Utility Sink Design Options
I generally have a plan before I share pictures with you but today I’m asking you to help me figure out the plan. I’m stuck. I can’t decide what to do in the area where I’m putting my utility sink. My crafting supplies have been stored away for so long that I can’t visualize how I might want to use a utility sink area.
The main focus is function. What are all the tasks that one might perform in a craft room utility sink area? I have thought of these: Washing hands, paint brushes, and stamps. That is as far as my imagination takes me. Because I don’t have a firm grasp of all the ways I might ever want to use this area I don’t know the best way to set it up. That’s where you come in.
The sink is 30″ wide and I don’t have a ton of space left for countertop. Visually I like the sink centered.
But if I push the sink over to the side it gives me more counter space.
If the sink is on one side I visually like it on the right because it offsets the slanted ceiling.
I have 14″ of space that I can use on the adjoining wall to the right. I think the best use of that space is closed storage.
I could build lower cabinets and have a 14″ deep countertop. What would be the benefit? Might I need more counter space in that area?
I’m not worried about the wall above the sink for now though I’ll probably just do a simple open shelf. Or will I want a way to hang drying fabric? Perhaps I want to dye fabric or make my own paper?
This is why I’m asking for your help. All you active crafters out there:
- What would you do in this space?
- What is the most functional layout?
- How do you (or would you want to) use a utility sink in your crafting space?
The one thing I don’t want to do is look back in a year or two and “wish I had thought of that” and built the space differently. I like to think about all the ways I might ever use a space before I build it so give me your best and most “out there” ideas. I’m ready to build so let’s get this figured out! 😀
Maybe a built in drying rack for press cloths, etc to dry.
A built in trash container.
I think the sink centered on the wall with the 14″ deep counter top on the right would be a good option. I could see needing the counter space if you were for example washing a bunch of mason jars prior to using them for a project. I would start upper cabinets 18″ to 24″ above the 14″ deep counter top. Also, this would provide closed storage for paper towels, snacks, etc.
If you are planning to use the sink frequently I would put it in the centre. Washing anything in a corner (left or right) would perhaps cramp your movements.
Joy
More things you’d do in the sink:
Dampen press cloths for ironing
Soaking stained fabrics
Preshrinking fabrics
Cleaning stencils
Removing disolveable stabilizer
Mixing/cleaning up small batches of plaster and woodputty
Soaking leather
Soaking pine needles, wheat, thin wood for weaving or shaping
Some painting techniques need to rinse off the canvas
Soaking potted plants
Warming thermoplastic for molding
Wet felting
Fill your steamer/iron
Putting on decals
I agree with most posters so far and would go for a centered sink with more counter top. I’ve used a sink right up against a wall and I found it quite confining and hated having dirty and clean things on the same side
I’d go with the centered sink and extra counter on the right. Above the extra counter I’d mount a fold out drying rack like this http://jenwoodhouse.com/laundry-rack/