There are many styles of sinks available nowadays, with plenty of designs and colours. Choosing a sink can be just as difficult as finding the right paint colour for the room. Keeping it nice and simple with a refined look will definitely stand the test of time and look great in any design trend.
Butler and farmhouse sinks are mostly seen in utility and boot rooms due to the utilitarian look and feel they are born with. There are many sizes to choose from, allowing them to fit in any space and meet the homeowner’s needs. Smaller sinks can be chosen for washing hands, and a bigger one can be a great place to wash down small dogs or pre-soak clothes.
However, they aren’t just perfect for utility rooms; they are ideal for prep kitchens and more traditional styles in older properties. For example, they can help when clearing away after a large gathering or dinner parties. The dishes can be neatly tucked right into the sink out of sight, rinsed and then loaded straight into the dishwasher, allowing for maximum cleaning convenience.
What Is a Butler Sink?
A butler sink is a deep, rectangular, undivided sink, traditionally made from fireclay, that sits proud at the front of the cabinetry in a farmhouse or Shaker kitchen. Historically it was known as the London sink and, unlike the Belfast sink, it was made without a weir overflow. Today the two styles have largely converged, with many butler sinks now as deep as a Belfast, and it remains one of the most timeless, practical centrepieces for a bespoke kitchen.
A Brief History of the Butler Sink
In Victorian times, Butler sinks were also known as London sinks due to the locality in which they were commonly found. They were made different from Belfast sinks as they did not come fitted with a Weir overflow. London didn’t have an abundant supply of water available like Belfast did. This was because London was further inland along the Thames and had higher costs in obtaining fresh water for its large population than Belfast. To allow for the same provision of water in a bowl, a wider design was developed, which in reality had more practical uses, such as washing a muddy Labrador. This was when the Butler sink was born.
As the years went on, water supply became less of an issue, and kitchens got bigger. Some modern Butler sinks are now as deep as Belfast sinks, where Belfast sinks have evolved to be wider with the typical double bowl. The sink is as wide as a Butler and almost as deep as a Belfast with a ceramic partition in the middle.
It has now become a beloved feature in homes of all styles.
How the Butler Sink Pairs Perfectly with Bespoke Kitchens
Every element of a bespoke kitchen is chosen with care, and that is why the Butler sink is often a standout centrepiece. It pairs beautifully with the handcrafted cabinetry, stone worktops, and the metallic hardware.
You will often see the Butler sink underneath a window or gracing the kitchen island, combining practicality with visual impact. It’s such a smooth contrast between the surface of the sink and the surrounding materials, bringing a timeless appeal to your new beautiful bespoke kitchen.
Shaws of Darwen
We’ve had the pleasure of supplying and fitting many Shaws of Darwen sinks to our clients’ homes over the years. They are traditional, beautiful and practical and look wonderful within a kitchen design. The story of Shaws began in 1897, where the vision to make the finest handcrafted fireclay sinks in the whole of England was born, and some 120 years on, the vision has come to life worldwide for the reputation of beauty, quality, craftsmanship and sheer practicality of the unique artisan products they design.
Some Examples of Our Projects With a Traditional Butler Sink
Nestled within a grand, leafy street in Kensington, this elegant Victorian terraced home blends timeless charm with contemporary touches to preserve the kitchen’s classic aesthetics. Positioned beneath a classic sash window, the main sink area serves as a graceful focal point. A beautifully crafted Shaws of Darwen double bowl ceramic sink takes centre stage, paired with the Milano Elizabeth traditional bridge mixer tap in chrome, accented with white porcelain for a refined finish.
Tucked away in the suburban village of Nazeing, this magnificent country house has been thoughtfully renovated to become the owners’ forever home. The vision was clear: to seamlessly blend timeless country charm with modern luxury. Positioned in front of expansive windows and framed by exposed wooden beams, the sink area offers sweeping views of the countryside. A Shaws double bowl ceramic sink adds a sense of classic elegance, while the Perrin & Rowe Ionian Mixer tap with rinse in aged brass introduces traditional craftsmanship with the convenience of modern design. It’s the perfect pairing that encapsulates the spirit of this remarkable home.
Our client had a clear vision to create a dream space in their Hertfordshire home. At the heart of this entertainer’s dream is a well-planned sink area, ensuring functionality and beauty. The Shaws of Darwen double shaker sink is paired with a Yardley tap in patinated brass and a Quooker Classic Fusion Round.
