As our arms continue to recover from our recent kitchen priming and painting marathon (shared here this morning) we thought we’d take it down a notch or two with a post about sinks. That’s right, it’s like a slow jam following a spirited chicken dance or an energetic Macarena.
One thing’s that been fascinating about owning our second home is comparing its features to our first home and noting pros and cons (especially as we think about what improvements we want to make). There are many things that we prefer over our previous digs – like the larger rooms, opens hallways, en suite master bath, etc. And of course some things that make us miss our old set-up, such as our former more open laundry area, enclosed garage, etc. But when it comes to some things, we’re still unsure if they’re upgrades or downgrades… like our kitchen sink.
It’s a deep single sink (call me Captain Obvious). I like it. No, wait, I love it. I think. Okay, no, it’s probably just a like. Honestly I can’t decide whether or not I prefer it over the double sink that we had in our last kitchen (seen below).
Why do I love the single sink? It fits everything. Okay, not literally – but at least I finally can get my pots and pans (including handles!) fully in the sink to clean them. Seems silly, but the double sink we chose for the last kitchen did get on my nerves sometimes. Pan handles would protrude over the countertop. Water would splash everywhere during half-submerged rinse sessions. Frustrated husbands would curse the act of doing dishes. So this new situation is a welcome relief (the pan shown is 22″ including handles).
Some of the few of you who were reading way-back-then even questioned our double-sink decision. But despite my affection for the our single sink, I don’t completely regret choosing a double. Here’s why:
Now that I’m without a “Washing Side” and a “Drying Side” my pans end up on the counter post-wash. Yes, I realize it looks lame and messy (and that our pans are definitely past-their-prime). I know we could get a drying rack, but (no offense drying rack makers of the world) it’s hard to find something that looks good enough to earn a permanent spot on the already-limited counter space (my crazy pot drying method above only means that the side of the sink is occupied for an hour or two after dinner as opposed to hosting a drying rack 24/7). This is where my parents would probably tell me just to buck up, dry them by hand, and put them away immediately. But yeah, that’s not going to happen.
The other thing that makes us indecisive about this set up is the faucet placement. Usually we’re fans of a centered faucet, but such a square shaped sink must have required it be nudged to one side (it doesn’t look like it would have fit in the center). But in a surprise turn of sink-related events I’ve been enjoying the ability to fill up a pot while it rests on the counter (rather than having to hold it as it grows heavier with water in the sink). Life’s small pleasures, ya know?
In the end, we’re not planning to replace this sink and I’m still not sure which I prefer – though I think I now lean towards the single sink camp. What about you guys. Are you on the fence too? Or do you feel passionately about one set up over the other?
Sandy says
Wow!! I will never look at a sink the same way again! Thanks for the input!! I’m also a big fan of the farmhouse single sink… IT’s DREAMY!! By the way, I love that John does dishes!!
Amanda- Hip House Girl says
I had the same dilemma and went with a single (less calories, too!). I love my single sink for the exact reasons you do. And I LOVE that I can fill up a pot while it sits on the counter (my faucet is centered but has one of those pull-out snakey hose thingies)- life’s small pleasures indeed! I say: Keep enjoying the luxury of a single, deep sink, and just suck it up and let the pots dry for an hour after dinner. It’s worth it.
Katie says
The old condo I lived in had a dishwasher that didn’t wash well at all, so I ended up doing all the dishes by hand and just loading them into the dishwasher to air dry. Worked like a charm, no drying rack, no electricity because I didn’t turn it on, and the dishes were always clean in there! :)
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
My mil’s sink is the best of both worlds. A huge, deep sink for washing and a much shallower,smaller area for drying if you wish, but it also has the garbage disposal in it. I envy it every single time I’m there. We have a double sink. Plenty deep but I really wish one side was bigger than the other for washing ease.
Kyle says
I love me some single sink unless the double sink is as big as two single sinks put together…drool.
BethanyB says
It is nice to have options. me and my husband live in an apartment that only has one sink. Unlike yours, ours isn’t that wide and the faucet doesn’t reach over so I still have to fill the pots while holding them. As for the drying rack? I let the dishes dry on the rack and then immediately put them away and hide the rack in a spare cabinet until I do dishes again.
