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.
Wendell says
Single sink, please. They do what they’re supposed to without unnecessary complications. Also, my midcentury modest home has minimal counter space, even without the microwave.
Going beyond the utility of one sink versus two, having the faucet in “neutral” position, aiming at the divider between two sink sides, bothers me a lot. It’s not logical — it’s just the way I feel.
Kim McDonald says
I prefer the larger one sink-farmhouse size. It take large pots and pans easily. You can stack a few dirties on one side, and still have room for filling a teapot or something else. Double sinks are only good for hand dish washing.
Ksthryn says
I’m in the single sink category—I got tired of being unable to get a large skillet in the sink.
Mark says
Large single, and it has to be cast iron. Nothing worse than stainless steel sinks IMO.
DJ Sparkles says
Team Double Sink here, but the sink has to be big enough. My current old gross stainless steel double has two small and rather shallow bowls, so I get water all over the place when I wash. Or maybe I’m just messy. As Debbie Jenson mentioned above, the double sink with different-sized bowls is the best way to go, at least for me. I had one at my previous house and would so install one here when we finally (!) remodel.
Also, I hate stainless steel sinks with a passion. Porcelain all the way. White or black, please. Although turquoise might be fun…
Susan Raguse says
While it is convenient to have a divided sink, it is limiting. I have a large farm sink and I picked it because I wanted to be able to fit a turkey in there and bathe a baby, although not at the same time.
I haven’t had the opportunity to bathe a baby yet, but our first grandchild is due in June!
DJ Sparkles says
“…although not at the same time.” Hee-hee Snort!
Laura Ainsworth says
I’ve had both and preferred the big single sink, as it allowed me to put a large pot or platter in it. As long as you’ve got a dishwasher, I can’t see why you would need the “wash and dry” option of a double sink. But my time-capsule c.1955 kitchen has a double sink, so I would never change it!
Maggie says
My beautiful time capsule in Tulsa is for sale. I have a 60” double sink with double drain boards in yellow. And brought with me when we bought this house a 1948 Chambers that matches. I’m already mourning my loss. I both cook and bake frequently and have never had an issue washing anything.
Debbie Jenson says
I have a double and the one side is very big, the other smaller but includes the disposal so wash in small sink and rinse & dry in the large, no one can see the dishes drying in the larger sink from dining room either. The Dish washer is on the side of the larger sink. Love this lay out.
DJ Sparkles says
Debbie- I had that kind of sink at my last house and loved it!!! Must be a DJ thing (I’m a Debi Jean). 🙂
Dana Holman says
It’s 2 bowl for me. I use one side with soapy dish water and other with clean rinse water, then to a drying towel for storing in cupboards. I don’t use a dishwasher even though I have one, I don’t like the film it leaves on my melamine.