Farmhouse Kitchen Sink: Pros and Cons
Love the way a farmhouse apron front sink looks, but wanting more info on how it holds up? Here’s my list of farmhouse sink pros and cons, after ten years of use.
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When we were building Old Salt Farm, one of the things I knew that I absolutely wanted in our kitchen was a farmhouse apron sink. I just adore the way they look, and the farmhouse charm that it adds to the entire space. It was such a focal point of our kitchen. We lived there for almost 10 years, I can also speak to how it held up over that period of time. With eight people and six kids in our house, it received a lot of use…and not always very gentle use!
As I was designing the kitchen, this sink was at the top of my list. I couldn’t wait to have one big sink, perfect for washing baking sheets and large pots and pans. And I just loved the way they looked–so homey and charming. Along with a barn wood island, Dutch door, and a few other items, I was excited about how it would all come together.
10 years later, we’ve moved and built Cottage on Blackberry Hill. With a farmhouse cottage aesthetic, I chose more farmhouse and vintage sinks because I loved them so much! They add the perfect amount of charm, and also practicality that I appreciate. After these years of experience, I have a list of pros and cons to share as a resource for anyone looking and deciding for their home.
Table of contents
Types of farmhouse sinks
After some sink research, I decided on a fireclay apron front, undermount sink at Old Salt Farm. Fireclay is a type of ceramic known for its durability, and for its resistance to chips and scratches. This is due to the manufacturing process, as it’s fired at much higher temperatures than regular ceramic sinks. Because of this, it makes a great choice for the kitchen, where it’s sure to get a lot of heavy use. It was my first apron front sink, and I absolutely loved it for years.
At Cottage on Blackberry Hill, I have a few different types of sinks across several rooms.
Kitchen
Still the fireclay apron front, I decided on an apron sink with a high back, giving it a more vintage feel. With a vintage style kitchen faucet, it was exactly what I envisioned for the space. It’s very easy to clean, is a large size that fits anything I need it to, and is gorgeous. So happy with it!
Scullery
To fit in this space, and because it’s more of a prep sink, I selected a smaller 24×18 fireclay apron front sink in the scullery. It doesn’t get as much heavy use as the kitchen, washing large pots and pans, but this is a busy space, and I still wanted to make sure I had a fireclay sink.
Pros
Large, single sink
I absolutely LOVE the large, single bowl sink style. I had always had a double sink before this one, but I knew going into it that I would love it. I have a lot of large pans and dishes that I use on a regular basis, and it makes washing them a breeze. Cookie sheets, crockpot inserts, large pots, baking dishes…they all fit easily in the sink to either wash or soak. No more soaking big dishes on the counter (which inevitably made a mess)!
I way prefer having one large sink over a double sink. After more than ten years, I have never missed having a double sink, and only love the large sink more. I’ve not had an issue when handwashing dishes, or anything else. For me, the larger sink just makes it easier, as I can fit even the biggest pots and cookie sheets.
Double sink option
If you can’t imagine not having a double sink, you’re in luck! There are double sink apron front sinks that have the same charm and feel, but without sacrificing the extra sink, if that’s your preference.
Durability
The durability of the fireclay is a major plus for me. I have six children, five of them being 10 and under, and so it gets a lot of rough use every day. SO many dishes have been dropped in that sink, and it’s held up beautifully. Some people add a pad to the bottom of their sink just in case something is dropped, but I don’t like it.
Fireclay is known to last for many years due to its manufacturing process, and the high-heat firing creates a touch, non-porous, and resilient surface. I highly recommend using a fireclay sink if being used in the kitchen or high, heavy use areas. Regular ceramic can work for bathrooms, due to lighter use.
Easy to clean
I have found the sinks very easy to keep clean, overall. The kitchen sink is white, so I always make sure to clean it right away after rinsing or washing out certain foods, like spaghetti sauce. I do have to wipe it down pretty much everyday, or it starts getting a ring around the edges. I’ve battled with other types of sinks too, and I’ll take this one over stainless steel any day, and trying to keep the water spots at bay. While it needs to be wiped down often, it cleans easily, and I don’t have to do a lot of scrubbing if I stay on top of it.
And the best secret to keeping a white fireclay farmhouse sink clean is using Barkeepers Friend and good old baking soda. Between the two, they’ll get rid of the metal scrapes from pots or pans, food stains, and other marks.
Classic & timeless style
This is a huge plus for me! A sink is a practical item in your kitchen, but it’s also a focal point. It can add to the overall style of your kitchen and your home, and I love what it adds to the aesthetic of the space. While it’s been an ongoing trend for the quite a few years, the beauty of an apron front sink is that it’s also considered a timeless and classic style.
Going back hundreds of years, there will always be a place for these sinks, and not going out of style as of 2026 in homes with this aesthetic. I don’t typically follow trends just to follow them, but when you’re building a home or remodeling a kitchen, it’s certainly a factor. The two kitchens I’ve had them in have been quite different, and work beautifully in both.
It also works in different styles of kitchens beyond a farmhouse aesthetic, especially if you choose a different material than white fireclay. Stainless steel, copper, and marble are all options that will vary on upkeep and budget, but will give you some of the same benefits and style.
Cons
Price
Farmhouse sinks aren’t always inexpensive, but it depends on several factors. Since we built Old Salt Farm more than ten years ago, the prices have come down a bit, and you can find them quite a few different places online and in stores. It also depends on the style you’re looking for. The more simple, classic apron front style I had at Old Salt Farm, and now in my scullery are quite reasonable for this type of sink. (less than $200) In my kitchen now, the high-back vintage style was quite bit more expensive. Other styles and finish materials can also affect the price, and can be quite expensive. Another part of your budget to consider is installation costs, if you need to hire someone, or if there are alterations that need to be made to your existing cabinets.
Potential scratching and staining
I read a lot about this when I was researching sinks, and with a large family and small children, it gave me pause. Going into it I was prepared for its upkeep. However, I have been pleasantly surprised. Even after all the years, and thousands of dishes done (and definitely some dropped), we have no chips in our sink. I have taught the kids to be careful, but they’re still kids, and accidents certainly happen.
When it comes to staining, I addressed a lot of that in the cleaning section of the pros. You do need to clean the sink right away if you’re washing something that can stain, such as spaghetti sauce. But if I do, it comes right off without scrubbing. Even if it’s been a little bit, when I’m coming in after kids who didn’t scrub the sink afterward, I use baking soda and/or a bit of Bar Keepers Friend, and off it comes. With any sink that gets heavy use there is something to watch out for, but for me, the experience has been well worth it.
Potential loss of space under sink
Farmhouse sinks do take up a lot of space, and you can potentially have less space underneath your sink than you’re used to. It really just depends on how much you need that space, and how important it is to you, if it’s a factor in your decision. There’s always been enough room for me to keep the basics–dishwasher pods, dish soap, kitchen disinfectant spray, garbage bags. I have little baskets to keep them in, and it works really well.
At the end of the day, it would be a resounding YES to the question of whether or not I would do it again. I love everything about it, and it’s proved to be durable and beautiful at the same time!
FAQ
I have an undermount farmhouse sink in our kitchen, which we added in our new build. Cabinets were fit and measured around the sink to make sure it would fit. Because of the extra depth, and larger than standard sinks, there is a chance it wouldn’t fit if you’re replacing an older sink in a remodel. Make sure you have the space, or you’re okay changing other things to make it work.
We don’t. My kids all help with the dishes and are in the kitchen a lot, and even with the younger ages and heavy use our sink is still in great condition
More ideas for home
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Have a happy day, my friends! You can always find me on Instagram…come by and say hi, I’d love it!
