| Standard sink base | Farmhouse sink base | |
|---|---|---|
| Front | False drawer front above doors | Cut down to the sink’s apron |
| Sink support | Countertop carries most of it | Cabinet frame or support rails carry it |
| Sizing | Stock widths | Built to the sink’s spec sheet |
| When to choose the sink | Can come later | Before the cabinet is drawn |
What is a farmhouse sink base cabinet?
A farmhouse sink, also called an apron-front sink, has a finished front panel that shows below the countertop. A standard sink base has a false drawer front across the top that would sit where that apron needs to go. A farmhouse sink base leaves that space open: the front is cut down to the height of the apron, so the sink sits in the cabinet with its face exposed and the doors below it.
Why does the sink have to be chosen first?
Because the cabinet is built around it. Apron height, sink width, depth and the shape of the front all vary from one sink to another, and the opening has to match. The manufacturer’s spec sheet, not the listing photo, is what the cabinet is drawn from. Order the sink, or at least fix the exact model, before the cabinet design is finalized, and keep the spec sheet with your drawings.
How is a farmhouse sink supported?
Many farmhouse sinks are heavy even empty, especially fireclay and cast iron, and they hold water and dishes on top of that. A drop-in or undermount sink hangs largely from the countertop. An apron-front sink usually sits on the cabinet, on a frame or support rails built inside it at the right height. The support has to suit the sink’s weight and the manufacturer’s installation instructions, which is easier to get right when the cabinet is built for that sink than when a stock box is adapted on site.
What else should you settle before the cabinet is built?
- Flush or proud. Should the apron sit flush with the cabinet doors, or stand slightly in front? It changes how the opening is built.
- The faucet. Wall-mount or deck-mount, and whether the sink’s ledge or the countertop takes it.
- Plumbing and disposal. A deep sink leaves less room underneath; check the disposal and drain fit.
- Doors below. Two doors, or a pull-out for a waste bin beside the sink base.
- Countertop overlap. How the counter meets the sink’s sides and back.
Can you put a farmhouse sink in an existing cabinet?
Sometimes, by cutting down the front of a standard sink base and adding support inside it. It is a fiddly job that depends on the existing box being strong enough and the right width, and the cut front has to be finished to look intentional. In a remodel, it is usually simpler to build the sink base new for the sink.
How does Crafted Cabinetry build a farmhouse sink base?
Every Crafted cabinet is built to order, cut to your measurements in 1/16-inch increments. During the Finalize step your sink and appliances go on an appliance spec sheet, so the sink base is drawn from the sink’s own dimensions before production starts. The cabinets are built in our California shop with plywood boxes and delivered fully assembled anywhere in the continental US.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a special cabinet for a farmhouse sink?
Yes. The front of the sink base is cut down to the sink’s apron, and the cabinet usually carries the sink’s weight on a frame or rails inside.
Should I buy the farmhouse sink before the cabinets?
Yes. The cabinet is built around the sink’s exact dimensions, so fix the model and keep its spec sheet before the design is finalized.
Can I convert a standard sink base for an apron sink?
Sometimes, by cutting down the front and adding support. It depends on the existing box; in a remodel, building a new sink base is usually simpler.
Does Crafted build cabinets for a specific sink?
Yes. Sinks and appliances go on a spec sheet before production, and each cabinet is built to order to those dimensions.
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