Top 5 Stylish Undermount Kitchen Sinks
October 21, 2021
By the Vevano Home Team
If you’re renovating a kitchen (or building a new home from scratch), the sink you ultimately choose can become a major design focal point. There are many different styles to choose from, including traditional, farmhouse, rustic, and modern—just to name a few. While both drop-in and undermount remain the two most popular methods for sink installation, by choosing the undermount approach, you can add an extra element of style to your space and potentially even boost the resale value of your home.
Vevano offers several different versions of undermount kitchen sinks that provide style, grace and functionality. Here are some of the most popular:
Top Undermount Kitchen Sinks
- Blanco Diamond 33 inch Granite 50/50 Double-Basin Dual-Mount Kitchen Sink in Metallic Grey
- Cahaba 33 inch Quartz 50/50 Double-Basin Dual-Mount Kitchen Sink in Onyx Black
- Elkay Quartz Classic 20 inch x 33 inch x 9.5 inch Quartz Double-Basin Undermount Kitchen Sink in Mocha
- Franke Professional 2 32.5 inch Stainless Steel Single Basin
- Kohler Kennon 22 inch x 33 inch x 9.63 inch Neoroc Double Basin
Undermount vs. Drop-In Sinks
In contrast to its drop-in counterpart, an undermount kitchen sink is installed from beneath the counter—with the sink’s rim attached to the bottom of the counter, completely out of sight. Typically, an undermount kitchen sink is held in place with a mixture of high-strength epoxies, anchors and clips, and silicone caulk; with the results being a continuous line from the countertop into the sink (as opposed to drop-in sinks that sit directly on top of the countertop with a visible rim).
While this makes for clean lines and an uncluttered appearance, using an undermount kitchen sink has the added bonus of making your kitchen countertops and sink much easier to clean. After all, there’s no rim serving as an obstruction, so you can simply swipe messes straight into the sink. A traditional overmount sink, with its higher, visible rim, doesn’t allow for this level of easy cleaning.
In addition, undermount sinks will give you more counter space in your kitchen because they allow your kitchen countertop to extend all the way to the sink, giving you a bit of extra countertop space. This can be a major benefit if you have a smaller kitchen.
Undermount vs. Dual-Mount Sinks
When searching for a new undermount kitchen sink, you’re likely to come across the term dual-mount. A dual-mount sink can be mounted as either a drop-in or undermount sink. These versatile sinks allow you more flexibility down the road if you choose to change your countertops or mounting setup.
Additionally, if you’re still unsure whether you want an undermount or drop-in sink for your kitchen remodel, you can rest easy knowing that a dual-mount option can work for both, and you can order your sink before making a decision.
Many of the best undermount sinks on the market are dual-mount and can be installed as a drop-in sink if so desired.
How to Measure for an Undermount Kitchen Sink
When installing a new kitchen sink, it’s imperative that the cutout space in your countertop match the dimensions of the sink you’ve chosen. Before you start your sink installation process, make sure to measure the available space you have to work with. You’ll find a wide variety of sink sizes, so it’s important to know what you need.
If your old sink is still in place, you can place a tape measure along the edge of the sink, from left to right, and record its measurement. Then lay the tape measure from the back to the front edge of the sink to measure the width. Ideally, you’ll place your tape measure at the edge of the sink (where the kitchen faucet is) and extend it all the way across the basin to the edge where you are standing. You should also measure the depth by placing a straight-edge ruler at the top edge of the sink, extending it to the bottom of the bowl.
If you’ve already removed your old sink, you can measure the length and width of the cutout space that’s available to use. And if you’re replacing an existing undermount sink, make sure to measure it after it’s been removed from the cutout space so that you get a more accurate measure. Most standard kitchen sinks, whether drop-in or undermount, measure somewhere around 22 inches wide and 30 inches long, though it’s not uncommon to see two to three-inch deviations from this measurement within the standard range.
Top 5 Stylish Undermount Kitchen Sinks
Now that we’ve covered what an undermount sink is and its benefits in the kitchen, let’s take a closer look at some of Vevano’s most popular options:
This double bowl sink from Blanco with a 50/50 split has enough room for even the largest dishes and features a scratch-resistant, nonporous surface. This undermount sink model comes in eight other colors besides the featured metallic grey, including anthracite, biscuit, cafe brown, cinder, concrete grey, metallic grey, and truffle and white.
