The kitchen is called the heart of the home, and with good reason. It’s the room that feeds us and provides us with nutrition and sustenance for our day. And it has suddenly become the most used room in many homes.
If you are working from home, you are likely preparing two to three meals per day in your kitchen. And even if you are back in your office building, with limited dining options available, you are probably eating most of your dinners at home, too. So, it makes sense that one of our priorities when updating our homes has been the kitchen.
One often overlooked item is your over the sink dish rack.
How to Choose an Over the Sink Dish Rack
There are several factors you should consider when choosing an over the sink dish drying rack. Because although it may seem like a minor purchase, you will be using it daily and looking at it every time you enter your kitchen. And although an over the sink dish rack is not an expensive purchase, it is one you will likely have in your home for a rather long time. You would be wise to look over your options before coming to a decision.
Sink Size
Over the sink dish racks are available in a variety of sizes. Measure your sink and its surrounding area so you can maximize the space. Length, width, and height should all be considered before making your purchase. There are a few expandable racks on the market, but even then, you need to measure your available space before purchasing one.
Your Home Decor Style
Over the sink racks have become more stylish over the years. It shouldn’t be difficult to find one that fits in with the rest of your kitchen decor. Look at your kitchen decor, and try to decide what would suit it best. Although stainless steel is still one of the most common finishes, there are plenty of others available in-store and online. Take inspiration from your appliances or counter pulls/knobs when choosing a finish to match your kitchen.
Price
Although over the sink racks are not pricey items, their cost can vary greatly. With so many to choose from, you should be able to pick one that falls within your budget. But don’t just pick the least expensive item. Ideally, your over the sink dish rack will last for years, so you want something you truly like.
These are all elements you should keep in mind when you are shopping for an over the sink dish rack.
The Best Over the Sink Dish Racks
There are so many options out there; it can be difficult to choose the perfect over the sink dish drying rack. To help you purchase the perfect one for your kitchen, we have compiled a list of the over the sink dish racks. The criteria we used for judging include design, utility, durability, price, and user ratings.
Pudson Over Sink (32”) Dish Drying Rack
This beautiful U-shaped model is versatile, working just as well on the counter as it does over the sink. It is a true space saver that will help you organize supplies as well as dishes. For usefulness, it’s difficult to surpass this model. It includes a square basket, bowl rack, dish rack, knife holder, eight hooks, fruit and vegetable basket, a chopping board rack, and two cutlery holders.
This over the sink dish drying rack is made from stainless steel to guarantee its rust-free durability. And the strong suction cups at the bottom ensure stability.
Pros✔️
- Stylish
- Durable stainless steel
- Versatile
- Space-saving design
Cons❌
- Not ideal for small spaces
- Smaller capacity may not hold larger pots
iSpecle Over the Sink Dish Drying Rack
This over the sink dish rack is easy to assemble and comes with detailed instructions. Metal offers durability, and its space-saving design will take up less of your kitchen counter space. Because it only has one tier for dishes, it won’t hold as many at once as some of the others on our list.
Pros✔️
- Easy to assemble
- Space-saving design
Cons❌
- Not the best for over the sink style
HEOMU Over the Sink Dish Drying Rack
This two-tier over the sink dish drying rack does double-duty as an all-in-one kitchen organizer. It keeps your most used items all in one neat spot thanks to features such as a dish soap holder, hanging S hooks, fruit and vegetable basket, chopsticks drain rack, knife holder, and chopping board holder. Adding to its usefulness, the top rack opens to serve as a holder for kitchen supplies.
Made of durable stainless steel, the width and height are both adjustable for maximum usability.
Pros✔️
- Organizing features
- Durable stainless steel
- Adjustable width and height
Cons❌
- Drips onto the countertop
- Not as sturdy
OTTOLIVES Over The Sink Dish Drying Rack
This over the sink drying rack is possibly the most stylish one on our list. With easy assembly, it can be assembled in under five minutes. It is made of stainless steel and covered with a baking finish surface to increase its overall durability. Its design makes it even stronger, allowing it to hold more than 80 pounds.
