You’ve got your sink basin, which is the star of the show. Below it, you’ll find the drain tailpiece, that straight metal pipe that drops straight down. Then comes the P-trap, which is the curved hero that smells like a hero because it keeps sewer gas out of your kitchen. Finally, you’ll meet the wall pipe, which is the grumpy exit that leads to the great beyond (aka your septic system or city sewer).
You also need a few tools, but don’t panic. You don’t need a full-on construction hat. Grab an adjustable wrench, a bucket (for the inevitable splash of “old sink water”), and some plumber’s putty. Oh, and a flashlight—because nothing is more fun than dropping a tiny rubber washer into the dark void under your cabinet.