At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

Installing an Ikea farmhouse sink in an existing cabinet

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I’m in love. It’s a shallow love really. The item of my affection certainly doesn’t return my feelings.  It’s cold, it’s hard, and most days it’s pretty sterile…but I don’t care! I have a new FARMHOUSE SINK…and I have entered sink nirvana!

But, let’s back up a little.  As y’all know I’ve been working on the never ending kitchen remodel…and we are close my friends, oh so close.  I am big on “ta-da!” reveals so I can’t bring myself to show you a partially done kitchen, but I also need to blog about this process to keep my DIY kitchen mojo.  Thanks for sticking with me over the last few months as I share the steps of my remodel without actually revealing the whole kitchen yet….I promise it’s coming!

As you might remember the first part in our kitchen redo was tearing out a very underused planning desk and replacing it with a beadboard wall and gorgeous antique buffet! Then we built a window seat in our bay window.  Up next I painted our ugly oak builders grade cabinets white,  added hardware where none existed and created my own cabinet feet!  Now it was time for new counters and the pièce de résistance a new farmhouse sink!

This is where we were before we started removing the sink and counters.

Not hideous, but not the farmhouse kitchen look we were going for. First the easy part. Removing the counters and sink.  Then we faced the scary task of installing an Ikea domsjo farmhouse sink into an existing cabinet.  And, after much research we learned it can be done! I stumbled across this fabulous YouTube video explaining exactly how to accomplish this.  I am such a visual person so seeing the steps and being able to watch it again and again was great!

Installing Ikea Farmhouse Sink

We knew the main steps were to cut out the back of the cabinet as well as the front portion where the “faux” cabinet doors are located.

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After installing the new counters (which we’ll save for another post) we notched out the edges that butt up to the sink to allow the apron of the sink to fit up against the counters.

 

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Bama Boy wanted to make sure you saw what a great helper he was during the counter and sink installation…

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A good hint when you are cutting on counters or any surface where you want to have a “clean cut” is to cover the area with masking tape.  This protects from chipping.

Next, we cut out the front top part of the cabinet.

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This is what we removed based on the measurements of the sink and our particular cabinet.  Finally the back of the cabinet was removed per the instructions from the video. I don’t have an actual photo of the removal of the back of the cabinet, or of the guys dropping the 300 lb. sink in since I was on my fifth Lowe’s run of the day and those big meanies wouldn’t take it out and re-install it for me so I could photograph it.

Geesh! I mean really? What’s wrong with them. 😉

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So, now here’s the part that wasn’t mentioned in the video. See, not every cabinet is created equal or more accurately with the same design.  For instance mine must have had larger faux doors because after the installation I was left with this nice gap under the apron.  And, while I love every square inch of my new beauty I didn’t particularly want to see this part of my sink peeking through.  We needed to cover up her “underthings” somehow. grin.

I headed back to Lowes..again…for the 55 millionth time now…no lie! okay so maybe a little lie…and purchased a pretty piece of trim.  Actually it’s window casing but it worked perfect for what I needed. I wanted the decorative trim to show up a little more on the front of the cabinet so I installed a small narrow piece of trim first that I had left over from trimming the cabinets.

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I measured the length I needed and dry fitted the trim under the sink to make sure it would fit.

Then I measured and cut the decorative piece of trim with my jig saw that I inherited from my dad-in-law. It still works great in spite of being a lovely avocado green.

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I made sure to dry fit my decorative trim piece as well

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and then primed and painted both pieces to match my cabinets.

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After the trim pieces were dry I installed both pieces using construction adhesive

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and uses a clamp to hold in place until dry.

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Be sure to clamp only as tightly as you need to hold the trim in place, to avoid denting the wood. So, what do you think?

I really like the look of the trim under the sink. What was a “fix” has added a nice decorative detail to otherwise pretty plain cabinets.  As you can see, I am missing a backsplash, which just happens to be what I am taking a break from installing as I type this post, but as I mentioned at the beginning I am in LOVE with my new sink! It’s HUGE! Like you could bathe a child in it huge! It hides all of my dirty dishes perfectly which is exactly what a good sink should do….see it’s showing me some love!

So have you though about purchasing the Ikea Domsjo farmhouse sink? I know I am glad we did!
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I want to take just a moment and thank my sweet in-laws for very generously purchasing the sink and new counters for us! We were going to wait on these two improvements…but because of their sweet gift we were able to move forward with all of the changes to the kitchen…so thank you Bob and Arlene !I’ll be sharing some more kitchen posts soon, including my DIY easy-peasy window cornices! So until next time…thanks for meeting me at the fence!

