Single Bowl Sink vs Double Bowl Sink: Which is the Right Kitchen Sink for You?
Not sure which to choose? It comes down to how you use your kitchen. A single bowl sink offers more space for large pots and easy clean-up, while a double bowl sink lets you multitask with separate washing zones.
When you're planning a kitchen renovation or replacing an old sink, the choice between a single bowl kitchen sink and a double bowl kitchen sink feels deceptively simple. Two bowls or one. How hard can it be?
The answer really comes down to how you use your kitchen. Not how you think you use it, or how a renovation magazine says you should – but your real, day-to-day workflow. Do you hand-wash everything? Do you rely on a dishwasher? Do you regularly cook large batches that involve oversized cookware? Once you answer those questions honestly, the right sink becomes pretty obvious.
Read more: Buildmat's guide to the best kitchen sinks
What's the Actual Difference?
- A single bowl kitchen sink has one large, uninterrupted basin.
- A double bowl kitchen sink has two separate bowls – usually divided by a centre divider – which can be equal in size or offset (one larger, one smaller).
Both come in undermount and top-mount (drop-in) configurations, and both are available in a wide range of sink materials including stainless steel, granite composite, fireclay, and more.
The bowl configuration affects your workspace, your benchtop footprint, your cleanup routine, and how well the sink handles the specific demands of your kitchen. There's no objectively superior option – just the one that suits your situation.
The Case for a Single Bowl Kitchen Sink
Single bowl sinks have genuinely grown in popularity over the last decade, and it's not just a trend. There are real, practical reasons why more Australian homeowners are choosing them.
They handle large items easily
If you cook seriously, you've probably wrestled with a cast iron pan or a large roasting tray that doesn't quite fit in a divided sink. A large kitchen sink with a single, uninterrupted bowl solves this entirely. Large pots, baking sheets, woks, stockpots — they all sit flat, fill easily, and rinse cleanly. No awkward angles, no water spraying everywhere because you're working around a divider. This is especially useful in busy kitchens where oversized cookware is a daily reality.
They work well alongside a dishwasher
Here's the thing most people don't consider: if you're running a dishwasher for your everyday wash dishes load – plates, cups, cutlery, bowls – your sink is really only handling the things that can't go in the dishwasher. That's usually your large items: the pots, the pans, the wooden boards, the good knives.
For that purpose, one well-sized bowl is more than enough. The second bowl of a double sink often ends up as a staging area for dishes waiting to go in the dishwasher — which is fine, but it's not exactly the functionality you'd planned for.
They can free up bench space
A single bowl sink — particularly a compact or small sink — can take up less counter space than a full-width double bowl sink. In a small kitchen, that reclaimed benchtop space matters. Every extra 100mm of prep surface makes a difference when you're cooking.
They suit a minimalist kitchen design
Aesthetically, a single bowl sink tends to have a cleaner look. If you're going for a minimalist or contemporary kitchen design, a large seamless basin — particularly in an undermount format — creates a sleek, unbroken line across your benchtop.
The Case for a Double Bowl Kitchen Sink
Double bowl sinks have been the standard in Australian kitchens for decades — and that's not without reason. For the right household, they're more practical.
They're built for multitasking
This is the core appeal of a double bowl kitchen sink. You can soak dishes in one bowl while rinsing vegetables in the other. You can hand-wash delicates on one side while prepping ingredients on the other. For households that do a lot of cooking from scratch or don't rely heavily on a dishwasher, this kind of multitasking is a real advantage.
They keep things organised
Having a divider creates a natural separation between dirty dishes and clean ones, between soapy water and rinsing water. If your kitchen workflow involves soaking, washing by hand, and rinsing as separate steps, a double bowl kitchen sink makes that process more logical and less chaotic.
They can use less water for soaking
The smaller bowls in a double sink actually have an environmental upside: you can soak dishes without filling a large basin to the brim. If you regularly soak pots or pans before washing, this can meaningfully reduce water use over time.
