Whether you’re designing a laundry from scratch or updating an old one, the sink is one of the hardest-working features in the space — yet it’s often not given much thought! From soaking stained clothes to cleaning paint brushes or even washing the dog, a good laundry sink needs to be functional, durable and (of course!) stylish too.
So to help you select a laundry tub that ticks all your needs, we’re covering the important things you need to consider before buying a laundry sink. Everything from material and style, down to the thoughtful details of tapware and accessories.
Related article: Ultimate guide to choosing the perfect tapware for your home
Related article: How to: Affordably update your laundry
1. Start by thinking about how you’ll use the sink
Every good design solution starts by considering your needs. Before diving into materials or styles, take a moment to think practically.
What to consider when buying a laundry sink:
- Is this laundry in a small apartment, or a large family home with high-traffic utility needs?
- Do you hand wash delicate items regularly?
- Will you be cleaning tools, muddy shoes, or pet gear?
Your answers will influence everything from shape and depth to material choice. For example, a compact drop-in sink might be ideal for a single professional with a small European laundry, while a generous double-bowl Farmhouse style sink makes more sense in a busy household with kids or pets.
2. Choose the right size and depth
We swear by choosing the largest sink you can fit into a laundry because we’ve never met anyone who regretted a tub that’s too big but plenty of people who become frustrated by a small (albeit stylish) sink!
Laundry sinks come in a wide variety of dimensions so you’ll be sure to find one that complements both your cabinetry and needs.
Standard depth:
The standard width of laundry tubs is 400-470mm to allow enough bench space for the laundry tap (aka mixer tap) and cleaning. The standard length varies, depending on whether you opt for a single or double bowl design. For example, there are standard single bowl laundry tubs that are 586mm in length x 446mm in width. The standard height or depth of the sink ranges from 200-230mm.
Compact needs:
For homes that cannot accomodate a full-size laundry, you can find compact laundry sinks on the market. Depending on your space, you could find an ultra narrow sink (eg 250x450x215mm) or one that is longer but can fit into a narrow bench (eg 762x280x200mm). Slimline sinks or drop-in sinks come in a range of shapes to fit tight spaces.
Oversized or multi-use:
If you’ve got the luxury of space and want to create a swoon-worthy laundry, we suggest sizing up your laundry tub! From contemporary black quartz sinks that are 900x500x230mm to Farmhouse fireclay tubs that are 828x450x255mm, there are plenty of larger sink designs to choose from.
Tip: A double-bowl sink makes sense in busy households where you may be soaking clothes in one and filling a cleaning bucket in the other.
3. Pick the best material for your lifestyle
Stainless steel
A classic choice, stainless steel laundry tubs are just as popular today for their affordability and durability. On the recommendation of her joiner, Gina opted for an ultra-deep stainless steel laundry tub and it handled everything from washing up paint brushes to soaking full-sized blankets with ease.
Stainless steel is ideal for heavy use and multipurpose laundries. Look for 304-grade stainless steel for rust resistance.
Composite or stone sinks
Made from quartz or granite composites, these sinks offer a premium, modern finish and come in a variety of shapes. You can also find plenty of colour options, ranging from matte black, white or grey, to on-trend beige or brightly coloured red or yellow sinks!
Composite sinks are popular in contemporary homes for their aesthetics. This material is also incredibly durable, with some people describing it as ‘bomb-proof’ (ha ha), however it can be problematic if you have hard water.
Ceramic or fireclay
The Royals Royce of laundry sinks, large Farmhouse style fireclay sinks are elegant and durable. Made from a type of ceramic that is fired at extremely high temperatures, these sinks are hard and non-porous.
However, if you drop a heavy item in the sink it can chip, compared to a stainless steel sink that may only show a scratch or small dent. There are repair kits available to fix chips, however colour-matching can be problematic. Nonetheless, we love fireclay sinks and would definitely use them in a traditional, luxe or Hampton’s style laundry.
You’ll find a great range of sink styles and materials at MyHomeware, one of Australia’s leading online bathroom and laundry suppliers.
4. Consider the mounting type
Another important consideration is how you mount the laundry tub as this affects both functionality and design.
Top-mount / drop-in sinks:
Possibly the most popular style is a drop-in laundry sink. As the name suggests, this type of tub is dropped into the laundry benchtop, where the edge of the sink is visible on top of the bench. This style is more affordable, easy to keep clean and doesn’t run the risk of chipping your stone benchtop around the sink.
Undermount sinks:
Popular for its sleeker finish with no visible rim, an undermount sink sits below your benchtop (see picture below). While it’s easier to wipe down benchtops, you may need to use a knife wrapped in cloth to clean the small gap between the bench and sink. As the edges of your benchtop are visible, it requires professional installation. For example, a stonemason would cut and polish the benchtop to achieve a perfect finish.
With rough use, the rim of your benchtop around the sink can chip so it may not be an ideal solution in high-use laundries.
Wall-mounted sinks:
Less common in Australian laundries but worth mentioning for those wanting to achieve a minimalist aesthetic or working within space constraints are wall-mounted laundry sinks. These sinks fix directly to the wall, avoiding the need to install joinery. These can look great in a European style or farmhouse style laundry, and also fit the industrial aesthetic to a T.
Freestanding laundry sinks:
Finally, there are also laundry sinks sold within a cabinet. This freestanding design appeals to those who do not want laundry joinery or benchtops, for example in budget-conscious laundries or multifunctional spaces where the laundry sink needs to consume minimal space.
5. Don’t forget about the tapware and accessories
Choosing the right laundry tap is just as important as the sink. Look for high spouts or extendable hose taps if you want flexibility to fill buckets or rinse bulky items.
Other laundry accessories to consider:
- Laundry sink baskets or grates (protect the base of the sink)
- Drainboard attachments (great if you handwash)
- Matching plug and waste fittings for a seamless look.
You can find stylish yet practical options across a wide range of bathroom supply stores, especially ones that stock laundry-specific fixtures and finishes.
6. Match it to your style
We’ve offered some design tips already on what laundry tubs suit various interior design styles but it’s worth recapping. While many laundry sinks can blend seamlessly into different style homes, here’s a quick cheat sheet on how to nail your laundry sink and tapware combo!
Laundry tubs and taps to suit your interior design style:
- Modern coastal? Pair a matte white stone sink with brushed nickel tapware, or undermount stainless steel sink with matte white tapware.
- Hamptons style? Go for a farmhouse-style sink with classic chrome tapware in an ornate shape, or add a luxe twist by using brushed brass tapware.
- Contemporary? A black composite sink with black or gunmetal tapware never fails, or brushed metal sink with matching tapware for an elevated aesthetic.
- Earthy Mediterranean? Use a stone tile splashback for the earthy element and a fireclay sink with brushed metal tap to complete the look.
Find more tips on how to achieve the most popular interior design styles here.
Do you have any questions about laundry sinks that we didn’t cover off? Perhaps you have other tips to choose laundry sink style or materials? Chat with us in the comment section below!
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