The point in having 2 sinks is having separate zones so that people aren't crossing paths and running into each other or standing on top of one another...and, also, so you're not trying to wash food over dirty dishes. We positioned our prep sink so it is multipurpose. It's actually on the corner of the island so it can be reached and used from 2 sides. The purposes in our kitchen: -hand washing when coming into the kitchen -washing prep items for the rangetop -washing prep items from the fridge for salads, etc. done on the island -washing hands from baking projects at the island or mixing counter -draining pots from the stove or things cooked in the microwave -adding water to things cooked in the micro, cooked on the stove, when making smoothies, when mixing baked goods, when making coffee or rinsing the pot (coffee pot kept on counter under the microwave cabinet) -filling water pitchers (making juice) for meals Maybe you won't often want to have the dishwasher open while someone is trying to use the sink...But maybe you will and why create an unnecessary limitation? In our kitchen, it happens often that I want the dishwasher cleared for table setting, or loaded from dishes used during making dinner while other cooking and prepping activities happen. If you don't want more than one person able to work at once, it seems unnecessary to me to have the 2 sinks...It isn't necessary or preferable for everyone to have a 2nd sink. Best wishes on getting your best plan figured out! Here is our layout so you can see sink location/separation and how someone in different zones might access each one:

Has anyone used an Elkay e-granite sink? Know how they compare with silgranite? Yesterday I went with my GC to look at plumbing fixtures, etc. for my kitchen remodel. I saw an 8" deep e-granite (actually 85% natural quartz) that I liked (Harmony model ELGU2218). The sink opening is 12" x 12 5/8" but also has an extra 9"x12" ledge that I could lay vegetables on to drain... so the overall counterspace it would take would be 12 x 22. I just haven't known anyone who has had an e-granite by Elkay, but have read from many of you who love your Blanco Silgranite sinks. Thoughts?

Erica L, if you posted a pic it didn't make the jump, and it would be easier to help with an illustration. In the meantime, here's a link to the NKBA recommendations, which include a minimum of 15" overhang for counter-height seating: NKBA Guidelines

Thanks, all. There is a lot to consider here. We can't move into that dining room because it's a load-bearing wall, and our DR furniture is already cramped in there. Our table + end chairs just fits. All the designs so far were for a 24" cabinet for the prep sink, and one portion of our current double sink seemed like it would be roomy enough for our uses (our biggest colander fits, and it's around 18"). No garbage disposal, so we won't be doing prep directly into the sink. It will be for rinsing veggies, washing hands, and draining pots. I'll have to go see a 24" sink, though we had a 25" single bowl at the last house, which was small for our only sink, but seems like it would be too big as a "spare" sink. My husband still isn't completely convinced about the sink, so I haven't wanted to rock the boat on the sink size. He seems pretty set on ~18 inches. I'm having a hard time really envisioning that pantry wall, even after seeing elevations on the (various, now 4) designers' computers. I've gotten feedback that it would look "best" with deeper flanking tall cabs and recessed inner/counter portion (15-12-15), or "best" with the opposite, with the center/counter part jutting out a bit (13-15-13). Also that it might look bad if it was all the same depth across (either 12" or 13").