Farmhouse sinks come in various sizes to accommodate the varying needs of families and the different sizes of kitchens. In a larger kitchen, opt for a larger sink so that it looks in proportion with the space, and choose a smaller sink in a smaller kitchen.
Farmhouse sinks can also be a great choice in laundry rooms because they are deep enough to hand wash clothing in or pre-rinse heavily soiled items.
If you are buying a farmhouse sink for use in a laundry room with the intention of washing clothing, then opt for a medium to large-sized sink so that it will be able to accommodate the water and clothing without spilling over the top.
Farmhouse Sink Sizes
Small
A farmhouse sink that is considered to be small will be between 20 and 24 inches in length. The length measurement is taken going from one side of the sink to the other, while the width measurement is taken going from the front of the sink (where you stand) to the back of the sink (where it meets the backsplash).
The depth or height of a farmhouse sink is fairly standard and will remain the same dimension irrelevant of the rest of the measurements, typically between 8 and 10 inches. The width of a farmhouse sink will be much the same as a standard sink because this is dictated by the width of the countertop. Ordinarily, a farmhouse sink will have a width measurement of around 33 inches.
Medium
A medium farmhouse sink will be between 8 to 10 inches in height, around 33 inches in width, and have a length of 30 to 40 inches. This is the most common size of farmhouse sink and will be a single sink as opposed to a double sink. This is a great size sink for preparing food or for washing large pots and pans.
Large
A large farmhouse sink will have a height of between 8 and 10 inches, a width of around 33 inches, and a length of between 40 and 60 inches. These sinks can come in single or double options.
If you want to use your farmhouse sink primarily for washing large items, then a single sink will be preferable, but if you want to wash dishes while preparing food in your other sink (for example, washing salad or draining pasta), then a double sink will be useful. The larger your sink is, the more money you can expect to pay for it.
Advantages of Farmhouse Sinks
Stylish
Farmhouse sinks help to create a classic look in a kitchen that can work in a wide range of styles. They are not just for use in farmhouse-style homes or cottages and can, in fact, also be utilized in modern and contemporary properties.
Farmhouse sinks are typically made from porcelain, but you can also find farmhouse-style sinks made from stainless steel for a more industrial look or even farmhouse sinks made from copper or marble.
Accommodates larger pans
One reason many people love farmhouse sinks is that they create so much more usable sink space. If you are a keen chef or baker, or you have lots of large pans to feed a big family, then you will find a farmhouse sink that can fit so many more things in it compared to a standard sink.
Farmhouse sinks are deeper than regular sinks, making it easier to clean large pots and pans that don’t fit into a dishwasher. If you do a lot of food preparation over the sink, then you will also appreciate the extra space a farmhouse sink offers.
Disadvantages of Farmhouse Sinks
More expensive
Farmhouse sinks are, more often than not, considerably more expensive than standard sinks, typically coming in at double the price. If you are trying to keep the costs down for your kitchen renovation, then a farmhouse sink might be an expense too far. However, if you have your heart set on a farmhouse sink, then the cost might be worth it.
You should also consider the fact that a farmhouse sink could make your home more appealing to prospective buyers, making it easier to sell or more valuable, and in this sense, the increased cost of the sink would mean it had paid for itself.
Complex install
A farmhouse sink is significantly more complex to install compared with a typical sink. You can expect that your countertops are going to need to be cut down, and your cabinets will also need to be reduced in size. This is because farmhouse sinks are larger than standard sinks, both in terms of the amount of countertop space they take up and in terms of depth.
This means the cabinet underneath your sink will need to be smaller. If you previously had a standard sink, then your plumbing will also need to be adjusted so that it fits with a farmhouse sink.
Takes up more space
Farmhouse sinks take up more space than standard-sized kitchen sinks, and while this is great in one sense because they create more space inside the sink for washing dishes or preparing food, they also reduce the amount of countertop space available.
If you have limited countertop space already, then the installation of a farmhouse sink could reduce this even further and result in a kitchen that is not very functional.
Can stain or chip
Farmhouse sinks are most commonly available in porcelain. This makes for a very classic and high-end style of sink, but unfortunately, it is not the most practical material for a sink. Porcelain does have a tendency to stain, particularly if you cook using spices, and you will find over time that the white porcelain looks faded or yellowed.
It can also chip, for example, if you accidentally drop a heavy pan in it, and these are very difficult to fix. Many people also find that porcelain farmhouse sinks result in more dishes and glasses being smashed or broken compared to stainless steel or composite sinks.
