How to Measure Laundry Sink Width the Right Way

Planning a renovation for your laundry? It's normal to get distracted by the tile options, tapware options, and the color scheme of your cabinetry. However, there's one other factor, when done incorrectly, could potentially make or break your design of your laundry, and that’s laundry sink width. If you achieve the right size, your laundry will feel as though you have ample space and be very functional. If you get it wrong, your laundry will become a problem where you'll experience splashing water, tight corners, and waste of the bench space each time you wash up after a load of washing.
More times than not, I've experienced this. The renovation has been completed, your cabinetry is all new, but... you're left with a sink which is either too wide for your laundry room, or too narrow to provide you with the functionality you require from the sink. Therefore, in this article, I'll cover everything you need to know about the correct laundry sink width prior to ordering your new sink.

Laundry Sink Width Impacts Your Laundry Room Beyond Just Appearance

While the appearance of your sink may be impacted based on its width, the impact extends well beyond that. This includes amount of bench space available, ability to wash larger, bulkier items, fitting your base cabinet correctly and feeling of comfort within the space.
In an average-sized laundry room, every single millimeter counts. A laundry sink that is too wide will overpower the laundry room. On the flip side, if the sink is too small, you will find yourself unable to wash large items, such as mops, soak your clothing, or clean pet bowls. Therefore, selecting the appropriate laundry sink width should be considered one of the initial decisions you make while planning your laundry renovation.

Common Laundry Sink Width Categories

A majority of laundry sinks fall into three distinct categories based upon their width:
Small Laundry Sink Width (350mm – 450mm)
These are perfect for laundry rooms located in apartments, European style laundry cupboards, utility areas (i.e., second laundry area etc.). When your laundry is fitted into a hallway cupboard, or your laundry area is combined with a bathroom, a narrower width keeps the space functional and doesn't overpopulate the area. Please take note, however, that a narrower width typically equates to a tighter bowl. When washing large items, or soaking bedding, these actions may prove to be very difficult.
Medium Size Laundry Sinks Width (450 mm – 600 mm)
The medium size option offers a nice middle ground when it comes to function vs. space saving. A 500mm or 600mm laundry sink width will suit family laundry rooms, homeowners who have average washing requirements and bathroom renovations that have sufficient but limited bench space. Most people find that the medium size laundry sink options fit their household perfectly.
Large Size Laundry Sinks Width (greater than 600 mm)
Having a large laundry sink can provide benefits beyond normal washing for some homeowners. A large size laundry sink is best suited for large families, cleaning large pots and/or baking pans, pet grooming/ cleaning and heavy duty soaking / degreasing. However, there are limitations associated with having a large laundry sink. These include:

• Need for additional space for cabinets
• Need for additional bench space

Having a large laundry sink without sufficient cabinet and bench space can create the illusion of being cramped.

Determining the Appropriate Laundry Sink Width

Before you get too excited about a specific style, please take the time to accurately measure your laundry area and determine your requirements. Please consider the following when measuring for the correct laundry sink width:

1. Measure the internal width of your base cabinet.
2. Allow for 10-20mm of clearance for installing the sink.
3. Consider the amount of bench space you would like to allow on either side of the sink.
   

When replacing a sink, please measure the cut-out size of the previous sink rather than the size of the sink itself. Also, be aware of where you plan to place your faucet(s) as a large sink can be used in combination with a large mixer which may require more visual and functional space than anticipated.

Deciding Between Stainless Steel and Granite Laundry Sinks

After determining the desired laundry sink width, you will then need to decide on a material.
Stainless Steel Laundry Sinks
Stainless steel sinks are very light weight, relatively inexpensive and can easily be installed. This makes stainless steel sinks perfect for those looking for practical and everyday use and they can be found in a variety of styles to suit modern, contemporary and traditional bathroom designs. Due to the availability of stainless-steel sinks in a variety of sizes, including many small sizes, they can accommodate a variety of laundry areas regardless of the available space.
Granites Laundry Sinks
Granite laundry sinks are definitely an option if you are looking for a more premium and longer-lasting product than standard stainless steel or porcelain laundry sinks. Granite sinks are generally much more resistant to scratches. They make significantly less noise while running, look visually stunning, and are extremely durable. In addition, granite sinks are generally thicker in construction; therefore, always verify the cabinet dimensions prior to purchasing a laundry sink (width) to ensure proper fitment. Granite is a good choice for homeowners who want a modern aesthetic with high-quality longevity.

Matching Laundry Sink Width to Cabinet Size

One of the biggest renovation blunders is buying a sink before verifying your cabinet dimensions. Here are some general guidelines for matching your laundry sink to the size of your cabinet:

• 450mm cabinet = 350-400mm sink
• 600mm cabinet = 450-550mm sink
• 800mm cabinet = 600mm+ sink

Please check with the manufacturer to confirm their minimum cabinet dimension requirements to avoid any potential installation problems down the road.

Renovation Planning Tips for Laundry Sink Width

Some other renovation planning tips for matching the width of your laundry sink to the size of your cabinets:
Think About Daily Use
When making your laundry sink width decision, consider how you use your sink. Do you wash delicate items by hand often? Are you cleaning muddy sports equipment? Are you bathing small animals? Your daily laundry habits will determine what size sink is best for your needs.
Don’t Sacrifice All Bench Space
A larger sink means there will be less space for folding clothes, etc., if you plan on doing this at your laundry area, be sure to allow for that.
Plan For the Future
If you are planning on selling your home in the near future, choose a laundry sink width that will appeal to the largest amount of potential buyers (i.e. medium).