2022 Buyer’s Guide: Bar & Prep Sinks

When shopping for a sink, most homeowners have two rooms in mind: the bathroom and the kitchen. But there’s another type of sink that packs a lot of punch and practical use in one small package: the bar and prep sink.

This sink style brings convenience and comfort to everyday tasks. Some of our favorites include: 

• Washing delicate cocktail glasses right at the bar area.
• Rinsing vegetables away from dirty dishes in the kitchen.
• Compact cleaning in confined spaces like tiny homes and rental properties.

Given the array of uses, many homeowners struggle with selecting the right bar and prep sink. That’s why we’re taking time to share our top buying tips in this week’s buyer’s guide.

1. Determine if this is a DIY project or better left for the professionals.

We typically see this small-but-mighty sink make its appearance in a home as a long-awaited, much-desired upgrade. It’s a special add-on that takes a basic room and transforms it into a standout entertaining space fit for the best hosts and hostesses, both in open-concept kitchens and man caves alike.

It’s exciting to think about all the ways to use a mini sink but, like we shared in our Bathroom Sink Buying Guide, it’s important to take the installation method into consideration when selecting your sink before taking one home. Two of the most popular installation styles are drop-in and undermount sinks.

• Drop-in sinks are perfect for weekend warriors that want to take this home improvement project into their own hands. To install, this sink is – quite literally – dropped into the existing countertop. The end result shows off more of this sink material in sight, right on the countertop.
• Undermount sinks require a bit more effort to properly install. Though a professional isn’t required, their expert touch will come in handy, especially if you’re a DIY novice. When installed correctly, these sinks fit snugly beneath the countertop for a seamless, tucked-away look.

 

2. Choose a material that complements the surrounding fixtures and appliances.

If you’re considering bringing a smaller sink into your kitchen or bar area, we recommend you take the entire room into consideration. (This isn’t your opportunity to try out all the materials.)

Rather than mix and match with the first sink you fall in love with, stick with the finish you already have in the space for a cohesive look. This includes faucets and any other sinks. Sure, a new prep sink may be in a kitchen island far away from an existing copper farmhouse sink, but it should still play off its style. Otherwise, you’ll be left with a disjointed design.

Side note: we love the Sisley for copper kitchens.

3. Consider the best size and shape for its use.

Lastly, when choosing a sink for your wet bar or kitchen prep area, picture a “day in the life” before committing. While this sink style seems standard, the slightest differences can be a great benefit. For example, a shallow 12-inch sink may be all you need for your basement bar but a deep 18-inch sink may better serve your kitchen.

We hope this Buyer’s Guide has helped you narrow down your bar and prep sink search and that you now have a good idea of which sink will best suit your space. If you have additional questions about Sinkology bar and prep sinks, contact us. 

Stay tuned for next week’s Buyer’s Guide: Kitchen Drain Edition.

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If you have any additional questions during your search for the perfect copper, fireclay farmhouse sink or crafted stainless steel sink, our Sinkologists are here to help. Contact us or follow us on Facebook, Houzz, Pinterest, Instagram, or TikTok for more helpful tips and design ideas.