Updated October 2026
I'm Clare, and I've lived in a 1908 house, so I know the pull of the past! Here's something that surprises a lot of people: a plain farmhouse sink doesn't actually look old. If you want that true antique charm, it's all in the details.
The short answer: to get the antique farmhouse look, choose a sink with thick walls, an arched or decorative apron, a high backsplash or a drainboard. Then finish it with a bridge faucet in oil-rubbed bronze or polished brass. You get all the character of an antique, with none of the chips, rust or guesswork of a salvaged sink.
Why a Plain Farmhouse Sink Looks Modern
The farmhouse sink is such a practical, timeless design that a simple, unadorned fireclay farmhouse sink looks right at home in a brand-new kitchen. Clean lines and a smooth apron read as modern.
Clare's tip: The unadorned fireclay farmhouse sinks of today look modern, not vintage, because the farmhouse design itself is timeless and beyond practical.
What Makes a Farmhouse Sink Look Antique
- Thicker walls and arched fronts. A chunky, rounded profile, like the arched apron on the ALFI 39" thick-wall farmhouse sink, instantly feels older.
- Decorative aprons. Carved or patterned aprons, like the reversible decorative apron on the Nantucket Yarmouth 36" or the Roman floral apron on the Whitehaus Farmhaus 30", are pure nostalgia.
- High backsplashes and drainboards. Both were standard in early kitchens. Read more about drainboard sinks.
- Color. Biscuit was the classic vintage color, but it has fallen out of favor and many brands have discontinued it, so it's getting hard to find. A classic white sink gives you the widest choice and lets your cabinets, faucet and accents bring the vintage feel.
Clare's tip: Color plays into it too. It's hard to think of a blue sink as old-fashioned. Biscuit used to be the traditional choice, but it has fallen out of favor, probably because it has an old, faded look, like the pages of an old book.
My Vintage Favorites
The Whitehaus 30" Old Fashioned Country sink has a high backsplash with 8" pre-drilled holes for a wall-mount faucet, just like the sinks of a hundred years ago. It comes in white and sapphire blue. The Nantucket Yarmouth 36" is a handcrafted Italian fireclay farmhouse sink with a reversible decorative apron, so you can choose between two designs.
Clare's tip: My vintage favorites are the Whitehaus 30" with the high backsplash, which I love with deep navy cabinets, gold accents and a stunning traditional faucet, and the Nantucket Yarmouth 36".
Finish the Look with the Right Faucet
The faucet is what really sells an antique look. Choose a bridge faucet, with two handles joined above the spout, in oil-rubbed bronze or polished brass. Porcelain lever or cross handles add even more period charm.
- For a sink with a high backsplash, use a wall-mount bridge faucet, like the Kingston Bel-Air wall-mount bridge faucet in oil-rubbed bronze.
- For a sink without one, use a deck-mount bridge faucet, like the Kingston Restoration bridge faucet in oil-rubbed bronze. Browse all our bridge faucets.
Clare's tip: For these antique sinks, I would go full out with an oil-rubbed bronze or polished brass bridge faucet to maximize the vintage vibe.
Why I'd Choose a New Sink Over a Real Antique
A salvaged antique sink is romantic, but most are enameled cast iron. They're extremely heavy, the enamel can chip, and the exposed iron underneath can rust. A new fireclay sink gives you the same timeless look with a flawless finish and a warranty. I explain more in my kitchen sink buying guide.
Traditional, but Fresh: My 1908 Kitchen
You don't have to go fully vintage, either. When I renovated the kitchen in my 1908 house, I chose a stainless steel farmhouse sink and a semi-pro faucet, and kept the traditional feel in the cabinetry, the stained-glass window and the details.
Clare's tip: I didn't choose a traditional faucet when I redid the kitchen in my 1908 home. I wasn't aware of all of the options available to me then. And the idea was to keep the house traditional but also fresh. I needed to respect the history of the house, but bring it into the modern age.
Our Picks
Browse all our fireclay sinks and bridge faucets.
Common Questions
How do I make a farmhouse sink look antique?
Choose a sink with thick walls, an arched or decorative apron, a high backsplash or a drainboard. Pair it with an oil-rubbed bronze or polished brass bridge faucet.
Should I buy a real antique farmhouse sink?
Most antique farmhouse sinks are enameled cast iron, which is very heavy and can chip and rust. A new fireclay sink gives you the same look with a perfect finish and a warranty.
What faucet goes with an antique-style farmhouse sink?
A bridge faucet in oil-rubbed bronze or polished brass. Use a wall-mount bridge faucet for a sink with a high backsplash, and a deck-mount one for a sink without.
What color sink looks most vintage?
Biscuit was the traditional vintage color, but it has fallen out of favor and is now hard to find. A white fireclay sink paired with an oil-rubbed bronze or polished brass faucet gives you the vintage look. Bold colors, like blue or black, read as more modern.
Dreaming of an old-world kitchen? Call me at 1-800-359-4460. I'd love to help you find the sink and faucet to bring it to life.
