Kitchen Considerations: Let’s Make a Splash
This contemporary MAK Design + Build kitchen features warm white oak cabinetry and a prep sink on the island, creating a smooth connection between the workspace and the great room beyond.
Kitchen Extras: Part I
Let’s Make a Splash — Why Every Kitchen Deserves a Prep Sink
Kitchen Extras: Part I
This post kicks off our new series highlighting some of the many “Kitchen Extras” worth considering when planning a kitchen remodel.
A kitchen remodel is one of the most customizable investments you can make in your home. We always encourage our clients to think carefully about how they use their existing kitchen, and how their ideal kitchen would be different. After all, kitchens (and bathrooms) are the most task-specific rooms in a home, but the kitchen is by far the hardest-working.
Whether you’re a passionate baker, kombucha brewer, frequent entertainer, or simply the designated weeknight chef, your kitchen should work for you. A remodel is your chance to design a space that supports your habits, lifestyle, and rhythm, not the other way around.
The Underrated Hero: The Prep Sink
Right off the bat, I’ll share one feature from our own remodel that I’m grateful for every single day: the prep sink.
Picture of my own MAK Design + Build kitchen features a prep sink on the island — a small detail that makes multitasking and shared cooking effortless
If your kitchen is a hub of activity, where two or more people might be chopping, rinsing, or washing up at the same time a secondary, smaller sink is a smart way to make the most of your counter space and workflow. Our prep sink, just under 13” x 11”, has become one of the most-used and appreciated details in our kitchen.
Depending on its placement and the height of the fixture, a prep sink can serve multiple purposes:
A produce-rinsing or meat-prepping station
A quick hand-washing spot
A pot filler for the nearby range
Even a mini utility sink for quick cleanups or stain treatment
The Power of Placement
In this MAK Design + Build contemporary kitchen, a prep sink on one island creates a dedicated workspace while the second island offers seating and storage, keeping everyone connected during meal prep.
We love how our main sink is positioned under a window facing the backyard, ideal for soaking up the view while tackling dishes. Our prep sink, however, is located between the stove and refrigerator, a more social, central spot that keeps the cook connected with everyone else in the kitchen.
Having more than one sink keeps the flow of food prep and cleanup separate. No more, “Can I just get in here to wash my hands?” or “Excuse me, I need to rinse this carrot” while someone else is elbow-deep scrubbing a roasting pan. The prep sink keeps everyone moving and keeps the mood harmonious.
Should You Add a Prep Sink?
When deciding whether a prep sink belongs in your remodel, ask yourself a few key questions:
How many people typically work in the kitchen at once?
Where do you store and prep your food?
Is your stove far from your main sink?
Do you often wish for a quick rinse spot away from the dish zone?
Is your washer or utility area nearby, but not close enough to a sink?
A prep sink might feel like a luxury at first, but once you have one, you’ll never want to go back. It’s one of those subtle features that quietly changes everything about how your kitchen functions day to day.
Closing Thought
Every detail in a kitchen remodel from lighting to layout to extras like a prep sink shapes how your space feels and functions. The beauty of custom design is that it allows your kitchen to reflect you: your habits, your family, your rhythm.
Stay tuned for the next post in our Kitchen Extras series, where we’ll explore more of the small details that make a big difference in everyday living.
Photos By Stephanie Russo Photography, Dave Adams Photography, and Justin Lopez Photography