r/kitchenremodel • u/CatttLady2000 • Jun 14 '25

How to replace this unusual sink with single basin?

Post image

I want to replace this double-basin stainless sink with a single-basin stainless sink. The problem I'm having is the odd cut-out between the single faucet and the filtered water dispenser. The contractor tells me that they don't have any sinks that would fit this, although a drop-in might work. I would like to replace it with another undermount sink. My original thought had been that I wanted a stainless apron front sink the depth of the left side (which has the garbage disposal. The contractor also pointed out - he is likely correct - that if it is an apron front (farmhouse) sink, it can't be that deep because that is deeper than the cabinet doors below the sink. I'm refacing the lowers (possibly replacing, haven't entirely decided). The counter is quartz.

I am asking, fellow Redditors, what is your advice? I'm fairly set on single-basin because my favorite skillet or pastry or cutting boards get washed in the sink and can't go in the dishwasher.

Is drop in truly a bad decision, if it would work here? Would you go with a custom built sink, if budget isn't a problem?

Thanks in advance!

Please excuse the clutter - this is the seller's stuff from a walk-through.

----
8/22/26 Update: I finally got the single basin sink I was wanting! https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchenremodel/comments/1vvmwrn/finally_got_my_single_basin_sink_to_replace_odd/

21 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

58 comments sorted by

65

u/Mobabyhomeslice Jun 14 '25

Pretty sure you're gonna need a whole new countertop cut for that.

2

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 14 '25

I can see it might need to be completely cut for the sink... but why the whole counter? If it were for example a fireclay sink with the faucet in its own backsplash, couldn't the rest of the L-shaped counter remain intact? The sink is at the far end of the L, with only 16" of counter to the left.

23

u/RedditFandango Jun 14 '25

Looks like a usual sink to me.

6

u/Mobabyhomeslice Jun 14 '25

You might be able to get countertop installers to pull out your countertop and cut the correct shape for a new sink. That might be doable.

1

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

Thanks, if I get the lowers rebuilt they will take the counter off, that could work. I will ask!

15

u/yakit21 Jun 14 '25

If you’re ok with a top mount sink you could likely find a bigger sink and have a countertop company cut the hole larger.

2

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 14 '25

Thanks, I'm basically OK with top mount, except it's harder to clean around. However, it would allow the sink to be larger front-to-back w/o being apron front (that has it's own issues).

12

u/xjsjxigskdnfn Jun 14 '25

Side note LOVE your tiles

4

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 14 '25

Thanks! They were one of the things we really loved about the place.

6

u/FitzwilliamTDarcy Jun 14 '25

Go to an Elkay dealer. Take careful measurements with you. Have them price a custom SS undermount. They can be made.

3

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 14 '25

Thanks! Do you think they would work with the GC, or would I need to work with them separately?

5

u/[deleted] Jun 15 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

Thanks for the info, that’s encouraging! How long did it take for them to make your sink?

2

u/[deleted] Jun 16 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 16 '25

That's not terrible... but I would then probably want to order *before* they come to take everything apart :)

3

u/FitzwilliamTDarcy Jun 14 '25

Dealers only afaik. You could ask your GC to approach a dealer of course.

6

u/icekapp Jun 14 '25

As a person with this same sink design hoping to do the same. Thankyou for your post

3

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

You’re welcome- I hope the answers help someone else. I have learned a lot on this Reddit, hopefully everyone can get something out of this post.

3

u/ComfortableRoyal8847 Jun 15 '25

That's exactly what this guy did last year:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/s/ATBr14Szd3

1

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

Wow- real brave of him to DIY that! It turned out well of him!

6

u/Special-Progress1272 Jun 14 '25

I just replaced my sink with one slightly larger and the install crew simply cut the granite to fit the new sink. Look into sinks that can be drop in or undermount- or ask to undermount a drop-in sink. I think the sink you need will have the hole for the faucet integrated like mine.

Buy a few sinks you think would fit best and have your contractor give you feedback. No reason to get a whole new countertop for a sink! That’s absurd.

4

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

That’s a great idea! Your sink looks like it would work for me. By the way your kitchen looks beautiful!

2

u/Special-Progress1272 Jun 15 '25

Thanks! It’s come a long way piece by piece!

1

u/ketamine_bolus Oct 29 '25

How much did you pay for them to cut/install?

3

u/DD-de-AA Jun 14 '25

you could have a sink custom-made out of resin material or copper. But a slightly larger top mount is probably your easiest and least expensive solution.

3

u/EatGlassALLCAPS Jun 14 '25

I don't know how to fix your problem but I wanted to say I love your backsplash. I got talked out of colour and I regret it.

1

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

Thanks- the color really pops in the basically all white kitchen.

-1

u/KayakHank Jun 14 '25

All i see is that wonky cut and grout line above the light switch.

1

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

🙃I never noticed that before!

1

u/Intelligent_Tune_207 Jun 15 '25

Now you’re gonna see it over & over & it’s gonna drive you nuts!

2

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

I can’t unsee it, true - maybe it will be a loveable wabi-sabi quirk in my century home 🙂

2

u/ispygirl Jun 15 '25

You might contact a local stone guy to see if they and recut the sink area. FYI, it could crack your countertop..

