DIY Home Improvement Guide | Bar Sinks

Bar Sinks

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Bar sinks are for more places than just your home bar!  They are versatile and handy small sinks that can be used in nearly any room of the house that needs running water.  In this post I want to show you everything thing you need to know about a bar sink so when it’s time for you to make a purchase you’ll choose the one that suits both your home and your needs.

At it’s core, a bar sink is just a really small and shallow traditional sink, but it’s really a lot more than that.  They usually come with a single hole for the faucet, which fits bar faucets perfectly.  Their small footprint allows them to easily be installed into existing counters, as well as in corners.  All you need to do is get the water running!

Bar Sinks In The Home

The home bar is becoming a very popular addition and it’s not a “real bar” until you get running water in there.  A bar sink allows you to rinse glasses, get water, and clean up without having to continually run back and forth between the kitchen.  When you pair a faucet/sink setup with an ice maker you have the ultimate home bar!  There are two different styles of home bars, and both work great with bar style sinks.  The front serve bar is what most homes will use where the bottles and glasses are on a counter or wall unit that is accessible from one side.  Usually the sink and faucet will be to the side of this arrangement.   The other setup is like a traditional bar with a counter in the front and the wall with drinks and bottles behind.  With this arrangement the sink is usually centered behind the front counter.

If a bar isn’t your style, these sinks also work great in other areas of the home.  Many homes will have a sink set up just out of the way of the entry way or in the laundry room so kids and guests can wash their hands.  Having a bar sink in the kitchen, apart from the regular sink, with a water filtration system allows you to have clean drinking water on demand without using up the filter too fast with the regular faucet.

Bar sinks come in all of the standard materials; stainless steel, ceramic, fireclay, copper, granite, and concrete.  Brass sinks come in finishes like chrome and oil rubbed bronze.  They also come in the standard mounting arrangements; under mount, top mount, and in the cabinet like farm sinks.

Installing Bar Sinks

The hardest part with installing bar sinks is getting the water running into the room.  This can be made easier if the bar is placed along a wall that has water on the other side, like the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room.  If you’re unfamiliar with plumbing, I recommend getting a pro to help you out with this part.  Mistakes with running water into different rooms can mean serious flood damage.

The type of sink that you get will determine how it’s installed, but if you’re planning on building the bar where it’s going to be put in it’s best to have the sink beforehand so you can build it right in.  Most installations into existing counters require some reconstruction of the cabinet to support the sink, so you may need to call a pro for this part if you aren’t particularly handy.

How To Find Cheap Bar Sinks

If you’re looking to build your home bar on a tight budget shopping around on the sink will allow you more money to stock the finished bar.  The internet is the best place to buy bar sinks because the selection is huge when compared to your options at Home Depot or even specialty sink stores.  Saving money is easy when you have patience.  In many cases, the shipping is going to cost you almost as much as the sink will so if you can hunt for the retailers that are offering free or discounted shipping you’re going to save a huge amount of money.  Then you can start calculating how many more bottles of pinot you can afford to stock your bar with your savings!

Bar sinks are perfect for just about any home.  This post was geared towards the home bar, but they really work everywhere that you need a small sink.  The key is to plan beforehand so you can get the one that fits your home and your style, without busting your budget!

Related posts:

  1. Cabinets For Kitchen Farm Sinks
  2. What To Do Before Installing A Wet Bar Sink
  3. What Are Farm Style Kitchen Sinks?
  4. Basin Sinks
  5. Corner Sinks
  6. What To Look For In Farm Sinks
  7. Small Bar Sinks
  8. Stainless Steel Bar Sinks
  9. Utility Sinks
  10. How To Use Bar Sink Faucets In Your Home

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