15 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Selecting a Laundry Room Sink

Wash and learn as HGTV reviews the priorities you should consider —and questions you should ask yourself — before making your laundry room sink selection.

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October 15, 2020

By: Lauren Oster

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How Large Is Your Laundry Room?

A wide, wall-mounted porcelain sink is perfect for a multipurpose space, like this one. While it’s too shallow for serious soaking, it’s ideal for washing both hands and miscellaneous grimy items that really shouldn’t get rinsed in the kitchen sink.

From: Nar Bustamante

Might It Double as a Bathtub?

If you have the budget to expand your laundry room sink to accommodate four-legged friends, a massive sink and versatile faucet system are well worth the extra spend.

From: Tiffany Brooks

How Often Will It Be Used?

If the answer is rarely, then a small bar sink may be the best option for your laundry room. If you are short on space, this may also be a great option to consider.

From: Joni Spear

Are You Looking for a Quick Fix?

If you’re looking to add functionality to your space without overhauling it from floor to ceiling, a cast iron sink will serve your purpose, like this one seen on HGTV's Property Brothers: Forever Home. This standalone sink, painted black underneath with gold hardware, makes a statement all on its own.

Are You Prepared to Take on Upkeep?

Enameled cast-iron sinks, like the one pictured here, can get pricey, but they’re also virtually indestructible (and readily available at antique and salvage stores, if you’re willing to do some hunting). Stainless steel sinks, on the other hand, are susceptible to dents and scratches, and porcelain sinks can chip.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Are You Looking to Make a Statement?

Speaking of salvage, the mint green antique sink designer Carol Sundstrom deployed in this French country laundry room is unquestionably its focal point. Practicality should reign supreme in the selection of your sink, but unexpected pieces like this one can add visual interest to spaces that often have little room for ornament.

From: Carol Sundstrom

How Much Work Space Do You Need?

If expansive countertops aren’t a priority, tucking an under-mounted porcelain sink into a granite topped peninsula maximizes functionality without gobbling space. Accessories, like this fitted board and wire basket, add even more function, and the sink’s wire liner aids in drainage.

Is Counter Cleanup Important?

Undermounted fixtures, like the stainless steel sink this traditional Southern laundry room, make quick cleanup a breeze. A few swipes of a cloth or sponge, and water and countertop crud are on their way down the drain. To maximize the low-maintenance appeal of this sort of sink, ask for flush-mounted installation (where the edge of the countertop and the edge of the sink bowl align), so that debris and mold can’t accumulate beneath the counter or atop the sink.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Will the Sink Be Multipurpose?

The combination of traditional cabinetry and industrial-style steel sink and countertops is well-suited for a wide array of uses. Because the metal carries seamlessly up the wall and down into the sink, it’s excellent for cleaning (and easy to clean).

From: Tim Barber Ltd.

What Goes Into Your Wash?

If you’re more likely to soak delicates than you are to hand-wash large loads of laundry, a pair of smaller basins might suit your needs. Somewhere between a utility sink and a double bathroom vanity, these stainless steel vessels suit the laundry room’s feminine aesthetic.

Do You Need Storage?

If you don’t need an especially deep sink and do fancy a bit of cabinet space, a bathroom vanity topped with a sink can serve you well. A stylish option like this one would make a handsome addition to a laundry room.

From: Blackband Design

Who's Going to See It?

Like the graphic wallpaper and tile surrounding it, this purple sink is begging for attention. To achieve a sleek look like this one, mount your faucet and hardware directly in the wall and measure for what’s called a “negative reveal” under-mounting — that is, the edges of the countertop carry slightly over the top of the sink.

From: D2 Interieurs

Do You Want to DIY?

Drop-in sinks — aka top-mounted or self-rimming sinks — are the best bet if you’re interested in installing a sink yourself, since gravity is on your side. A sink like this one fits over the cutout in your countertop, and a combination of unseen clips and caulking on its underside fix it in place.

From: Jane Ellison

What's Your Style?

If your needs are simple and your space eclectic, a free-standing farmhouse sink like the one in this laundry room makes a big impact with a small footprint. While details like a stained wooden frame and metal rivets might suffer from wear and tear with heavy daily use, they’re perfectly appropriate for a vessel that’s employed more occasionally.

From: Lisa Bakamis

How Flexible Is Your Budget?

If you’re interested in an easy-to-clean stainless steel sink like this drop-in version, know that they’re not all created alike. Thicker steel is more expensive, but it’s less likely to dent with heavy use. You can also opt for a brushed finish, which will diminish the appearance of scratches.