Is A Corner Kitchen Sink Right For You? Solving The Dilemma

They can be awkward and challenging to work with, but you have to admit, a kitchen corner sink looks awesome.

Corner Kitchen Sink

They may not offer the same advantages as the regular type, but they come with a whole other set of characteristics which we’ll discover together.

What is a Corner Kitchen Sink?

A corner kitchen sink is a sink installed in one of the corners of your kitchen. However, it could also be a sink installed in the corner of the island in your kitchen as well. Corner sinks are an efficient use of space as they take up an area of the underutilized counter and give it purpose.

Kitchen Corner Sink IKEA

A corner kitchen sink might be the best way to go if you have a tiny kitchen. And IKEA has a great corner base cabinet to accommodate a regular kitchen sink.

Kitchen Corner Sink IKEA

The cabinet looks like this when you follow the instructions to put it together. It’s simple and easily fits into a corner space. 

Undermount sink

And what these owners did was hack the cabinet by restructuring the top boards so they could fit their deep sink in the whole cabinet.

Undermount sink

And this is the finished project with the corner sink next to the stove. But there’s plenty of counter space to the side and behind the sink. This is an affordable way to customize the IKEA cabinet to fit a corner kitchen sink.

Pros of a Corner Kitchen Sink

Practicality

practical kitchen corner sink

A sink can turn an unused corner into an active part of your kitchen. After all, it’s all about being practical. A great option for kitchens with dead corner spaces.

More Counter Space

spacious counters and sink

Having a corner kitchen sink frees up more counter space. In a tiny kitchen, this means you get more prep space and longer counters which is a big plus.

Ergonomic Friendliness

Undermount sink

Thanks to the corner sink setup, this contemporary white kitchen has it all going for, including some fantastic (unobstructed) window views in multiple directions. In addition, the entire kitchen excels at ergonomic friendliness, including the kitchen sink’s unique adjustable modern faucet design.

Cons of a Corner Kitchen Sink

Less Natural Lighting

Undermount sink

Placing the sink in the kitchen corner sometimes means you get to have less to none natural light helping with the task of washing dishes. Still, the problem has a simple solution. Under-cabinet lighting can fix the issue and add style to your kitchen.

Not Enough Space

Undermount sink

The space underneath a corner sink will most likely become useless. You can’t use it for storage and there’s not enough room for anything down there. Even so, you can opt for a farmhouse kitchen sink to make the most of that space.

Single Person Use

Undermount sink

Placing the sink in the corner means that only one person can use it at a time. But this doesn’t mean you can only have one sink. Don’t rule out the double design yet because it can be adapted for this particular area.

Kitchen Corner Sink Designs

Depending on the kitchen’s layout, corner kitchen sinks can make everything easier, from cooking and maximizing counterspace to taking advantage of a corner you may not otherwise utilize. 

Keep it Simple

simple corner sink in the kitchen

Simple is better because corner kitchen sinks make cleaning a little bit more difficult than usual. You can either leave the corner empty or use it to store things or to display a few items in a clean and organized fashion.

Double Sink Corner Vanity

Double Sink Corner Vanity
Stephanie Kratz Interiors

You don’t have to go with a traditional double sink when you can split your sink with a corner. A double sink accommodates more space and can help you stay organized while you’re doing dishes. Plus, this stainless steel corner sink is the perfect focal point in this kitchen.

Shelf Storage

Undermount sink

You can also use that space more practically and functionally by installing a shelf for small appliances or often-used items.

Custom Design

Undermount sink

If you want a corner sink, you should know that usually it needs to be custom-built and have a design that makes it suitable for that particular space. This means it’s more expensive than a regular sink.

Functional

functional kitchen sink with dry rack and cutting board

And since you have to go through all that trouble, why not pick a sink with other useful custom features as well? Being able to dry your dishes or cut produce over the sink is highly efficient.

Corner Kitchen Sink Base Cabinet

corner kitchen sink base cabinet

You wouldn’t think of putting the sink in the corner of a traditional U-shaped kitchen. But in this kitchen, that’s exactly where you’ll find it. And it’s an excellent use of space with counters on both sides and behind the sink.

