Everything You Need to Know About Farmhouse Sinks
Charming, homely, contemporary, durable, elegant, functional, nostalgic... The humble butler's sink can be many things
Being from Ireland and having designed the beautiful Belfast (farmhouse) sink into many traditional country and farmhouse kitchens in the past, I have a bit of a soft spot for farmhouse-style sinks. To introduce the farmhouse sink to you, I’d like to give you a little bit of the history behind these charming sinks – it’s an interesting history, not like boring history class at school!
You will hear the farmhouse sink called by many names depending on what part of the world you are in. Most commonly, we call them a butler’s or farmhouse sink here in Australia; but they are also called apron-front sinks, mostly in the USA, London and Belfast. London and Belfast sinks are two specific designs of farmhouse-style sinks – read a little more about this below.
You will hear the farmhouse sink called by many names depending on what part of the world you are in. Most commonly, we call them a butler’s or farmhouse sink here in Australia; but they are also called apron-front sinks, mostly in the USA, London and Belfast. London and Belfast sinks are two specific designs of farmhouse-style sinks – read a little more about this below.
The Belfast sink was deep and had an overflow so excess water could be easily drained away instead of flowing over the sides of the sink. Unlike Belfast, where there was absolutely no shortage of water, in London water was scarce and therefore more precious.
The London sink was therefore designed to be shallower and had no overflow, so every last drop of water could be kept inside the sink.
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The London sink was therefore designed to be shallower and had no overflow, so every last drop of water could be kept inside the sink.
Find a kitchen designer and renovator on Houzz near you to create your dream kitchen
The farmhouse sink is generally a lot deeper than typical modern stainless steel undermount or top mount sinks.
The design of the sink means that the user can stand directly at the front of the basin – with no cabinets or benchtop in between. This made the farmhouse sink more comfortable to use for women who traditionally spent a large part of their day at the sink, preparing food, washing dishes, washing clothes and even washing babies.
The design of the sink means that the user can stand directly at the front of the basin – with no cabinets or benchtop in between. This made the farmhouse sink more comfortable to use for women who traditionally spent a large part of their day at the sink, preparing food, washing dishes, washing clothes and even washing babies.
Double up
While you could still wash your baby in today’s farmhouse sink, you’ll probably find it more useful for washing large pots, big baking dishes, oven trays, and even barbecue grills – items that you would generally struggle to wash in a typical sink. And if one large bowl isn’t enough, you can find several double bowl options, too.
While you could still wash your baby in today’s farmhouse sink, you’ll probably find it more useful for washing large pots, big baking dishes, oven trays, and even barbecue grills – items that you would generally struggle to wash in a typical sink. And if one large bowl isn’t enough, you can find several double bowl options, too.
Installation
Originally, farmhouse sinks were designed to sit slightly proud to the front of the surrounding cabinets, so any water that flowed down the front of the sink would run directly to the floor instead of landing on and damaging the cabinetry below. This is still how farmhouse sinks are typically installed in a kitchen.
They are also usually fitted just under the benchtop level so the bench slightly overhangs the sides of the sink, making it easy to wipe water from the bench straight into the sink.
Originally, farmhouse sinks were designed to sit slightly proud to the front of the surrounding cabinets, so any water that flowed down the front of the sink would run directly to the floor instead of landing on and damaging the cabinetry below. This is still how farmhouse sinks are typically installed in a kitchen.
They are also usually fitted just under the benchtop level so the bench slightly overhangs the sides of the sink, making it easy to wipe water from the bench straight into the sink.
Draining
Having a space on the bench to drain your freshly washed dishes is a bonus. Here, some shallow channels, know as drainer grooves, have been routed into the benchtop. They increase in depth the closer they get to the sink, which aids the flow of drained water into the sink.
These drainer grooves are a great way to have the practicality of a draining area without detracting from the look of the farmhouse sink.
How to Pick the Right Kitchen Sink
Having a space on the bench to drain your freshly washed dishes is a bonus. Here, some shallow channels, know as drainer grooves, have been routed into the benchtop. They increase in depth the closer they get to the sink, which aids the flow of drained water into the sink.
These drainer grooves are a great way to have the practicality of a draining area without detracting from the look of the farmhouse sink.
How to Pick the Right Kitchen Sink
Accessorise
Farmhouse sinks add a feeling of nostalgia to a kitchen and bring a sense of rustic character that enhances country and traditional-style kitchens. Complete the look by pairing your white porcelain farmhouse sink with beautiful traditional tapware, which is often available with matching white porcelain handles, as shown here.
Typical farmhouse sinks do not have a tap hole, so the tap needs to be positioned in the bench or in the wall behind.
Farmhouse sinks add a feeling of nostalgia to a kitchen and bring a sense of rustic character that enhances country and traditional-style kitchens. Complete the look by pairing your white porcelain farmhouse sink with beautiful traditional tapware, which is often available with matching white porcelain handles, as shown here.
Typical farmhouse sinks do not have a tap hole, so the tap needs to be positioned in the bench or in the wall behind.
Materials
Traditional materials
So what are they actually made from? White farmhouse sinks are most commonly made from either fireclay or porcelain.
Fireclay sinks are made of clay, which is heated to an extremely high temperature that makes the sink very hard and durable. It also gives the sink its beautiful high shine. The durability of fireclay means that it is very resistant to scratches and chips, and is also very easy to clean.
Porcelain sinks are a ceramic material, again heated to high temperatures, although not quite as high as fireclay. They look similar to fireclay sinks but are less expensive. Porcelain sinks are not quite as durable as fireclay and are more prone to chipping and discolouration.
Traditional materials
So what are they actually made from? White farmhouse sinks are most commonly made from either fireclay or porcelain.
