How to Build Your Own Kitchen Sink Base

3 Materials
$70
6 Hours
Medium

I knew from the minute I laid eyes on it that it would become my kitchen sink. Never mind that it had been sitting in a shed for god knows how long and it had, in fact, been filled to the brim with a mouse nest and had probably raised hundreds (if not thousands) of rodents for decades and was, in fact, totally covered in the resulting excretions. Nope, none of that bothered me! (UPDATE: Hey guys because so many of you asked: All I used to clean the sink was hot water and basic dawn dish soap :) And... lots of elbow grease of course! But I couldn't believe it came clean so easily!!)

I took one look at this sink and my heart soared. It was perfect! Ok, so it wasn't counter depth and it definitely ended up "too high" for most people's standards but, in the end, both I love it!

My materials all came out of the barn or were scraps from the renovation and, amazingly, the drain was in perfect condition - the only thing I had to purchase was the faucet for $70 at my local fleet store. I knew I wanted to wrap the whole outside of the sink with something very big so I headed to my secret stash of amazing barn wood that I've been gathering and pulled out the biggest thing I had: a rough-sawn, ancient, 2x10!

It was a really basic piece that I had in mind. Four 4x4 legs, 2x4s laid across the top of them for support, and then the entire thing clad with barn wood. First thing I did was get the most accurate measurements of the sink that I could, which was much easier said then done - no part of this sink is flat or square on the bottom side. From there, I knew how long each of my 2x4s needed to be cut to fit totally under the bottom of the sink. From there I also knew exactly how tall the 44 legs had to be so I got to cutting.

I screwed the whole thing together with my impact driver and 3 screws (that sink is HEAVY - I needed to make this base very sturdy so I did).

I will admit that I had a few doubts but I knew my 2x10 from the barn (as well as some more barn wood to be added) would completely cover the 2x4s but I was still nervousas when I hauled it into the house and set it in place.

Finally got it in place and the sink and dishwasher all hooked up! I added a barn wood shelf under the sink as well as one above the sink for extra storage. You can see how the 2x10 hugs all around the sink, I added this after I installed the sink and the base, it looks like its supporting the sink but really its just hanging out, the bottom base I just built is what is holding the sink up! I hate that you can still see some of the plumbing under the sink, I know most people won't notice but... it bugs me. I plan on adding a wicker or wire basket to that shelf down there to hold all of my onions and garlic but I have not yet found the perfect basket yet but, when I do, it will hide the plumbing.

I added the towel bar after covering ALL of the base and ALL of the barn wood with two coats of poly acrylic. The paper towel holder that I added to the bottom of the top barn wood shelf was something my grandparents' made many years ago.

Because I built it high it is MUCH easier for washing dishes etc. and I just have to mention, why do they even make sinks that are broken into two parts?! I know, they're made for when people wash dishes by hand so one sink can be a dish drain rack but, quite frankly, I've washed a lot of dishes in this sink and I would never go back to a divided double sink because, for the first time in my life, my sink is big enough to accommodate even my biggest pans!

Here's just the sink in all of its icky glory, no doubt it raised many generations of mice before it became my kitchen sink! :)

Suggested materials:
  • 4x4s
  • 2x4s
  • Polycrylic
GrandmasHouseDIY
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  1 question
  • Ac Ac on Mar 20, 2019

    i wondered was the sink a wall mount sink?

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  • Cris Colby Cris Colby on Oct 09, 2015
    Is it a panel?
    • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Oct 09, 2015
      @Cris Colby Yes, they come in panels, its so easy to put up, just cut it with scissors (its plastic) and secure with construction glue.
  • MD MD on Jan 17, 2017
    Love it!!!! Im so stealing your idea for the split bowl in the kitchen, and I think this would be perfect for the bathroom 80's sink Ive been looking for rustic farmhouse ideas for,
    • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Jan 17, 2017
      Wonderful! It's been over a year now and I still haven't found a pot yet that this sink can't accommodate!
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