I'm also worried about the look - the cabinets will be painted and shaker style so not really farmhouse. We're likely going with quartz countertops but the cabinets will be custom so I'm sure we can get just about any style to fit.

I think the biggest pro is that you don't have to reach over 4 plus inch rail to use the sink. At 5'9" though, I don't know how significant that would be. On the con side, I think it can be more expensive to install, and some people think it's a fad.

Karen:

It's predominantly a looks issue, functionality is about the same, but if you go undermount, make sure your sink is strapped, not blocked or clipped in place, especially if your stone is "rodded" (reinforced with steel). Clips and blocking leak, rust the rod, and burst the stone. If I fix it and you look at a repaired crack it's a thousand dollars, if I retrofit an apron front sink, it's twenty-five hundred.

A 4" rail in front of the sink? Not any sink I've ever owned!

I am short and really like the way my apron front sink is right up next to me. Other short people have said the same - but as has been mentioned, this may not be an issue for you. I have the Kohler Whitehaven and like it very much. I have the grids for the bottom which I also like and after two years my sink sill looks new. My kitchen is a vintage / cottage style with older cabinets and the sink works well in my kitchen.

I have been to Parade Homes with 4" of countertop in front of the sink and found it uncomfortable.

This would not be comfortable for me:

I think it’s a style preference and go with the rest of the kitchen/home style. When we went to the design center for our home, our designer was a little surprised I didn’t want a farmhouse sink. I guess my other choices made her think that’s what I’d like.

It's hard to find advantages of the under mount compared to an apron front, but believe it or not, I actually take advantage of that 4" strip of countertop in front of the sink for certain tasks.

I am 5’6” and don’t find much of a comfort difference. I think the water runs down the front of the apron sink and then onto the cabinets more with the apron front than with an undermount, which can damage the cabinets.

I have less problems with water running down the front of the apron than I did with my older sink - in fact, it has only happened once in two years and it happened frequently before - due probably to the shallowness of my old sink. Spilling water may depend on the brand of apron front sink and the different ways people may wash dishes.

Apron sinks are easier on my lower back.

There are very contemporary apron front sinks with flat aprons. The ones from stainless are especially sleek looking and look gorgeous in even the most modern kitchens - at least to me.

I am getting one that is less deep than many since I am short. It will be 8” instead of the 9” to 10” of some styles.

There is no doubt that it makes more of a statement than an undermount sink so unless you are short or are really going for a farmhouse or more rustic type of look, it might be something that might be considered more on trend and therefore might become dated to some people who are less certain of their own taste.

But I don’t think apron sinks will be more dated in ten years than white waterfall islands.

I have seen other posts that suggest that the thinner front rail of the apron style was more comfortable.for shorter people to use . I think the <combination> of rail width and sink depth should be considered if your concerned about ease of use.

I think sink DEPTH is even more important. I am 5"7" and doing dishes at a relative's house at Thanksgiving, in her very large, very deep sink, bothered my back. So not too deep and not set too far back?

Very helpful, thank you.