Playing the Bowl Game: Single-Bowl Sink vs Double-Bowl Sink

A bowl competition might be all the rage in college football, but in kitchen remodeling, it's not exactly the most glamorous portion of the decision making process. People put plenty of thought into whether they want a stainless steel, porcelain, or acrylic sink, but the simple A or B choice between the single-bowl and double-bowl style is usually made without a second's hesitation. Admittedly, the single vs double debate isn't going to make or break your kitchen remodel, but hey, it's at least worth looking at in a blog!

Single-Bowl Sink

As the name indicates, a single-bowl sink is one large basin without any built-in dividers. The advantage with this simple design is space. A single-bowl kitchen sink gives you the flexibility to wash large pots and pans, rotating them freely and fully inside the bowl. Plus, you can easily create the effect of a divider by placing a removable sink divider inside the single-bowl. So, you can have the best of both worlds to adjust to whatever food or dish-washing circumstances arise.

Double-Bowl Sink

Double-bowl sinks have emerged as the most common type of kitchen sink, and the benefits are clear. For one thing, a double-bowl sink allows two people to work at the sink at the same time, independently. Secondly, it's a far more reliable layout for multitasking, whether the basins are divided between clean and dirty dishes, or a thawing chicken and fresh cut vegetables.

And the winner is...

The double-bowl sink has become more prominent for a reason, so it gets the edge. However, the best equipped kitchens these days have both a double-bowl and a single-bowl sink, allowing for optimum multitasking. Often, you'll find these alternative single-bowl sinks in kitchen islands or bars, fully separate from the central double-bowl.