You can get farmhouse sinks that are wider front to back. Kohler now has one that has an apron flange for easier installation that is 21 -3/4" for example

Here is a link that might be useful: Kohler Sink.

It won't look silly!

The extra space behind the sink will just be nice to have. I had a custom sink in my 30" counter, but being somewhat stubby in stature, I didn't go much deeper (longer? Wider? You know) than normal. (I actually held up my faucet on the plywood subcounter and said...there!)

Franke makes a fireclay apron front that is deeper front to back than the Shaw's, It's MHK11-28 (I think). I bought mine for precisely that reason.

L

the distance front to back = depth
(as a term we can all agree on)

lalitha it's a fascinating new question. There will be more and more people installing "deep" counters. This will create new surface area, a 9" to 10" wide swath of useable counter behind the sink. Even larger swath when the sink is pulled forward farmhouse-style. Years ago I started planning my kitchen renovation, and I forgot to plan "what to do" with this newly available real estate behind the sink. So I had to come up with ideas.

Months and years later I still have not installed a faucet. (!!).

The big idea we have been playing with is to have a shelf-mounted faucet and to use the under-shelf area (the 9" swath of counter) as a place for a planter for an herb garden. Since there is always a lot of humidity near the sink, having herbs growing there is OK. Since we all need some good light at the sink, it makes good sense to combine that with "grow" lights for plants. This is the idea. So far, this is still a vague idea, not put into practice.

We already have hollow tempered glass shelves, with light coming from inside the shelf. So far so good. But we are undecided as to the faucet "structure".

Within a few more years we will have all this figured out.

--

I don't think there is any advantage gained when the sink is larger in terms of depth (front to back).

I will have to look at the kohler and franke sinks. Thanks for the suggestion palimpset. Kohler looks interesting. I want to see it installed to get a visual of how the apron works. I could not find the specific franke model but will compare them.

Are there "square" vintage looking sinks?
Davidro --> I like the herb spot idea ad I have plans for one near the prep sink window ledge.

Thinking more about it, maybe I should consider standard depth counter in the cleanup area- what with a DW, sink, and possibly a counter depth fridge and oven further down

Nah--the cleanup area is where you need it the most!

I admit my kitchen (er, make that ex-kitchen) was more of a working kitchen than a pretty kitchen, but nobody even realized the counter was deep until it was pointed out. My sink was pulled forward as much as physically possible because darnit if I'm getting a custom sink, I'm not gonna be stretching!

Here it is with a sexy black air gap--keep in mind a stone counter/fireclay sink combo will not be as stark because of the change in materials.

Really, nobody will notice.