Considering a Second Kitchen Sink? 5 Important Planning Tips

As you plan your new kitchen, one modern trend you may want to think about is a second sink. While this may seem like a feature only in luxury kitchens, it actually serves many practical purposes even in more modest kitchens. But before you add a second sink to your design, be sure to give attention to these few key tips.

1. Know Why You Want a Sink

You have many choices for the placement and design of both sinks, but understand your goals before choosing. For example, someone who entertains often may need a second sink to clean up dishes and flatware, so placing the sinks apart allows more people to work concurrently. However, a cook who needs to use both sinks alone should place them close together.

Think about the ways you would generally use both sinks. How do you entertain? How do you bake or cook? How many people use the kitchen? What other activities do you do in the room? Do you want beverage or coffee stations? Do you need — or already have — a wet bar? How large are your pots and pans? Which would be a prep sink and which a cleanup sink?

2. Don’t Squeeze In Too Much

A second sink isn’t always a no-brainer. Small and medium kitchens may not be able to support a full second sink without crowding other functions of the kitchen — most often, the work area of countertops or additional storage. If you want to facilitate more people working in the kitchen at a time, two sinks in close proximity may actually cause more conflict and traffic problems.

3. Plan for Traffic Flow

Where should you place both sinks? This, of course, depends on your design. But a few good rules of thumb will help.

First, place sinks for multiple workers farther apart but comfortably close to related appliances (such as a prep sink near the cooktop). If installing an island, placing the sinks on opposite sides of the island helps reduce traffic flow issues. Avoid installing either sink in front of a door or in the way of the work triangle. And if you want to discourage traffic in the kitchen, plan a sink near the entrance for quick use.

4. Choose the Right Basins

In general, all kitchen owners have the choice between a double basin sink and a single basin sink. To find the right basin, match your goals for each sink with the most logical style.

For instance, single basin sinks often provide more room for larger pots and bulk prep work, and their farmhouse style is visually appealing for modern kitchen owners. Double basins, of course, provide two separate basins for different parts of the washing process. Small sinks are often limited to one basin, although this is often sufficient for things like wet bars, coffee stations, and light-duty second sinks.

5. Think Outside the Box

Depending on your particular renovation plans, consider all possible options before settling on either one or two sinks. A different solution might be more cost-effective or even more useful.

If your biggest pet peeve is filling and moving around large pots and pans with water, for instance, you may simply need a dedicated water faucet near the stove. If you entertain often, a butler’s pantry may be more useful than placing a second sink inside the kitchen itself. And a busy family might consider installing a water fountain outside the kitchen.

Want to know more about adding a second sink into your kitchen design? Start by consulting with the home renovation pros at DESIGNfirst Builders. We will assess your kitchen usage and goals to help you find the right solution. Call today to make an appointment.

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