They suit larger kitchens with more bench space
In larger kitchens where counter space isn't the limiting factor, a double bowl sink fits comfortably without compromising your workspace. If you have a generous kitchen layout, the extra sink real estate is a bonus rather than a burden.
What About the Downsides?
Every sink configuration has trade-offs. Here's the honest version:
Single bowl cons:
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No separation between clean and dirty — if you hand-wash and rinse in the same bowl, things can get chaotic
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Less suited to households that don't use a dishwasher regularly
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You'll want a drainer or drainboard alongside to compensate for the lack of a second bowl
Double bowl cons:
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The divider limits the size of items you can wash — baking sheets, large pots, and roasting trays often won't fit flat in either bowl
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Generally takes up more benchtop space, which can be a real issue in a smaller kitchen
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The smaller bowl size can feel restrictive for everyday use
Choosing Your Sink Material
Whether you go single or double bowl, sink material matters just as much for long-term durability and kitchen design.
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Stainless steel sinks are the most popular choice in Australia — affordable, durable, easy to clean, and compatible with virtually any kitchen style. Thicker gauge steel performs better and resists denting.
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Granite composite sinks are heavier, quieter, and more resistant to scratches and heat — great for busy kitchens.
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Fireclay sinks (farmhouse/butler style) are a bold design statement and incredibly durable, though they typically come in single bowl formats.
Undermount vs Top-Mount: Which Should You Choose?
This is a separate decision that applies to both bowl configurations, but it's worth covering.
Undermount sinks sit below the benchtop with no lip. Cleanup is faster because you can wipe debris directly from the counter into the sink. They have a cleaner, more premium look and work particularly well with stone or engineered stone benchtops. The trade-off is a slightly more involved installation and a higher cost.
Top-mount sinks sit on top of the benchtop with a visible rim. They're easier to install and replace, and they work with virtually any benchtop material. Slightly harder to clean around the rim, but a practical and cost-effective choice.
Related reading: Undermount or Topmount Sinks – Which Should You Choose?
Accessories That Bridge the Gap
One of the best things about modern kitchen sinks is the accessory ecosystem around them. If you choose a single bowl but miss the separation of a double, there are smart solutions available.
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Sink grids and protector mats keep the basin scratch-free and lift items off the base for better drainage
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Over-sink chopping boards turn your sink into an extended food prep surface
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Kitchen colanders and rinse baskets that sit over the bowl give you a functional second zone for prepping without needing a second bowl
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Dish racks and drainboards extend your drying area alongside the sink
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Drainboard kitchen sinks combine a built-in drainer directly into the sink itself — a great solution if bench space is tight
So, Which Is the Perfect Kitchen Sink for You?
Go with a single bowl sink if:
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You use a dishwasher regularly and your sink mostly handles large items
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You cook with big pots, pans, or baking sheets that need space to manoeuvre
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You want to maximise bench space, especially in a small kitchen
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You're after a clean, minimalist aesthetic
Go with a double bowl sink if:
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You hand-wash most of your dishes and want to separate soaking and rinsing
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Your kitchen is large enough to accommodate the extra footprint
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You frequently multitask at the sink — prepping on one side, washing on the other
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Separating dirty dishes from clean ones is important to your workflow
Either way, the right sink is the one that genuinely fits how you cook and clean, not what looks good in a showroom.
Ready to Pick a Sink? We're Here to Help
Book an appointment at our selection centre to see our kitchen sinks in person, and get specific advice for your kitchen. We don't just show you products – we walk you through your project step by step, providing individual guidance based on your specific needs and expert advice tailored to your space, budget, and design vision. Our team takes the time to understand what you're trying to achieve and helps you make informed decisions that you'll be happy with for years to come.
Buildmat Selection Centre
45 Warrigal Rd, Hughesdale 3166 VIC
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