Fireclay sinks are made of clay, which is heated to an extremely high temperature that makes the sink very hard and durable. It also gives the sink its beautiful high shine. The durability of fireclay means that it is very resistant to scratches and chips, and is also very easy to clean.
Porcelain sinks are a ceramic material, again heated to high temperatures, although not quite as high as fireclay. They look similar to fireclay sinks but are less expensive. Porcelain sinks are not quite as durable as fireclay and are more prone to chipping and discolouration.
Modern stainless steel
Farmhouse sinks are now available in a wider variety of materials, including stainless steel. Stainless steel is affordable, durable and easy to clean and maintain. Stainless steel adds a contemporary twist to a sink that is typically associated with traditional and country-style kitchens.
Farmhouse sinks are now available in a wider variety of materials, including stainless steel. Stainless steel is affordable, durable and easy to clean and maintain. Stainless steel adds a contemporary twist to a sink that is typically associated with traditional and country-style kitchens.
Colourful copper
Copper is another stunning material sometimes used to manufacture farmhouse sinks. The copper can have a hammered finish and can also have a coloured patina applied when they are manufactured.
Over time, natural copper develops a beautiful patina, as it reacts with different substances that come in contact with it.
Copper is another stunning material sometimes used to manufacture farmhouse sinks. The copper can have a hammered finish and can also have a coloured patina applied when they are manufactured.
Over time, natural copper develops a beautiful patina, as it reacts with different substances that come in contact with it.
Modern version
There are now some redesigned versions of the farmhouse sink available, such as the one pictured, which unlike the original farmhouse sink, sits on top of the benchtop and has a space for a tap hole incorporated into the sink, eliminating the need to have a benchtop run around the back of the sink. The fact that this sink sits on top of the bench eliminates the risk of water finding its way down the sides of the sink, making for a more water-tight option – although not as authentic as the original design.
There are now some redesigned versions of the farmhouse sink available, such as the one pictured, which unlike the original farmhouse sink, sits on top of the benchtop and has a space for a tap hole incorporated into the sink, eliminating the need to have a benchtop run around the back of the sink. The fact that this sink sits on top of the bench eliminates the risk of water finding its way down the sides of the sink, making for a more water-tight option – although not as authentic as the original design.
Natural characteristics
Because of the nature of fireclay and porcelain farmhouse sinks, their measurements can vary slightly and the surfaces can be a bit uneven. This is a natural characteristic of these materials and shouldn’t be considered a flaw. It does mean, however, that when fitted under a perfectly even benchtop, there can be slight gaps where water can escape to places you don’t want it to go.
Ensure that your farmhouse sink is correctly sealed around the edges once it has been installed. Designing the benchtop so it overhangs the edges of the sink sufficiently will help water flow straight into the bowl of the sink and keep it away from the edges.
Because of the nature of fireclay and porcelain farmhouse sinks, their measurements can vary slightly and the surfaces can be a bit uneven. This is a natural characteristic of these materials and shouldn’t be considered a flaw. It does mean, however, that when fitted under a perfectly even benchtop, there can be slight gaps where water can escape to places you don’t want it to go.
Ensure that your farmhouse sink is correctly sealed around the edges once it has been installed. Designing the benchtop so it overhangs the edges of the sink sufficiently will help water flow straight into the bowl of the sink and keep it away from the edges.
A couple of cons
As much as I hate to say it, there are a couple of cons to farmhouse sinks (although far outweighed by pros, in my opinion). If you would like to try to incorporate a farmhouse-style sink into your existing kitchen layout, this may prove more difficult that you might think.
Typically, due to the size and nature of farmhouse sinks, they require custom cabinets that are designed to suit them, and also require a different benchtop design. Speak to your cabinet maker to see if they can alter your existing cabinets and benchtop to suit. Designing them into a completely new kitchen layout is easy.
As much as I hate to say it, there are a couple of cons to farmhouse sinks (although far outweighed by pros, in my opinion). If you would like to try to incorporate a farmhouse-style sink into your existing kitchen layout, this may prove more difficult that you might think.
Typically, due to the size and nature of farmhouse sinks, they require custom cabinets that are designed to suit them, and also require a different benchtop design. Speak to your cabinet maker to see if they can alter your existing cabinets and benchtop to suit. Designing them into a completely new kitchen layout is easy.
Pristine white porcelain sinks look stunning, however they are a bit unforgiving in the sense that they show up every bit of dirt and grime. Having said that, they are very easy to keep clean.
The hard surface of fireclay or porcelain can be noisy when you’re washing dishes in them and it’s far less forgiving than stainless steel when breakable items are dropped in them, so take extra care when washing your precious wine glasses.
If you are concerned about wasting water, look for a farmhouse sink that has a smaller capacity – the depth of the traditional farmhouse sink is great for washing big items, however it will take a lot more water to fill than a typical sink.
Your turn
Have you incorporated a farmhouse sink at home? Share your experience and tips in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Revamping your kitchen? Read up on 3 Ways to Conquer Clutter on Kitchen Benchtops… for Good
The hard surface of fireclay or porcelain can be noisy when you’re washing dishes in them and it’s far less forgiving than stainless steel when breakable items are dropped in them, so take extra care when washing your precious wine glasses.
If you are concerned about wasting water, look for a farmhouse sink that has a smaller capacity – the depth of the traditional farmhouse sink is great for washing big items, however it will take a lot more water to fill than a typical sink.
Your turn
Have you incorporated a farmhouse sink at home? Share your experience and tips in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Revamping your kitchen? Read up on 3 Ways to Conquer Clutter on Kitchen Benchtops… for Good
The two original iconic farmhouse-style sinks, which emerged in Ireland and Britain in the late 17th century, were the London and the Belfast sink. They were both of similar design, however each had its own characteristics designed to suit the area they were designed in and for.