5 Easy Ways To Hide Kitchen Island Sink (+ Pros And Cons)

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Many kitchen islands have a sink that takes up valuable counter space. It also makes the kitchen look cluttered.

The good thing is you can hide your island’s sink to gain extra room or keep those messy dishes out of sight.

In this guide, I’ll explain 5 different methods to keep your sink handy but neatly tucked away with pictures. Plus, I’ll also share all the pros and cons of having a sink in the kitchen island. Ready? Let’s go!

Top 5 Ways To Hide Kitchen Island Sink

1. Using Raised Platform

A kitchen island with sink hidden behind a 40-50 inches raised platform on the countertop placed in a minimalistic decorated kitchen
Blending functionality with style with this two-level kitchen island – a great idea to hide the sink behind the raised platform

2. Using Sink Cover

An elegant modern kitchen island with a sink covered from top with a sink cover. This method is more useful hide to dishes and cleaning accessories if you keep them inside the sink. Just make sure the sink has enough required depth to hold them and still allow the sink cover to be placed perfectly.

3. Retractable Sink

Watch this video to see how a retractable kitchen sink works. With just a press of a button the sink lowers and becomes usable. Then, again with a press of a button, it rises back to its original position, becoming unnoticed on the kitchen island countertop. Cool, isn’t it?

4. Using Beautiful Flower Vases

smart, stylish, and an easy way to hide the kitchen island sink with beautiful flower vases and other decorations.

5. Two Sinks

A minimalistic and well-designed kitchen island with two sinks. You can use one sink for regular dishwashing while the one to keep all the dishwashing accessories like dishwashing liquid, soap, sponge etc.

How To Hide A Sink In A Kitchen Island

If you want to keep those messy dishes out of sight, then there’s no better way than to install a raised platform just in front of the sink.

If your sink is deep enough, then you can keep the dishes inside and use a nice sink cover.

Another cool but a bit expensive option is to use a retractable sink that lowers inside the countertop with a press of a button. And you can also install a pop-up style faucet which is pushed flat when you don’t want to use it.

Watch the above video to get a better understanding of pop-up style faucet and sink cover.

And if you want a bit more hassle-free option then keeping nice flower vases or plants in stylish pots would be a great idea to smartly hide the sink.

However, if you’re specifically concerned about keeping those dishwashing accessories like soaps, sponges, towels, etc. then have two sinks. One for washing the dishes and one for storing those accessories.

Pros And Cons Of Having Sink In A Kitchen Island

ProsCons
Convenient cookingCostly setup
Flexible kitchen layoutLimited use of island
Extra space for food prepWater splashes and messes
Good for food prep while talkingNeeds proper planning
Easy for multiple people cooking simultaneouslyLimited cabinet space
Looks greatSeating limitations

Pros:

  1. It’s easier to cook when you can wash things right where you are working. No need to walk across the kitchen.
  2. You can talk to your friends or family while you cook or clean. You won’t have to face the wall.
  3. With a sink on the island, you have more choices on how to set up your kitchen.
  4. Islands are usually big, so with a sink, you have more room to prepare food.
  5. If more than one person is working in the kitchen, an extra sink facilitates multiple people prepping, cleaning, and washing simultaneously. This enables smoother team cooking.
  6. The most important advantage of a kitchen island in big kitchens is that it looks cool and adds to the overall aesthetics of the kitchen

Cons:

  1. Adding pipes to an island and the up-front setup cost can be a bit high.
  2. If there’s a sink, you can’t use the island for a big dining table or a large work area.
  3. Water can splash onto other parts of the island, which can be messy.
  4. You have to plan where to put things like the dishwasher and storage around the sink.
  5. Cabinets below a kitchen island sink may lose storage volume due to the plumbing. This removes up to 10%-25% of usable space.
  6. An island sink limits counter space for seating. For a family of 4, this may mean losing seating for 1-2 people during meals (unless you have a long kitchen island).

Should You Have A Sink On The Island?

There are both pros and cons of having a sink on the Island. 

When considering a sink in your kitchen island, it’s important to think about your specific needs and kitchen habits.

If you often cook with family or friends, the extra sink can make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

However, if you prefer using your island as a dining or gathering spot, the sink might limit this functionality.

The decision comes down to what you value most in your kitchen space. If convenience and modern style are your top priorities, a sink in the island could be a great addition. You can use the ideas we suggested in this guide to hide the kitchen island sink. That way, you can make the island more visually appealing.

But if maximizing dining or seating space is more important, you might want to reconsider. 

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