Kitchen sinks - our pick of the best

Along with the cooker and fridge, the sink is at the heart of any kitchen. It needs to be practical and suitable for your own particular needs. If you have a dishwasher, for instance, you may only need a single-bowl design if you're rinsing, rather than doing lots of washing up by hand. If you don't have a dishwasher, you may prefer to go for a larger, double-bowl variety that can cope with all manner of pots and pans. Think about how the material you choose for your sink will fit with the overall style of your kitchen. From super-shiny, ever-practical stainless steel to classic white fireclay and composite designs in jet black or gunmetal grey, each material has its own distinctive look. This pick of some of our favourites will help you decide what's right for you.

Sturdy ceramic one-bowl Belfast sink that is a staple of the country kitchen, but increasingly at home in modern interiors too. Overflow included. Ceramic with gloss finish. 

Astracast Ceramic Belfast Sink, £182, B&Q.

Contemporary black sink with practical and compact round-bowl design for smaller kitchens and utility rooms. Supplied with waste and overflow kit. Composite. 

Asterite Oval Single Bowl Kitchen Sink, £129, Wickes.

One-and-a-half bowl sink with drainer, wastes, pipe work and chrome-coloured single-lever tap. Stainless steel and chrome finish. 

Aegean Stainless-steel Sink and Tap Pack, £89, Homebase.

Super-smart, clean-lined double-bowl kitchen sink. The two same-sized bowls make this sink a practical choice for any kitchen. Includes water trap and sink stoppers with strainer. Ceramic with coloured glaze. 

Domsjo Double-bowl Kitchen Sink, £175, Ikea.

Smart design with one-and-a-half bowls and reversible drainer. Includes basket strainer waste kit, tap hole cover and fixings. Stainless steel with satin polish. 

Astracast Alto Stainless-steel Kitchen Sink, £100, Screwfix.

The integral pro hygienic 21 protection in Cristadur® helps put your mind at rest when preparing fresh food. The shorter design makes this Quartz sink perfectly suited to a modern kitchen. 

Schock Horizont Kitchen Sink with Popup Drain, £300, Wayfair.

Contemporary kitchen sink in eye-catching cubic design with smart symmetrical construction in Anthracite black. Also available in dark and light grey versions. Natural granite with acrylic resin. 

Blanco Adon XL 6S Silgranit Kitchen Sink, £669, Sink World.

Fabulous one-and-a half bowl kitchen sink in a white finish. Attractive step-design bowls. Can be under-mounted. Waste kit sold separately. Ceramic. 

Reginox Inset Kitchen Sink, £285, Wayfair.

Attractive single round-bowl kitchen sink. Reversible, allowing for left or right-handed drainer and supplied with waste kit, foam sealing strip and sound-deadening pads. Stainless steel with satin finish. 

Single Round Bowl Stainless-steel Kitchen Sink, £109, Wickes.

Inset kitchen sink suitable for over or under-counter mounting. Finished in glossy white. The look of a butler sink but split into two same-size bowls for extra practicality. Fireclay ceramic. 

RAK Ceramics Gourmet Double Bowl Kitchen Sink, £209, Worldstores.