Here’s something you probably haven’t thought much about—the depth of your sink. Unless, of course, it’s so shallow that washing pots is difficult or it’s so deep your back starts to hurt from reaching to the bottom. Even then, you may not have put your finger on the problem.
When it comes to sinks, the deeper the better—to a point. Any more than ten inches may be uncomfortable, especially if you can’t reach the bottom easily.
The best way to choose a depth you can live with is to go into a sink showroom, stand in front of a few sinks and reach to the bottom. The sinks on display will be mounted in standard 36-inch high countertop height. Doing this will help you find a balance between what’s comfortable and what will accommodate your cooking and clean-up needs.
Of course, a deeper sink requires more steel to make it, so a bargain sink (or the free sinks offered by counter fabricators) will probably be about six to seven inches deep. It makes sense—the manufacturer saves four inches of material, it weighs less for shipping and the box takes up less room in the warehouse. Everybody wins—except the homeowner who can’t wash a pasta pot without spraying the whole kitchen.
Sink depth is personal. Maybe not as personal as how you adjust your rearview mirrors or how soft you like your pillow, but it’s important just the same. Try not to commit to a sink without giving some alternatives a try.
