Sinks: Placement in the Kitchen

Of all the time spent in a kitchen, whether you are a chef connoisseur or a microwave enthusiast, you will spend most of it in front of that darn sink! Why? Because there will always be dishes to do. Thus it deserves some careful consideration in placement and design. The main goal with sink placement in the kitchen is to turn washing dishes into to a more pleasant experience. Here are four common, well-designed sink placements that take into account functionality and lifestyle.

On the corner This is a great option when the location of the kitchen offers a corner window view. It allows for ample counter space as the sink is normally at 45 degree angle. The one drawback to the corner position is limited mobility for the person washing.  

In Front of a Window Having less upper cupboards around the sink location can allow for excellent additional windows, providing a view for the washer, as well as extra natural light into the general kitchen space. This positioning offers great mobility for the washer, but can sacrifice extra storage space.  

On the Island This position allows you to do work at the sink while still facing your guests. The drawback is that it puts dishes also right out in the view of all. In larger, modern kitchens it is common to have a second sink, called a prep sink, placed on the island with a larger sink behind for the dirty work of dishes.  

Over a Bar This sink placement offers excellent visibility by opening up the kitchen to the adjacent room and allowing the washer to converse with others. Again, it does place dirty dishes out in plain site. This issue can be easily fixed by building in a short raised ledge, hiding counter space from others, while still maintaining the open concept feel.  

The Silly Dishwasher Debate The final thing to consider in choosing sink placement in your kitchen is where to put the dishwasher. It naturally belongs on one side or the other of the sink, but which side Dishwasher placement will create a natural workflow of dirty dishes piling up on the counter opposite the dishwasher. In most other aspects of life, people are accustomed to working left to right. This workflow often winds up reversed in the kitchen setting, due to space constraints. None the less, it is worth thinking through when designing the ideal workflow.  

Where will you place the sink in your dream kitchen?