How to Choose the Right Laundry Sink for Your Space

Your laundry sink does a lot of heavy lifting. It’s the spot for soaking school uniforms, rinsing muddy boots, scrubbing paint brushes, and maybe even washing the dog. If you’re building, renovating, or simply replacing a tired tub, the right laundry sink can make your whole space function better. But with so many sizes, shapes, finishes and styles to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. This guide breaks it down by what matters most: how you use your laundry day to day.

1. Start With the Space You’ve Got

Before you even think about style, take a good look at your laundry layout. Is your sink built into a cabinet? Wall-mounted? Undermount? Will it sit under a window or next to your washer? Knowing what space you’re working with will help you avoid choosing a sink that’s too deep, too wide, or awkward to install.

Start by measuring:

• Bench width and depth
• Cabinet cut-out size
• Height clearance under the sink
• Nearby appliance positioning

If you’re building from scratch or renovating fully, you’ll have more flexibility to choose the mounting style and depth. If not, make sure your new sink fits your existing layout.

2. Pick the Right Size

Small Laundry Sinks

If you have a compact space or only need the sink occasionally, a small laundry sink gives you enough depth to rinse or hand wash without overpowering the room.

Best for:

• Apartment laundries
• Guest or secondary laundries
• Occasional use
  

A small sink looks great in narrow laundry nooks or wall-hung setups.

Large Laundry Sinks

Bigger households need more flexibility. A deep, wide basin large laundry sink lets you soak multiple items at once, clean large gear, or work with buckets and tubs without splashing.

Best for:

• Families
• Utility spaces
• Frequent soaking or scrubbing
  

A large sink looks great when your laundry also functions as a cleaning zone.

3. Choose Your Mounting Style

Topmount Laundry Sinks

Topmount laundry sinks drop into the benchtop from above. They’re easy to install, and ideal for retrofitting or updating an older sink.

Best for:

• Simple renovations
• DIY installs
• Budget-conscious upgrades
  

A topmount sink looks great in refreshes where you’re keeping your existing benchtop.

Undermount Laundry Sinks

Undermount laundry sinks sit below the surface of the bench, giving you a flush look and easy clean-up. You’ll need to plan for these during your cabinet install.

Best for:

• Custom joinery
• Minimalist laundry rooms
• Stone or solid benchtops
  

An undermount sink looks great in modern laundries and traditional laundries.

Tap Landing Sinks

Tap landing laundry sinks include a built-in platform for your mixer. These are great for wall-mounted installs or when plumbing placement is limited.

A tap landing sink looks great when bench space is limited or wall mounting isn't possible.

4. Pick the Shape That Fits

Square Laundry Sinks

Square laundry sinks give you straight sides and maximum internal volume. They’re ideal for soaking flat items or cleaning gear.

A square sink looks great in clean-lined, contemporary spaces.

Round Laundry Sinks

Round laundry sinks soften the look of your space and make cleaning easier, thanks to no tight corners.

A round sink looks great in smaller rooms and traditional homes.

5. Don’t Skip the Overflow Option

Laundry Sinks with Overflow

Overflow laundry sinks are a small but important safety feature. They redirect water into the drain if your sink starts to fill too high. If you have kids, share your laundry with housemates, or just don’t want to risk a flood, this is a must.

6. Choose Your Finish

The finish you choose for your laundry sink does more than match your tap. It sets the tone for the entire space. Whether you’re going for clean and classic or bold and modern, your sink's finish helps pull everything together. It also plays a role in how easy the sink is to maintain, how visible watermarks will be, and how long it’ll look good under daily use.

Stainless Steel Laundry Sink 

A practical, time-tested choice that suits almost any home. Stainless steel is durable, easy to clean, and holds up to heat, bleach, and hard knocks. Whether you’re rinsing muddy runners or soaking stained shirts, you don’t have to worry about scratching the surface or leaving a mark. It works just as well in a sleek modern laundry as it does in a more traditional or transitional space. You’ll find stainless steel laundry sinks in both single and double bowl configurations, including topmount and undermount styles.

