Is a Kitchen Corner Sink Right for You?
We cover all the angles of the kitchen corner, from savvy storage to traffic issues, so you can make a smart decision about your sink
Lisa Frederick
August 17, 2012
Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately... More
If your kitchen is awkwardly designed, is lean on space or just needs a little visual interest in the layout, consider a corner sink. While this placement can be a smart, efficient way to make use of the floor plan, there also are some potential downsides to think about. Read on to determine if this could be the right solution for your space.
Advantages of a Corner Kitchen Sink
Storage. The modified wedge shape of a cabinet under a corner sink creates ample space to stash cleaning supplies, kitchen gear and other odds and ends, and also allows more room for plumbing pipes. Just be aware that these pluses come with a consideration: If you have heavy countertops such as granite, it's trickier for a corner cabinet to provide the support they need.
Storage. The modified wedge shape of a cabinet under a corner sink creates ample space to stash cleaning supplies, kitchen gear and other odds and ends, and also allows more room for plumbing pipes. Just be aware that these pluses come with a consideration: If you have heavy countertops such as granite, it's trickier for a corner cabinet to provide the support they need.
Design flexibility. In small kitchens, where you need to take advantage of every inch, orienting the sink in the corner can preserve as much work area as possible.
Consult a kitchen designer about corner sink options
Consult a kitchen designer about corner sink options
Putting dead space to work. A corner sink can occupy an odd niche that otherwise would have languished. If you have the square footage, you might consider adding a second sink elsewhere in the kitchen to boost the functionality of the work zone. Or put a bar sink in the corner for entertaining and site your main sink along a countertop or in an island.
Unbroken counters. Because corner sinks don't break up the flow of countertops along the wall, you'll have a longer stretch of work space. Corner countertop space generally isn't as easy for spreading out or doing heavy prep work, so this can be a worthwhile tradeoff.
Disadvantages of a Corner Kitchen Sink
Smaller size, lighter materials. It’s hard, though not impossible, to squeeze wide, deep, extra heavy or two-bowl sinks into an angled corner. Unless your cabinetry has enough corner space and support to accommodate a larger or weightier style (and most such cabinets are custom built), your sink options will be limited.
Bat wing–style sinks — two-bowl models that resemble an inverted V — are designed to sit within a 90-degree corner angle. However, these sinks can’t always hold oversize pots and pans. The same holds true for triangular sinks.
Smaller size, lighter materials. It’s hard, though not impossible, to squeeze wide, deep, extra heavy or two-bowl sinks into an angled corner. Unless your cabinetry has enough corner space and support to accommodate a larger or weightier style (and most such cabinets are custom built), your sink options will be limited.
Bat wing–style sinks — two-bowl models that resemble an inverted V — are designed to sit within a 90-degree corner angle. However, these sinks can’t always hold oversize pots and pans. The same holds true for triangular sinks.
Tight elbow room. Corner sinks can make it hard for two people to work side by side. Even if you're each stationed at one end of the countertop, you may find yourselves backing into each other as you jostle for sink space.
Cramped appliance zones. In a typical kitchen design, the dishwasher sits next to the sink for easy loading. With a corner sink, though, an adjacent dishwasher can hem you in and block traffic when the door is open. A range or a low-mounted oven may create the same problem.
Cleaning difficulty. If your corner is deep enough, it can be hard to reach all the way back to wipe up splashes and dust, especially if you’re short. Recessing the corner cabinet a few inches can help — or just keep a step stool handy.
Do you have a corner sink? Please let us know how it works for you in the Comments.
Do you have a corner sink? Please let us know how it works for you in the Comments.
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The only time I got backaches with my corner sink was when I was pregnant. But I may have got backaches then anyway. I loved my corner sink, and I loved all the counter space it bought me. My counter space was in front of my window where I could work and watch the kids play on their swing set. I spent more time preparing at that countertop than cleaning up at the sink. Also, prep time was in daylight and sink time was in dark in winter. Nothing to look at anyway. I never had help in the kitchen, so I never bumped into anyone at the corner sink. I did, however have help at that long counter under the window. I have nice memories of making cookies with the kids there to share with neighbors, friends and family. There was room for a kid on either side of me. Sigh...
Here is a photo of mine. Each side is no further back from the edge of the counter than a regular sink. Glass blocks are between the counter and cabinet and as the backsplash to the stove top. The outlets are on the underside of the cupboards.
Katherinei, I love your kitchen. It looks so peaceful and quiet. It looks like a great place to be with a friend.