This home was purchased with a vision for a complete renovation, a transformation that would reimagine the existing layout and introduce a handmade kitchen for the homeowners’ culinary passions. Along the main cabinetry run is a charming sink area, featuring a Shaws Shaker Sink, a Perrin & Rowe tap and a Quooker PRO3 Classic Fusion with CUBE. Adding to the glamour is an antiqued mirrored splashback beautifully reflecting light and enhancing the space.
Embracing the heritage of traditional Shaker design, the Shaws sink is thoughtfully positioned beneath one of the home’s beautiful windows. This iconic piece adds both charm and practicality, paired with Quooker Classic Fusion in patinated brass and a bespoke Yardley rinse tap. Adding a final layer of refinement, the Heartly Grey upstand and windowsill made from the quartz worktop frames the space with subtle elegance, completing a sink area that is as beautiful as it is functional.
Our clients embarked on an ambitious and inspiring journey of restoration that would ultimately place a stunning handmade kitchen at its heart. This space was designed to inspire culinary creativity, and the Shaws’ sink plays a central role. Celebrating the heritage of the Shaker style, this iconic handcrafted fireclay sink is thoughtfully positioned beneath a beautiful window.
This kitchen beautifully balances Shaker design principles, where clean lines and sharp edges are softened by graceful curves. Along the main run, beneath symmetrical cabinetry, you’ll find a Perrin & Rowe Rubiq Mixer tap with U spout and rinse in chrome, paired with a Shaws Double 900 sink. This combination is a timeless balance of form and function.
The sink area in this kitchen was thoughtfully positioned to offer our client peaceful views of the outdoors while washing up, featuring the generous Shaws Shaker Double 900 sink paired with a sleek Quooker Flex tap in stainless steel. As the heart of the home, the kitchen was designed without compromise, with every detail carefully considered to reflect the couple’s love of quality, elegance, and everyday practicality.
In the small village of Stebbing, our designer ensured that every element of the kitchen worked in perfect harmony, with particular attention to the Shaws of Darwen Double Bowl sink, complemented by a chrome Perrin & Rowe tap and a chrome Quooker Pro3 Classic Nordic Instant Hot Water tap. This area is beautifully framed by original Victorian wooden windows, which flood the space with natural light and offer stunning views of the idyllic countryside surrounding this exceptional home.
Set along the southern edge of the north quay at Greenland Dock, this picturesque location is part of a charming dockside development dating back to the mid-1980s. This kitchen features a beautifully appointed sink area, complete with a Shaws of Darwen Butler Ceramic 60 and a Perrin & Rowe Parthian 3-in-1 Instant Hot Water Tap with Rinse, finished in elegant Aged Brass, a combination of classic style with modern convenience.
Butler Sink FAQs
What is a butler sink?
A butler sink is a deep, rectangular, undivided sink, traditionally made from fireclay, that sits proud at the front of the cabinetry. It originated as the Victorian London sink and is prized for its timeless farmhouse look and generous, practical bowl.
What is the difference between a butler sink and a Belfast sink?
The key historic difference is the overflow: a Belfast sink was made with a weir overflow, while the butler, or London, sink was not, because water was more expensive in London and the bowl was designed differently. Today the two styles have largely merged, with many butler sinks made as deep as a Belfast.
Are butler sinks good for kitchens?
Yes. They are deep and hardwearing, ideal for everything from washing large pans to soaking and rinsing before the dishwasher, and they pair beautifully with handcrafted Shaker cabinetry, stone worktops and brass or chrome taps. They work equally well in a main kitchen, a prep kitchen or a utility room.
What are butler sinks made of, and who makes them?
Traditional butler sinks are made from fireclay. We most often supply and fit Shaws of Darwen sinks, handcrafted in England since 1897, which we pair with taps from makers such as Perrin & Rowe and instant hot water taps from Quooker.
Where does Handmade Kitchen Company fit butler sinks?
We design and hand-build bespoke kitchens featuring traditional butler sinks from our workshop in Hertfordshire, for clients across Essex, Hertfordshire and North London.
Related blogs:
Featuring on the Shaws of Darwen Website with our SW18 Kitchen Project
Quooker Taps in our Bespoke Handmade Kitchens
We pride ourselves on supplying the finest quality features. The butler sink brings together tradition, function, and timeless beauty. Its iconic design is a worthy addition to any kitchen with character.
Contact us at The Handmade Kitchen Company to design a robust traditional butler sink within your bespoke handmade kitchen. We look forward to hearing from you.
