Kitchen sink accessories buying guide

Sink mat

Sink mats are designed to protect your dishes from breakage while washing up. Placed at the bottom of the basin, these mats will protect your breakable items from heavy pots and pans. You can also use a mat for drying dishes either on its own or combined with a drying rack. Sink mats come in a range of materials:

• PVC - thick, strong and easy to clean;

• viscose or polyester - absorbent, flexible and good for drying;

• rubber - resistant to grease and hot water, and non-slip;

• silicone - versatile, stylish and hygienic.

Drying rack

One of the most important accessories in your kitchen, a drying rack allows your clean dishes to dry without marking the worktop. They can be made of:

• plastic - lightweight and durable;

• stainless steel - rust-resistant;

• silicone - for easy drainage;

• bamboo - good value and exotic look.

To make the right choice, you'll need to think about ease of use and maintenance requirements, as well as the size of the item compared to the space it will be used in.

Colander

Perfectly designed for washing fruit and vegetables directly over the sink, colanders can be made to fit any sink. Colanders can be made of:

• stainless steel - more expensive to purchase, but solid and easy to clean;

• plastic - lightweight and affordable;

• silicone - similar to plastic.

Over-sink chopping board

If you are looking to extend your worktop, you can purchase a chopping board designed to fit directly over the sink. This handy accessory can be used as a chopping board and a colander and is generally made of wood. 

Washing up liquid dispenser

Both practical and stylish, a washing up liquid dispenser will make washing up much easier and help to limit the bacteria growth caused by regular dish soap. These dispensers come in a range of materials, including:

• PVC - lightweight and hygienic, contemporary in style;

• stainless steel - durable and ultra-modern;

• exotic wood - for a Feng Shui or seaside kitchen decor;

• porcelain - fragile but offers classic style and improved hygiene (easy to clean).

To find out more about kitchen design, check out the following guides:

How to organise a small kitchenHow to create an open-plan kitchenFitted kitchen buying guideKitchen bin buying guide