Growing up in an old farmhouse, I never appreciated our old farmhouse sink until I moved away and had to tussle with a standard-issue apartment-sized model. No more filling enormous pots beneath the tap. No longer could I stack dirty dishes to Seussian heights. Bathing medium-sized dogs was also out. Now, in loving tribute to the enduring, hardworking farmhouse sink, we bring you this collection of images.
Whether your style is sleek and contemporary, fun and vintage, or classic and colonial, these kitchens prove that a farmhouse sink (also known as an apron sink) can work in any setting. And fortunately for us all, the kitchen fittings industry recognizes the growing demand for this classic design, meaning that good-quality new versions from companies like Kohler and even Ikea are now available.
Pictured above:
- Images 1, 2, 4 and 6 courtesy of Dale Going
- Image 3 by EraPhernalia Vintage, via Creative Commons
- Image 5 courtesy of Sarah Dalrymple
- Image 8 courtesy of Sasha Semenoff Libby
Related: Vintage Kitchen Fittings: The Hoosier Cabinet
(Images: Image credits listed above)








Straw Mat from The ...

Can I say how much I love that the paper towel holder is mounted way, way, WAY high up on the wall (for me, at least)? I'd definitely use less than I do now (which is already not much).
I think I'll mount our birdseye cotton towel crate at eye level and put the p.t. holder further up on the wall.
I love these too...but don't really consider them farmhouse sinks, especially #3, which looks like it's an apartment. You can still see them all over the place in small un-renovated apartment kitchens.
Any exposed apron-fronted sink is called a "farmhouse sink,"
even if it's in an apartment.
That said, #3 does look more like a janitor's mop/slop sink!
Much as the *size* is attractive to me, the styling - 2 especially - feels vaguely institutional. In a shop a few weeks ago, the other half turned out to feel the same - I think they remind us of school! Ah well...
I like farmhouse sinks when done in a clean, modern way, like #5 and #8. However, I really don't like the other ones, especially the ones with a curtain underneath - yikes! Also, they're so trendy right now - I wonder if they will become passe like so many other trends?
I adore the vintage look in #7. I'm slightly obsessed with the whole French Country Kitchen look
Love, love, love, LOVE our apron front double sink. It's 36" wide, and I don't mind not having a dishwasher when I have all that room to wash and dry.
Plus... its so pretty! Thankyou, Ikea!
I would love a farmhouse drainboard sink. It makes more sense to have your drainboard built into the sink for drying pots and pans.
LOVE this! Farmhouse "apron" sinks are just gorgeous!
I never experienced a farmhouse sink until moving into my current tiny apartment. It's nestled under the eaves of a big old brick building that used to be an 1880s hotel. At first I was like - Just one sink?! But now I ADORE my drainboard. It's so nice for stacking things! As is the extra-wide windowsill on the other side. : ) Oh, and I have no dishwasher. And I don't particularly like doing dishes. That should tell you how crazy I am to love that sink. Must be the enameled cast iron. Gets me every time. : )
These kitchen pictures are all going into my file. Love 'em!
We had this kind of sink in our old farmhouse when I was a kid. I didn't realize how much I missed it!