Pros and Cons of Bar Sinks
April 2, 2020The size, shape, and type of sink you choose will have an impact on the functionality of your kitchen. So will the number of sinks you choose. Adding a secondary sink to your kitchen area can prove beneficial for both food prep and clean up. Bar sinks can be a popular choice for a secondary sink. Here’s more information about them as well as some pros and cons of bar sinks to help you determine if this is the right type of sink for you:
What is a Bar Sink?
Bar sinks are sometimes referred to as island sinks, prep sinks, wet-bar sinks, or entertainment sinks. They are usually smaller and shallower by design than the main sink in your kitchen. They are usually square or round and are most commonly made of copper or stainless steel. A bar or prep sink offers a place for convenient hand washing or rinsing to occur during food preparation and can streamline the workflow in a kitchen.
3 Pros of Bar Sinks
Bar sinks can provide several benefits to your kitchen. Here are just a few pros of bar sinks:
1. Bar Sinks Don’t Take up a lot of Space
Because they are relatively small in comparison to a full-sized traditional sink, bar sinks don’t take up a lot of space in your kitchen. They can be strategically placed in a spot that may be difficult to make use of in other ways.
And, in doing so, they don’t tend to take away a bunch of otherwise useful counter space. The amount of area these types of sink occupy is small in comparison to the benefits they provide in your kitchen.
2. They Can Make Meal Prep More Efficient
Bar sinks are very convenient for meal prep, which is why they are also commonly called prep sinks. They provide a place to get water for cooking as well as a place to wash your hands or quickly rinse mixing bowls or measuring utensils while you are cooking.
Sometimes, during meal prep or cleanup, sinks can get full of dishes. Having a faucet and drain that remains free of obstruction is convenient for pre-rinsing dishes or washing hands. Plus, having more than one sink available during meal prep is especially convenient and adds to kitchen efficiencies when more than one cook is in the room.
3. A Bar Sink is Versatile
Bar sinks are versatile in how they can be used and incorporated into a kitchen design layout. Kitchen islands can be enhanced by the presence of a bar sink. Some will even have a drinking water tap that is connected to a water filtration system!
There are many options available when it comes to location, size, and even the material the sink is made out of. Each prep sink can be tailored to meet your needs. They are versatile and efficient tools for your dream kitchen!
3 Cons of Bar Sinks
As with anything, there are pros and cons of bar sinks. Here are a few cons of bar sinks:
1. Bar Sinks Tend to Be Small and Shallow
Bar sinks are usually a secondary sink and not a replacement for a traditional sink basin in your kitchen. They do take up less space than a traditional sink, which can make them a good fit for tiny homes or small apartments. But, they also tend to be smaller and shallower than a regular sink, which can create frustration in a full-size kitchen in a custom home.
Even as a secondary sink, their small size and shallow basin mean that they become limited in their types of usage. As such, bar sinks should be viewed as a complement to a kitchen layout that can provide some additional conveniences and efficiencies.
2. They Require Counter Space
In the same way that your regular sink basin takes up counter space in your kitchen, a bar sink will do the same. Counter space is often a limited and valuable commodity in a kitchen, so it is important to determine that a bar sink is definitely something that will be heavily utilized.
Even though they are small and take up less counter space than a traditional sink basin, it is still a waste if the bar sink rarely or never ends up being used. Another important consideration is that they will also reduce the available base-cabinet space in your kitchen in the same way that a regular sink does, due to the necessary plumbing that must be installed with the sink.
3. A Bar Sink is an Added Expense
A bar sink does add an expense to your kitchen space, and for some new homeowners that may be an important point to weigh. Not only does the sink basin and the plumbing fixtures cost money, but there are also additional installation costs associated with bar sinks.
As with any feature in your new home, consider the costs and the benefits and be sure that it is something that you will use. You want to make sure including a bar sink in your kitchen will benefit your lifestyle before deciding to incur the expense and sacrificing the counter space.
Bar sinks are a good option for many new kitchens that require some additional food prep and clean-up utilities. It’s good to weigh the pros and cons of bar sinks to determine if this special enhancement to your kitchen is, indeed, the right choice. If not, there are many other types of sinks that may be a better fit.
The sink is just one consideration when you are designing a custom home. By working with a custom home builder, you can simplify the process and make sure every detail of every room in your custom home works for you. If you are ready to make your new home dreams into a reality, give Custom Home Group a call at 717-284-4090.