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Main sink in eating island

13 years ago

We are remodeling and have room for 2 islands. There was a suggestion of one work island perpendicular to stove and other island (perpendicular to 1st island) with stools and sink & dishwasher. The sink would allow me to look out at family room & backyard. This eating island will also be in the middle of kitchen & new open family room. It is a distance from stove but there could be prep sink on counter in between fridge & stove.

Do you have a sink in your island that you eat at? Do you worry about a messy sink while entertaining?

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Comments (11)

cfmuehling
13 years ago
I read "Island of the man eating sink."
I don't have an island, altho I do eat.
I'm lucky to have a sink. [ROTFL]

Sorry I can't help.
C.
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jcasola5
13 years ago
I do. I currently have our main sink on our peninsula and our reno which is underway will have the main sink on the island. Not a problem at all!
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I'm a big clean as you go and clean up right after meals, so dishes, pots/pans do not create an eyesore in our home. I'd have to say that most rentals are not built-out for the best use of space. They are (usually) remodeled/improved in order to create income/cash flow and most would not fit our TKO standards. I had a U shaped kitchen in our last home, with window over kitchen sink. I worried a tad about loosing a "window view" during the house plan stage. With windows or french doors across the back of house, there is still a view. crazyone, you will love the one level island. Our architect had it drawn out to do raised w/barstools. I didn't want to see barstools from great room or when someone entered. It's a gathering place during holidays and makes a great location to spread out platters, etc for buffet style eating - rather than on the hutch (left of fridge). I use that area for drinks, cups and ice.
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Another issue I see with your floor plan is that your access to the back yard through the sliding glass door is very round about from the kitchen. I would try to create an L shaped kitchen with a smaller island so that you have more direct access to the back yard if you will be using the back yard alot. I think if you swap the closet and walk in pantry, you can have an L shaped kitchen.... Another "traffic jam" as you have drawn floor plan is the size of the living room furniture. You have blocked the person into the sitting area. You need to lay it out with smaller pieces of furniture so that people can walk out of the sitting area around both pieces of furniture. Again, this is how you psychologically create spaciousness if you are not building a huge house. You need to use furniture that is scaled right for the room. I think smaller L shaped couch may be a better option for you. When smaller houses are not laid out well, they feel cramped. If you pay attention to how they work, then they can live large. In smaller houses, it is more important to feel that walkways are adequate and traffic flows are not dead ended. You have very generous hallways, ie 5 ft. You need to creat similar spaciousness elsewhere by paying attention to traffic flow. If you have already thought through, then never mind. Good luck.
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10KDiamond
13 years ago
It's not an island, but I do have a sink in my pennisula, which will have stools and where people will eat/entertain, etc. It was the only logical place for the sink, so I got the behemoth Kohler Stages 45, which is attractive, hides stuff and has its own integarted dish rack. I haven't entertained yet, but I think it will be great!
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boxerpups
13 years ago
I happen to be a really messy wet soppy sink user.
Yes, I would worry about the water issues.
However my sister is spotless. She could have carpeted
counters and never have an issue. I would take a look at
how you use your space. Double islands sound fantastic and
you may not even need a prep sink, maybe a pot filler
instead. Can you post your floor plan? Or maybe you
already did and it is in another post. Keep in mind with
double sinks there is an area for serving when you are
entertaining that is separate than your clean up island.

I think it will be brillant.

here are some double islands with a sink. Maybe these can
help you think about your own space.
~boxerpups

prep sink and Range
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pharaoh
13 years ago
I find main sinks in islands terribly unsightly more so when the island has seating.

Aesthetically, seeing unwashed dishes in the sink in front of you is bad enough, worse if you are eating.

Do two islands if you have the space.
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chocolatebunny
13 years ago
A friend of mine has her main (and only) sink in her island with seating. When we were over there for a Christmas party, there was something on its side in the sink, so when she turned the faucet on full blast, everyone that was standing and sitting around the island got soaked because the water sprayed everywhere.

I too find it asthetically unpleasing. At my friend's house, she had all the hors dvors on the island with the messy sink next to them. Not a pretty sight.
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Buehl
13 years ago
The "key" to accommodating both seating and a sink is distance...be sure you have a nice deep counter b/w the sink/faucet and the edge of the seating overhang. At least 18"...24" or more would be better b/c then you don't have dirty dishes staring you in the face as much.

Personally, I'd rather have the cleanup sink on the perimeter and a prep sink (w/no dirty dishes, usually) on the island. That would give you your "view" while prepping (70% of work/time spent in kitchen) and still keep your dirty dishes, etc. separate from people eating (or just sitting) at the island.

Oh, and a raised counter doesn't really help that much...now you get to look down into the sink while seated at the island and see even more dirty dishes! It also only hides dirty dishes/messes from anyone whose eyes are lower than the counter...that generally means only someone in an adjacent room sitting down; not someone sitting at the island, walking past, or standing around.

One thing...if it's b/w putting a range/cooktop and a sink in the island, I'd choose the sink without hesitation.

All this being said, without actually seeing your layout it's tough to give good advice...other than our feelings about a sink in the island generally.
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berryfarm
13 years ago
My main - and only - sink is in the island. The island is our main seating area. Due to remodeling a lovely (ha, ha) 1970's home, there was really no other option for our layout. Our seating area is raised and quite big. Also, where our sink is sounds like what you are thinking about doing: I can do dishes and look out to my backyard.

I really have no problem with the sink in the main island. It is actually convenient to just put all of the used dishes right there into the sink or dishwasher. As far as entertaining, no issue. My ornery kids have leaned over and turned on the sprayer, though!

I would much rather have a sink in the island than the cooktop.
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Daicey
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond!! I've been reading posts here for weeks and it is so helpful. I will try to figure out uploading plan.

10K Diamond - That kitchen is BEAUTIFUL! Is that soapstone??? I loved homed granite or soapstone & I love subway tile!!

Boxerups - Thanks for the pics!

Thinking of entertaining around a dirty sink is what is bothering me.
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Daicey
Original Author
13 years ago
here it is

Here is a link that might be useful: Plan
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Daicey
Original Author
13 years ago

Here is a link that might be useful: the PLAN
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