Is A Single Sink Better Than A Double Sink?: a house log
As our arms continue to recover from our recent kitchen priming and painting marathon (shared here this morning) we thought we’d take it down a notch or two with a post about sinks. That is right, it is like a slow jam following a spirited chicken dance or an energetic Macarena.
One thing’s that been fascinating about owning our second home is comparing its features to our first home and noting pros and cons (especially as we think about what improvements we want to make). There are many things that we prefer over our previous digs – like the larger rooms, opens hallways, en suite master bath, etc. And of course some things that make us miss our old set-up, such as our former more open laundry area, enclosed garage, etc. But when it comes to some things, we are still unsure if they are upgrades or downgrades… like our kitchen sink.
It is a deep single sink (call me Captain Obvious). I like it. No, wait, I enjoy it. I think. Okay, no, it is likely simply a like. Honestly I cannot decide whether or not I prefer it over the double sink that we had in our last kitchen (seen below).
Why do I enjoy the single sink? It fits everything. Okay, not literally – but at least I at last can get my pots and pans (including handles!) fully in the sink to clean them. Seems silly, but the double sink we chose for the last kitchen did get on my nerves sometimes. Pan handles would protrude over the countertop. Water would splash everywhere during half-submerged rinse sessions. Frustrated husbands would curse the act of doing dishes. So this new situation is a welcome relief (the pan shown is 22″ including handles).
Some of the few of you who were reading way-back-then even questioned our double-sink decision. But despite my affection for the our single sink, I do not fully regret choosing a double. Here is why:
Now that I am without a “Washing Side” and a “Drying Side” my pans end up on the counter post-wash. Yes, I realize it looks lame and messy (and that our pans are certainly past-their-prime). I know we could get a drying rack, but (no offense drying rack makers of the world) it is hard to find something that looks good sufficient to earn a permanent spot on the already-limited counter space (my crazy pot drying method above only means that the side of the sink is occupied for an hour or two after dinner as opposed to hosting a drying rack 24/7). This is where my parents would likely tell me simply to buck up, dry them by hand, and put them away immediately. But yeah, that is not going to happen.
The other thing that makes us indecisive about this set up is the faucet placement. Typically we are fans of a centered faucet, but such a square shaped sink must have required it be nudged to one side (it does not look like it would have fit in the center). But in a surprise turn of sink-related events I have been enjoying the ability to fill up a pot while it rests on the counter (rather than having to hold it as it grows heavier with water in the sink). Life’s small pleasures, ya know?
In the end, we are not planning to replace this sink and I am still not sure which I prefer – though I think I now lean towards the single sink camp. What about you folks. Are you on the fence too? Or do you feel passionately about one set up over the other?