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  3. It’s gorgeous, Heather! I love the sink and I love the decorative trim. It may have been a fix but it really became a nice part of the cabinet, too. Thumbs up to Bama Boy for helping out and a double thumbs up for wearing his cap backwards! That shows he was REALLY helping. : ) Decorative trim really does come in handy. I wound up using some as somewhat of a solution but also to make a couple of areas on my redone French dresser work better.

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  6. Love it Heather!! It worked out well the sink not fitting properly because the added decorative trim looks fantastic!! What sweet in-laws you have I bet that was a nice surprise:) Lookin good can’t wait for the reveal! Martina

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  7. Heather I drool over that sink every time we go to Ikea! I wish we could do what you did but cutting into granite is just not an option for us. Your kitchen is just beautiful and aren’t in laws the best!!?? I know mine are too! Have a great day! Cant wait to see the back splash!

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  12. Beautiful! I wanted that sink in my last kitchen but IKEA was sold out of it. I love your trim underneath, a perfect finishing piece! Can’t wait for the whole kitchen reveal!!!!! Enjoy that sink and the new countertops!

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  16. It’s WONDERFUL! And, it’s better with the cool trim, than without! I’ve wanted to install one too, with cabinets very much like yours, so this was so helpful, now i’m going to watch that video!

    Cindy

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  18. Heather, you are such a hoot. 55 millionth time. Been there done that when the mister and work on projects. I am so jealous of your new love. I wanted one when we did our kitchen and they said the drawer under the original sink had to go and that it was a lot of work. I should not have listened to them. Oh, well. I do like my black granite sink, but would love the farmhouse look. So glad you shared this at the party and can’t wait to see the reveal. Sweet in laws and cute Bama boy.

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  27. I love that sink. It is on my wish list for my kitchen. I’m bookmarking this page for future reference. That trim looks fantastic, that was a great solution. Why is it that every project requires a million trips to the Home Depot, especially when you think you have everything…so annoying!

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  30. Wow, I’m definitely adding you guys to my reader. Vanessa invited me over from my blog and it’s nice to see some Oregonian bloggers (I’m up in Portland!). Great job on the sink! CAn’t wait to see the final reveal 🙂

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  33. Lovely sink, now I have sink envy! Ok, I’m old enough to remember my aunt bathing my 3yr old little cousin in her farmhouse sink at, of course, the farm. And I’m sure that many babies were bathed in such sinks. My little hit of nostalgia for the day. Patty/BC

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  37. I’m so glad you posted this!
    I have one on my wish-list and yours looks fabulous.
    The one I saw at Ikea is a double sink and Im so hoping it can work for my counter area too!!
    Im not sure when Im getting one..hopefully when we go south to Ikea at the end of October!!
    Thank you for the great post!!

    Deborah xo

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  38. Fantastic Heather!! It’s beautiful! So excited for you!!! I am thinking of this same sink (shh don’t tell my hubby!) for my kitchen. Our cupboards are old house cupboards- not the standard sizes of today, so would take some retrofitting for the depth for sure… but I have an idea…hehehe… 🙂 Thanks for sharing your pretty sink!! Hugs, Courtney

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  39. I dream of a big farmhouse sink so seeing yours gives me encouragement that we might be able to do this one day without a whole kitchen redo. The trim detail solved your problem perfectly and it looks like it was meant to be there.

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  40. I can see why you’re in love; it looks fabulous! I love the detailed molding you added underneath to complete the look. Hopefully even doing dishes in your new sink will be fun! Enjoy!

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  43. LOVE what I see! IKEA rocks … and, your sink is amazing! I’ve always wanted one, and I applaud you and your sweet helper for taking on this project! Can’t wait to see more.

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  46. I’m a little bit jealous. When we redid my kitchen I wanted that sink so badly, but we do not have an IKEA anywhere close, and it cost a lot to order one, the shipping would have made it too much. So I have a nice enamel sink, but it isn’t pretty like yours. I still want that sink. You did a great job of installing it and it looks gorgeous in your kitchen.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  47. Sometimes, fixing a little faux pas just makes everything better. Such was the case with your sink base cabinet. The trim adds just the right touch of oomph! Looks good, Heather! ~ Sue

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  48. Hi Heather…

    Ohhh my…your farmhouse sink looks fabulous, my friend! I’m sooo excited for you! You did a great job with the installation and coming up with a way to cover the sink’s underbelly! I think the trim molding looks awesome! Thanks for sharing your kitchen remodel and this process with us…it’s always so interesting!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari

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  50. I have definite sink envy. I have loved this sink since the first time I saw it at IKEA. You and your husband rock for installing it yourselves. Well done! Thanks for linking to Open House Party. I really appreciate it. Also, thanks again for your help with my sidebar questions.

