Apron Front Sinks

Apron front sinks: Learn everything about it from history to its current use

There can be a plethora of choices in kitchen sinks in the market, but you keep coming back to apron front every time. Did you ever wonder why this happens so? Whether you have a traditional or modern kitchen setup, a farmhouse sink can be a dramatic addition to it. The ergonomic engineering and no-nonsense design lend it a unique advantage, which has been its legacy since the 17^th century. So, let’s first dive into its historical past that gave you this choice and somewhere played a critical role in its evolution with time.

The origin of apron front kitchen sinks

The invention of farmhouse style kitchen sinks goes back to the time when running water was not available. People had to carry water in their buckets from nearby lakes and rivers to their homes. These sinks helped people cut down their frequent trips to the water source. Of the initial designs, Belfast and London sinks are quite common. Belfast sinks belong to Ireland, while London sinks to Britain. The design of the Belfast sinks was such that additional water would pour out quickly. These used to be deeper. London sinks, on the other side, were facile and did not feature any overflow system.

According to popular belief, Belfast sinks were versatile as they also served as the bathing tub for children. The London sink design focused more on water conservation. Since it displayed smaller bowls, you could use a limited amount of water only.

Over time, another variant entered the market – French farmhouse sink. The new style that made its way in the latter part of the 19^th century was mainly the separate unit of white clay. Eventually, other materials also started flooding the market, including cast iron, copper, and nickel. These saw rising demand until about the 1940s. After that, the scarcity of materials became a challenge.

Again, after the lapse of time, farmhouse sinks made a modern appearance in different materials, such as copper and porcelain. The modern apron front designs inspired by their precursors offer fantastic functionality, accommodating even bulky pans and pots with ease. Today, these have become an archetypical consort for contemporary kitchens that feature vintage, traditional, rustic, or present-day charm through cabinets. For an idea, you can quickly run your eyes through the options of an apron sink by Kraus.

Many decades have passed since the time they came into existence, and yet these kitchen sinks have remained to be the constant fixture in a lot of households. If you want to make this classic, timeless choice yours, then here are a few suggestions to provide some help.

The selection of modern-day apron front sinks

Black, white, charcoal, and brown are some of the popular palettes in farmhouse sinks. Of them, you can opt for white for its sheer purity and calming vibes. In white color, you can choose fireclay models that use a unique clay mix in construction. After molding and glazing, they have to face high temperatures to become long-lasting, durable, and free from chipping and scratching.  But in fireclay material, you might not get choices between a single and double bowl. For that, you have to opt for stainless steel. In the stainless surface, you can choose between single and double basins. The single basins are typically spacious so that you can wash a large pan or dish easily. The dual bowl systems allow you to use one segment for dishwashing and another for prepping your food.

One of the exciting highlights of the modern-day apron sinks is their workstation accessories and features. Some models come with add-ons like dish drainer and cutting board to help you perform your task hassle-free and in an organized manner.

Then, in some sinks, you can come across pull-down faucets, which you can pull in any corner of the bowl quickly. However, if you don’t have such a system, then make sure that it is at least convenient to use for cleaning tall stockpots. If you could arrange for a side spray, it will be even better. Your cleaning job will happen smoothly. If there isn’t enough space at the back of the sink, then you can opt for a wall-mounted faucet. Or, you can select a sink that comes equipped with predrilled holes.

Other than that, the latest farmhouse designs also feature a bottom rack for an additional nominal price so that extra water and residues can drain out quickly. And you don’t have to fear about the new surface getting damaged due to dirty water or food remains collecting there.

Understanding some nuances when choosing an apron front sink 

Since you read a bit about the farmhouse sink’s history, you may wonder whether you should select a fireclay or cast-iron material for its authentic traditional charm or pick something from stainless steel and granite composite that are more recent. Well, it’s up to your taste and preference what you like the most. If you feel connected to countryside themes and old-world charm, then fireclay or cast-iron materials can serve your purpose rightly. However, if you want to reap the benefit of modern appearance and designs while also basking in its legacy, then stainless steel or granite can be one of your ultimate choices.

In this context, it is interesting to note that even when you opt for a traditional material out of curiosity for yesteryear’s design influence, you wouldn’t get to enjoy the full impact as such. Earlier, farmhouse models used to be complete standalone workstations by themselves with drainboard and backsplash. But the modern versions don’t include these features. They are just single or double bowl systems that you can install in your cabinet or countertop.

Anyway, many homeowners buy farmhouse or apron sinks for their kitchens because their protruded front doesn’t allow water pooling and as a result, save the cabinetry from getting spoiled. Also, their discreet look can enhance any interior theme effortlessly. Plus, the choice of different colors and materials is another advantage. For an enjoyable experience, you can browse through the branded collection once. 

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates