Small but Mighty: Everything You Need To Know About Small Kitchen Sinks (aka Prep and Bar Sinks)

Are you looking to maximize efficiency in your kitchen or create the perfect entertaining space? At Create Good Sinks, we understand that sometimes the smallest additions make the biggest impact. That’s why we’ve designed our collection of compact prep and bar sinks to deliver maximum functionality in minimal space.

Today, we’re exploring the world of small kitchen sinks (aka prep and bar sinks) – the versatile workhorses that prove size doesn’t determine capability. Let’s discover why these compact powerhouse sinks are becoming essential elements in modern kitchen design.

Why Choose a Small Prep Sink?

While medium and large workstation sinks handle major kitchen tasks, our small bar and prep sinks excel at specialized functions that keep your main sink free for primary cooking activities. Here’s why our customers are adding these efficient fixtures to their kitchens:

Maximum Space Efficiency: Our prep sinks start at just 10 inches wide, making them perfect for tight spaces while still providing genuine functionality. These compact sinks prove that you don’t need to sacrifice features for space-saving design.

Dedicated Task Zones: Create specialized areas for specific activities – use your prep sink for washing vegetables while keeping your main sink available for dish cleanup, or designate it as a coffee station that doesn’t interfere with meal preparation.

Entertainment Ready: Transform any space into an entertaining zone. Fill your bar sink with ice for beverages, create a garnish station for cocktails, or provide guests with a convenient spot to rinse glassware without crowding your main kitchen area.

Perfect for Secondary Locations: Whether installed at the end of a kitchen island, next to the range, in a pantry, or as part of a wet bar, these small sinks extend your kitchen’s functionality to exactly where you need it.

Seamless Drain Innovation: Even our smallest prep sinks feature our award-winning seamless drain technology, ensuring the same easy cleaning and hygienic benefits as our larger sinks.

Workstation Functionality: Our workstation prep sinks include integrated ledges that accommodate our accessories, turning even the smallest sink into a functional prep station.

The Small Kitchen Sink Advantage

What makes our small and efficient prep and bar sinks stand out from standard and large workstation sink options? It’s our commitment to bringing full-scale innovation to space-saving designs:

Award-Winning Seamless Drain

Like all of our medium and large workstation sinks, every prep and bar sink in our collection comes standard with our patented seamless drain – an exclusive design feature you won’t find on other sinks that won us the National Kitchen and Bath Show Best New Product award. Benefits of our Seamless drain design include:

• Eliminates the problematic seam where bacteria and debris typically collect

• Creates a unified, easy-to-clean surface from basin to drain

• Maintains our premium aesthetic even in the smallest installations

• Features removable, dishwasher-safe components for effortless maintenance

Premium Materials and Construction

We never compromise on quality, regardless of size:

• Premium 16-gauge 304 stainless steel provides exceptional durability

• Sound-dampening technology keeps even small sinks quiet during use

• Brushed finish coordinates perfectly with our larger sinks and faucets

• Straight walls with slightly rounded corners maximize usable space

Workstation Innovation at Small Scale

Our small kitchen sinks bring the same innovative functionality of our large sinks to compact installations:

• Integrated ledges accommodate cutting boards, colanders, and drying racks

• Accessories slide smoothly along the rail system for efficient workflow

• Transform any small sink into a complete prep station

• Perfect for creating specialized zones throughout your kitchen

Finding Your Perfect Small Kitchen Sink

With sizes ranging from 10 to 22 inches, we offer the ideal small kitchen sink for every space and need. Here are our most popular models:

10” Workstation Prep Sink (5LS10-8)

Our tiniest powerhouse proves that good things come in small packages. At just 10 inches wide, this versatile workstation sink fits virtually anywhere while maintaining all the innovative features of our larger models. The 8-inch depth provides surprising capacity for such a compact footprint.

Ideal for: Tiny homes, coffee stations, wet bars, or anywhere space is at a premium but functionality can’t be compromised.

Cabinet Requirements: 15” base cabinet minimum

15” Workstation Bar Sink (5LS15)

The perfect balance of compact size and practical functionality, our 15” bar sink offers increased capacity while maintaining a small footprint. The workstation ledge allows for accessories that transform this sink into a complete prep or serving station.

Ideal for: Home bars, kitchen islands, pantries, or secondary prep areas where moderate capacity is needed without overwhelming the space.

19” Workstation Prep Sink with Offset Drain (5LS19R)

This medium-sized prep sink provides substantial capacity while remaining compact enough for most secondary installations. The offset drain configuration maximizes usable basin space while accommodating plumbing requirements.

Ideal for: Dedicated prep areas, coffee and beverage stations, or anywhere you need a capable secondary sink that won’t dominate the space.

22” Workstation Prep Sink with Offset Drain (5LS22R)

Our largest prep sink bridges the gap between compact utility and full functionality. The 22” width provides generous workspace while the offset drain design ensures maximum basin utility.

Ideal for: Serious home chefs who want a dedicated prep area, large kitchen islands, or spaces where you need substantial secondary sink capacity.

Maximizing Your Small Sink’s Potential

The key to getting the most from your prep sink lies in thoughtful accessory selection and strategic placement:

Bar Sink Accessory Package

We’ve created a specialized bar sink accessory package designed specifically for our small workstation sinks:

• Custom-sized bamboo cutting board for food prep

• Stainless steel colander for washing produce

• Compact roll-out drying rack for glassware

• All accessories work seamlessly with our workstation sink ledge system

Strategic Placement Ideas

Kitchen Island End: Perfect for beverage prep or quick vegetable washing without interrupting main cooking activities.

Coffee Station: Create a dedicated area for coffee preparation, water filling, and cup rinsing.

Entertainment Zone: Fill with ice for parties or create a self-serve beverage station.

Pantry Integration: Add prep functionality to your pantry for canning, food storage prep, or cleaning produce.

Range-Side Prep: Provide immediate access to water for cooking without leaving the stove area.

Design Considerations for Small Sinks

When planning your prep sink installation, consider these important factors:

Space Requirements

Our prep sinks require minimal space but maximum impact:

• 10” sink: 15” base cabinet minimum

• 15” sink: 18” base cabinet minimum

• 19” sink: 21” base cabinet minimum

• 22” sink: 24” base cabinet minimum

Faucet Selection

Choose faucets proportioned to your sink size:

• The compact design of the Ardell sink faucet or Paulette faucet perfectly complements smaller sinks

• Consider reach and clearance for the intended use

• Ensure proper proportion to avoid overwhelming the space

Workflow Integration

Plan your prep sink to enhance, not complicate, your kitchen workflow:

• Position for easy access from main work areas

• Consider sight lines to maintain open kitchen feel

• Plan for adequate counter space around the sink

• Think about storage for sink-specific accessories

Maintaining your Create Good prep sink is simple and straightforward:

• Clean regularly with mild soap and water

• Wipe dry to prevent water spots on the brushed finish

• Remove and clean seamless drain components as needed

• Polish occasionally with olive oil for extra shine

The compact size actually makes maintenance easier – every surface is easily accessible for thorough cleaning. Do you think that this suggest to the reader that the larger ones would be inherently cumbersome?

 The Complete Small Sink Experience

Our prep sinks work beautifully as part of a complete Create Good kitchen system:

• Coordinated Finishes: Perfect brushed stainless steel match with our larger sinks and faucets

• Seamless Integration: Same premium quality and innovative features across all sizes

• Expandable Functionality: Add multiple small sinks for specialized zones throughout your kitchen

• Future-Proof Design: Quality construction ensures your investment will last for years

 Customers love our small kitchen sinks 

“Our 15” prep sink transformed our kitchen island into a true entertainment center. We can prep garnishes for cocktails while keeping the main sink free for dinner cleanup. The seamless drain makes it so easy to keep clean, even after messy prep work.” – Sarah K., Austin

“I installed the tiny 10” sink in our coffee station, and it’s amazing how much functionality we gained. Perfect for filling the coffee maker, rinsing mugs, and cleaning up without walking across the kitchen.” – David R., Portland 

See our reviews page for more customer reviews.

Ready to Maximize Your Kitchen Efficiency?

Our small kitchen sinks prove that exceptional functionality doesn’t require substantial space. Crafted with the same attention to detail and innovative features as our larger sinks, these compact kitchen workstations provide specialized solutions for modern living.

Browse our complete collection of prep and bar sinks at Create Good Sinks (https://www.creategoodsinks.com/collections/prep-sinks) and discover how a small sink can make a big difference in your kitchen’s efficiency and entertainment capabilities.

Have questions about which workstation sink is right for your space? Our specialists love discussing creative kitchen solutions and are ready to help! Contact Create Good Sinks today and let’s create something good together.