Created from Silgranit, which is an 80-percent granite composite, this sink can hold up to the toughest cleaning routines, knife scratches, and hot pans you can throw at it. Blanco’s Hygienic+Plus technology also protects the surface of this sink from microbial growth, keeping your kitchen clean, protected and stylish all at once.
This double bowl sink by Elkay is molded with up to 80-percent natural quartz, plus high-performance acrylic, non-porous resins that provide superior heat, fading, scratch, and stain resistance. In addition to the mocha version featured here, this model comes in a range of UV-stable neutral colors in tones of black, brown, gray, and white that allow you to add an unexpected pop of elegance and a modern look to your kitchen.
This undermount kitchen sink is designed so that its low center divider allows the handles of large pots and pans to extend over the center—making it much easier to wash large items, like baking sheets, across both sink bowls. In addition, the sink’s ultrafine, non-porous surface structure prevents food and liquids from sticking, which prevents the growth of microbes and improves the overall cleanliness of your kitchen space.
Finally, this undermount kitchen sink boasts extra deep, high-capacity basins that offer more room for filling stockpots, stacking dishes, and handling large baking sheets.
This single bowl undermount kitchen sink by Franke is made of 16-gauge stainless steel to provide both durability and beauty. Plus, the surface of this Professional 2 Collection sink features a diamond sheen finish that makes it ideal for aspiring chefs. With 10 inches in depth, slim corners, round sink drain covers, and an undermount installation type, this model represents a functional and affordable decor upgrade for any kitchen.
All sinks, faucets, and other accessories from Franke are crafted from the highest quality materials, including stainless steel, fireclay, and solid granite to add both durability and style to the home.
With its sleek matte black finish, this undermount kitchen sink by Kohler features long-lasting materials, innovative technology, and the unique artisan designs Kohler is famous for. This is a double bowl undermount sink that boasts an elegant, wave-like curve that complements any kitchen.
The Kennon sink is made of Kohler’s proprietary Neoroc, a matte-finish composite material that provides next-level durability and unmatched elegance. This sink is richly colored and will complement any existing countertop material, all while effectively resisting scratches, stains, and fading while being highly heat and impact-resistant. All sinks in the Kennon line bring a sense of modern, contemporary style to your kitchen.
This Kohler Kennon model also includes one faucet hole and the option for three additional holes that can be knocked out with a ball-peen hammer and punch. Optional bottom sink rack and bottom basin racks also are available.
How to Install an Undermount Kitchen Sink
An undermount kitchen sink isn’t an easy installation. It’s complicated by the need to ensure that the undermount sink is safely sealed and supported and that the counter and supports are up to the challenge of firmly holding the sink’s weight. In many cases, installation of an undermount sink can be difficult for someone who isn’t familiar with the intricacies of this type of project. Unlike an overmount sink that typically can fit into an existing cutout within a kitchen counter or kitchen sink base cabinet, an undermount version may require cutting additional space out of the countertop.
Even for experienced do-it-yourselfers, it probably makes more sense to hire a professional to install an undermount sink. Most professionals will be able to install an undermount sink in less than 30 minutes. Just be advised that an undermount sink may be slightly more expensive than a drop-in version, and you may pay more in labor costs since the project is more involved. An undermount sink can increase the value and functionality of your kitchen, though, so it’s worth the investment to make sure the installation is completed correctly, safely, and securely.
If you do decide to go the DIY route, make sure to do your research about how to do so safely and effectively. Also make sure you’re certain of what your countertops are made of—you can install an undermount sink in any kitchen countertop surface, except for laminate countertops.
It’s also important to understand that both proper installation and sealing are critical to preventing leaks and ensuring an undermount sink is properly supported. A sink full of dirty dishes can get pretty heavy, so you don’t want to run the risk of your sink pulling apart from the underside of the countertop and crashing to the floor. That’s why undermount sinks are typically secured with a two-part epoxy adhesive and sealed with silicone caulking around the perimeter.
Undermount Sinks Combine Function and Beauty
An undermount sink can make a big difference as part of a kitchen remodel in terms of both style and functionality. Offering clean, simple lines, and easy cleanup, undermount sinks offer a modern and minimalist aesthetic that can’t be matched.
When you’re ready to explore which undermount sink is right for your kitchen project, we encourage you to reach out to the design experts at Vevano. Our experienced and knowledgeable team of design professionals can help you choose the undermount sink that will bring your kitchen the most value, functionality, and style—both today and for many years to come.