I have assembled a list of common kitchen sink types you will find when renovating your kitchen. Note that categories are not mutually exclusive. For example, I list top-mount and double-basin as two separate common sink types, yet you will also find a category of top-mount double-basin sinks.
What Is It?
The most common type of kitchen sink, the top-mount installs from above. According to the template provided by the sink manufacturer, a hole is cut into the counter material and the sink is "dropped" in from above, the rim of the sink caulked with silicone to the counter.
Pros
Drop-in sinks are DIY-friendly. No special skills are needed, as long as the hole in the counter is already cut.
Cons
Sink's rim prevent you from sweeping water and debris from the counter straight into the sink. Also, the rim adds yet another part of the sink that needs to be cleaned.
What Is It?
Traditionally, sinks have been installed from the top-down, the lip of the sink resting on the edge of the counter material cut-out. Undermount sinks are the opposite: the sink is attached to the bottom of the counter.
Pros
Oh, glorious undermount sink! We love you. We love it when the kitchen sink is pooled up with ocean-sized amounts of water and unidentifiable gunk, and all we need to do is sweep it straight into the sink with a sponge. No sink lips to get in the way.
Cons
Gunk can build up under the counter, where the sink and counter meet.More »
7 Unique Kitchen Sinks Like You've Never Seen Before
5 Kitchen Sink Ideas
What Is It?
Farmhouse (apron) sinks are large single basins distinguished by their front wall, which forms both front of the sink and the front of the counter. The most popular type of installation is as shown: level and integrated with the counters. However, apron sinks are sometimes installed "country style": on top of a cabinet or freestanding table (fixed against the wall) on their own and not surrounded by counters. Apron sinks are nearly always single-basin.
Pros
These generously-sized sinks allow for big casserole and baking pans. Because there is less room between the sink and the edge of the counter, the person using the sink can get in a little bit closer to the sink, helping to avoid fatigue.
Cons
When the front edge of aprons sinks drip, they drip straight onto the floor.More »
What Is It?
A sink smaller than a regularly sized sink installed in kitchen islands as a supplementary sink for food prep. It's also used in bars. Island/bar sinks are nearly always single-bowl.
Pros
If you've got the dough--and the space--prep sinks are invaluable. Install one in your kitchen island and have your unpaid kitchen "assistants" wash the kale for you. These bonus sinks add resale value to your house.
Cons
Island sinks don't have many downsides, due to the fact that they are only supplementary sinks. Perhaps the most significant "con" would be that some homeowners install these sinks with good intentions in mind, yet rarely end up using them.
What Is It?
The most popular type of kitchen sink basin arrangement, the double-basin (or bowl) allows for washing on one side and rinsing or drying on the other side.
Pros
A multi-purpose sink in a relatively small space.
Cons
Either side can be too small to accommodate large pots, baking pans, or casseroles.
What Is It?
A kitchen sink with no divided basin. It's the layout for farmhouse/apron sinks.
Pros
Plenty of room to wash those large items listed above that the double-basins cannot accommodate.
Cons
Be prepared to have a drying area aside the sink, as single-basins have no room for this. Subsequent buyers of your home will look askance at your single-basin sink, already calculating in their minds how much it will cost to replace it.
What Is It?
A double basin sink, but instead of the divider rising to the level of the top of the sink, it is only half of that height.
Pros
It's like a combination of single-basin and double-basin sink. When you fill one side low with water, it works as a double-basin sink. But should you need extra room for big pans, simply keep filling higher so that the water overflows the divider.
Cons
Limited number of manufacturers currently make low divide kitchen sinks.More »
What Is It?
Integrated (or integral) sinks are the only type on this list that have nothing to do with sink manufacturers; they're produced by counter manufacturers, such as DuPont for its Corian line and Samsung for its Staron line (both solid surface materials). Integral sinks are the same material as the counter and are fused in place in the factory.
Pros
All of the downsides of top-mount sinks (the rim) and downsides of undermount sinks (the gunk-collection zone) are eliminated with integral sinks. The counter flows seamlessly into the sink.
Cons
Ever so expensive--if you can even find them. Integral sinks are mainly seen in bathrooms. An integral kitchen sink is a rare bird, indeed.
What Is It?
Rarely seen and hard to find, the kitchen corner sink has double basins which are set at right angles to each other to make use of corner counter space.
Pros
Built-in drying area, though small. Corner sinks cleverly make good use of counter corners--notorious space wasters.
Cons
When you can find them, corner sinks are expensive. Also these sinks require custom cuts in the counters.