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  53. i love that sink and am thinking of purchasing it in the future! your tutorial is a great one and that video on youtube so helpful. I love the trim you had to add! i’ve got sink envy for sure!!

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  56. The trimming is just the perfect touch! You got me back to farmhouse -sink-dreaming, a place where I found myself more often than not! But, the ikea sink rises one big question for me: how do you live without a place top put wet dishes, like the teapot for example? Am I the only one too lazy to dry my teapot three times a day?

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  57. I love love love it!!!! Thanks so much for sharing. I plan to have a big farm sink some day. I am wondering, is there an advantage to removing the old counter versus just covering with a new counter top???

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  58. Oh it’s beautiful!! I will be reading this post a million more times and then making the hubby read it too….

    as soon as I’m finished painting our kitchen cabinets I too will be purchasing this sink!! WOOT!

    I’m so thankful I don’t have to rely only on the youtube video:-)

    Thank you Thank you!!

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  61. I have this exact sink from IKEA, great look for less money! One thing that I don’t like is that it is hard to keep those grooves on the top clean and the drain sometimes doesn’t keep a good seal and your water leaks out.

    It is pretty though….. Come see mine under “My Kitchen”,post!

    Cindy

    Reply

  62. Is it wrong to love a sink? Cuz I love that sink, and I can’t wait to install one in my own kitchen. Thanks for the helpful pointers on how to make it fit. Now go give it a hug for me!

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  63. We put this sink in our shore house and love it! Initially it was an economy and fashion move. Trying to be practical and pretty at the same time but it turn out to be the best move I could make in the kitchen. I got the single and I can fit large cookie sheets, grill tops, stove top, big pots, large baking pans and babies. It makes a statement at a great price — LOVE IKEA

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  64. Gotta have a sink like this!!! I really enjoy shopping IKEA, so next time there
    I’ll check out the sinks. Thanks for the info.

    Can’t wait to see your finished kitchen!
    xo, Maki

    Reply

  65. Hi, I am looking to installing this sink in a custom made cabinet. I have not bought it yet but the carpenter needs to start work on the cabinet. Could you please tell me the working depth of the sink?

    To be precise, the distance from the bottom of the sink to the bottom of the lip. This distance will determine how much space needs to be left in the new cabinet where the fake drawers would have been.

    thanks
    t

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  66. We have the EXACT same builder’s grade cabinets, I am SO GLAD you posted this! This will help TREMENDOUSLY! Have you been liking your Domsjo? I’m thinking about getting the one that only has one partition, as the weirdos who built our kitchen decided to put the sink in the corner at a diagonal, and we only have 24″ to work with.

    Did you ever look into, or find out, what the name/brand of the cabinets are? We can’t figure it out. We want to make a booth/nook with the over-refrigerator ones, and were thinking it would be nice to have the matching ones.

    Also, what kind of faucet did you end up using for this?

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  67. Love the sink. We’ve been back and forth about getting this sink. We’re concerned because our cabinets are 34 inches. What size cabinets did you have? Did you have to cut into the adjacent cabinets to make this sink fit?

    Thanks!

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  68. Well, a good thing can’t last forever. The geniuses at IKEA discontinued this sink. This sink was the ONLY thing IKEA had going for them in the area of kitchens (unless you’re a particle board fan, of course) and now it’s gone. Bye bye IKEA.

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  69. I am getting this sink in the next few weeks, love it! My question is did you need to add any braces under it to help hold it up? Or is the countertop strong enough to support the weight of the sink? Thanks 🙂

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  70. I bought an Ikea farmhouse sink and can’t wait to put it in! We’re going to be doing new countertops, too (DIY laminate). Do you think we should install the sink before the counters?

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  71. We are getting ready to do the same exact thing in our kitchen. It is so encouraging to see someone else do it successfully…especially with the piece of trim solution. We haven’t measured yet but I’m afraid where it is going to hit on our cabinets! Also…my main goal for installing this sink is so that I can in fact bathe a baby in it!

    Reply

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