It’s a kitchen design question as old as time: Double sink or single sink, which is better? Some readers recently started commenting back and forth on the question, and it occurred to me that we’d never discussed and debated this topic in a story. (We did discuss the classic toilet paper over or under question, though!) Above: Illustration of American-Standard kitchen cabinets and sinks from a 1953 catalog.
Of course, each design has its pros and cons. [Above: Illustration from 1953 Crane kitchen catalog.]
Double sink pros and cons:
- Double sinks make it easier to wash on one side, stack to dry on the other.
- Or procrastinators can wash on one side, pile dirties on the other, and get to finishing up when you can. [I plead guilty, but you could guess that already, couldn’t you?]
- On the flip side, double sinks typically are smaller, so you sometimes cannot get a big pot or tray completely into one of the bowls. Jamming a large tray into one side of a double sink kinda runs the risk of scratching or dinging it.
- In the same vein, they can take up more room.
Single sink pros and con:
- Single sinks can be sized larger, so they can fit large pots and pans and trays. [My husband is in the single sink camp for this reason.]
- I guess you could say: They encourage you to clean as you go, because there is no second bowl to pile in the dirties.
- Overall, they likely take up less room, so there is more counter space for prep.
Debbie says
Single double
What about material?
I replaced the very shallow metal sink with a very deep Koehler white cast iron enamal sink.
My kitchen is tiny, and I wasn’t looking to remodel everything, so a single sink is all that fits.
My beloved dishwasher washes the dishes. So having 2 area is not necessary.
One basin or two, as long as it’s deep.
I grew up with basically the bottom sink in the photo. My mom always used a dishpan to wash. I do miss the entire enameled sides, but WOW must that have been heavy!
Toni says
Single. Big enough for cookie sheets and really big pots.
Jeannie says
My parents’ 1964 house, and my 1961 house both were built with single sinks; maybe it was a regional thing? (I’m on the east coast.) Anyway, I prefer a good sized single; put a plastic basin in it and it can do almost anything a double can, plus you can put a large roasting pan, cookie sheet, etc. flat in it to soak and wash. Just seems more versatile to me.
Sydney Maybury says
I just had my sink changed over a few days ago by my loving delightful boyfriend. I had a Kohler 50/50 white cast iron sink but the lip that meets the countertop was ‘domed’ & I hated it. Plus anything that was accidently dropped would break into a million pieces. I went with a stainless steel ‘Super Single’ & there’s a world of difference!! The lip is wider, not quite flush with the ctop & it graduates into the bowl. Plus big enough for big pots & pans if they are needing a soakin’ . And like Jeannie said, put a basin in it if that’s what you’re needing @ the time. Double duty fo’ sho!
Robert E. Oakes says
Double. My Great Aunt’s quintessential 1950 kitchen had a single sink. She kept a stainless steel bowl in it for soapy water and had the drying rack in the counter. It was a lot of trouble and a lot of space. Two is just more versatile. The large pans gets washed in the deep laundry sink.
Christa says
I prefer a deep single sink.
Stainless steel, undermount installation.
Cutting board that fits over one side of the sink.
Because:
Dirty dishes are rinsed and stacked in the sink and out of sight until I load the dishwasher.
Pots can soak out of sight.
My handwashed items get dried and put away, I don’t like drying racks, they’re too messy for me.
The sink is large enough to soak the grates from the cooktop.
Undermount is the easiest to keep clean.
The single sinks are usually large enough to have a cutting board that fits over it, so they save counter space in a small kitchen.
I love midcentury modern design, and I keep in mind that those designs were meant to make life more convenient using new materials and technology. So I don’t have a problem with updating to quartz counters with a stainless sink and stainless appliances. The next owner can switch them back, and I do love to keep original cabinets whenever they can be saved.
Christine W says
Now I refuse to live without a dishwasher, so I only need a single sink. But eons ago when I didn’t have a dishwasher…as I was taught in Home Economics (when there was still such a thing being taught in school) one starts first by washing things that will come in contact with peoples mouths – so first the utensils and then the cups/glasses. I only use 2” of hot water in the bottom of the sink so can easily rinse these items off under a bit of running water and put them on my tea towel to dry. Then the plates and bigger items. By the time I’m finished I don’t even have a full sink of water. And the best part is because they are taking up my precious counter space drying …I actually put them away -lol.
Barbara Moshofsky says
My old house (1903) came with a single sink with its ‘40s kitchen. I love it. Fairly shallow, too, which is good for a short person like me! I prefer the single. And it’s a good old cast iron one!
Joel says
I couldn’t live without a dishwasher, and if you have a dishwasher, there’s no reason for a double sink. So single sink for me.
Joe Felice says
You know, I’m wracking what is left of my brain, and I cannot recall seeing a single-bowl sink back in the day. I’m thinking most houses had a double, which is my preference, just because there is more room to put dirty dishes and take them off the counter, until I load them in the dishwasher. There’s also the second bowl to rinse when I wash by hand.
Diane Civiletti says
I have had both (I am in my 6th historic home in 20 years). I have restored every kitchen in these homes. Due to the overall size of the kitchen, I had to go with one or the other…but I prefer a double bowl. We entertain a lot. One of my favorite reasons for preferring the double bowl is, when having parties in cooler weather my one bowl acts like an ice bath to keep bottles of white wine cold…and I still have the other side to clean things as the night goes along. I have sought out the stainless steel models that have the integrated drainboards and backsplash in them too. I wish I could add a photo.
I am putting a new kitchen in my current reno project home, 1850 stone farmhouse. I found a stainless , double basin with the drainboards and backsplash. I can’t wait to install it
The sink I am referring to is on my website in the gallery of photos of Restored Kitchens.
http://www.carriagehousetwo.com
Mary Elizabeth says
OK, anything that works for serving wine is a winner to me!