BOCCHI Contempo 33 Review: Is This Fireclay Farmhouse Sink Worth It?

Most sink reviews are written by people who have never touched the product. This one is written by an authorized dealer that has sold and supported the BOCCHI Contempo 33 since 2018, with over 50,000 customers and 4.88 stars across 1,548 verified reviews. We know exactly where this sink excels, what trips buyers up, and when a different sink is the smarter call.

Note: This review focuses primarily on the BOCCHI Contempo 33 standard single-bowl farmhouse sink, model 1352. We also reference the Contempo 33 workstation version, model 1504, where the buying decision overlaps.

Quick verdict: Should you buy the BOCCHI Contempo 33?

Yes, the BOCCHI Contempo 33 is one of the strongest fireclay farmhouse sink choices for homeowners who want a clean flat apron, a large single bowl, multiple finish options, and a Limited Lifetime Warranty. It is best for kitchens with a 36-inch or wider base cabinet and buyers who want fireclay durability without a decorative fluted apron.

It is not the right choice if your cabinet is smaller than 36 inches, you need a double bowl, or you want a traditional fluted farmhouse front.

If you are comparing the Contempo 33 to other farmhouse sinks, this is everything you need to make the right decision.


What is the BOCCHI Contempo 33?

The BOCCHI Contempo 33 is a single-bowl, apron-front farmhouse sink made from high-quality fireclay and fired at temperatures up to 2,000°F. The result is a dense, non-porous surface that resists chips, stains, and scratches in a way that enameled cast iron and pressed steel cannot match over the long term.

BOCCHI Contempo 33 inch white fireclay farmhouse sink with flat apron front

It comes in two configurations: the standard single-bowl (model 1352) and the workstation version with integrated ledge and accessories (model 1504). The workstation version ships with a bamboo cutting board, stainless colander, bottom grid, and drying rack. Confirm current pricing on the BOCCHI Contempo 33 product page before ordering, as these figures change.

BOCCHI Contempo 33 inch fireclay workstation farmhouse sink with included accessories

Finishes available: White, Matte White, Biscuit, Matte Gray, Matte Dark Gray, Matte Black, Black, Sapphire Blue, and Matte Brown. That is nine finish options, more than any comparable fireclay farmhouse sink in this price category.


What we love about it

The glaze is the first thing you notice in person, and it is the reason this sink holds up. BOCCHI's proprietary glaze is fused into the fireclay body during firing, not applied as a topcoat afterward. The practical consequence: you cannot chip through to a different material. A topcoat glaze on cast iron will eventually chip to bare iron. The BOCCHI Contempo chips to more fireclay. For a family kitchen with daily heavy use, that is a meaningful difference.

Expert note: Cast iron enamel chips to bare iron. BOCCHI fireclay chips to more fireclay. The glaze is fused into the body during firing, not applied as a topcoat. For a daily-use kitchen sink, that difference compounds over the years.

The bowl depth on the standard Contempo 33 runs approximately 9 to 10 inches, deep enough to submerge a full sheet pan, fill a large stockpot without splashing, and do Thanksgiving dishes without hunching. Buyers mention this consistently in reviews. It is genuinely practical.

Farmhouse sink cabinet size diagram showing 33 inch apron front sink requiring 36 inch base cabinet

The workstation ledge system on the 1504 model is worth calling out separately. The integrated step rim runs the full interior width of the sink. This is not an afterthought accessory tray. It is built into the sink so the cutting board, colander, and drying rack sit level and stable rather than balanced on top of a standard undermount rim. For a working kitchen, this changes how you use the space.

Alternate Image for BOCCHI Contempo 33" Fireclay Workstation Farmhouse Sink Kit with Faucet and Accessories, White (sink) / Stainless Steel (faucet), 1504-001-2020SS

Design versatility is an underrated feature. The flat apron face with no surface ornamentation reads cleanly in modern, transitional, and traditional farmhouse kitchens. Matte White reads contemporary. Biscuit reads warm and traditional. Sapphire Blue reads bold and design-forward. Nine finishes mean the Contempo fits almost any kitchen direction you are designing toward.


What to know before you buy

The cabinet opening requirement is the question we answer more than any other on this sink. BOCCHI recommends a base cabinet at least 3 inches wider than the sink, which puts the minimum at a 36-inch base cabinet for the Contempo 33. If your existing cabinet is exactly 33 inches, the Contempo 33 will not fit without modification. We have seen this assumption cost homeowners a full cabinet replacement mid-renovation. Measure before you order.

Sizing note: The BOCCHI Contempo 33 requires a minimum 36-inch base cabinet opening, not 33. The apron front extends beyond the cabinet face and needs clearance on both sides. A 33-inch cabinet requires modification. Measure before you order.

