Ask anyone where they spend most of their time in the kitchen and the honest answer is usually at the sink. Rinsing vegetables, filling pots, washing up after Sunday dinner, topping up the kettle a dozen times a day: it's the hardest-working spot in the room. That's why at Creo Interiors we treat the sink and tap as a design decision, not an afterthought. The right choice sets the tone for the whole kitchen, whether it's a sleek contemporary space or a classic painted Shaker. Here's how to get it right.
Belfast and Butler Sinks: The Traditional Favourite
Nothing says country kitchen quite like a deep ceramic Belfast sink sitting proud of the cabinetry. Its exposed front apron adds instant character, and the generous bowl swallows roasting trays and stock pots with ease.
To fit one properly, we build a dedicated base unit that supports the considerable weight of the fireclay. It's a detail that matters, because a Belfast sink should look anchored, not perched. We like to pair it with grooved drainer boards cut directly into a quartz or granite worktop, so water runs neatly back into the bowl without the need for a separate draining rack.
In a traditional or in-frame kitchen, a Belfast sink beneath a window with a view of the garden is hard to beat.
Undermount Sinks: Clean Lines for Modern Kitchens
For a contemporary kitchen, an undermount sink is usually the natural fit. The bowl is fixed beneath the worktop, leaving a smooth polished edge with no rim to trap crumbs. You can sweep the counter straight into the basin, which makes daily cleaning noticeably easier.
Popular options include:
- Stainless steel for durability and a professional look
- Composite granite in black or grey to match a dark worktop
- One-and-a-half bowls for a separate prep area
- Integrated sinks fabricated from the same stone or Dekton as the worktop, for a truly seamless finish
Choosing the Right Tap
The tap is the jewellery of the sink area, and finishes have come a long way. Brushed brass and gold bring warmth to navy or green cabinetry, matte black suits a minimalist handleless scheme, and brushed nickel works almost anywhere.
Boiling water taps are now one of the most requested features in our kitchens. A 4-in-1 tap delivers hot, cold, filtered and boiling water from a single spout, freeing up worktop space and retiring the kettle for good. The tank sits discreetly inside the sink cabinet, so Kasia and Tomek plan the internal layout around it from day one, leaving room for bins and cleaning supplies too.
For traditional schemes, a bridge mixer with cross-head handles keeps the period feel, while a slim swan-neck spout suits a more modern look.
Find Your Perfect Combination
Sinks and taps are best chosen in person, where you can feel the weight of a handle and see how a finish sits against your cabinet colour. Our Celbridge showroom is the ideal place to compare options before your design is finalised, with homeowners visiting from across Kildare and Dublin.
Contact Creo Interiors today to book your consultation, and let's design a contemporary or traditional kitchen with a sink area that works as beautifully as it looks.