What to Know Before Buying a Farmhouse Sink
If you want a large apron front sink in your kitchen, you’ll want to read these things to know before buying a farmhouse sink.
It’s been over a year since we finished our Blue & White two toned kitchen remodel. Even though it was a big job, I have never regretted the craziness that is a kitchen remodel.
One of the big elements we added to our kitchen was a large farmhouse sink. I had been coveting big beautiful, single-basin, apron front sinks for a while and knew I wanted it in our kitchen.
As much as I love our farmhouse sink, there were some surprises we learned during our kitchen remodel. Large apron front sinks are different than a regular sink. Here are some things I wish I had known before buying a farmhouse sink.
Farmhouse sinks are not cheap
My dream was to have a large, single-basin, white apron front sink. Typically, sinks of this kind come with a price tag ranging from $1000 to $2000—equivalent to the cost of all the wood we needed to build our kitchen cabinets!
After extensive research, I discovered a wonderful, more budget-friendly farmhouse sink that I adore. However, even this option set us back over $500 for just the sink.
If a traditional farmhouse sink doesn’t fit your budget, don’t worry. There are alternative options available. Stainless steel apron front sinks, for instance, are considerably more affordable.
For those seeking a wallet-friendly solution, Ikea offers an apron front white sink option. However, it’s not as deep as a traditional farmhouse sink and features a sink divider. They also have a newer, smaller version without a sink divider.
Be aware of hidden costs
When tackling a kitchen remodel or refresh, budgeting is essential. If you’re considering adding a farmhouse sink to your space, it’s crucial to be aware of potential hidden costs so you can budget accordingly. We were caught off guard by a few unexpected expenses along the way.
If you’re planning to install a garbage disposal with your farmhouse sink, you’ll likely need to purchase an extended flange to properly attach it. Most farmhouse sinks have thicker walls, making a standard flange incompatible.
While a flange might seem like a minor expense, I was surprised to discover how costly it can be when searching for the right one. In fact, the extended flange can sometimes approach the price of the garbage disposal itself, so it’s important to budget accordingly.
Additionally, due to the deeper basin of an apron front sink compared to a standard sink, you may need to make adjustments to your plumbing to ensure proper drainage. Fortunately, our previous sink had a suitable lower drain, but if not, hiring a plumber may be necessary—an expense that adds up quickly.
Farmhouse sinks are large
Including this point in the list may seem obvious, as farmhouse sinks are renowned for their size—it’s a key part of their charm. However, I didn’t fully grasp the scale until it was actually installed.
Filling the sink with water takes considerably longer than expected, as does draining it. For tasks involving only a few items, like washing dishes or fruits, I often opt to use a large bowl in the sink instead of filling it up.
The sheer size of the sink also means sacrificing a significant amount of under-sink storage space. Installing a garbage disposal exacerbates this issue, so it’s crucial to measure your under-sink area carefully to ensure everything fits snugly.
To maximize storage space, we’ve had to get creative and rearrange our under-sink storage setup. Some items even had to be relocated to the linen closet to make room.
Dishes are easier to break
For some reason, we’ve experienced far more dish breakages in our farmhouse sink over the past year than we did in our standard porcelain sink over the course of 15 years.
We attribute this to the deeper basin of the farmhouse sink, which means items have a greater distance to fall if they slip from your grasp. Additionally, the larger surface area at the bottom of the sink makes it easier for objects to tip over.
After a mishap that resulted in the shattering of the lid to my $250 Le Creuset casserole dish (fortunately, the sink remained intact), I invested in a sink bottom grid. Since adding it to the sink, we haven’t had a single broken dish.
However, keeping the grid clean can be a bit of a hassle. We find it helpful to rinse the sink thoroughly after each use (although this can be challenging with kids around) and then give it a deep scrub once a week.
White sinks stain easily
This issue isn’t exclusive to farmhouse sinks; we encountered similar challenges with our traditional two-basin porcelain sink. However, it’s worth highlighting, especially for those accustomed to the easier maintenance of stainless steel sinks.
Once again, ensuring thorough rinsing after each use goes a long way in preventing staining. Using a sink bottom grid is effective in safeguarding the sink from scratches caused by dishes. Scratches tend to attract stains more readily.
It’s important to avoid leaving metal dishes in the sink as well. We learned this the hard way when the feet of our cooling rack left rust spots on our beautiful white sink.
Fortunately, stains aren’t necessarily permanent. I tackle them with a weekly deep clean using a microfiber cloth and my preferred cleaner: Branch Basics All Purpose mixed with their Oxygen Boost (click this link for $10 off). Not only is this cleaner non-toxic, which is a plus, but it also leaves my fireclay sink looking bright white and free from stains.
Installation can be tricky
Many contractors are hesitant about installing farmhouse sinks due to the complexities involved. However, we opted to install our own sink and found the process quite manageable.
To streamline the installation, we designed the sink base cabinet to fit the sink specifications (I also built our kitchen cabinets). This eliminated the need for any modifications to the cabinets.
We then installed 2×4 braces directly into the cabinets after installation, ensuring everything was level with extra care and attention.
Farmhouse sinks are incredibly heavy, especially when filled with water, which can increase the risk of cracking if the installation is not done properly. To mitigate this risk, we conducted extensive research before attempting our DIY farmhouse sink installation. We took the time to double-check every step along the way, ensuring a smooth and problem-free installation process. Thanks to our thorough approach, we encountered no issues, and I would confidently install a farmhouse sink again in the future!
Why I Love My Farmhouse Sink
All these considerations before purchasing a large apron front sink are not meant to discourage you. In fact, every day I use mine, I fall more in love with it.
The spacious basin has been a delight for various tasks, and the striking presence of the bold sink never fails to impress visitors. So, to conclude, here’s the top reason why you’ll adore your farmhouse sink too.
5 Reason’s To Pick a Farmhouse Sink
- The large, deep bowl of the sink makes it effortless to fill and clean large pots and pans.
- Bathing babies or small animals in the kitchen sink is a breeze, eliminating the need to bend over a tub.
- With the front of the sink conveniently at belly level, there’s no need to lean over the counter, reducing back strain compared to standard sinks.
- When company is coming over, you can easily conceal a pile of dirty dishes in the sink.
- The stunning white apron serves as a statement piece for your kitchen.
If you’ve been considering investing in a spacious and stylish farmhouse sink for your kitchen, I hope this guide has provided valuable insights into the challenges that may come with it. Being an informed buyer and DIYer is always preferable to finding yourself unprepared for the task at hand.
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