What Size Should Be The Sink For The Kitchen

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Ideal size: selecting the washing parameters

Following the triangle rule, the sink is one of the most important points in the kitchen work area. But it is far from always possible to choose its size correctly, and many housewives complain of back pain or difficulty in leaving just because of this oversight. What should be the ideal kitchen sink?

Content

• 1 Standard kitchen sink sizes

• 2 How to choose a sink by size

  • 2.1 Ratio of sink and cabinet

    2.1.1 Table: Recommended tabletop height, taking into account the height of the hostess

  • 2.2 Depth and thickness of the bowl
  • 2.3 Number of bowls
  • 2.4 Influence of the shape of the sink on dimensions
• 3 Kitchen style and sink size
• 4 Helpful tips for sizing

Standard kitchen sink sizes

When choosing a sink, a number of parameters are taken into account:

• width and length or diameter of the outer contour. It influences the choice of a suitable cabinet;
• the capacity of the bowl, depending on its shape, size of the inner contour and depth;
• the shape of the bowl, which affects the usability.

The width of the sink is considered across the countertop, and the length is considered along

The standards primarily limit the width of the sink. Due to the usual width of the countertop of 600 mm, the sink cannot be more than 500 mm (the rules provide for a distance from the edge and from the wall). Therefore, products with a size of 400-500 mm are considered large, and 350-400 mm - reduced (especially for a narrowed countertop in the kitchen).

Despite its large size, the sink does not look bulky

The length of the kitchen sink is not strictly limited. Manufacturers offer:

• short (220 to 300 mm) designed for very small spaces or as additional;

  

  A round crumb sink is a great option for a small studio apartment or a narrowed kitchen wing

• medium (300-700 mm), represented by bowls with a narrow wing;

  

  When the space does not allow for a custom-sized sink, you can experiment with color

• elongated (700–900 mm), among which there are many sinks with an additional small bowl and / or wide wing;

  

  The shape of the sink with two bowls and a drain is the best way to use the corner

• long (900–1400 mm), often having two large bowls.

  

  A large sink with two bowls can easily fit several housewives

A bowl of large width and length can be shallow, while a narrow and short bowl can compensate for capacity by increasing depth

How to choose a sink by size

Knowing what options you can actually find in regular stores, you can begin to determine what you need. At this stage, you should pay attention to your height, the length and width of the countertop, the size of the cupboard under the bowl, take into account habits, the dimensions of the plates and trays, the presence of a dishwasher, etc.

Even if you are sure that you know the parameters of your kitchen, before buying a new sink, do not be lazy to measure everything and carefully write it down. It is especially important to clarify the size and position of the installation hole if you decide to exchange an old sink for a newer model. I have already got myself into a mess in this way, simply forgetting that one wing of the countertop is partially narrowed by 15 cm.

Ratio of sink and cabinet

At this stage, we take into account the height of the cabinet (ease of use depends), its width and length (so that the selected model fits), the way the sink is positioned (straight or diagonally, as in a corner cabinet) and the installation method.

If the countertop is too low, you will have to bend too far to wash the dishes

Table: Recommended tabletop height, taking into account the height of the hostess

Owner's height, cm	Sink cabinet height, cm
150-160	95
161-170	one hundred
171-175	105
176-180	110
from 181	115

Soviet-style kitchens and many models of modern manufacturers are much lower, even custom-made furniture manufacturers often use outdated standards. Therefore, when buying new cabinets in the kitchen, choose the correct tabletop height or look for a set with adjustable legs.

My husband and I did the kitchen ourselves, so the height of the countertop was chosen strictly for me. With a height of 162 cm, the curbstone of 93 cm turned out to be the most comfortable. Mother-in-law acquired custom-made furniture and, with the declared individual approach, received curbstones 82 cm high and 160 cm tall. back. I understand people who do not want to delve into a topic and leave everything at the mercy of the pros, but sometimes you should discard laziness and take care of yourself in time in order to prevent such a mistake.

Varieties of sinks according to the installation method:

• invoice - put on top of the cabinet. The cabinet should not have a countertop, and the size of the bowl must exactly match the outer perimeter of the cabinet so that the contact is tight. Since everyone is now trying to get a solid worktop, overhead sinks are a thing of the past. The exception is earthenware sinks in the style of the American hinterland. If you are looking for an overhead model, measure your cabinet and take into account the thickness of the sink material. Manufacturers produce products from 60x30 to 60x90 cm;

  

  Overhead sink - country or very budget option

• top-mounted inset sink. A hole is made in the countertop and the bowl is placed on top so that the side completely covers the joint of materials. This is the most widespread and easy-to-install type of sink. When choosing, you need to take into account not the size of the sink, but the parameters of the installation hole, which should be less than the internal parameters of the cabinet. The exact dimensions of the installation hole are always in the instructions for the sink. But for orientation, choosing from dozens of options, you can take into account that it is always less than the outer contour of the sink and more than the outer contour of the bowl. For example, for a sink of 550x490 mm with a bowl of 525x465 mm, an opening of 510x360 mm is needed;

