What is a 1.5 bowl kitchen sink?
A 1.5 bowl sink pairs one full-sized main bowl with a smaller second bowl, giving you the washing and food prep capacity of a double sink without needing the full benchtop width that two equal bowls would take up. It's the middle ground between a single bowl sink and a full double bowl, and it's one of the most popular kitchen sink configurations in Australian homes for exactly that reason.
The smaller bowl is handy for rinsing vegetables, draining pasta, or resting dirty dishes while the main bowl stays free for washing up, and because it doesn't need as much cabinet space as a double bowl, a 1.5 bowl sink fits into a wider range of kitchen layouts. It's a configuration that works whether you're renovating a small apartment kitchen or planning a larger family kitchen with more bench space to spare.
Choosing the right 1.5 bowl sink
This collection includes 1.5 bowl sinks from Caroma, Clark, Fienza, and Meir, so there's a reasonable spread of sizes, bowl depths, and mounting styles to work with. A few things are worth checking before you buy, starting with how much bench space you have, which way your cabinetry plumbing runs, and whether you already have a drainer board or dishwasher in the layout.
Material
Stainless steel is the most common material for 1.5 bowl sinks and holds up well to daily use, heat, and scratching, which makes it a practical choice for a busy kitchen. Fireclay and granite composite sinks are also available in some ranges and tend to suit a more traditional or Hamptons-style kitchen, with a heavier feel and a wider colour choice than steel. The choice often comes down to the rest of the kitchen's finish, stainless generally pairs with contemporary cabinetry, while fireclay suits a more classic look.
Mounting style
Most 1.5 bowl sinks are either topmount, which drop into a cutout and sit slightly proud of the benchtop, or undermount, which sit beneath a stone or laminate benchtop for a cleaner, flush look. Undermount sinks generally suit renovations with a stone benchtop already planned, while topmount sinks are simpler to retrofit into an existing bench cutout without needing to replace the whole benchtop.
Bowl configuration and size
The secondary bowl can sit to the left or right of the main bowl, so check your existing plumbing and drainer position before choosing, especially if you're replacing an existing sink rather than starting from scratch. Bowl depth varies across the range too. Deeper main bowls suit households that do a lot of cooking and washing up by hand, while shallower bowls can be easier to reach into for smaller tasks like rinsing a few dishes or filling a kettle.
Where 1.5 bowl sinks work best
This configuration suits most kitchen sizes, from compact apartment kitchens through to larger family kitchens, because the smaller bowl adds function without demanding the extra benchtop length a double bowl needs. It's also a common choice when a dishwasher is installed, since the main bowl handles hand-washing large pots while the second bowl covers rinsing and food prep, and neither bowl needs to be oversized to make the layout work.
Installation notes
Check the cutout size and tap hole positions on your current benchtop or cabinetry plan before ordering, since sink dimensions vary between brands. If you're renovating from scratch, it's worth confirming the sink choice before the benchtop is cut, particularly for undermount installations where the stone fabricator needs exact measurements ahead of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 1.5 bowl mean for a kitchen sink?
It means the sink has one full-sized bowl plus a smaller secondary bowl, rather than two equal bowls or just one large bowl. The smaller bowl is generally used for rinsing, draining, or resting dishes while the main bowl handles washing up.
Is a 1.5 bowl sink better than a single bowl or double bowl sink?
It depends on your kitchen and benchtop space. A 1.5 bowl sink gives you more flexibility than a single bowl without needing the full width a double bowl requires, which is why it suits a wide range of kitchen sizes, from compact layouts to larger family kitchens.
What brands of 1.5 bowl kitchen sinks are available?
This range includes 1.5 bowl sinks from Caroma, Clark, Fienza, and Meir, covering a mix of stainless steel and other materials, different bowl depths, and both topmount and undermount styles.
Should I choose a topmount or undermount 1.5 bowl sink?
Undermount sinks sit beneath the benchtop for a flush, seamless look and generally suit kitchens with a stone benchtop. Topmount sinks drop into a cutout and are usually simpler to install or retrofit, which makes them a common choice when replacing an existing sink.
What material should a 1.5 bowl sink be made from?
Stainless steel is the most common choice because it's durable, easy to clean, and handles daily kitchen use well. Some ranges also offer fireclay or granite composite options, which suit a more traditional kitchen style and come in a broader range of colours.
