Drain Board Sinks - The Secret to a Tidy Kitchen

If your kitchen always seems to be drowning in dishes, glassware, and cookware - no matter how much time you spend washing up each day - it may be time to unlock the secret to a consistently tidy kitchen: installing a drain board sink.

Drain board sinks provide an angled surface next to or within the sink basin for water to quickly drain off washed items. This designated drying area helps neatly corral dishes, pans, cutting boards, and everything in between that would otherwise clutter your counter space for hours.

Types of Drain Board Sink Materials

When choosing a drain board sink, one of the first decisions you'll make is which material best suits your kitchen design and functional needs. The most common options include:

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a popular sink material thanks to its sleek, modern look and extreme durability. Stainless steel drain board sinks are seamlessly integrated, with both basin and drying area made of the same resilient, easy-to-clean metal.

Stainless steel has sound insulation properties to dampen noise and naturally resists corrosion, heat, and scratches. However, lower gauge steels may be more prone to dents over time.

Granite Composite

For those desiring a more upscale, stone-like look, granite composite sinks offer the beauty of natural stone paired with strength similar to stainless steel models. Granite composite is often enhanced with materials like acrylic or resins.

Benefits include stain, scratch and heat resistance along with sound dampening qualities. However, lighter granite shades may require more frequent cleaning to keep their pristine appearance.

Compare Material Options

Drain Board Sink Sizes

Single Bowl vs Double Bowl

Drain board sinks come in single and double bowl configurations to suit the scale of your dishwashing needs. Single bowl designs work well for smaller kitchens and households generating less cook and dishware.

For larger families and avid home cooks producing piles of pots, pans and serving platters, a double bowl drain board sink provides expanded basin capacity. Some double bowl sinks feature equal bowls, while others create one larger and one smaller compartment.

Standard vs Custom Sizing

Standard drain board sinks generally range from 16 to 30 inches wide for single bowl models and 32 to 60 inches for double bowls. Standard kitchen sinks typically fall into three size classifications: small, medium and large.

Those with unique layouts or space restrictions may benefit from custom sizing. A bespoke drain board sink lets you dictate the precise basin dimensions and angles along with drain board width and placement.

Drain Board Configurations

Side Drain Boards

For more compact kitchen spaces, a drain board sink with side-mounted drying area allows you to install the sink while preserving an open feel and traffic flow. Side drain boards lend themselves to wall installation between two base cabinets or kitchen islands.

Front/Back Drain Boards

Drain boards spanning the front or back of the sink provide even more real estate for dish racks, drying mats and storage of cleaning essentials like brushes and sponges. Front-to-back orientation also promotes ergonomics while tackling dishes.

Drain Board Positioning

Work with your kitchen designer to determine optimal drain board placement based on existing or planned cabinetry along with your dish cleaning process. For example, right-handed users may prefer a right-side drain board for efficient dish transfer from basin to drying area.

Water Flow Benefits

Drainage Angle

Unlike flat countertops that allow water to pool around drying dishware, a drain board's slightly sloped or completely angled surface guides water straight back into the sink. This drainage functionality speeds up drying time while eliminating puddles that raise safety and hygiene concerns.

Reduced Cleanup

Limiting excess moisture also makes post-wash wipe-downs easier. Where flat counter areas often require soaking up multi-directional runoff, an angled drain board neatly concentrates all liquid to quickly mop into the sink and down the drain.

Drying Space Advantages

Air Drying Dishes

Rather than cluttering counters with dish-filled drying racks that cramp your meal prep abilities, a drain board sink provides dedicated air drying space steps from your wash station. The integrated design allows you to seamlessly transition dishes, glasses and utensils from basin to drain board.

Dish Rack Integration

For even easier drying and storage, customize your cleanup with dish racks sized to perfectly fit your drain board dimensions. Tailored placement prevents drips onto cabinet fronts while keeping everyday dishware easily accessible.

Counter Space Savings

Free up valuable counter real estate for appliances, recipe ingredients and finished food by keeping clean-up contained to the sink area. Removing dish racks from counters or islands also keeps these high-traffic spaces clutter free.

Enhanced Food Prep Ability

Cutting Board Placement

Further amplify counterspace by utilizing your drain board sink for food prep stages like chopping vegetables, slicing breads or carving meats. The integrated design allows you to transfer ingredients straight from cutting board to cooking vessel.

Hot Pan Landing Zone

Protect counters and island tops from burns by setting hot cookware fresh from the stove or oven directly onto the heat-resistant drain board surface. The angled design safely catches drips as pans cool.

Additional Drain Board Sink Benefits

Beyond increased organization, efficiency and flexibility, today's drain board sink options deliver additional value through cutting-edge features:

• Eco-friendly construction from recycled and sustainable materials like glass and bamboo
• Accessibility enhancements like grab bars and non-slip mats
• Multi-functional additions such as colanders, cutting boards and soap dispensers
• Integrated filtration for removing water impurities
• Smart technology like touchscreens and voice controls for hands-free use
• Adjustable height settings assisting users of all mobility levels
• Customizability through a range of colors, finishes and accessories
• Advanced drainage for preventing odors and bacteria growth
• Built-in drip trays eliminating the need for separate water catch mats
• Antimicrobial properties from UV-C sterilization promoting next-level hygiene

At first glance, a drain board sink may seem like a minor upgrade - but in reality, this integrated drying area completely reimagines the entire dishwashing experience. By blending form and function within a single unified design, today's drain board options deliver unmatched efficiency, capacity and visual appeal.

As your needs expand, drain boards scale up through double basin sinks outfitted with all the latest innovations. And when it comes to tidiness, the angled drying space keeps water, soap suds and clutter neatly flowing into the basin rather than dispersing across your counters.