The Trendy “Eyesore” Kitchen Feature I Can’t Stand (It Causes So Many Messes!)
I’m a shameless Zillow scroller, and — to the great consternation of my Realtor and close friend — a sufferer of home FOMO. As much as I love my neighbors, my subdivision, my home, and the improvements I’ve spent thousands of dollars on over the last few years, my small kitchen is the sore spot that keeps me on the constant lookout for the next best home. But there’s one new construction design trend that’s been cropping up everywhere and making me stay put: plopping the kitchen sink in the middle of a freestanding island.
I currently have a peninsula sink, which makes perfect sense to me. It offers that open-concept feeling while providing a defined space, and the extended countertop creates additional, less formal seating and makes cleaning up more social since I don’t have to turn my back on guests. I have prep space that lets me wipe crumbs directly into the sink, and with the side of it buttressing the wall, I have a natural nook where I keep my dish rack, since I prefer to hand-wash my dishes instead of always running the dishwasher. And this one clutter-creating point is my ultimate deal-breaker for island sinks.
And I’m not the only one who feels this way.
What Interior Designers Really Think About Sinks in Kitchen Islands
Denine Jackson, founder and principal designer at Denine Jackson Interiors in Buffalo, New York, shares the sentiment. “While a sink in the kitchen island may appear modern, there are several practical drawbacks — dishes drying on the kitchen island create visual clutter, disrupting the ambience in open-concept spaces.” And that rings true whether you use a traditional dish rack or a drying mat.
Just as much of an eyesore is that all dirty dishes in the sink are now in clear view in your hangout space, with soap dispensers, cleaning supplies, and sponge holders breaking up the sightline. All of this only further supports Jackson’s point that “a sink in the island reduces valuable prep and serving space.” Joseph Patrick, owner of Lamont Bros. Design & Construction in Portland, Oregon, agrees. “It’s important to consider the role of the island in the kitchen,” Patrick says. “It’s typically a space for gathering, prepping food, and serving, so putting a cleanup sink there can really disrupt that flow.”
Michael Clarke, founder of online platforms Pulled and Yardwork, for home service booking and landscaping, respectively, brings up an interesting design point I hadn’t noticed.“While [it’s] a unique option in a kitchen, I also see it as impractical because the dishwasher is usually not included in the freestanding island. Therefore, you have to wash in the sink and load in another part of the kitchen, dripping water on the floor.”
All of this is, of course, in addition to the splashing that inevitably occurs while cleaning up — another effect that can make the island a less hospitable place to gather. As Jackson notes, “There is no backsplash [on island sinks] to keep water from ending up all over the kitchen island,” and all over your guests!
So, Why Do So Many Kitchens Have Sinks in the Middle of the Island?
Patrick reluctantly admits, “I can see why it’s becoming more common in cheaper developments. It’s often because people prefer to look out into the room rather than stare at a wall while washing dishes.” He also says it can be a smart solution when there’s no good exterior wall with a window for the sink. “There’s also a cost-saving angle since you avoid needing a window over the sink.”
But according to sink designer Dino Rachiele, it can just as often be more expensive to plumb for a sink in an island. Jose Miguel Berlanga, founder of spec-home builder Tricon Homes, confirms that for his projects, it’s typically not a cost-saver. However, he says there is a demand, particularly if the cooktop is directly opposite the sink. I agree with him that “prep work, chopping, and rinsing can be quicker when the stove sits right behind the sink.” And it does offer the same social feature of my peninsula sink, which Rachiele says “allows the user to be part of the gathering.”
There are also practical reasons, like pre-existing water lines and drainage installation, Berlanga says to consider. In fact, top Atlanta realtor Ariel Baverman says this is what ultimately drives the design decision.
“It’s not my preference, but it can make sense depending on the layout of the rest of the kitchen,” she says. “Obviously, it’s easier to clean up if the sink is next to [the prep space], so you can wipe everything into the sink. If the sink is far from the prep space, it becomes silly to have to wash your ingredients then transport them elsewhere.” However, she’s seen kitchens where having the faucet near the wall simply doesn’t work for the layout. “So, I think my answer on if this is good or bad for home value is ‘it depends.’”
All of that may be true, but count me out for this trend. Personally, I’d rather have a smaller kitchen than one with an island primary sink. And until this trend dies, I think I’ll just stay put.
What do you think about sinks in kitchen islands? Let us know in the comments below!
Further Reading
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