It may seem a luxury item to some but if you have the room and can afford to fit it in to your remodeling plans, I can tell you, it’s absolutely worth it! It’s probably one of the best decisions Joe and I made in our kitchen remodel 8 years ago.
Our kitchen may look on the larger size, but it’s really not. And especially not when you have 3 adult sized beings in it plus a Golden Retriever while you’re cooking, doing homework, snacking and just living daily family life!
THE WORK SINK
Our main, double ‘work’ sink sits in our island. This is where hot pots come off of the stove-top and where vegetables are drained. Everyone knows to go the other way if I’m cooking. I was so afraid to trip over Eliza when she was little or Murphy with a pot of hot water in my hands.
It’s also our dirty dish station and is directly next to our dishwasher, also in the island.
We had built our sideboard under the window, deep enough that it could house a small sink in the event we chose to install one and to provide additional storage for cookware, lunch bags, candles, flower vases etc, while not taking up too much depth and much needed cupboard space in the work areas. Every inch matters in a kitchen! And a smaller sink would take up less valuable counter space. Joe again gave me ‘the look’ at my suggestion of a second sink but he’s really enjoying the convenience of it now!
THE PREP SINK
There are a variety of shapes and sizes available on the market in considering one. We opted for the smaller single drop-in, stainless steel prep sink and it fits our needs perfectly.
Joe and I prepare our meals together most evenings. That only works out well for us because he’s on the other side of the island and with the prep sink behind him.
It’s super convenient for cleaning vegetables, filling water glasses and making coffee in the mornings, or espresso in the evenings as we’re cleaning up after a meal.
It’s easy access for changing the water on flowers and watering plants!
And it’s at the prep sink that Joe mixes up the occasional weekend cocktail for us.
It’s also our coffee/hot chocolate/Christmas corner. You can probably spot the candy canes still on the shelf in the pic above. It’s still Christmas over here in the year that we’ve needed the cheery décor to hang around just a bit longer but also, we are still in a chilly winter here on the East Coast! Hot chocolate is still on the menu daily while doing homework and candy canes are the icing on top when it’s -25 out long after Christmas! It’s all good!
And the second sink is especially appreciated when preparing a huge family Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner which can get a wee bit stressy! When family members are helping with meals – prepping, serving and setting the table, there can be a lot of traffic in one room at one time while you’re still cooking.
The second sink has proven so practical for us as a growing family with another on the way. Not only does it make for an all-around better kitchen workflow and help to keep everyone out of the cook’s way, but it also allows us as a family, and couple, more time spent together. Work days are far too long and our time together, far too short!
Suddenly preparing, cooking, and cleaning up has become less stressful and not so lonely in a family activity we can all take part in – without bumping into one another. Hello Gunner!
Happy!!
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