ᐅ Building permit/planning permission with lead time; flush-mounted sink only available from IKEA

Hello,

we are planning a quartz countertop from IKEA, but we are still in the middle of the kitchen planning process.

Setting the material aside for now, with some countertops that require lead time (i.e., the custom-measured countertop), you can order a flush-mounted sink at the same time.

Now, it is possible that I might want a different, higher-quality sink. Since I also need a temporary solution, I could install the higher-quality sink in the temporary countertop. But will it still fit flush with the final custom-made IKEA countertop?

Maybe someone has a tip for me. Best regards, Hochglanz

Good thought, but I have to stop you there—flush-mount sinks are or must be installed into the countertop at the factory.
So, the decision comes down to what is more important to you: a stone countertop from Ikea, which means you’ll have to live with an Ikea sink,
or
a sink from another source, for example Blanco (which I like) — then you need to find a stonemason or kitchen studio who can measure your kitchen after a temporary setup with a provisional countertop (the cheapest stainless steel sink), create a template, and then deliver and install the stone countertop including the flush-mount sink.
Or option 3:
A flush-mount sink is not that important — Ikea kitchen with a Blanco sink (did I mention I like them?) then have the sink installed in the provisional countertop and afterwards fitted into the stone. Note that you will need the complete documentation (dimension sketches, installation manual) of the sink when ordering the countertop for the cutout.

My favorite from Blanco is Anthracite because tea or coffee stains and other marks are less visible. There are also matching faucets in the same finish, by the way, from other manufacturers as well.

But did I mention I like them?

Good morning,

thank you very much for your friendly feedback.

Which Blanco sink do you have? There are three different base units available.

Personally, I would prefer granite, but my husband really wants to install LED light strips under the countertop again, just like in our current kitchen. These are connected to a motion sensor, so when I enter the kitchen, a nice light immediately turns on. (I’m not a fan of full, intense lighting.)
Another advantage is that every drawer that is opened is very well illuminated.

Since the quartz countertop from Ikea is only a surface layer—not solid quartz throughout but rather a carrier that holds the material—a groove can be cut into it. (I even think I saw this at the kitchen showroom in the Swedish furniture store, so it might come like this from the factory.)
This is not possible with granite, or only at a very high extra cost.

Unfortunately, there are no first-hand user experiences available online at all! Not even here.

Regards,
Hochglanz01

What kind of groove?

Hello,

with the quartz stone countertop and a freestanding kitchen, we noticed a groove directly below the countertop.

But even if it was created internally by them for whatever reason... at least the core material of the quartz is noticeably softer compared to, for example, a granite slab.
Otherwise, the LED light strip would stick out too much, and the drawers (or their fronts) would no longer open or close completely, since the fronts are flush with the cabinet carcass.

Best regards,
Hochglanz

Oh, now I understand. Granite countertops are usually not solid either; they typically have a particle board underneath. It shouldn’t be particularly difficult to create a recess for the lighting. The quartz slabs also do not consist of pure quartz on the surface but are a composite made of quartz and a polymer resin.