I think 6 inches is too much. You spend more time standing in front of the sink, reaching into it than anything else and it would bother me. (However, I am short and plump). My KD wanted to pull out my sink a few inches--it is kind of a signature thing with him. That also did not appeal to me, because I kept thinking it would make the reach to either side of the sink farther than would be comfortable. The idea of recessing the sink is okay, but I would have the countertop follow the indentation.

I decided against tipouts for exactly this reason. Initially I really liked the idea, but having the sink even one inch further back, much less 2 or 3 inches seemed like a bad idea. I think about it now, as I use the deep sink, and I'm glad I decided not to do it. Having said that I do wish I had a place for the sponge...

- Jim

I have a granite counter with an undermount sink. There is only 3 3/4" between the edge of the counter and the sink - we were still able to fit in tip-outs. Let me know if you want me to post you a pic.

We're now realizing that this will make the distance from the sink interior to the counter edge about 6 inches. Do you think this is too far?

YES! It's a recipe for a backache, IMO.

6" is definitely too far. It will hurt your back.

I have 3" between the edge of the granite overhang and the sink edge. I also have a tip-out. Why do you need 6 inches for the overhang and tip-out? Something sounds wrong here.

If you're short, plump, or might ever be pregnant...get that sink as close to the edge as possible!!

i just measured; my sink is 4" from the edge and i have a tipout.

Hmmm...that's interesting. Maybe there are differences in the way cabinets are made. I looked up in my sink base and my sink is squashed up against the front (underneath). It is 3 1/2 inches from the countertop edge (on top). There might be a little space in there or maybe its just the way my cabinets are made. I don't know. 6" does seem more than ought be required though in any event.

- Jim

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate all of them. The 6" is hard to describe - basically we have 1.5" bumpouts on either side of the sink, so DH was thinking that we would have the counter be straight across those bumpouts, so instead of a 4" distance to sink it would be more like 5.5 or 6 inches. I should take a picture.

We had the templating done yesterday, and they suggested that we have the counter follow the bumpout - so bump out and back in. That puts us back to 4" for the edge, including the tipout. They said it will look much better that way, and I think I agree with them.

Anyway, we will have tip-outs and the shorter distance, just more curves on the counter edge, which I think is a good thing.

The templaters are correct. Their suggestion is how it's usually done...the counter follows the line of the cabinets, not just straight across.

Straight across might even cause some base cabinet access issues b/c of the large overhang over the shallower cabinet areas.

With the bumpout of the counter, you have a much more interesting look...one I originally wanted but couldn't do b/c of available space issues (I was going to do it for both the sink & cooktop).

BTW...if you make each side 3", you could install 3" filler pullouts in those bumpouts...although if you're templating for your counter I assume the cabinets are already in so it's a moot point.

You'll love the counter with bump outs :) And going with the sink less than 4" from the counter edge is the only way to go if you ever think you might want to sell the place :)

I have a bump out (by the range) and a bump in :) The fabricator hated making the counters, but he loved how they looked when they went in:

So, it will look something like this kitchen display?

I hope we never sell the place, or at least not for 20 years until after the kids are all gone, but of course you never know! I took some pictures today, here's the sink cabinet showing both the bumpouts (they are similar to the example that kompy found):

And here's a closeup of one of them:

I think they add interest to the cabinet, and I like them, plus the pattern matches other features in the house. I didn't think about pullouts, that could have been nice to have. Although I think we aren't losing any cabinet space - I'll have to look more closely, but I think they are just part of the front of the cabinet, so the interior still fills the space behind them.

We also have the same thing around the range on the other wall. Hopefully the fabricators will do a good job on the angles!

Here's another picture now that the countertop is in - I like it! I'm glad we went with the counter following the cabinet, it does look nice, and they rounded the corners and inside angles well.

@snowyshasta what did you end up doing? I now have a 5.5” space between sink and edge of countertop because of the stupid sponge holders. Please let me know!!

ana_46:

Your fabricator screwed up. A 4" front countertop rail will allow tip-out drawers to function. I'll bet there is little room between your faucet escutcheon and your splash too.