7 Common Kitchen Sink Mistakes You’ll Regret Later

Choosing a kitchen sink may seem simple—until you're stuck with one that doesn’t function the way you need it to. Over the past 26 years, we’ve seen countless homeowners regret decisions that could’ve been avoided with the right guidance. Here are 7 common mistakes people make when selecting a kitchen sink—and how to make sure you don’t fall into the same trap. 

1. Don't date your kitchen or miss out on time savings. If you are not considering a single-bowl workstation sink, you are literally dating your kitchen to the 1990s. We have heard it all, from "I love my double-bowl sink" to "You will never talk me out of a double-bowl sink." They all now love their Rachiele single-bowl workstation sinks and tell us they could not believe how functional they are. In the below photo you will see two horrible workstation designs that at first may not seem obvious. All properly designed workstation sinks should have the cutting boards resting on an internal step that is at the correct (higher) location. 

2. Do your homework on Houzz.com! The most expensive appliance to replace in a kitchen—without question—is the kitchen sink. Unlike ovens or refrigerators, a sink is fully integrated into your countertop, cabinetry, and plumbing. Swapping it out often requires tearing into or replacing countertops, backsplashes, and more, which means you're not just replacing a sink—you're opening a costly can of worms. Do you really want to roll the dice on that decision? Search for the manufacturer and look at their reviews. If you can't find the manufacturer, find the discussion area and type in the brand name and read what people say about the brand. Dig deep; it is worth it in the long run! Look at reviews on Houzz carefully. Also check out Chatgpt. Search for each company and ask to list the pros and cons.

3. Look at where the sinks are actually manufactured. All too often, imported sinks vary in quality from batch to batch. That said, brands like Blanco and a few others have solid reputations for quality mid-priced sinks—at least the stainless steel versions.

4. Don't invest in the wrong sink material. In my opinion, the most important research you can do is on the actual material the sink is made of. Cast iron sinks and fireclay sinks can last for decades—or be ruined in a day. When you research these types of sinks, you’ll find plenty of people who’ve had theirs for over a decade and absolutely love them. But you’ll also hear from just as many who’ve dealt with hairline cracks, chips, and permanent wear marks. Gamble if you have the time, money, and patience to replace a sink. Otherwise, choose a material engineered to last—a metal sink.

5. Don't invest in a sink with a center drain. What is the purpose? A sink with a rear corner drain makes so much more sense. You will have much more storage under the sink, and virtually everything you place in the sink will likely not cover the drain. 

6. Don't be fooled by those offering black stainless steel sinks. I stake my entire reputation on the fact that these sinks will not last! The finish will scratch off  or chip. Don't believe the hype! Simply research on ChatGPT if the black stainless steel is durable. Ok, I will do it for you...

 Are black stainless steel sinks durable?

In short: No—black stainless steel sinks are not durable. 

Here's why:

⚠️ Black Stainless Steel Is a Coating—Not a solid material.

Black stainless steel is simply regular stainless steel with a thin black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) or painted coating. That finish can scratch, chip, or wear off over time—especially in a high-use area like a kitchen sink.

❌ Scratches Easily and Can’t Be Repaired

Once the black coating is scratched, the silver stainless steel underneath is exposed—and there's no way to buff or reapply the original finish. This is especially problematic if you're using metal utensils, pots, or aggressive cleaners.

7. Look carefully at warranties. Warranties will tell a story about the overall quality. Do they have a warranty on accessories? What is excluded from the warranty? Check out our warranty as a guide.