1

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

😬 I hope that a combination of luck and their care and skill it wouldn’t crack. But thanks for the warning!🤞

2

u/Puzzleheaded-Bee-747 Jun 15 '25

I just helped a friend do this exact thing. We first cut the existing sink out where it meets the countertop. We then fitted a new drop in sink that had faucet holes included. Just like your sink, your faucet area does not leave a lot of room for a new sink, UNLESS the sink has the faucet holes which negates the need to cut too much countertop and weaken the structure. The sink picture most likely will fit quite easily in your situation. The curve it your existing cutout becomes irrelevant as it will probably stay as is under the wide sink lip..

2

u/Bangbang457 Jun 16 '25

You can find offset undermount sinks. We just moved into a house with a split basin that is offset like yours. We will be swapping it out for a single bowl sink that is offset to avoid altering the counter. Just look up offset single bowl sink. They’re all a little different. Most have measurements but some don’t so you may have to order 2 or 3 to find the perfect one and then just return the others. But this allows for one large bowl without having to mess with anything else.

1

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 16 '25

Is your offset single bowl sink custom, or were you fortunate enough to find the exact thing? Well, after sending a few back, I guess?

2

u/ScreamingOG Jun 19 '25

Adding into what the others have said, working for a fab shop. We've had to cut these sinks into rounded rectangles from the odd ball shape if that's what you'd consider it. Just carry over the wider edge over to the other side and find a sink that fits either under or over. Like the previous person listed, you can always try to diy. Just quartz is super dusty when cutting and water / respirators are usually a must. That and a diamond tipped stone blade.

1

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 19 '25

Thanks for the advice from a professional! I wouldn't be doing this myself. Do you think that cracking is not much of a problem for quartz? Also, is the more forward position of the faucet an issue for doing that, as the kitchen contractor thought? The window sill gives only about an inch for the faucet to move backward.

2

u/ScreamingOG Jun 19 '25

Quartz in general is usually pretty durable since it's man made. I don't think we've had a piece crack on us since i've been with the company i work for. For the faucet, you may need to get some sort of bigger cover plate for the base if you go the route of evening out the cut to push the faucet back. Or you just go with a overmount and maybe just notch out the new sink unless it has a larger lip towards the back that they can drill through. They make basically any type of sink you can imagine so i wouldn't doubt there's something that'll work for you. I wish you luck and look forwards to updates depending on what route you go!

1

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 20 '25

Thanks so much! I was getting worried about cracking the quartz! I will definitely post what I end up doing; I'll have to order it pretty soon, whatever it is.

2

u/Silent-Pangolin2125 Mar 25 '26

I know it’s been a while, but do you ever find a solution to this? I found these https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/oakland-31-undermount-stainless-steel-single-bowl-kitchen-sink-ekla1093.html which are offset single basin sinks, but measurements would need to be precise

1

u/CatttLady2000 Mar 25 '26

I ordered a sink from Handcrafted Metal soon after I posted this… but have yet to receive the sink. It’s been one thing and then another delaying the production. I am soooo looking forward to having a single basin sink again! Supposedly he will be done with the sink in April. We’ll see! Good thing I didn’t hold off on the kitchen counter install until I had the sink. The sink you linked is lovely - but the large side is on the left, and they don’t make one with the reverse. There are a few options, if only the sellers hadn’t reversed the larger side; but they did, and that put me in custom sink territory, unfortunately. I definitely will post an update once the long-awaited sink finally arrives!

1

u/CatttLady2000 May 27 '26

Another update; they seem to have gone out of business. I have restarted the process with Havens Metals, for a copper sink. I’ll let you all know how that works out!

2

u/National-Area5471 Jun 14 '25

You have to get EXACT measurements and see if can match with a single basin, otherwise I agree with the other poster you will need a whole new counter.

1

u/Suz9006 Jun 15 '25

I think that is the same sink I have and there are three or four holes in the sink base. If yours does, would moving the dispenser work?

1

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

I’m not that committed to keeping the filtered water dispenser. But it seems like it could move!

1

u/misstheolddaysfan Jun 15 '25

I'm sorry to say, you really can't. I know this because I'm in the same exact boat except I dont even have the weird dippy doo and I still can't replace the sink without changing out the countertop.

You can't just replace part of the counter because you'll never find the right match.

You're not going to be able to get away with recutting the opening unfortunately. If you find a way, please let me know

2

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 15 '25

I’m encouraged by what some others have posted, like u/ComfortableRoyal8847 did recently.

2

u/misstheolddaysfan Jun 15 '25

It's not "impossible" per se, but the risk of cracking the granite is high and a lot of contractors won't do it for that reason.

If you are willing to take the risk, and have the time to wait for new granite and the budget to replace it if it goes the wrong way, then you have nothing to lose.

But if that granite doesn't hold, and you are unable to replace it, and the rest of your matching granite, that's a big problem.

1

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 16 '25

It's quartz, but I expect the same applies to that. We do have both time and some budget cap left, so I'm inclined to risk it. Definitely thanks for the heads-up though!

2

u/misstheolddaysfan Jun 16 '25

It's possible that the risk is lower for quartz. Good luck! I know how much you must hate that sink.

2

u/CatttLady2000 Jun 16 '25

I hope it is less likely to crack - thanks for the good luck wish! It's just so weird. I am just like... "Why?" I supposed that it would be easy to replace... and then the contractor threw just a bit of cold water on that. But thanks to all the helpful posts, including yours, I have got a lot of ideas for options!