Should a kitchen sink be centered under a window?

As the heart of any home and where most people congregate for cooking, eating, socializing, and homework, our kitchens need to function well while looking beautiful, too. If your kitchen could do with a refurb, you might be thinking about your kitchen layout and the placement of amenities. 

One question we are often asked is: Should a kitchen sink be centered under a window? The answer might seem simple, but there are many factors to consider before making a final decision. 

Here, we've spoken to kitchen designers about the best placement for your kitchen sink, whether you are planning a full kitchen remodel or integrating your sink into your existing scheme. 

Should a kitchen sink be centered under a window?

Creating a calm atmosphere is more important than ever, and that should be your goal when it comes to where to place a sink in the kitchen. If you are fortunate to have a kitchen that looks out onto a nice vista, think about centering your sink to enjoy the pleasing view beyond. 

However, there are no hard and fast rules that say a kitchen sink should or shouldn't be centered under a window; if a kitchen island is part of your remodel plans, you may prefer to cite one in close proximity to a stove or grill. That aside, though, putting a kitchen sink under a window – in a central position – does give you a view to ponder while you are doing the dishes, which is always a bonus.

The shape and size of the space will dictate much of what’s possible for the layout of the kitchen, and suppliers can suggest designs, but it’s still worthwhile examining your room’s potential yourself. The crucial ‘working’ parts of your kitchen will almost certainly be the oven and hob, sink, fridge, and worktop prep areas – with easy access to each and proximity to one another crucial for both efficiency and safety.

Where should a kitchen sink be placed?

Where should a sink be in the kitchen? While the kitchen sink is often easily overlooked in favor of more elegant and stylish fittings, the sink is more than just practical, and the placement of this hardworking amenity is of huge importance when it comes to kitchen design

The placement of a sink in a kitchen is vital for many reasons. Whilst a sink may not be your first thought when planning the perfect kitchen layout, you'll be amazed by just how much you use this unassuming workhorse. 

Many designers agree that centering a kitchen sink under a window is the optimum placement, it often looks tailored and well-planned, however, this is not always practical. If you have a small kitchen with very little room for large reconfigurations, you may have more limited options in terms of optimum sink placement. A common decision is to keep the existing plumbing where it is, as it reduces costs. 

Should a kitchen sink be placed next to the dishwasher?

Placing a kitchen sink next to a dishwasher might seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised by how often people forget about the dishwasher being in closer proximity to the kitchen sink. 

When it comes to planning an efficient layout, especially in a smaller kitchen, you most certainly want your dishwasher and sink to be next to one another. This will make loading the dishwasher easier and more streamlined; you can just scrape or rinse off your plates in the sink before setting them in the dishwasher.