Start with your base cabinet's internal width, not the sink you like the look of, because cabinet width is the one measurement that can't flex. Every sink needs clearance on both sides of the bowl for the cabinet frame and any plumbing, so a sink's stated footprint has to sit inside that internal width with room to spare, typically 40-50mm total.

What measurement matters most before choosing a sink?

The base cabinet's internal width matters most, measured from the inside face of one cabinet side panel to the other, not the external cabinet size printed on a spec sheet. RUMO states a minimum base cabinet requirement for every sink, ranging from 500mm on the narrowest model to 650mm on the widest 1.5 bowl option, and that figure already accounts for the clearance the sink needs on both sides.

How do you measure an existing sink for replacement?

Measure the existing sink's cutout, not the sink itself, by taking the length and width of the hole in the worktop with the old sink removed, then add the depth of the cabinet below to confirm the bowl will clear any shelving or plumbing. If you're keeping the same worktop, the new sink's cutout dimensions need to match the existing hole within a few millimetres, or the cutout needs re-cutting to fit. Note the tap hole position and count too, since a single pre-drilled hole won't suit a sink designed for two.

What's the difference between sink footprint and bowl size?

Sink footprint is the full outer dimension of the unit, including the drainer on inset models, while bowl size is the usable washing area inside that footprint. A RUMO sink listed at 1000 x 500mm describes the footprint; the bowl itself typically measures somewhere between 400 x 400mm and 500 x 400mm depending on the model, with the remaining width taken up by the drainer and rim. Undermount sinks don't carry this distinction in the same way, since there's no separate drainer section pressed into the sheet.

How much clearance does a sink need on each side?

A sink needs roughly 20-25mm of clearance on each side of its footprint inside the cabinet opening, which is why RUMO's stated base cabinet minimum always runs wider than the sink's own width. A sink measuring 500mm across, for example, calls for a 500mm-minimum cabinet rather than a 500mm cabinet with nothing to spare, because the frame, hinges and any corner brackets need that margin to close properly.

How do bowl configuration and cabinet width relate?

Wider cabinets support more bowl configurations, since 1.5 and double bowl sinks need more overall width than a single bowl to fit two basins side by side. A 500mm-600mm cabinet generally limits you to single bowl options, a 600mm-650mm cabinet opens up 1.5 bowl, and 800mm or wider is where double bowl becomes practical. The single vs 1.5 vs double bowl comparison breaks down which configuration suits which cabinet range in more detail.

If your cabinet measures close to the 500mm minimum, the 500mm base cabinet guide lists exactly which RUMO models fit that specific width, since not every single bowl sink in the range clears it.

Browse the RUMO kitchen sink range to filter by base cabinet size and bowl configuration.