If a sink with two or three bowls just seems too traditional for your tastes, try adding a country feeling to the kitchen.

The farm sink – with its one, large opening and exposed front apron – is a new design twist on an old, familiar kitchen element. This look takes the old cast iron country sink and refines it to appeal to today’s upscale consumer.

Today, these sinks are made of a variety of materials, so they can blend with almost any kitchen style. The key design detail is having the front section, or apron, exposed.

Blending It In

Farm sinks fit best within the range of country styles – from English country to French country. They also can be blended with a traditional style kitchen if the overall look is more informal.

Many farm sinks today are made of cast iron, as this closely resembles the old fashioned sinks found on the family farm. This large white section cut out of the countertop can provide an interesting contrast when paired with a dark granite or a royal blue solid surface countertop.

Natural Stones

Other farm sinks are made of natural stones, such as granite, limestone, and soapstone. Consumers often select stone sinks to more closely link them with stone countertops.

“Some stone manufacturers make sinks to blend with the countertop, so you have a polished stone countertop and instead of doing polished stone they do honed stone to get the contrast and make it look a little rustic,” said Richard Menna of Richard Menna Interior Design in Chicago.

The stone look then can be carried to the backsplash, either with natural stone tiles or ceramic tiles that resemble stone. This style sink typically has a smooth apron on the front, but some add other design elements. They might add a tile inlay or a pattern carved into the stone. In some cases, designers will take the same tile and use it in the backsplash and across the front of the sink.

One drawback to the natural stone sinks is the seams. “It’s definitely a look and it’s something I would use for an empty nester,” Menna said. “I’m afraid some of those seams would open up over time.”

Other Materials

Farm sinks also are made of stainless steel, solid surface material, copper, porcelain or ceramic.

The stainless adds a contrast with natural stone countertops. “A lot of people have kitchens in a country look and they’re going with granite countertops,” said Alan M. Danenberg, director of marketing services for Elkay Manufacturing Company in Oak Brook, IL, which makes a single and a double bowl farm sink. “You get the traditional look, but you’re doing it with modern materials.”