Black Laundry Sink 

Matte black sinks add contrast and visual weight. They instantly make the laundry feel considered, like a continuation of your kitchen or bathroom, not just a utility zone. Black pairs beautifully with timber cabinetry, brushed brass or chrome tapware, and terrazzo finishes.

It does show water spots more than other finishes, so if you want to keep it looking sharp, a quick wipe after use goes a long way. Still, the design payoff is worth it. A black laundry sink becomes a standout feature, especially when framed by soft tiles or timber grain.

White Laundry Sink

Clean, bright and understated. A white laundry sink fits easily into coastal, Hamptons, Scandi or farmhouse-inspired spaces. It reflects natural light and helps small laundries feel bigger and fresher.

White finishes also tend to hide detergent marks and soap scum better than darker ones. If your laundry is part of a main hallway or visible from the kitchen, white keeps the space looking crisp without drawing attention to the sink.

Gunmetal Laundry Sink

Gunmetal gives you a darker, more dramatic finish without the starkness of full black. The tone sits somewhere between charcoal and brushed steel, with a matte surface that feels both industrial and elegant.

A gunmetal laundry sink is a smart pick if you want depth and visual interest, but still want something forgiving with everyday use. It hides water spots and fingerprints better than black and works well in minimalist homes or those using mixed metal finishes.

Brass Gold Laundry Sink

Warm, rich and character-filled, a brass gold laundry sink brings a luxury feel to the laundry without sacrificing functionality. It looks especially good when matched with brass or brushed gold mixer taps and natural stone or terrazzo benchtops.

This finish turns the sink into a focal point and works beautifully in homes that carry gold tones throughout the kitchen, bathroom or hardware. If your laundry is part of a visible space or you just want it to feel intentional, brass gold is worth the attention.

A brass gold sink looks great in curated spaces where the laundry feels as styled as every other room.

7. Choose the Right Tap

A laundry sink is only as useful as the tap it’s paired with. Whether you’re filling a mop bucket, rinsing shoes, or scrubbing muddy clothes, your tap needs to be easy to use, easy to clean, and the right shape for your setup. While style matters, function should come first.

Standard Mixers

A classic laundry mixer tap gives you simple temperature control with a clean, vertical spout. These work well if your sink is mostly used for everyday tasks like soaking or rinsing.

They’re usually more affordable, easy to install, and available in a range of finishes to match your sink. If you want something no-fuss that blends into your laundry setup, this is your base option.

Pull-Out Mixers

If you need flexibility, a pull-out laundry mixer tap gives you much more control. You can move the nozzle around to rinse bulky items, direct the flow exactly where you need it, and even stretch it across double bowls.

These are especially useful if you’re cleaning tools, washing pet bowls, or want to avoid splashing when rinsing items off. The added movement makes everyday jobs less awkward, and once you’ve used one, it’s hard to go back.

Dual Spray Taps

A step up from a standard pull-out, dual spray taps offer two water settings: a steady stream and a wide spray. They let you switch between soaking and rinsing with a single button, which speeds things up when cleaning large items.

This is a great option if your laundry also handles muddy boots, dirty sports gear or outdoor jobs. It brings more versatility to your sink and gives you the kind of functionality usually reserved for kitchens.

Matching Tapware Finishes

Whatever tap you choose, match it to your sink finish for a seamless look.

• Black taps pair best with black or gunmetal sinks
• Brass taps complement white or gold-tone sinks
• Brushed nickel offers a subtle, neutral option that works with most styles

Mixing and matching can work too, but make sure the tones complement each other across the sink, tap and cabinetry. Avoid combining warm and cool metals unless it’s a deliberate design choice.

Shop Premium Laundry Sinks at Buildmat

The right laundry sink should feel like it was made for your routine. That means choosing a size that fits, a style that works with your cabinetry, and a finish that fits your home. Whether you’re upgrading an old tub or planning a brand new space, use your real-life habits to guide your pick.