Leda Rockoff says
These are very popular in Europe and I really am thinking about installing it in my own home, the idea of drying dishes tucked discretely away is the stuff that dreams are made of.
http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/a/kitchens/hidden-kitchen-storage-08.jpg
Jim says
Wow!! Love love love the color choice! Then again I pretty much like all shades off green & love the freshness of this color. It’s an amazing transformation!
I have to say that after playing the video I was in hysterics over the two guy Macarena singers doing their little dance! Is this really the original video & lyrics!!! What were we all thinking!?
Mat & 70/30 deep sink camp :)
YoungHouseLove says
I know, right? The world once embraced this video as current and cool. I guess it’s like anything else (wood paneling for example). Haha. Everything has its day!
xo,
s
flyingbird says
I love a double sink, the left side on ours is very deep so we can wash the biggest pots easily (along with our pull-down sprayer faucet). When we remodeled we brought our biggest stockpot dimensions to the plumbing store to check on sink size. I also like having the split because as I cook, if I am doing prep with raw meat/eggs the “contaminated” knives/boards can go into one side for rinsing/bleaching while the other side of the sink is still available for normal washing.
As far as drying racks, we use a sleek stainless steel one for the little stuff that doesn’t go into our dishwasher, but I have now been tempted by the Boon “Lawn” rack (originally saw the “Grass” at Chez Larsson):
http://www.booninc.com/products/Lawn
SO CUTE.
Amanda says
I have a double sink and still leave pots/pans on the counter. I’m with you, Sherry! I’ve left my 24/7 drying rack back in college. I use one side to wash, one side to rise, then I let dry on the counter. I find putting a kitchen towel below the pots/pans, leaves the counter a little less wet. :)
Pamela T says
Nothing wrong with your pots/pans that some Bar Keeper’s Friend wouldn’t fix.
And I don’t have enough counter space for a drying rack. We just use one of these: pots pans and knives are dry, we fold it up and put it away too.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=16675261
Jill says
Oh I love my big giant sink, but wish I had one with the attached drain board! Then there’s a perfect place for drying items.
dana says
Not-related-to-current-post-comment: Just saw Katie Bower on today’s Nate Berkus Show (DVRed to watch when I got home from work). What a nice segment.She’s a charming girl and Will made quite a cute appearance in the video!
YoungHouseLove says
Isn’t she so cute! Her accent makes me melt.
xo,
s
Lisa Meyer says
I went the way of a 70/30 sink when we did our kitchen remodel. The bigger side is deep and will hold just about anything except, well, the kitchen sink. The smaller side works well for washing vegetables, etc (it’s shallow) and that’s the side the garbage disposal is on. But, if I had it to do all over again I think I’d go the 60/40 route as my BFF did.
Jessica says
I DESPISE not being able to fit the whole pan in the sink for washing. If I’m having a double sink, it had best fit all pots and pans. Otherwise? Boooooo.
Carly says
I am a double sink fan because like you, I like to have a side to wash and a side to dry and I also don’t put dishes away immediately after I’m done washing them. And, I hate having an ugly drying rack take up counter space. Even a gold-plated, bedazzled drying rack wouldn’t be pretty enough to put on the counter, they just don’t look good. But, I will confess, someday I want a giant basin of a sink like Paula Deen has on her cooking show. It’s so deep you pile dishes for days before you have to see them!
