can get them in a different color. Kohler undermount kitchen sinks come with a white color that is guaranteed not to chip off.

Some sinks are made of composite materials, which mean that they are available in different colors.  After stainless steel and white, another common choice is black undermount kitchen sinks.  Black is the natural color of certain rocks, including granite. Undermount granite kitchen sinks usually come in black, and are extremely resistant to chipping, due to the great properties of granite.

Tags: Counters, Sinks by Jeffrey
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