In modern times, indoor plumbing conveniently brings water to your home at the turn of a knob or handle. But it wasn’t always this way. Without today’s luxuries, people in history had to transport water to their homes manually. 

To avoid going back and forth to the well, people in the 17th to 19th centuries needed a fairly large sink to hold enough water to support their households. These sinks with large, deep basins were farmhouse or farm sinks. 

Today, homeowners choose to install a farmhouse (or apron, as it’s called today) sink as a practical and stylistic addition to their kitchens. 

If you’re interested in installing a farmhouse or apron sink in your kitchen, you may find that many people use the terms interchangeably while others distinguish them. When kitchen remodeling or making new-construction home decisions, this can be a little confusing. 

To guide your decision, let’s explore the differences between farmhouse and apron sinks, the pros and cons of each, and your customization options. 

What’s the Difference Between a Farm Sink and an Apron Sink?

The differences between a farmhouse sink and apron sink are more semantical than tangible, so you can consider them lightly. 

The main differences lie in the materials used to make the sinks and their installation, but most home improvement stores will use the terms interchangeably. Lowe’s, for example, even calls its relevant sinks “farmhouse apron fronts.”

Material Differences

Traditional farmhouse sinks are made from enameled cast iron, fireclay, or porcelain. These are very durable materials used to make kitchen sinks in previous centuries. On the other hand, apron sinks can be made from these materials and a variety of others, such as stainless steel, copper, or natural stone. 

Installation Differences

In terms of installation, you can attach true farm sinks to the wall on the backsplash, while an apron sink requires you to choose an undermount or drop-in style. An undermount sink’s edges are beneath the countertop, while a drop-in sink’s edges are above the countertop.

Apron vs Farmhouse Sink Similarities

From a high level, apron (or apron-front) sinks are considered a modern type of farmhouse sink, just as smartphones are a modern type of telephone. 

Both are larger-than-usual sinks with exposed material facing you as you use them.

Below, you can see how the similarities between the sinks outweigh their differences. 

  • Size: Both are bigger than your average kitchen sink and can have a length of around 20 to 60 inches and a depth of 9 to 10 inches. 
  • Design: Both feature a front “apron” of exposed material that juts slightly out beyond the countertop’s edge, originally to prevent water damage to wooden cabinets. 
  • Purpose: Both are useful for washing dishes, large pots, irregularly shaped kitchenware, and vegetables. They are also large enough to thaw lots of frozen food at once. 
  • Cost to install: Both cost about $1,000–$4,000 on average to install.  
  • Style: Both can offer a rustic or modern style, depending on the materials and how the sink fits into your kitchen’s overall aesthetic. 

Benefits of an Apron or Farmhouse Sink

If you invest in an apron-front or farmhouse sink, you’ll enjoy several benefits, including:

  • A large water capacity: For example, an apron or farm sink that measures 36 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 10 inches deep can hold almost 30 gallons of water, which helps soak many dishes.
  • More maneuverability: Such a long, wide, and deep design lets you easily wash the largest items. You can add even more control with a pull-down faucet. 
  • A unique look: Part of the farmhouse or apron sink’s attraction is how different it looks from your average kitchen sink. You’ll find that your guests’ attention gravitates to its grand size and the rustic charm of the exposed apron. 
  • A nearly flush design: Wash your dishes, vegetables, and hands without leaning into the edge of a countertop. It’s a subtle but ergonomic difference that makes cooking and cleaning easier.  
  • Customizations: Many options are available to fit your kitchen needs and stylistic preferences. We’ll highlight options for customization further down. 

Drawbacks of a Farmhouse or Apron Sink

As such large kitchen amenities, farmhouse and apron sinks come with a few disadvantages, including:

  • They are more expensive to install than other sinks: While farmhouse and apron sinks are in the thousands range, other undermount and drop-in kitchen sinks can cost as low as a few hundred dollars.
  • Retrofitting is difficult: To retrofit the sink in an existing kitchen, you need to cut or replace your kitchen countertop.
  • Dishes may break more easily: They have farther to fall than in a traditional kitchen sink. 
  • Tall people may be more uncomfortable: The depth may require tall people to hunch and reach farther down into the sink. 
  • You’ll have trouble finding a farmhouse sink without the apron: The exposed front is one of the defining features of these sinks. If you prefer a deep sink without the apron, there are other undermount or drop-in options. 

Customizations Available for Your Farmhouse or Apron Sink

One of the greatest benefits of apron and farmhouse sinks beyond their intriguing look is their customizability.  

Here are some options to choose from while browsing apron and farmhouse sinks: 

  • Installation style: undermount or drop-in 
  • Apron style: fluted, ridged, or flat
  • Number of basins: single- or double-bowled
  • Materials*: fireclay, stainless steel, copper, stone, porcelain, cast iron, bamboo, and more
  • Colors: Depending on the material you choose, you may have several color options. 
  • Workstation: Some apron sinks come with drying boards or racks that attach to the edges of the sink to aid dishwashing and cooking. 

*Note on Materials: Although true farmhouse sinks are limited to a few materials, we list these as options for both apron and farmhouse sinks because most vendors do not differentiate the two.

Farmhouse Sink vs Apron Sink: Answering the Deep Question

As you’ve seen, there are many more meaningful similarities between the two sinks than differences. 

A technically true farmhouse sink may be more relevant to history than today’s reality, and you probably won’t find one outside of a museum. But most people today still use the term interchangeably with apron sinks. 

So, is there a difference between the two sinks? For your kitchen purposes, we say no. 

If you are considering an apron or farmhouse sink, focus on its benefits, such as a large basin and unique look. Also, consider their drawbacks before you purchase, as a basin that’s too deep or a countertop replacement may not be ideal for your kitchen.