Modern

Undermount sink

Well, because it looks interesting and would be a memorable feature to have. So don’t try to hide it in the corner. Turn it into a focal point for the kitchen.

Farmhouse Style

Undermount sink

Deep kitchen sinks provide plenty of space for washing dishes and prevent excessive splashing. And they pair perfectly with a farmhouse style kitchen. Big sinks fit perfectly in a corner because they allow more counter space. 

Island Corner Sink

island corner sink

Corner sinks also offer more flexibility. You can basically place them anywhere you want as long as it’s in a corner. This means you can come up with all sorts of ingenious layouts and designs for your kitchen.

Unique Placement 

Undermount sink

Another great thing about a corner sink is that it can be an extra. You can have a standard sink and this one. An exciting idea for spacious kitchens.

Undermount Kitchen Corner Sink

undermount corner sink
Dremodeling

This is an excellent example of making the most of the square footage in your kitchen. Here you have plenty of counter space to work with and small shelving on the sides of the cabinets for extra storage and decorations. 

Kitchen Corner Sink FAQ

What sink size fits in a 42 inch corner cabinet?

For a 42 inch corner cabinet, you’re going to want a sink that’s no bigger than 29 inches. In most cases, the sink sits back three inches from the front frame of the cabinet. If you insist on having a larger sink, you’ll have to put the sink farther back from the front frame. And this may not seem like a big deal, but leaning over an additional three quarters of an inch can be pretty uncomfortable.

What sink size fits in a 36 inch corner cabinet?

The biggest sink you should use for a 36 inch corner cabinet is a 33 inch sink. The best way to determine the size of sink you need for the cabinet is to subtract three inches from each side of the cabinet’s measurement. You could always put a bigger sink in the cabinet, but this often voids the cabinets warranty and compromises the counter support.

How to Clean Kitchen Sink Drain

You don’t want to have a stinky kitchen sink drain. The best way to clean the sink drain is by using baking soda and white vinegar. Use one part baking soda to two parts vinegar.

  1. First, pour the baking soda on and down the drain.
  2. Then, slowly pour the white vinegar.
  3. You should wait about 15 minutes for the bubbly action to do its part.
  4. Finally, rinse the solution away with boiling hot water. 

How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink Drain

If your kitchen sink drain is clogged, there are a few things you can try to release the blockage.

  • Plunge it – Using a plunger, maintain a seal keeping the plunger submerged in water. Plunge rapidly up and down.
  • Boiling water – Boil a half-gallon of water and pour it down the drain in a steady stream. You may want to repeat this a couple of times.
  • Baking soda and vinegar – Dissolve the blockage by pouring baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar. Wait for 15 minutes before pouring hot water down the drain to clear the clog.

You can also try using a wet-dry vacuum or an auger in extreme clogs. The best thing you can do is try to prevent the sink from clogging by regularly cleaning the garbage disposal, running hot water after each use, and not pouring grease or grounds into the disposal. 

How to Organize Under the Kitchen Sink

There are dozens of ways to organize under the kitchen sink from hooks and rods to racks and holders. You can best organize under your kitchen sink by:

  • Labeling to sort and place items.
  • Use hooks and grommets to hang gloves and towels.
  • Put cleaning supplies on a rotating shelf for quick access.
  • Store tools and cords in PVC pipes.
  • Store trash bags using curtain hardware.

There are countless creative ideas to organize under the kitchen sink. 

How to Clean Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink

Stainless steel sinks are a popular choice in the kitchen despite the extra work to keep them clean. You can clean your stainless steel kitchen sink by:

  1. Begin rinsing the sink out with water.
  2. Then, coat the sink with baking soda.
  3. Next, start scrubbing in the direction of the grain.
  4. After that, spray undiluted vinegar and wait.
  5. Rinse off the vinegar and baking soda.
  6. Dry and then finally buff with a few drops of olive oil. 

Kitchen Corner Sinks Are Underrated

Kitchen corner sinks are an excellent solution for small space and make for beautiful, decorative features. Putting your sink in the corner also saves you counter space, allowing more workspace in the kitchen. So, don’t underrate placing the sink in the corner of your kitchen.