Lisa says
In a best-of-both-worlds situation, my parents redesigned their kitchen about 15 years ago and custom made their own sink out of Corian which seamlessly joins the countertops. They got a huge main sink that can fit any of their long-handled pans, and a smaller, shallower second sink. The faucet goes between them (and has one of those extender things so they can pull it out for extra distance if necessary). I think if I were ever going to design my own kitchen, I’d do the same thing.
kelly says
We love our wall hung ss dish drainer that folds away against the wall (ikea), and if dishes overflow we just lay them on a dish towel. The sink is a deep 70/30(?); which is great for washing big pans/ hiding unwashed dishes. The skinny side is a bit shallower and is good for rinsing, draining, and filling with ice & drinks for parties! We have our insta-hot/cold centered on that side too.
here’s hoping one of these links work:
http://madisonsquare.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/kr-kitchen-14.jpg
http://madisonsquare.wordpress.com/projects/kitchen/
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- what a gorgeous room!
xo,
s
Mary @ stylefyles says
The deeper the better. I really like to go at it while washing dishes and never fail to splash water EVERYWHERE. As far as double vs. single, in general I have no preference – however, if limited counter space would restrict the width, I would always choose a wide single over two slender doubles. Because space is everything for me. At my current residence, we have a double sink AND a drying rack. When I bake, I manage to use a bajillion dishes. So one set piles in the dirty side, I use the second sink to actually clean, and then place the clean dish on the drying rack until I’m done.
Jackie @ House Envy says
You just made my day! Thank you!
tallin says
Double sinks! I swear they save water and time when you’re hand washing. Here’s how:
I stack all the dirty dishes on one side. The second side is for scrubbed, but not-yet-rinsed dishes. After everything is scrubbed, I rinse them all at once. By the time you’ve rinsed half of the stuff in there, the water coming off the dishes has rendered the other half of your items soap free!
Otherwise you scrub and rinse each piece one by one? Time and water consuming!
Angela N says
When we moved into our current new house we had the builder put in a full sized single sink. I love it!! It’s more like a giant tub! Would have been perfect if my kids were still at the age to be in a baby tub. I did have to add a drying rack to the counter (just a basic silver one) but we have the counter space to leave it out so it’s not that big of a deal. It will be hard if we ever move to go back to a double, I think.
kathy says
Last year when we remodeled our kitchen, we got a deal on Silestone counters, which oncluded a free stainless steel sink…but the choices were limited. We ended up with the same double stainless sink you guys used to have, which is great, but If I’d had the choice I would’ve gone with the same size single rectangular sink. That divider just gets in the way too much. Anyway, I still love my new kitchen after living with the old one for 10 yrs. :-)
Erin says
Just a little FYI, here is the perfect compromise to your sink dilemma: http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?from=thumb&frm=null&module=Kitchen+Sinks&item=14145902&prod_num=6411-1§ion=1&category=5&resultPage=0-1817734969
The sink comes with a drying rack for each side of the sink, and a basket strainer that fits over the small side of the sink, AND a cutting board that fits over part of the large side of the sink. Plus, having a half height middle divider allows the handles from pots and pans to comfortably fit in the large side of the sink. It is AMAZING and totally worth the $500 price tag.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for all the sink suggestions guys! As John mentioned (sort of hidden at the end of the post) we’re not looking to change out our sink- just chatting about the pros and cons of each type (we thought it would be interesting to hear what you guys think about the whole sink debate). But thanks again for all the links and the recommendations!
xo,
s
Cindy says
I just use a kitchen towel (something I already have on hand and out anyway) to dry my dishes on. My kitchen is so tiny I can’t imagine having one more thing on the counter or in my cupboards (like a drying mat or rack). Alternatively, my mom is a big fan of using the top rack of her dishwasher to dry things. I’m not sure how it is always empty though… mine is always full.
Donita says
I too, have never heard of a drying mat!! BUMMER!!! It took me FOREVER to find a dish rack that I didn’t mind leaving on the counter. I actually found it at Walmart *Fred Meyers has them as well.* Mine is chrome, with a clearish silverware pocket, and a clearish mat for underneath. I leave it up all the time, as we have several chrome things in the kitchen and a 1950’s ish decor. ;-) LOVE YOUR SINK!!!!
Chris says
As long as it has a garbage disposal. I’m fine with either!
B says
I am a fan of our double sink. One side has a garburator that comes in handy although I never grew up with one so I often forget to use it. As far as double sink depth you can get extra deep ones. My Dad got a stainless steel extra deep double sink from the Restore and uses it for his wine making. I’m not sure how many inches deep but it is a noticeable difference from regular double sinks.
