8 Beautiful Kitchen Island Ideas That Utilize a Sink

Kitchen islands are great for providing extra prep space, storage solutions, and a place to sit down for a quick bite. However, if you’re going to have a large unit installed in the middle of your family’s most-used room of the house, it’s in your best interest to make it as functional and versatile as possible.

This is where a kitchen island with a sink comes into play — and there are a lot of ideas you’ll want to sift through before landing on “the one.” 

Whether you’re looking for function or form, we have the top eight kitchen island with sink tips and ideas to point you in the right direction. Find your kitchen island sink inspiration below.

Kitchen Island Sink Ideas 101

small kitchen with wooden cabinets

A kitchen island is meant to fill one of several purposes:

  • Storage
  • Food prep
  • Cooking
  • Serving or dining (or both)
  • Clean up

Therefore, kitchen island sink ideas have more to do with the positioning of the actual sink for best-use case versus style. However, the style and finish of your sink are essential to your kitchen’s overall aesthetic and should be considered carefully. After all, your kitchen island will become the focal point of the room.

So, when it comes to balancing the function and aesthetics of your island sink and the rest of your kitchen, here are the most popular ideas to consider:

1. Triangular Geometry 📐

If your ideal kitchen involves an open-concept layout with a freestanding kitchen island, you’ll likely have all of your important units and appliances running along the wall with the main cabinets. This layout is incredibly common as it’s as efficient as it is beautiful.

Of course, when you have this type of layout, it’s best to arrange your appliances into a “work triangle.” In other words, you’ll want your stove, fridge, and sink to be arranged so that the sink is roughly centered between the two. This positioning allows for a working triangle that’s nice and compact, so you don’t have to run back and forth as you prepare and cook your meals.

2. The Buddy System 👫

white kitchen island and sink

Keeping the efficiency of your cooking space in mind, it’s also a good idea to double down by having your dishwasher installed on either side of your island sink. In fact, it’s the most practical and safest idea.

Having a sink that’s completely separate from your dishwasher equates to lots of dripping dishes and glassware, which will only make your kitchen floor a slippery hazard. This may require additional plumbing and electrical work, but it’ll be worth it once you’re transferring wet dishes directly to the dishwasher without having to travel.

3. Opt For Two Sinks ✌️

If you have enough space, why not have a smaller sink installed in addition to your regular sink? Two sinks are always better than one, especially if they have designated jobs.

This would allow you to utilize a small prep sink that can accommodate certain cookware, strainers, and other prep tools with ease for rinsing and draining. At the same time, the larger sink would be used as your main sink for the actual cleanup. 

4. Go Bigger ⬆️

Regardless of the positioning of the island sink, many people choose to go for an extra-large sink to complement the island’s composition. If you’re planning for a more rustic aesthetic, a large, noticeable farm sink is just the ticket.

You can opt for a standard large sink or a double, meaning there will be a built-in divider so you can separate larger and smaller items or more fragile items and less fragile items. If you’re only going to have one kitchen sink, bigger is always better!

5. Consider Sink-Side Drainage 💧

Not everything has to go in the dishwasher — but not everyone wants the focal point of their kitchen to be obstructed by a gaudy kitchen rack. This is where adding sink-side drainage grooves comes in handy. 

Drainage grooves specifically help to distinguish your island sink drying area while keeping the solid appearance of the island’s countertop intact. The grooves start out thin where they’ll be furthest away from the actual sink, and as they get closer to the edge, the grooves widen. This allows for the precision funneling of the water from your dishes and glassware to flow directly into your sink with minimal mess.

6. Super Size Your Fixtures 🚰

long kitchen design with island

One of the most important elements of an island sink is the faucet. Not only does the faucet play a functional role in the sink but an aesthetic one as well — so you want to make sure you choose the faucet fixture that suits your needs and style preferences.

It’s most recommended to go big when it comes to your island sink faucet. A super-sized faucet — especially one with an extendable hose — can become both a workhorse and an aesthetic staple that creates visual interest.

7. Create Separation 🙅

If you plan to use your kitchen island for morning waffles and late-night desserts, you may want to keep your sink out of sight. If this is the case, you may want to opt for a tiered-style kitchen island that can accommodate a working area and dining area.

An elevated or tier-styled kitchen island can create the separation you need without having to introduce an entire dining table to an otherwise limited space. Even if you have enough space in your kitchen, you may still want to hide away your sink so that it can only be seen from the “work” side.

8. Try Out an Under-Mounted Sink ⬇️

Under-mounted sinks have a way of blending in seamlessly, offering a sleeker appeal. This makes them the perfect choice if you’re going for a more discreet look.

To contribute to this sleekness, you’ll want to opt for a stainless steel sink. Stainless steel can mesh well with a variety of materials, including composite, granite, marble, quartz, and even different types of wood. It also meshes well with a variety of colors, especially the darker and more muted colors, which allow the shine of the stainless steel to really pop. 

Of course, you can keep the under-mounted concept and choose different material sinks, such as ceramic and porcelain. It all depends on whether you’re going for a contemporary look or a rustic aesthetic.

Your One and Only Kitchen Sink

When it comes to choosing a setup for your kitchen island appliances, the first thing you want to consider is how you and your family use the kitchen. If you do a lot of cooking and entertaining, then you’ll want to go with the type of kitchen sinks that work for you — not the type of kitchen sinks that’ll make your life more difficult.

You can easily find hundreds of ideas for positioning and styling your kitchen sink — island or no island. However, you won’t be able to easily find hundreds of contractors that specialize in kitchen islands the way JC Construction does. 

Our design team will work with you from concept to finished product, ensuring all of your needs, preferences, and concerns are addressed. We understand the importance of a well-balanced kitchen that blends functionality and style in a way that suits your lifestyle. Get in touch with us today so we can get started on your dream kitchen!