The Farmhouse Laundry Room Sink DIY That Works Well With Standard Cabinets

Laundry room sinks have become almost non-negotiable in home design and renovation, mostly because they're just so dang useful. From cleaning muddy boots to bathing pets, there are some things you just don't want to have to do in your bathroom or kitchen sink. Utilitarian? Obviously. A work of elegant design? Not necessarily. Of course, you should have a utility sink in your laundry room, but, there is an easy way to DIY an upgrade. Turn your plastic workhorse into a sleek, modern, farmhouse sink. And you might not even have to change out your cabinets or countertops to do it. 

We know it's tricky to get the balance of your laundry room sink needs just right, especially if you already have a sink installed. You want something that is designed to be resistant to the wear and tear of really tough cleaning jobs: washing paint brushes, potting plants, scrubbing out the drain on the washing machine — generally rugged sink work. But you also want a sink that can pivot to more delicate jobs, like soaking high-maintenance clothing, while also falling short of being an eyesore. The rugged, classic farmhouse sink is a fantastic compromise, but it isn't always an easy one to install. TikToker Discovery of Design's tutorial on installing a drop-in farmhouse sink with a little cabinet alteration may be the easiest DIY solution, and all you'll need is a jigsaw. 

When it is time to pick the best sink for your laundry room, the farmhouse style is among the most highly recommended. The best feature is the useful basin of the sink.  The deep bowl and exposed front of a farmhouse sink act like an apron to catch splashes from getting on your clothes — which is why they are referred to as apron front sinks. They are heavy-duty and contain messes within them well.

Unfortunately, the weight is often the reason that this basin style can be hard to install. Some cabinets just can't support it without reinforcement. And many cabinet fronts do not come designed to accommodate its shape. Additionally, many farmhouse sinks are undermount, meaning the edge of the sink sits below the counter. For this reason, they can be slightly more difficult to install — although easier to clean.

With a drop-in style farmhouse sink, however, you can DIY yourself a solution that gives you many of the benefits of that deep basin with the ease of drop-in installation. And you can even repurpose your existing cabinetry. You'll need to be sure your basin will fit into the opening on your countertop with enough of the lip covering the countertop to support the sink and provide a good seal. You should also ensure that your cabinet has a false drawer under the countertop so you can rework it to accommodate that signature apron front. Once you've got your new sink, you'll need to pull the old one to prepare for what might be the easiest way to install a farmhouse sink.

First, pull the false drawer front off of your cabinetry and set it aside. Then place your new sink into the countertop without connecting your plumbing. Using the back side of your false drawer front, mark out the cuts you'll need to make in order to accommodate the apron front of your farmhouse sink. Then take those measurements and create a template from paper or cardboard. Use this to gauge the accuracy of the cut lines on your drawer front, and adjust if necessary. This will be a significantly more fastidious project if you miscut your drawer front and have to replace it.

Once your template is as perfect as possible, use it to make your cuts and remove the section of the drawer front that will be replaced by the front of your sink. Fit your modified false drawer back into place around the new sink, seal the edges with silicone, and add your hardware. Voilà! A beautifully upgraded laundry room with a timeless kitchen mainstay – the much-loved farmhouse sink.

If you've taken the proper measurements and purchased the appropriate sink, you should be able to reuse your current countertop and perhaps even your hardware. Since you're upgrading your sink, why not seize the opportunity to upgrade the look of your laundry space with a mini-renovation? Paint your cabinets, refinish or replace your countertops, and add some durable and well-designed hardware for a workspace that is as functional as it is attractive.