When picking out appliances for your new kitchen, don’t forget to take the time to pick the perfect sink. The kitchen sink is where you will spend many hours rinsing vegetables, washing dishes, and getting water, so choosing a functional and attractive design is essential to having a functional kitchen.
One of the most important elements of your kitchen sink will be the size. If you are designing a new kitchen, it can be challenging to determine which size sink will be proportionate to your kitchen and appropriate to your needs. Read on for some helpful tips on choosing between kitchen sink sizes.
Overall Kitchen Size
The first element to look at is the size of the kitchen. If your kitchen is smaller, you will want to be discerning about how every square inch of real estate is used. For instance, a large kitchen sink will take up precious counter and cabinet space.
On the other hand, if you are dealing with a larger kitchen, you will want to consider which type of large sink would work best. A sink that’s too small will look a little silly in a larger space, but getting a sink that’s too oversized will shrink the space and make it seem crowded.
As a general rule, most people find that a 150 square foot kitchen can handle a sink that is up to 24 inches wide. This standard kitchen sink size can be a useful starting point for deciding what will work best in your kitchen.
Cabinet Size
Another helpful measurement guide is the cabinet that will be directly below the sink location. Naturally, the larger the sink, the larger the base cabinet required to house it. To determine the largest sink size that will work with your base cabinet, measure the inside width of the cabinet, but subtract a couple of inches.
If you are also selecting new cabinetry, it is good to choose your sink in tandem with the cabinets. This way, you can ensure that the cabinets you choose—especially the cabinet that will be the base cabinet for the sink—are the right size for the kitchen sink.
Window Size
Think About Your Everyday Needs
You should also think about what kind of tasks you will regularly do with this kitchen sink. For those who wash large amounts of dishes by hand, you may want a larger sink with plenty of space, ideally with a divided bowl.
Consider the typical sizes of the dishes that you use most frequently—you wouldn’t want a sink that doesn’t have enough space for the baking sheet you use multiple times a week. It’s also worth remembering how many people are in your household and if any young children go through lots of bottles or sippy cups.
Alternatively, if you aren’t an avid cook or live alone, a small kitchen sink may work just fine, and you can go ahead and use the space and money on the oversized sink of your dreams.
Consider Getting a Statement Sink
To flex your interior design muscles, you may want to play around with a statement sink. Some sinks are rather plain and basic, but there are plenty of funky designs that will make your kitchen sink the star of the show.
Get an oversized sink in a unique material or design, such as a bronze or copper apron sink. You could also get a sink with a pop of color. On the smaller end of the spectrum, if you don’t have lots of dishes to deal with, consider getting a sink with an attractive geometric shape, such as a narrow rectangle or curved oval.
Final Thoughts
You will be spending a lot of time at your kitchen sink. So it’s worth it to put in some research and choose the right size and style for your home. We hope this list helps guide you in selecting the best size sink for your kitchen.