Having a sink in your laundry room can be useful for many chores and nice to have as a secondary sink. There are a variety of styles and sizes on the market, so finding a sink to fit your laundry room shouldn't be a problem. But how big should a laundry room sink be? We've explored all there is to know about laundry room sinks so that we can help you understand exactly how big of a sink you should purchase.
Laundry room sinks should be big enough for their planned uses but small enough to fit within the allocated space. Bigger than other household sinks, laundry room sinks are rectangular shapes that are both deeper and wider. They average around 23 inches in width, 20 inches in length, and 13 inches in depth.
Size requirements for laundry room sinks are important, but you need to consider other factors before installation. Continue reading to learn more about various style and material options available and how they impact size.
Selecting the Best Laundry Room Sink
It is important to consider usage plans and available space when installing a sink in your laundry room. Taking both of these factors into account will help you choose the best laundry room sink, or utility sink, for your home.
The tasks you will use the laundry sink for will help determine the size you will need. If you're going to be simply hand-washing machine unsafe clothing in the basin, a large sink may not be necessary. But if you plan on using it to wash large dishes or even bathe a dog, a large sink will be needed. Typical utility sinks are deep enough to accommodate these types of tasks without spilling water.
The other part of size consideration is the availability of space in your laundry room. Many newer houses have larger laundry rooms which include plenty of counter space for folding and storage. Some sinks are installed directly into an existing counter, making them feel natural in the room. If you have no countertops and space allows, free-standing sinks would be the best choice.
Utility Sink Styles
As mentioned above, laundry room sinks come in various types that vary by use, material, and decorative style. These sinks are typically large, but there is some breathing room on these other features.
Countertop Utility Sinks
The first two styles of laundry room sinks can only be used if you have existing countertops in the laundry room or are willing to install new countertops. These styles only slightly differ in appearance but have different installation processes. These sinks' sizing options are essentially the same and mostly depend on the counter space you have available in your laundry room.
The first is called an undermount sink, and it is installed from underneath the counter, making the sink and the counter blend together seamlessly. You install undermount sinks by clipping them to the counter underneath the opening and applying a silicone sealant. These types of sinks are common in modern kitchens and look professional.
Click here to see an undermount utility sink at Amazon.
The second type of countertop sink is called a drop-in sink, which is also common in kitchens. They do not differ much from undermount sinks in appearance, besides having the lip of the sink sit over the counter instead of under it. Installation is easier on this type of sink because you just have to drop it into the counter's cutout section. Just as with the first type of sink, you use clips and sealants to install these.
Click here to see a drip-in sink at Amazon.
Open Space Utility Sinks
The next two laundry room sinks are perfect if you don't have counters but have some available wall space. These are both all-in-one sinks that support themselves once installed. The main differences are both in look and ease of installation in this case. Open space sinks allow you to have the largest possible sink in the smallest space, perfect for heavy-duty use. These two options are the best if you want a complete sink for your space.
The first type is a wall-mount sink, which is mounted directly to the laundry room wall. You install a wall-mount sink by first attaching brackets to the wall and subsequently attaching the sink to the brackets. The lack of legs or counter usage allows for open floor space.
Click here to see a wall-mount sink at Amazon.
The last sink type is the free-standing floor mount utility sink. These sinks take up the same amount of space as a wall-mount sink; only they are easier to install because they stand on their own. They often come in very simple stylings, making them perfect for laundry room and garage use, but there are higher-end options available as well. These more premium options come with cabinet space underneath for further storage and space-saving.
Click here to see a floor mount utility sink at Amazon.
What is the best utility sink material?
Depending on your planned usage, you may want to make sink material a primary factor in your decision-making after you pick a style that fits your space. Laundry rooms tend to be a place that guests don't normally visit. Because of this, aesthetics take a back seat to functionality when it comes to laundry room sinks. The functionality of stainless steel or plastic-based material, like acrylic, works well for this. Each is light-weight, and acrylic has the benefit of being very affordable.
For a more premium sink, a material like stone, ceramic, porcelain, or even a nicer metal like copper, can be used. These are more pleasing to the eye but will require more care over-time. A benefit of ceramic is that it is incredibly stain-resistant and less vulnerable to corrosive chemicals, making cleaning easier.
Should a laundry room have a sink?
It's natural to question the necessity of having yet another sink in the house. Those who use a laundry room sink often say that they will never be able to go without one. A laundry room is sometimes called a utility room or a mudroom, depending on where you live, and having a sink alongside the modern washer and dryer makes this room complete. To get full functionality out of a laundry room, you need to have a utility sink. However, if you have a large kitchen sink nearby, you can get by just fine without one.
How do you hook up a laundry sink?
Laundry room sink installation is simple if your laundry room was built with a sink in mind in terms of space. As you already have a washing machine in the room, water lines already exist. But, outside of the few installation steps already mentioned for drop-in or floor mount sinks, more complex actions are required. Always consult someone with professional experience before cutting or altering any water pipes in your home.
Here are the steps to install a laundry room utility sink. Please note that these are broad steps and vary based on the type of sink and laundry room you have.
- Assemble the sink, be it a stand-alone floor mount, a wall-mount, or drop-in.
- Attach the cold and hot water piping to the sink by splitting the lines that run into the washing machine.
- Connect the sink's drain line to the existing draining pipes being used by the washing machine.
In Closing
Laundry room utility sinks make many household chores easier. If you have empty wall space or counter space in your laundry room, it is well worth installing one. Utility sinks are much wider and deeper than regular kitchen or bathroom sinks, so ensure your new sink will fit. Each type of sink has its benefits, but they all require around the same amount of space. You will need a space a little greater than two feet wide.
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