Updated October 2026
I'm Clare, and I'm passionate about kitchens and baths, and about running a business that helps people create the ones they've been dreaming of. A farmhouse sink is one of the most beautiful things you can put in a kitchen, and it's also one of the trickiest to install. Here's how a good installation goes, step by step.
The short answer: hire a professional, and have your sink delivered before your cabinets and counters are made. Make sure the cabinet is reinforced to carry the sink's weight, decide how you want the sink to sit against the counter, and protect your investment with a bottom grid. If you're keeping your existing cabinets, look at a retrofit apron sink.
Step 1: Hire a Pro, Ideally with a Project Manager
A farmhouse sink isn't a weekend DIY job. The cabinet has to be built or modified around the sink, the counter has to be cut to fit it exactly, and the plumbing has to line up with the sink's drain. An experienced installer, and ideally a kitchen designer or project manager who keeps every trade in the right order, is worth every penny.
Clare's tip: For a farmhouse sink, you definitely need a pro. Hopefully you also have a project manager who takes care of the sequence, so nothing gets missed.
Step 2: Get the Sink Before Anything Else
The order of operations matters more with a farmhouse sink than with almost anything else in the kitchen. Here's the sequence that works:
- Order the sink early and have it delivered before your cabinets are built.
- Inspect it right away for any damage from shipping, while there's still time to replace it.
- Build or modify the sink base cabinet around the actual sink, not the spec sheet. Fireclay and handmade sinks can vary slightly in size.
- Set the sink on its support before the counters are templated.
- Template and cut the counters with the sink in place.
- Connect the plumbing, then install the faucet and drain.
Clare's tip: Getting the order right keeps your timeline moving without interruptions, and it makes sure everything fits. You can read more about what goes wrong when it doesn't in my post on the top mistakes to avoid when installing a kitchen sink.
Step 3: Build in the Right Support
A farmhouse sink sits on a support frame inside the cabinet, not hanging from the counter. How much support it needs depends on the material. Fireclay is heavy. The Nantucket 36" Italian fireclay sink, for example, weighs about 109 pounds before it's filled with water and dishes. Copper and stainless steel are much lighter.
Clare's tip: Fireclay sinks need reinforcement. For other materials, follow the manufacturer's installation instructions to the letter. They know exactly what their sinks need.
Good places to start are the Nantucket apron sink installation guide (PDF) and the Thompson apron-front installation instructions (PDF). You'll also find the instructions for each sink on its product page.
Step 4: Decide How the Sink Meets the Counter
Where the sink meets the countertop is called the "reveal," and it's a choice you'll see every day. There are three options:
- Positive reveal: a little of the sink's top edge shows above or beside the counter.
- Flush (zero) reveal: the counter and the sink edge line up exactly.
- Negative reveal: the counter overhangs the sink slightly, hiding its edge.
Tell your installer and your countertop fabricator which you want before the counters are templated.
Clare's tip: I prefer to see a bit of the sink above the countertop. That's how my stainless steel farmhouse sink was installed in my 1908 house, and you can see it in the photo below.
Keeping Your Existing Cabinets? Look at a Retrofit Sink
A traditional farmhouse sink needs a special apron-front cabinet. If you're updating a kitchen without replacing the cabinets, a retrofit apron sink is the answer. Nantucket's patented EZApron sinks are designed to fit a standard base cabinet: the apron hooks right over the top of the cabinet front, so you get the farmhouse look without the custom cabinetry.
Clare's tip: For a retrofit, the EZApron is the best option I know of.
Step 5: Protect Your Investment with a Bottom Grid
A bottom grid is a stainless steel rack that sits in the bottom of the sink on little rubber feet. On a stainless steel sink, it helps prevent scratches. On fireclay, it helps protect the surface from heavy pots and pans. Many sinks include one, and if yours doesn't, you can usually buy one to fit. Browse our kitchen sink accessories.
Clare's tip: A farmhouse sink is a major investment, so why wouldn't you protect it? We had a bottom grid in my old house. We don't have one in my current kitchen, and I used to fret over every scratch. Now the scratches all blend in and I've stopped worrying, but I'd still rather have kept the sink pristine!
Clare's tip: Buy an extra pack of the little rubber feet for your grid. They tend to get grubby and wear out over time, and fresh ones keep the grid from marking your sink. BOCCHI sells replacement rubber feet for its grids.
Our Picks
Browse all our farmhouse sinks and kitchen sink accessories.
Common Questions
Can I install a farmhouse sink myself?
I don't recommend it. The cabinet, counter and plumbing all have to be fitted around the sink, and a heavy fireclay sink needs proper support. Hire an experienced professional.
Do farmhouse sinks need a special cabinet?
A traditional farmhouse sink needs an apron-front sink base cabinet, built or modified to support the sink's weight. A retrofit sink like the Nantucket EZApron is designed to fit a standard base cabinet.
Should the sink arrive before the cabinets are built?
Yes. Have the sink on hand before the cabinets are built and the counters are templated, so everything is made to fit the actual sink.
What is a sink reveal?
It's how the sink meets the countertop. A positive reveal shows a little of the sink's edge, a flush reveal lines them up exactly, and a negative reveal has the counter slightly overhanging the sink.
Do I need a bottom grid for my farmhouse sink?
I highly recommend one. It helps prevent scratches on stainless steel and protects fireclay from heavy pots. Keep a spare set of rubber feet on hand, too.
Planning your installation? Call me at 1-800-359-4460. I'm happy to help you choose a sink that suits your cabinets and your kitchen.