Top Mount or Drop-In
What Is It?
The most common type of kitchen sink, the top-mount installs from above. According to the template provided by the sink manufacturer, a hole is cut into the counter material and the sink is "dropped" in from above, the rim of the sink caulked with silicone to the counter.
Pros
Drop-in sinks are DIY-friendly. No special skills are needed, as long as the hole in the counter is already cut.
Cons
Sink's rim prevent you from sweeping water and debris from the counter straight into the sink. Also, the rim adds yet another part of the sink that needs to be cleaned.
Undermount
What Is It?
Traditionally, sinks have been installed from the top-down, the lip of the sink resting on the edge of the counter material cut-out. Undermount sinks are the opposite: the sink is attached to the bottom of the counter.
Pros
Oh, glorious undermount sink! We love you. We love it when the kitchen sink is pooled up with ocean-sized amounts of water and unidentifiable gunk, and all we need to do is sweep it straight into the sink with a sponge. No sink lips to get in the way.
Cons
Gunk can build up under the counter, where the sink and counter meet.More »
More About Sinks
7 Unique Kitchen Sinks Like You've Never Seen Before
5 Kitchen Sink Ideas
Farmhouse or Apron
What Is It?
Farmhouse (apron) sinks are large single basins distinguished by their front wall, which forms both front of the sink and the front of the counter. The most popular type of installation is as shown: level and integrated with the counters. However, apron sinks are sometimes installed "country style": on top of a cabinet or freestanding table (fixed against the wall) on their own and not surrounded by counters. Apron sinks are nearly always single-basin.
Pros
These generously-sized sinks allow for big casserole and baking pans. Because there is less room between the sink and the edge of the counter, the person using the sink can get in a little bit closer to the sink, helping to avoid fatigue.
Cons
When the front edge of aprons sinks drip, they drip straight onto the floor.More »
Island, Bar, or Prep
What Is It?
A sink smaller than a regularly sized sink installed in kitchen islands as a supplementary sink for food prep. It's also used in bars. Island/bar sinks are nearly always single-bowl.
Pros
If you've got the dough--and the space--prep sinks are invaluable. Install one in your kitchen island and have your unpaid kitchen "assistants" wash the kale for you. These bonus sinks add resale value to your house.
Cons
Island sinks don't have many downsides, due to the fact that they are only supplementary sinks. Perhaps the most significant "con" would be that some homeowners install these sinks with good intentions in mind, yet rarely end up using them.
Double Basin/Bowl
What Is It?
The most popular type of kitchen sink basin arrangement, the double-basin (or bowl) allows for washing on one side and rinsing or drying on the other side.
Pros
A multi-purpose sink in a relatively small space.
Cons
Either side can be too small to accommodate large pots, baking pans, or casseroles.
Single Basin/Bowl
What Is It?
A kitchen sink with no divided basin. It's the layout for farmhouse/apron sinks.
Pros
Plenty of room to wash those large items listed above that the double-basins cannot accommodate.
Cons
Be prepared to have a drying area aside the sink, as single-basins have no room for this. Subsequent buyers of your home will look askance at your single-basin sink, already calculating in their minds how much it will cost to replace it.
Double Basin With Low Divider
What Is It?
A double basin sink, but instead of the divider rising to the level of the top of the sink, it is only half of that height.
Pros
It's like a combination of single-basin and double-basin sink. When you fill one side low with water, it works as a double-basin sink. But should you need extra room for big pans, simply keep filling higher so that the water overflows the divider.
Cons
Limited number of manufacturers currently make low divide kitchen sinks.More »
Integrated
What Is It?
Integrated (or integral) sinks are the only type on this list that have nothing to do with sink manufacturers; they're produced by counter manufacturers, such as DuPont for its Corian line and Samsung for its Staron line (both solid surface materials). Integral sinks are the same material as the counter and are fused in place in the factory.
Pros
All of the downsides of top-mount sinks (the rim) and downsides of undermount sinks (the gunk-collection zone) are eliminated with integral sinks. The counter flows seamlessly into the sink.
Cons
Ever so expensive--if you can even find them. Integral sinks are mainly seen in bathrooms. An integral kitchen sink is a rare bird, indeed.
Corner
What Is It?
Rarely seen and hard to find, the kitchen corner sink has double basins which are set at right angles to each other to make use of corner counter space.
Pros
Built-in drying area, though small. Corner sinks cleverly make good use of counter corners--notorious space wasters.
Cons
When you can find them, corner sinks are expensive. Also these sinks require custom cuts in the counters.