Functionality. While you want your kitchen to look beautiful, it also needs to be a functional space. A farmhouse sink makes it easy to wash larger items like pots, pans, and baking sheets. You can easily soak your cookware in a farmhouse style sink as opposed to a standard-sized sink.
Farmhouse sinks are typically deeper and wider than traditional sinks. This makes them very efficient and convenient when soaking or washing larger pots and pans. Because of this, a farmhouse sink can be a great fit for homes with large families or for homeowners who do a lot of entertaining.
But what actually makes a sink considered “farmhouse” style? The TLDR definition of a farmhouse sink is “a deep sink that has an exposed front-facing side.” Thesaurus may also refer to it as an “apron front” sink – which, in our opinion, is the best description as it literally acts like an apron as you wash.
The attractive and streamlined design of the farmhouse sink can add dollar value to your kitchen and your home overall. If you're thinking of selling your home down the road, the farmhouse sink is many home buyers' dream kitchen statement piece.
Farmhouse sinks are generally very large, with the design intended for those without running water, able to store water on one side while the other allowed for multi-purpose use such as washing laundry, kitchen duties and even washing children.
Compared to most sinks, ceramic farmhouse sinks do not require a complicated cleaning routine. Simply use mild dish soap and a non-abrasive soft sponge to scrub all over the sink. Rinse with lukewarm water and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.
By its nature, a farmhouse sink involves more than a traditional unit, and the price difference is justified. These larger, deeper, more statement fixtures are often made with more expensive materials, such as fireclay or copper.
One of the drawbacks of choosing a farmhouse sink is the installation process. Depending on how your kitchen is set up, you may have to alter the size and design of your countertops before the farmhouse sink installation. Farmhouse sinks are much deeper and wider than classic kitchen sinks.
Finally, there is a difference in the style of the two sinks. Farmhouse kitchen sinks are designed to add a rustic, farmhouse-style aesthetic to the kitchen, while apron sinks are more modern and sleek. Both farmhouse sinks and apron sinks are excellent choices for any kitchen.
In most cases, you can use the stainless steel drain attachments that come with the garbage disposal unit. Farm sinks have a standard 3 1/2" drain opening, hence, you will not need to purchase anything in addition.
A good place to start when looking for the right size is with the most popular sizes for farmhouse sinks, small, medium, and large. Or the most common, either a 30″ or 33″ single bowl.
Step 6: Add Support to Cabinets
Because farmhouse sinks are pretty heavy, you'll need to add support to the inside of the cabinet to be able to hold the weight. You can do this by adding two two-by-four pieces of wood to the sides horizontally.
The Copper Color
A copper sink isn't something you see every day. This goes to show that a farmhouse sink doesn't have to be boring white colors – you can add some flair! White, off white, cream, copper, black, gray, and sometimes even light blue are the typical varieties of colors you'll see in a farmhouse sink.
The primary benefit of a grid for new farmhouse sinks is to protect the brand new finish. Fresh copper and even hardened fireclay scratch more easily than you might realize. The metal bottom of pots, the metal tines of forks, and even the scrape of ceramic plate edges might cause a small flaw in the finish.
The sink's forward orientation eliminates the counter-top that causes the user to lean forward and strain more than necessary. Unlike recessed sinks, the apron sink sports a front that juts out slightly from the supporting cabinetry. Again, this was a practical design that helped prevent cabinet damage.
Modern farmhouse sinks
Farmhouse sinks have been huge in recent years, and it seems the trend is not going anywhere. A practical choice for family homes, this style of sink is hugely versatile, and is a feature in many modern farmhouse kitchens...and those that have brought the rustic look to the city.
Are farmhouse sinks out of style? Farmhouse sinks are most definitely not out of style. In fact, House Beautiful has featured plenty examples of this timeless design element over the years, as seen in articles about the modern farmhouse aesthetic, modern farmhouse kitchens, and modern farmhouse decor.
Most farmhouse sinks also commonly known as apron-front sinks can easily replace your current kitchen sink owing to the similarities in size and the option to just slide it in after removing the old sink. However, closed counter cabinets would require some more time and effort.
Fireclay Sinks
These sinks are extremely popular these days and understandably so. Fireclay is made when clay and glaze are fused together at extremely high temperatures. This creates a highly durable material that is hard and resistant to chips and cracks.
The design of a farmhouse sink, with no countertop between the sink and the edge, also results in dripped and splashed water. If not immediately cleaned up, this could eventually result in water damage to the cabinets and floor below.
No matter what you do, you will most likely need a special or custom cabinet to accommodate your new farmhouse or apron sink. This is because there are many styles of sink designs and how they need to be installed, typically requires a non-standard cabinet. The two most common types are Drop-in or Undermount.
The two top contenders are either a enamel-coated cast iron or a fireclay apron sink. Both are very strong materials, and both have been used for hundreds of years to make not only sinks but also structural building materials and tools for extreme temperatures.
Most options suitable for farmhouse sinks are continuous feed disposals. This simply means that the unit can process wastes that are added anytime while it is running. This also makes it easier to operate.
Scratchable. Compared to other ceramic-style sinks, fireclay is incredibly durable and resistant. It's hard to break or nick a fireclay sink. The downside is that the fireclay material can show surface scratches, especially if an object creates a hard impact.