Butler sink vs farmhouse sink, what's the difference?
Guide · 5 min read · 2025-08-18
The butler sink is the Victorian original, a deep, single-bowl fireclay basin made for English servants' pantries in the 1800s. It was rectangular, white, and almost always installed below the counter.
What North Americans call a 'farmhouse' sink is the butler's apron-fronted descendant. Same body, same glaze, but with one face exposed at the front of the cabinetry.
At Burly, we make both. The Shaker and Mason ranges are apron-front farmhouse sinks; our butler line is undecorated, rectangular, and traditionally proportioned. Specify either against any of our six finishes.