When selecting, or designing, a base cabinet for your new farmhouse sink, it is important that the size of the base cabinet is correct. Your base cabinet should measure 3" longer in length than the sink you are installing. For example, if you have a base cabinet that measures 36" wide it will support a 33" sink.
Which means you CAN fit some "thirty" inch sinks in a 30" kitchen sink base cabinet. However, definitely take a look at each sink's specifications to make sure it will fit in your cabinet. A sink with a basin dimension that is close or the same as your inside cabinet dimension will be a tight fit.
The recommended size for a 36" base cabinet is a 33" farmhouse sink or smaller. It is recommended that your base cabinet be 3 inches larger than the size of the farmhouse sink you are considering to install.
Disregard manufacturer's installation specifications, please. A 36" sink will fit into a 36" cabinet easily if you strap it in place. Manufacturer's allow for chubby plumber fingers to access clips to tighten.
To make space for the extra-large sink, you'll need an 'apron-skirt' cabinet design. A farmhouse sink can't fit into the usual drop-in sink space and extends over the top quarter of the lower cabinet. This requires a full re-design of the cabinet and countertop where your farmhouse sink is installed.
Yes and no, there is a specific cabinet for farmhouse sinks. However, a standard sink base cabinet can be modified to fit a farmhouse sink. If you are using a standard sink base cabinet, the top half of the cabinet will have to be cut out, and the doors will have to be modified.
Unlike regular “drop-in” sinks, which are lowered into a countertop cavity, farmhouse sinks are installed beneath the counter and rest on top of a base cabinet. They, therefore, require a special cabinet configuration, but it's entirely possible to convert an existing drop-in setup to accommodate a farmhouse sink.
The reason for this is to allow for adequate room to work when installing the sink, as well as to avoid potential water damage or mold growth in the cabinetry. The minimum cabinet size needed for your sink will be found on the product page from our website once you search the model like the example shown below.
Where 36'' is a common width for a sink cabinet, the typical measurement here is going to be 24''. You should have roughly 24'' from front to back to work with, which will be enough space for any standard sink. It's unlikely that you run into trouble with this dimension, but it's good to double-check just in case.
A 36″ base cabinet can handle a 33″ sink at most; a 30″ cabinet should be fitted with a sink no larger than 27″ wide. The average 24″ sink base cabinet comfortably accommodates a standard 22″ sink; be sure to consider the depth of your sink when planning storage inside the base cabinet.
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.
Kohler makes farmhouse sinks with smaller aprons to keep the same aesthetic in a more manageable size for some cabinets. In most new homes the kitchen sink is approximately 30 inches in length, which is a standard size for a farmhouse sink. The other standard sizes are 24, 33, and 36 inches.
However, there are some key differences between the two types of sinks. Apron sinks are generally smaller than farmhouse sinks. They are available in various materials, including stainless steel, copper, and porcelain. Apron sinks are available in different styles, including single-bowl and double-bowl options.
Measure the opening width under your existing sink (or where the new one will be installed) from left to right. This measurement is your cabinet size. Then, allow at least 2-3 inches on both sides for mounting hardware. For example, a 36" cabinet can accomodate a 30-32" sink.
A farmhouse sink needs supports attached to the inside of the cabinet because it's heavy. Some can weigh over 300 pounds when filled with water. The top of the sink needs to be even with the cabinets so the counter will sit correctly.
Kitchen Cabinet Kings
General rule of thumb is actual sink should be 3" in actual width less than the sink base for smooth fit. However if you notch the sides of the cabinet, you should be able to get something as tight as 1.5 less than cabinet to fit.
A 33" cabinet is outside measurement. Figure 3/4" wall thickness, so the inside measurement of the cabinet is 31½". You can possible squeeze the sink in there. It will be difficult to get at the side clips.
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. It's also a great option if you prefer to soak a lot of dishes at once before you wash them or pop them in the dishwasher.
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.
The most common countertop overhang is 1.5″. We wanted our sink to go about 1/2″ past the countertop, so we positioned our sink so that it would go 2″ past the cabinet face frame/front of the cabinet.
We normally go ⅜ inch inside the sink for the overhang, but this can be flexed for the look you desire.
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.