Personally, if it functions better, I would do it. As you said, it probably won't be noticeable and, IMHO, the "sink centered under the window" is a design holdover from the days when people did dishes by hand and spent a lot more time at the sink. Today, the most time is spent prepping...which means putting your prep workspace under the window is an even better idea!

I wouldn't sweat 1.5".

If you'd like, you could post your layout here and ask for a critique. It's free and having multiple "eyes" can help you get the best plan for you. Check out the "Layout Help" topic in the "Read Me" thread for more information.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: New To Kitchens? Posting Pics? Read Me!

I think it would probably look odd... but I think I'd have to see it laid out to know for sure. Can you do a 30" sink base with drawer bases or super susans on either side?

Regardless, if you're not feeling it, let them know. The KD at Lowe's made a bunch of suggestions to us, for example having cabinets extend all the way to the edges of the windows, but we nixed them.

You probably won't notice. Ours is like that unintentionally (I forgot to send the cabinetmaker the new measurements once we plastered a section of wall, so he built to the original dimensions) and honestly, you really can't tell. *But* we did center the faucet and the sink on the window (mostly---they're 1/2" off because a stud was in the way of the wall-mount faucet, so the faucet is centered over the sink but both are off-center with the window and the base cabinet). We have a 30" sink in a 36" base cabinet; I think there are some 30" sinks that will go into 33" cabinets, too. If you can do that, you definitely won't notice---it all sort of blurs together since your eye expects it to line up so you see it that way.

I think it depends on whether or not *knowing* it is off will bother you, regarless of what your eyes see. I wouldn't want to think "mistake" every time I looked at the sink wall.

Where would the lights go above this? Will they be recessed and unobtrusive, or had you planned on pendants? will pendants highlight the assymetry?

I personally am a fan of centering... or NOT centering. If the sink is not centered, I am happier if it's OBVIOUSLY not centered. If it's slightly off, that would bug me. So if it's not centered, embrace that and move it even further off center.

But then again, I am a slightly neurotic-type that represses urges to straighten pictures in other people's houses. LOL.

Our sink is off center by probably about 1-1.5" thanks to a late-hour change. It's also not really notable probably thanks to using a sink that isn't symmetrical. I think the fact that the faucet doesn't mount in the center helps hide asymmetry. I've seen this shape in both single and double (usually 70/30) bowls, under-mount and drop in. Picture below shows what I'm talking about.

As other people mentioned, think about lighting or other things that with either highlight or hide the asymmetry. And if this is by chance a pass through window and not exterior window, re-framing is easy.

I agree with MAYBE.

1.5 inches can be noticable on its own just with the cabinet. But as mentioned above, there are other things that make it really noticable. ie: is there a light centered above it that hangs down? a symetrical sink may not be a problem, but one with a centered faucet may be.

Another factor you may find is how big is the kitchen? in a galley kitchen, you might not notice as you're not standing accross the room, dead on, taking it all in. on a bigger kitchen with the window and sink as the focal point, it may make more of a difference.

As much as anyone on here can say, No, won't be a problem.... it really is a personal thing. What bothers some people won't bother others.

I have a cabinet maker who is bothered by symmetry to no end including pushing to have the top drawer line go around the room to include a false drawer in the corners and the cabinet we have that is full height upright cabinet. its a peeve of his, it actually looks really nice, but is a bit extreme.

I agree with Law and Marc, either center it or not, but almost centered would bother me, a lot. if your sink is asymmetrical, that would help it not matter as much.

Do you actually have a choice, or are you locked in by necessity? If you'd rather have it centered, look at everything to the right of the sink. Can any of those things be moved over or made shorter by 1.5"? Could you swap one kind of cab for another to make up the difference? It might be helpful to take the cabinetry spec book home and go through it to check all the possibilities. Take your time until you're satisfied that you have all your options in hand.

You might want to take your plan to a local cabinet maker and ask them what they can do. Many people here have said that has been more economical and satisfactory for them. Custom cabinets makers won't have any trouble reclaiming that 1.5"

What almost everyone else said is true: it doesn't have to be centered. On the other hand, the most pressing question is, will this bother you every time you look at it?

Thanks for all the info. My home was built in the late 70's. My kitchen cabinet area is aprox. 12x12.5, U-shaped. The window is 42' wide, woodwork to wordwork and looks into the back yard. You've gave me a lot to consider. One thing for sure, I don't want to sacrifice space or make anything smaller just to incorporate new ideas that wouldn't be functional for me. I am used to a large double sink so I won't like going to a single. I think I will go back to the drawing board. Thanks again.

Try a 30/70 double bowl sink...functionality of a double bowl but with a larger bowl for your larger items. That also gives you the ability to center the faucet which is much more noticeable b/c that's what's "lined up" with the window and is ...not the sink. Think about it, if you see a double bowl sink and the faucet isn't lined up, that's what your eyes are drawn to and what you'll notice is or is not "off".

However, if you think it will bother you, then don't do it.

I recommend, if you haven't already done so, you post your kitchen layout here for critique and/or to come up with a new design. See the "Layout Help" topic in the "Read Me" thread for more information if you're interested. (It's free!)

Here is a link that might be useful: New To Kitchens? Posting Pics? Read Me!