Are you designing your dream kitchen island? If you’re wondering about including a sink, here is what you need to keep in mind…
Kitchen islands are sought after by many renovators, and two popular features homeowners are often pondering including in their units are a hob and sink. Both enhance the practicality of your design, but which one is right for your lifestyle and space?
We’ve already covered the benefits of having a hob on the island, now let’s look at what the sink has to offer…
Kitchen islands with sinks
If you have a layout that doesn’t suit a hob on the island – for instance, you’d prefer a range cooker surrounded by a faux chimney-breast – or, put simply, you want to keep the cooking zone away from guests, then a sink on the hob is a fantastic option.
Georgina Cave, of Cave Interiors, says homeowners actually tend to prefer sinks in islands. “They make for a more sociable setting, enabling hosts to engage freely while entertaining, and avoid any difficulties getting seamless extraction over the hob. With the hob being set on the main run instead, extractors can be designed to be lost or made a feature of with more elaborate hoods,” she adds.
Tom Howley of the eponymous kitchen brand agrees and says, “Cleaning up is made easy with a kitchen island sink. It’s an excellent solution for smaller spaces, allowing walls under windows to have more aesthetic uses, such as a window seat, statement radiator, shelving, or anything else that you want extra room for.
“Having a sink on the island also means you have uninterrupted worktops elsewhere, handy if you like to use all your surfaces when cooking dinner. Lastly, it creates a more social cooking experience – allowing you to chat with family and friends from across the island, as you prepare food or clean up at the sink.”
Key considerations
When choosing an island sink, remember to consider drainage, splash zones, and proximity to the dishwasher, for an efficient layout. It’s also worth noting there may be additional costs due to the plumbing – as a plumber may have to be hired pre-install to ensure you have the right pipework for both water and waste.
For those who either prefer or indeed have no choice but to include a sink on their island (perhaps because of plumbing constraints or layout restrictions), Jay Powell, designer and project manager at Inglis Hall – The Kitchen Maker, suggests incorporating a small preparation sink rather than a full-size one. This offers convenience without overwhelming the island, providing easy access to water for washing ingredients and keeping the main clean-up area discreet. Just be aware that a sink on the island may lead to visible clutter, such as drying dishes and glasses.
So, which will it be – a hob or a sink?
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