Pros✔️
- Stylish
- Durable stainless steel
- Easy to assemble
Cons❌
- Not that much storage for plates and bowls
Loyalfire Over Sink Dish Drying Rack
Constructed with high-grade 304 stainless steel, the Loyalfire Over Sink Dish Drying Rack provides durability and longevity in kitchen environments. The expandable two-tier design accommodates a wide range of kitchenware and makes it a space-efficient option for your kitchen. The unique over-the-sink design aids in direct water drainage into the sink, keeping your countertop clean and dry. The assembly process is straightforward with provided tools, and all the rack components are easily detachable for convenient cleaning. Despite its impressive features, customers need to be mindful of the height compatibility with their faucets and some might find the assembly process a bit challenging.
Pros✔️
- High-quality, durable stainless steel material
- Space-saving expandable and tiered design
- Direct water drainage system
Cons❌
- Compatibility issues with certain faucet heights
Do I Need an Over the Sink Dish Rack?
In a word, yes. Even if you have a dishwasher, you will still need and over the sink dish rack.
There are many reasons why you will want to use an over the sink dish rack:
- If your dishwasher is full
- If your dish/cup/glass is delicate and needs to be hand washed
- If you used a specialty item that can’t be placed in the dishwasher
- If you only used a few items and don’t want to run the dishwasher
An over the sink dish rack isn’t just for dishes and cups. You can also use it for freshly washed fruits and vegetables. Some people even use them to defrost foods.
The Benefits of an Over the Sink Dish Rack
There are multiple reasons for having an over the sink dish rack.
- Increase your counter space
- Elevate your style
- Organize your kitchen
- Avoid germs
Increase Your Counter Space
One of the main reasons to use an over the sink dish rack is to reclaim your counter space. Sure, you can use a countertop dish rack, or even just a kitchen towel. However, you would be giving up valuable counter space.
Now that you are probably preparing more meals at home, you need your kitchen counters for chopping veggies, mixing ingredients, serving meals, or whatever else you need them for. Using an over the sink dish rack will let you keep your counters free for use, while still giving you a convenient, easy-to-access site for drying dishes.
Elevate Your Style
Nothing looks worse on your kitchen counter than an old dish towel covered with wet plates. Instead, opt for an over the sink dish drying rack that matches your home decor. After all, you’ve surely spent time and even money decorating your home. Why stop at the kitchen door?
There are numerous over the sink dish drying racks to choose from. You will surely find one that fits in with your style. Whether you prefer farmhouse comfort or sleek minimalism, you are sure to find an over the sink dish drying rack that suits you. And you will never have to resort to stacking wet dishes on a kitchen towel again.
Organize Your Kitchen
An over the sink dish drying rack will help you to adhere to the “a place for everything, and everything in its place” adage. Your dishes, cups, and utensils will be stored in one tidy, easy-to-reach location. Your counters will be kept free of clutter. When it comes to having a neat kitchen, an over the sink rack is an essential item.
Avoid Germs
Many people opt to wash and dry dishes at the same time. It may seem like a great idea because then you can put them right away and not have them sitting out. But in reality, this can be a breeding ground for germs.
Any place that remains damp for an extended period can breed germs. If your dishes aren’t completely dry before you stack and store them, germs can and will start to grow on them. Depending on the material of the dishes and cups you are washing, the materials can actually be quite porous. Even if you dried them with a towel, it is impossible to get them completely dry. Tiny water droplets can still be found on the surface. However, if you let them air-dry in an over the sink kitchen rack, you will give the water time to evaporate. When you put them away, they will be completely dry.
Another thing to think about is the towel you are using to dry your dishes. How clean is it? When was the last time it was laundered? Did it dry completely between uses? The towel itself can easily be full of germs. If you use it to dry your dishes, you are transferring those germs.
An over the sink dish drying rack will avoid both of those scenarios so that your dishes, cups, and utensils stay germ-free and you and your loved ones stay healthy.
Tidying Up Your Countertop
Now that you have read the benefits of some of the top over the sink dish drying racks, you can confidently purchase the best one for your home. You will once again have neat, tidy countertops.
Remember to measure your space, and take your time shopping online and in-store. You’re sure to find the perfect over the sink dish rack to fit both your home decor and your budget.
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