Sonya says
Sounds like your first double sink was a builder special – a cheap, shallow sink that a builder wouldn’t necessarily want to live with. My double sink is deep, and can fit my pots and pans.
If you were going to add new cupboards, you might consider a cupboard over the sink that doubles as a dish drying rack like is used widely in Europe. There are usually two or three metal, rack-like wire shelves in the cupboard instead of ordinary shelves; put the dishes on the shelves immidiately after drying, close the door, and they drain into the sink below and dry out of sight, already put away. Might be challenging for the shorty in the family. Here’s an example: http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/a/kitchens/hidden-kitchen-storage-08.jpg
Rachael says
I have a double sink and I still set my dishes on the counter to dry! I use the left side for gathering/soaking/washing and the right side for holding soapy dishes and rinsing them, then I lay them on a towel to dry! I don’t have the fancy drying mat, but I just toss the towel in the laundry every other night and bust out a new one when I need it! And we have a collapsable drying rack from ikea that folds up and fits in a drawer. I don’t know if I could switch to a single sink, but I guess I would if I had to!
Michelle W. says
Have you considered a drying mat? Haha, I’m totally joking! I always like to read the comments as I learn so much from your followers, but gotta admit that I’ve been laughing outloud as everyone is mentioning the drying mat. Love it! :)
Maleah says
Someone might have already mentioned this, but we have a dish drying mat from BBB and you pull it out when you need it, put the wet pots and pans on it, and then fold it up after you are done and put it away (and after its dry of course so it doesnt mildew!) We wash it quite often as well, and we have really liked it.
Karri says
Wellll….we only have room for a single sink. So that’s what we had to get when we redid our kitchen. (btw – i put the drying rack away when the pots are done drying. its a folding one, so it tucks away nicely). I can honestly say I’ve never had a double, so I can’t compare.
Alison says
I think a double sink is a must have! Where do you all rinse your dishes if the sink is full of soapy water and dishes? I like one sink to wash and one sink to rinse….
sonja says
We weighed the same considerations for our kitchen renovation and opted for an undermount low-rise divide sink. (http://mrdirectint.com/sinksandfaucets/half-divide-stainless-steel-kitchen-sink-p-148N.html) The undermount allows extra clearance for tall pots and vases. And the low divide makes room for pot/pan handles, cookie sheets, double burner skillets, etc. If this sink came 1″ deeper, I would probably take it, but I don’t think it would improve our lives dramatically.
On the pot filling front: our retractable faucet lets us fill on the counter as well.
Laurel says
We got an enormous blanco single sink when we installed granite and I LOVE it. It can fit anything. Really, like a half-sized sheet pan to soak plus a saucepan. It’s epic.
Jaime says
Hi guys! Sorry you had so much trouble with the walls…but they do look amazeballs now! : ) The Hubs and I are getting our plan together to re-do our kitchen. I have always loved the look of a farmhouse sink, but have always had a double sink. I think you just sold me on the single though! Thanks! I do have a very personal question for you though. : ) Could you give me more info about the countertops in your old house? I am in love with that countertop!
YoungHouseLove says
They were called Pashmina through Home Depot (but from a local stoneyard since they partner locally with stone folks). So it might not be called Pashmina everywhere but ask for stone that’s gray and veiny like marble with garnet flecks. Good luck!
xo,
s
Lori says
We have your standard double sink which I like since we handwash our dishes every night. We have a regular dish drainer to the side that does the job. Instead of drying your pots on the side of your sink you can stick them on the stove and let them air dry that way. Then they aren’t in the way by the sink. That’s what we do.
Jaimie says
We have a double sink, and it isn’t convenient at all. I’ve never used one side as a “drying” side. I’d much rather have one large single sink instead.
Leslie Ann says
My parents installed a nice double sink that had the combined advantages of both your new and old sinks: one side is larger and deeper, it even extends back further than the smaller side. It was awesome, since it was MUUUCH easier to bathe our Chihuahuas in the deeper, wider sink. They dislike baths, so they tended to stand their fore legs up on the edge of the sink, dripping/splashing soapy water all over the sink.
also, this may be a silly question, but why don’t you guys lay a dishtowel underneath your dishes when you are drying them on the counter? I find that if my pots are contained neatly on a towel, they don’t look all that messy.
