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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Help! Space between sink and edge of counter.

3 years ago

Our island countertop with sink was just installed and the stone guys left a 5” space between the edge of the countertop to sink. Plus our sink leaves a .5” reveal to fit accessories. So in total I have 5.5” from edge of counter to inside of the bowl. This feels too far back. Our stone guy showed us the 5” with the tape while at the measurement phase and I said sure - it didn’t seem so bad. He used some jargon about the cabinets and how it had to be that way because of the little sponge holder cubbies (which I don’t care about).

Quick facts:

inside sink bowl dimensions: 33” x 17” x 10”
there was enough space to come forward (remove the stupid sponge holder)
I’m 5’6, husband 5’11
Holes for faucet have already been cut
I’m at the tail end of a lengthy and costly full home renovation. Replacing the entire thing would be yet another costly mistake - but function of a kitchen sink is critical.

I guess what I’m looking for here is reassurance that it’ll be fine or a magical solution. Either way, your feedback is very gratefully appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Featured Answer

M Miller

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

5" is bigger than average, 3-4" is more typical, and it may hurt your back to have to do that lean when standing at the sink for a long time. It is rare to see the tip-outs for sponges any more. That is because they fell out of favor some years ago (you also posted on another thread about tipouts from 2008 which gives an idea how long ago) because they tend to get grungy, and don't let the damp sponges breathe.

You might want to look into replacing your sink with an apron front sink. One of our regular Pro posters, Joseph Corlett, has posted about this a number of times, and shown with pics how he does it. Perhaps do a search for his posts. Apron front sinks are not just the old-style fireclay anymore (which I don't recommend). They come in stainless steel and composite too, for a more current look.

Or, just live with it, and see how it goes. It may be absolutely fine.

Edited to add: just a quick google search turned up these threads that have photos to show what I mean:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4454249/apron-sink-retrofit

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5380920/should-i-go-with-stainless-steel-farmhouse-sink-i-love-or-undermount

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Comments (8)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
I would find that too big and BTW sponges are bacteria factories .
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@Shelley Graham Hi Shelley, it's been a long time since the original thread. On the off chance you see this, have you had any issues with the 4" in front of your sink? We also put in the larger Devonshire in our newly remodeled master bathroom. The stone fabricator left 4" in front of the sink. It feels like a bit of a reach to get to the faucet (we are using Devonshire single faucet.) I guess it also depends on your height? I'd love to hear your insights since you've lived with it for a while. Thanks much!
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We only have one sink in the full bath, but it was very recently redone and I clean the counter frequently to keep the water spots off, so I'm fairly familiar with what we get wet :-). Plenty of counter space, but very limited wet area unless DH shaves. I also know our floor and wall in the half bath don't really get wet, and it's mostly sink. If you have a few days to think, just clean the counters tonight and see where you get water over the next few days. Or put down some masking tape and see if it's in the line of fire. If there's a rule of thumb for this, i'm sure someone with expertise will come along with it!
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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!
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Omgosh!! So glad I posted on here. Thank you. I found a picture I like after looking at all of your pictures. i just talked to Martha, my architect (yes she works on weekends) and she said no problem. this is what we are going to do. I have 3 windows above my sink with 4 1/2 " trim around the window and we are going to bump that window grouping out 12 inches with an extended counter like Buehl. very similar to this. Thanks for bearing with me.
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User
3 years ago
You signed off on it, you own it. If you had a KD involved, they would never have done the tip outs, and they would have been at the template placement, and overruled any of the “easier” choices for the fabbers.
ana_46
Original Author
3 years ago
@live_wire_oak: I’m not trying to place blame. I fully understand I gave the go-ahead. And trust me .. no one knows the value of a designer more than me not having used one. But what is done is done and I’m looking forward. Just wanting to see if anyone is living with the same dimensions and how it works.

@M Miller: thanks for the advice.
chispa
3 years ago
I have 3.5" on my perimeter main sink and 3.75" on my island prep sink.

I would not be happy with 5.5", but that is one of my pet peeves (along with faucets that don't have enough reach!), so I always bring this up when I'm having sink/counters installed. I always tell them to bring it as far forward as the materials will safely allow.
acm
3 years ago
I have a tip-out (used for things other than sponges) and would also not have gotten it if I had realized it would push the sink back, but still I think mine is only about 3.5 inches, so 5 would kill me! (I'm shorter than you are, however.) See how it works in real life, and you may be ok.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
" I always tell them to bring it as far forward as the materials will safely allow."

That's 2 3/8" on this one:

And you can dance a Conga line over that skinny rail; the sink is strapped in place.
PRO
Charles Ross Homes
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
1. Our island is home to a smart-divide sink with a slight curve along the front edge. The granite width varies from 4 1/2" at the centerline of the sink to 5 1/2" at the ends. It's never been an issue for us.

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