We purchased a stainless steel single bowl ledge sink from CreateGoodSinks, and bought the coordinating stainless roll up drying rack that sits on the ledge. We roll it up when not in use, but we also leave it unrolled about halfway and let things dry on it without it impeding our use of the rest of the sink.

We will have a vintage sink with built in drainboard, kind of like this one (except ours is a double sink, double drainboard):

http://vermontsalvage.com/products/item_info.asp?Brand_id=8662

Virtually no one buys a double bowl sink when replacing their sink. Single bowls dominate, 98%.

Consider buying a workstation sink. They come in so many configurations now, and you can even get one with an integral drain board if you want to put your black mat there. Even Costco carries some version of this kind of sink, or you can go fully custom with Rachiele.

Exactly what I was in eloquently trying to describe.

Thanks for info on these options. The workstation sinks seem to have the dishes sitting essentially on top of the sink, level with the countertop - doesn't that substantially decrease what fits, as well as make it much more visible? Like the picture with the two coffee cups - those are sitting out super visible at counter level, versus being hidden "deep" in the sink on a rack. I guess I'm still missing the utility of a giant sink basin and can only see what I'd be giving up.

Workstations at the budget friendly end have two levels for work - the manufactured ledge at the top, and the sink bottom. More expensive options have three work levels (top, middle and bottom) but it’s not that you don’t get the concept of a workstation. You just don’t want to change the way you use your sink. So, you do you.

We use drying mats. They sit on the counter. They are almost always in use. I understand how that’s not as desirable in a 10x10 kitchen. we had an 8x8 kitchen in our last rental so I understand how drying dishes can take up all the available area.

if a double bowl sink works for you I’d get another one. Sometimes you have to please yourself.

I like the single bowl for rinsing large items and also stowing dirty stuff. if I had to keep the 8x8 kitchen I’d consider a workstation.

We do dishes similarly as you have described. We have a large single bowl Kohler porcelain sink. We are a scratch-cooking family of 6, with a teen-aged baker, so I wish we had 2 dishwashers, but I digress. We put as much as we can into the DW, but not large pots and pans (I agree they take up too much room and don't even get clean), good knives, or china. We just wash them and put them on a drying mat or two at night. The next morning, we just put them away after they have dried. If you match the color of the drying mat to your counter top, then the mat is less obvious.

We don't own a dish rack. We do put wine glasses, and all other glasses, into the dishwasher.

If we use our china or crystal, which we do about 5 or 6 times a year, I place a very large stainless steel bowl into my sink and wash the china/crystal in there. If I accidentally drop something, it won't break bc the stainless is more forgiving. So I guess I create a "double sink" about 5 or 6 times a year. And when I'm cleaning the china and crystal, I lay out beach towels on the counter while I'm working, then hand dry and put away.

The rest of the year, I really enjoy having the large single bowl sink.

I can't image what you would be giving up. I would hate a divided sink. I have an herb and veggie garden, so I sterilize the large sink, fill with water and wash my herbs and veggies.

I recently got single bowl which is very deep, with a grid. To my delight, I can leave the dishes or glasses to air dry and they are totally out of the way and not visible at all. This is the one I have. This doesn't show the grid, but the dishes rest on the grid.

I just redid my kitchen about the same size as yours and went from a single bowl granite composite sink to a nice 60/40 Kohler sink I found on Amazon with sink grates. I LOVE IT. I love having a place to put the dishes I hand wash. I use the sink grate on one side as a drainer. I got a stainless steel one that has kind of a textured finish. I don’t care what’s popular. I got what I wanted for how WE live, and how I use my kitchen.

I'm with you @sparkshooter. I don't get the single-bowl craze. Too much real estate to clean at the end of dishwashing sessions! (When using a single bowl sink, I hate chasing food crumbs so far around, trying to get them into the drain!) This is why, when we did a kitchen reno 8 months ago, we put in a double-bowl sink with a low divide -- and we LOVE it! Highly recommend it to you. We chose Elkay Crosstown, and installed it as a drop-in, just like in this photo. (It can also be under-mounted, if preferred.):

We also purchased an Elkay "Rinsing Basket" that hangs down from the sink's rim (see 2nd photo in link), and we've found that dishes dry so much faster this way, than when sitting in a drain rack down inside of a double bowl. There is much better air flow -- especially when used in a low-divide sink: https://www.amazon.com/Elkay-LKWERBSS-Rinsing-Basket/dp/B0011YEI5M

It all depends on what works best for you. I have a single bowl sink , but i have a dishwasher. Most items go in the dishwasher. I like the large sink for washing large pots and cookie sheets. We also just bought a hunting camp (closing Wednesday) that doesn't have a dishwasher. It has a double bowl sink. It is nice to wash in one and rinse the dishes in the other. We had that set up when I was a kid and didn't have a dishwasher. I like to air dry the dishes.

I absolutely love a double bowl sink. I have a Koehler that has one sink that is larger than the other side. I always have one side full of hot soapy water while I cook - clean as you go, but have full access to the other sink and garbage disposal. My bigger side of the sink accommodates large pots and the grates off of my stove. Get what works for you.

I will never own a single bowl sink. My double can handle sheet pans and pots just fine. I like the extra rinse sink.

I hate double bowl sinks. Then again I find washing dishes by filling the sink with water to be disgusting when the water turns cloudy and is full of food particles so I have no need for separate washing and rinsing basins. I also find the inconvenience of chasing crumbs around the sink or having to clean a large basin to be ridiculous and completely overweighed by certain cookware or a large sheet pan not fitting entirely in the basin. I‘m wondering if perhaps the preference for a double basin sink is generational.

I predict in 20 years they will come up with the "new" idea of having a double basin sink! The convenience of the ability to use one half of the sink while the other half is being used for something else or while full of soapy water or other items!

I've always wanted one of those dish drying cabinets, but alas, don't have the extra wall space. https://www.today.com/shop/what-astiankuivauskaappi-finnish-dish-drying-method-you-need-t118613 

I have a double bowl sink but I wish one side was as big as a single bowl!

Best 50 cents I ever spent at a rummage sale was for a narrow dishdrainer that suspends from the sides of the sink, kind of like the Elkay that pittsburrito mentioned above. But it's plastic and only 6"-7" wide. And since it hangs down into the sink it's not too visible. It holds a fair bit of overflow and hand-wash.

I am in the process of building a new house. I bought a 60/40 Elkay Crosstown with an integrated drainboard. I do have a large island to put it in(sink is 47"wide). I'm hoping it will eliminate the need for any extra drainage on the side. One downside is that there will be a very large hole in my Cambria if I decide I don't like the sink.

Drainboard sinks aren't "in" but they sure are convenient:

• Blanco Metra X (super-duper)
• Signature Hardware Alardt
• Lavello Luxor
• ALFI brand Alfi Trade