  

  The installation hole must be smaller than the sink circuit

• inset sink of bottom mounting. Never has a wing, consists of one or more bowls. For it, a hole is also made in the countertop, but the sink is attached from below and the cut remains open. Such models are only suitable for countertops made of natural or artificial stone. The size of the sink matches the inner contour of the bowl and the installation hole and cannot be larger than the inner size of the cabinet;

  

  The slight difference in the size of the bowls gave the sink a flavor

• integrated sink. As a rule, this is a construction made of acrylic stone, which is poured out along with the countertop and is inseparable from it. Integrated products are supplied to order, therefore all necessary dimensions and calculations are made by the furniture manufacturers. In some cases, they even reduce the partitions between the cabinets in order to install a large bowl on two cabinets at once.

  

  In an integrated sink, the drainer is considered part of the worktop

Bowl depth and thickness

The depth of the bowls varies. On the market there are:

• small (80–100 mm) - additional (for defrosting) or specialized (for those who want to install a dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer under the sink);
• medium (110-210 mm) - the most comfortable and versatile. Suitable for families where several people of different heights wash the dishes;
• deep (220-260). Ideal for those with large pots.

The additional kitchen sink is usually much shallower than the deep main sink.

The thicker the material, the more noticeable the difference between the depth of the bowl and the height of the sink. Thick-walled products made of granite, faience or artificial stone absorb noise and look more expensive. If space saving is more important to you, give preference to sheet metal.

Number of bowls

The total volume of several bowls is always less than the volume of one bowl taking up the same space. Separating partitions steal space and prevent large pots, pans, large trays from being placed in the sink.

For a sink with three bowls, you should choose a mixer with a flexible spout or a retractable hose

The minimum length of a sink with two bowls (main + small additional) is 620 mm; it cannot be installed in a narrower cabinet. But if a separate sink for defrosting or washing vegetables is more important to you than saving space, you can find a suitable option with two bowls among the medium, long or long models. Varieties with three containers are only long.

Influence of the shape of the sink on the dimensions

The sink is:

• round - the most capacious (for small sizes) and ergonomic. Diameter from 440 to 550 mm;

  

  Even a round sink can accommodate a small extra bowl

• oval - round bowl with a drainer. The diameter is the same, the wing length is from 150–500 mm;

  

  Convenient drainer can be used for drying or defrosting (as an extra bowl)

• rectangular - the most common variety with the widest range of models. Length from 300 to 1300 mm with or without wing;

  

  For a rectangular bowl, it is easy to choose an additional insert board, which, if necessary, compensates for the large size of the sink

• trapezoidal - designed for corner installation. As a rule, the bowl of such a sink is small, but the structure itself occupies almost the entire area of the cabinet. The main advantage is a non-standard appearance. The trapezium sink is suitable for those who rarely cook or use the dishwasher. Typical length from 760 to 780 mm;

  

  The main bowl of the trapezoid can be supplemented with two wings or a wing and a shallow bowl

• design. Casting of artificial stone countertops allows you to create a bespoke integrated washbasin in any shape imaginable. When planning such a highlight in the kitchen, be sure to make sure that the outer dimensions of the product do not turn out to be larger than the kitchen module allocated for it.

  

  Sink in the shape of a guitar is not the limit of the designers' imagination

Kitchen style and sink size

Interior style can limit your choice of material or color for your sink, but size is usually independent of design. Among the exceptions is the American-style kitchen, which requires the installation of a deep, overhead earthenware sink, which is mounted on the entire cabinet and only with a break in the table top.

A spacious ceramic sink is one of the main features of American cuisine

Helpful Sizing Tips

A few general tips for choosing a sink:

1. Love baking and wash your baking trays often - choose a sink that fits your dish easily.
2. If you really want to take a larger bowl and not maintain a distance of 5 cm from the wall and the edge of the countertop, prepare to wash the dishes only in a waterproof apron. With this arrangement, droplets will fall on you and on the wall.
3. If you are short, do not use a sink that is too deep, even when there are many large pots in the house. It's easier to suffer with one or two bowls than to endure back pain when washing a mountain of plates.

A rare case - the width of the sink is noticeably larger than the size of the cabinet

Recently I came to visit friends and saw in their new kitchen a sink with a simply huge bowl - 50x100 cm. With a countertop length of just over 3 m, it looks very impressive. It turned out that the choice was influenced by the habit of soaking the pans before cleaning directly in the sink, and the pans cannot be placed in a small bowl because of the handle. Testing in operation showed that they were not mistaken with the choice - this whopper is really convenient. And in order not to waste the working space, they bought a special board in the kit, which, if necessary, turns part of the sink into a tabletop.

Taking into account the basic recommendations, choosing a kitchen sink that perfectly matches the size of the furniture and your preferences will be much easier.