If you enjoy flipping through home and garden or home improvement magazines, you’ve probably seen apron and farmhouse sinks. These sinks have stolen the spotlight in recent years, becoming all the rage in modern kitchens and traditional-styled kitchens alike.
But what is the difference between the two?
Why can a farmhouse sink be an apron sink but not necessarily the other way around?
Let’s find out!
Apron Sinks
When examining the differences between an apron sink and a farmhouse sink, understanding the fundamentals of each option is crucial. Let’s start with apron sinks, also called apron-front sinks.
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Looks
An apron sink comes in various finishes and styles, but every model features a classic exposed front. Unlike drop-in sinks and nearly any other sink style, this type of sink features an exposed front, called the apron. It creates a distinct appearance that blends with various aesthetics.
These sinks feature various surface styles, from a hammered surface to a smooth, matte surface. Others feature a fluted edge that creates a unique aesthetic, sometimes boasting bold colors, like rich forest green or deep navy blue.
Size
Apron sinks feature a massive bowl that is perfect for washing large pots and pans. Many of these sinks are nine inches deep, sometimes even deeper. On top of that, they’re usually the width of both basins in a standard double sink combined.
Both features lend well to larger kitchens, where massive dishes need to be washed. Since these sinks provide plenty of room, you don’t need to worry about the awkward dance necessary to master the washing process in a smaller sink.
Finishes
Apron sinks come in all sorts of colors and finishes, so there are plenty of options to match nearly any aesthetic preference. While lighter neutrals like cream or white are typical, you can find bolder colors, including black, navy, and forest green.
They’re commonly made with fireclay or other ceramics, so neutrals are a common finish. However, you can find apron sinks made of various materials, including stainless steel and stone.
Mounting Style
Installing an apron sink is no easy feat. Careful and thoughtful measurements are required to ensure you achieve a neat, aesthetically pleasing result. Since these sinks are usually hefty and feature an exposed front, you’ll need to build a structure underneath to support its weight.
If these sinks don’t have proper support, they can fall through the counter, destroying the plumbing, the faucet, the cabinet, and the countertop. So, installation is a critical piece of the puzzle.
Farmhouse Sinks
Now that we’ve familiarized ourselves with apron sinks let’s continue meandering on our path, taking a pit stop at farmhouse sinks.
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Looks
Farmhouse sinks can look much the same as an apron sink, featuring an expansive exposed front. However, they don’t always feature the apron front—instead, some look just like a regular single-basin sink but larger.
Models with the apron front design can feature various aesthetic touches, including fluted, hammered, or smooth surfaces.
Size
Like apron sinks, farmhouse sinks are massive. They feature long, deep basins capable of holding immense amounts of water and large pots or pans.
They were designed for use in farmhouses when people needed to hold large buckets of water inside the sink to complete various tasks. Of course, this was long before indoor plumbing was a possibility, so this was the standard. The sinks were simply designed to match the need.
Over the years, these sinks have faded in and out of popularity, eventually regaining the spotlight in recent years.
Finishes
Farmhouse sinks are available in various colors, materials, and finishes. Many are made with ceramics, including fireclay, so whites, beiges, and creams are ordinary. However, like apron sinks, farmhouse sinks are available in stainless steel, stone, and other materials.
Mounting Style
The mounting style of a farmhouse sink hinges on the model you buy. If you decide on an apron-front farmhouse sink, you’ll need to install a support system beneath it to uphold its weight.
However, you can find farmhouse sinks in drop-in or undermount designs. These models are relatively easy to install, although some may require additional support from underneath, depending on their weight.
So, What’s The Difference Between Apron and Farmhouse Sinks?
Apron and farmhouse sinks are very similar, sometimes even identical. In fact, a farmhouse sink can be an apron sink, but not always vice versa. For example, you could have a farmhouse sink with a distinct apron-front design, so it could classify as both. But since farmhouse sinks don’t always have an apron-front design, it doesn’t work the other way around.
The primary difference between the two is the presence of the characteristic apron-front design. Both can be excellent choices for nearly any home, whether you prefer a rustic, traditional farmhouse aesthetic or a sleek, modern finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do all farmhouse sinks have aprons?
Not all farmhouse sinks have an apron-front design. Because of this, some farmhouse sinks can also be apron sinks, but not all apron sinks are farmhouse sinks.
Do you need a special cabinet for an apron sink?
Generally, a special base cabinet is necessary for an apron sink. Since these sinks feature an exposed front side, they require a specific cabinet design to ensure the sink doesn’t interfere with the cabinets beneath.
While you might be able to modify some base cabinets to accommodate an apron sink, it’s usually best to purchase a base cabinet designed for this type of sink, as they consume a lot of space.
Do farmhouse sinks increase home value?
Installing a farmhouse sink in your home can increase its value. However, it can vary based on the type of sink you’re switching from.
For example, if you’re switching from a high-end marble sink to a farmhouse sink, you might not notice an increase in your home’s value.