YoungHouseLove says
Sometimes I do that. John, not as much. Boys! Haha.
xo,
s
heather says
We have a farmhouse enameled kitchen sink in our IwishIreallyhadafarmhouse house. Unlike the double sink above, it’s actually an offset double sink. One side is larger than the other and it’s pretty deep which I love. I’m completely with you on the drying rack. We keep one under the sink because my bro-in-law likes using it when he does the dishes. I prefer to put 2 kitchen towels down, put the dishes on that to dry and then just wash them after. Leaves a clean counter without an ugly drying rack!
Ali says
I love that we are having detailed discussions about sinks, but it excites me. I think we’ve arrived, folks. ;)
We have a double and honestly, I hate it. I don’t know why, but it skeeves me out to use one side as a drying side and I hate drying racks, too. But I just like one big, deep single sink so everything fits. The other issue is that there’s always one side with the disposal and then the other side just with a regular drain. Somehow, chunks of food always end up on the regular side, and then I have to touch them and get them into the disposal. Gross. Let’s just simplify and have one sink!
P.S. I love that you can fill your pots with the faucet placement! That would excite me, too. :)
Shannon says
I totally read your first sentence as “a post about STINKS,” instead of sinks. I was beginning to think it must be a pretty slow news day in the Petersik house if you were talking about smelly feet or stinky diapers!
Kathleen says
A solution to your drying method is a drying mat from Bed Bath and Beyond (or I’ve seen them at Fred Meyer). I love mine, and it was an impulse buy! The best part is that it doesn’t take up real estate on the counter except while it’s in use, and the rest of the time it’s in a drawer.
Katherine O says
I know that one day I want a large, deep farmhouse sink – and those are generally a single sink, although they now make them in double. But I like the clean look of a deep single sink, and you can’t beat that faucet turning to fill up your pan like that!
We are getting ready to buy our first home so maybe my farmhouse sink isn’t that far off of a dream for me anymore…(happy sigh).
I think your sink is awesome.
Leslie Ann says
The double sink has a centered faucet (well, very close to center, the faucet is behind the smaller side), so it does not have the advantage of filling a pot with water next to the sink. BUT the same thing can be accomplished with an extendable sprayer!
Christy B. says
I wonder what little Clara thinks each time she wakes up in the morning… “where am I? why do I wake up to a new place every morning?”
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- we always used to joke that Burger probably thought it was normal to move all of your furniture out of the house every month and repaint something. Now Clara will get used to that too!
xo,
s
aileen says
we just redid our kitchen and got this sink
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Ticor-Stainless-Steel-16-gauge-Undermount-Kitchen-Sink/3666347/product.html
we LOVE it. pots, pans and handles fit perfectly. We use a drying rack, but put it under the sink after use. like another commentor, we place our pots and pans in a warm oven to quicken the dry time so we’re not left with things drying on the rack for too long.
:)
Laura says
I’m a single sink gal! There’s way more space to wash the big pots and pans, and we just put them on a drying mat on the counter. Yeah, they stay there a little while, but I think it’s more sanitary to have the dishes dry out of the sink instead of in the germs. I read somewhere that there are more germs in the kitchen sink than there are in the bathroom. I can’t attest to the truth of this, but it does ick me out.
Liz says
When we first moved into our house, it had a double-sink. We thought it was a cool concept–sort of a novelty (since we had both grown up in single-sink households). However, when we did our kitchen over, we opted for the single-sink…mainly because it took up less counter-space, which was already at a premium. But also because like you, we found that the double sink got so ANNOYING–not as functional as it seems, folks! As far as the faucet–our sink and faucet setup is a lot like yours is currently. Sometimes I have wished we had gone with an apron-front farmhouse sink with a centered faucet…mainly because of aesthetics. I love the functionality of the corner faucet and deep single-sink…and it does give a nice seamless flow to the counter.