Bathroom Design Trend: Apron-Front Sinks

The apron-front kitchen sink craze has officially made its way into the bathroom, as have all things rustic and farmhouse-inspired. You knew it was only a matter of time, right? Here we explore the trend and tell you how to select the best farmhouse sink for your bathroom. Hint: design creativity rules.

One of the best things about this bathroom design trend—and there is a long list of pluses—is that it’s steeped in history, which means that in spite of how fresh it now is to incorporate an apron-front sink into a bathroom design, its references to the past give it staying power. The apron-front sink originated in the 17th century, when it was introduced to butler’s pantries as a workhorse sink for which no mess was too big. In fact, the apron-front design (which came from the idea that housekeepers would press their aprons against the sink’s front) was conceived of for comfort. When long hours were spent hunched over the day’s wash, these farmhouse sinks offered some ergonomic relief. Now they’re just plain cool, which is why more of us want them installed in every wash-up area in the home.

Farmhouse Sinks for the Bath

“[Farm sinks are] starting to appear more in bathrooms, with both their unique appearance and their size providing appeal for those who have the bath space to accommodate a farmhouse sink,” reports HGTV.com. “Their size and depth make them ideal for larger bathrooms, and new styles are less rough-hewn and rustic, with an up-to-date, contemporary look.”

Because of the newfound prevalence of farm sinks, homeowners and designers have far more of them to choose from. Some are shallow and some extra deep, some vintage, some vintage reproductions, and some so modern that it doesn’t feel quite right to call them “farmhouse.” Some have sharp, flat fronts, others curved and cascading.

A Fresh Take on the Farmhouse Bathroom

Kitchens and baths tend to borrow styles from one another (exhibit A: subway tiles), and homeowners often favor a similar aesthetic in these two signature spaces. The apron-front sink’s recent arrival in the bathroom has given design-happy homeowners yet another way to customize their space—and to create harmony between the kitchen and the bath. Of course, apron-front sinks aren’t the only way to achieve a farmhouse look in the bath. Trough sinks can also push a bathroom in a rustic direction.

Take Your Pick

Native Trails carries several apron sinks for the bathroom. Calypso and Palisades are both handcrafted from recycled copper, available in an Antique Copper and Brushed Nickel finish. Over the years, we have also created custom copper bathroom designs based on our apron-front bar and prep sinks, imaginatively transformed as bathroom sinks. Nipomo, a NativeStone concrete sink available in three finishes this June, is extraordinarily versatile – it can be installed as an apron sink, undermount sink or even a vessel sink.
Want to find a farm sink for your bath? Locate a Native Trails showroom near you.

Read about the history of the farm sink.