Are you contemplating which is better … single vs double kitchen sink? This is one of those decisions that you don’t even *think* about until you are building or renovating a home, but it’s an important decision.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer here. You have to decide what is better for YOUR family and YOUR needs based on three key factors. These factors include your kitchen size, how you intend to use your sink, and your budget.

In this post, we’ll cover these three important things you should keep in mind as you make this decision, as well the pros and cons of both single and double sinks so you can decide which is the better choice for YOUR family.

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WHICH IS BETTER: SINGLE VS DOUBLE KITCHEN SINK?

As I said above, there is no definitive answer to this question. Like all design decisions for your home, your choice should be based on what works best for YOUR family and YOUR needs … regardless of what other people say is the “right answer”.

The trend is certainly moving away from double bowl sinks. Double sinks were popular before the dishwasher was invented; this allowed people to keep dirty dishes soaking in one bowl, while the other bowl was used for rinsing the clean dishes.

Now that most homes have a dishwasher, the need for two sink bowls isn’t as pressing. However, there are still factors that come into play when making this decision.

You need to really think about YOUR cooking and dishwashing habits, as well as your budget and available space in your kitchen.

The most important thing to keep in mind as you read the pros/cons and costs below is to think about how YOU work in your kitchen … particularly when preparing food and cleaning up after meals.

COST: SINGLE VS DOUBLE KITCHEN SINK

On average, a double bowl sink tends to cost slightly more than a single bowl sink. This is primarily because more material is used to make the sink and double sinks tend to be larger.

However, price is also dependent on the sink’s brand and the material (finish) used. One of the most budget-friendly options is stainless steel. On average, a 33” single bowl sink made from stainless steel costs ~$220 whereas a double sink the same size and material costs ~$300.

Installation for a double sink also tends to be more expensive because it’s more challenging and technically has two drain systems.

PROS + CONS OF SINGLE KITCHEN SINK

A single bowl sink is one, usually large, basin with no divider.

Single sinks are ideal for small kitchens because they come in a variety of sizes, ranging from very small single (14″ish) to very large.

PROS OF SINGLE BOWL SINK

• saves counter space (unless you have a very large single sink)
• tends to be roomier so there is plenty of space to handwash large pots and pans
• comes in a variety of sizes from very small to very large
• ideal if you have a small kitchen or are limited on space
• large, deep single bowl allows you to stack up dirty dishes until you’re ready to wash them (I’m guilty of doing this ????)
• typically easier and less expensive to install than double sinks
• less expensive than double sinks, on average

CONS OF SINGLE BOWL SINK

• unable to separate clean and dirty dishes
• heavy metal pots and pans will be combined with delicate glassware
• can’t separate contaminated (raw meat) dirty dishes from other dishes
• have to airdry dishes on your counter (which takes up precious counter space)

PROS + CONS OF DOUBLE KITCHEN SINK

A double bowl sink has two basins separated by a wall or divider. You can find double sinks with equally sized bowls, but more often there is one larger and one smaller bowl. Double sinks work best in kitchens that have plenty of counter space.

You can also find double sinks with a low divider (only about halfway high) which almost gives you the “best of both worlds” (i.e. eliminates the problem of washing large pots and pans because they’ll fit better in this type of double sink).

PROS OF DOUBLE BOWL SINK

• can soak dishes in one bowl while rinsing dishes in the other bowl
• can add a drying rack in one bowl to air dry dishes (this eliminates dishes airdrying on your counter)
• can separate dirty (raw meat) dishes from any meal prep
• can separate heavy metal clunky dishes from delicate glassware

CONS OF DOUBLE BOWL SINK

• can be difficult to handwash large pots and pans because the divider gets in the way
• garbage disposal is only on one side so food particles can get stuck in the drain of the other bowl
• requires more counter space so it’s not ideal for small kitchens
• typically not as deep as single bowl, so not as easy to ‘hide’ dishes

As I mentioned above, there is no one-size-fits-all answer here. You have to decide which is better for YOUR family and YOUR kitchen based on several key factors: your kitchen size, how you intend to use your sink, and your budget.

Like most design decisions for your new home, you just have to look at the pros and cons and make a decision that works best for your needs.

If you want some guidance on making this decision as well as ALL your design decisions with CONFIDENCE, grab a copy of my FREE ‘Design Decision Guided Workbook’! You don’t want to miss this :).