Weight is the second thing to plan for. The standard Contempo 33 weighs approximately 65 pounds. The workstation version with accessories runs closer to 75 to 80 pounds. Fireclay sinks require adequate cabinet reinforcement before installation. A standard builder-grade cabinet floor is generally not sufficient on its own. Any installer doing this job for the first time should reinforce the base cabinet floor and lower the sink in on support rails, not rest it directly on the cabinet floor before positioning.

Farmhouse sink cabinet size diagram showing 33 inch apron front sink requiring 36 inch base cabinet

The apron face on the Contempo is finished on all four sides. The drain placement is reversible: you can position it left or right to match your plumbing rough-in. This is a drain orientation choice, not a design choice between two different apron faces. If you want the traditional fluted farmhouse apron aesthetic, look at the Nantucket Sinks Vineyard 33 or the Latoscana LFS3318W instead.

Important: "Reversible" on the Contempo 33 refers to drain orientation (left or right), not apron design. The apron face is flat on all four sides. If you want a fluted farmhouse apron, this is not the right sink.

The Contempo 33 is not ideal for: kitchens with base cabinets smaller than 36 inches, installations where freight delivery is not possible, or buyers who need a 50/50 double bowl configuration. For more on material differences, see our fireclay vs. stainless steel kitchen sink comparison.


How it compares to the BOCCHI Classico and Contempo 30

BOCCHI Contempo 33 BOCCHI Classico 33 BOCCHI Contempo 30
Bowl style Single 50/50 double Single
Apron style Flat, contemporary Flat, contemporary Flat, contemporary
Finish options 9 9 9
Workstation version Yes (model 1504) No Yes (model 1344)
Cabinet minimum 36 inches 36 inches 33 inches
Best for Large kitchens, family use Kitchens needing a divider Smaller kitchens

Compare before you buy

The BOCCHI Classico 33 is the right choice when you need a divided basin. The Contempo 30 fits a tighter opening but gives up 3 inches of usable basin space. If your cabinet can accommodate a 36-inch opening, the Contempo 33 is almost always the better choice over the 30. For a full breakdown of every BOCCHI collection, see our BOCCHI sinks buying guide.


What our customers say

TSB customers consistently land on the same themes: the glaze quality, the bowl depth, and the satisfaction of choosing fireclay over stainless.

One customer who purchased the Contempo 33 in White wrote: "Absolutely gorgeous and deep sink. The quality of it is absolutely amazing. We were debating heavily over a stainless steel farmhouse sink versus the fireclay, and I am so happy we went this route."

A second buyer noted the size specifically: "I love the size. Cleaning dishes on Thanksgiving was a breeze with this deep, large farm sink. Definitely worth the price."

A third put it plainly: "Heavy, great quality. I am happy with this sink."

The Sink Boutique carries a 4.88-star rating across 1,548 verified reviews store-wide. 


Should you buy it?

Yes, if your kitchen has a 36-inch or wider base cabinet opening and you want a single-bowl fireclay farmhouse sink that will look and perform the same in 15 years as it does today.

The BOCCHI Contempo 33 is the right sink for homeowners doing a full kitchen renovation who want the widest finish selection in the fireclay farmhouse category. It is right for contractors and designers speccing a premium installation where BOCCHI's limited lifetime warranty matters to the client. It is right for buyers who want a workstation configuration without giving up fireclay quality.

It is not the right sink for kitchens with cabinet openings under 36 inches, buyers who need a divided basin, or anyone designing toward a traditional fluted apron front.

Authorized dealer note: BOCCHI's limited lifetime warranty applies only to purchases from authorized dealers. Marketplace sellers on Amazon and similar platforms are frequently unauthorized. If warranty coverage matters to you, verify dealer status before purchasing.

The difference between buying from an authorized dealer versus a marketplace seller is not about price. It is about warranty support when something goes wrong and accurate guidance before it can. If you have a cabinet sizing question before ordering, call us at (844) 470-1212, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST. A two-minute call prevents an expensive installation mistake.

  • 4.88 stars, 1,548 verified reviews 
  • Authorized BOCCHI dealer since 2018
  • 50,000+ customers served
  • 30-day returns on unused, uninstalled items in original packaging. Full policy
  • Free shipping on orders over $75 in the continental US
  • (844) 470-1212, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST

Shop the BOCCHI Contempo 33 collection at The Sink Boutique.

Why buy from The Sink Boutique authorized retailer with warranty support and expert sink guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

BOCCHI recommends a base cabinet at least 3 inches wider than the sink, which means a minimum 36-inch base cabinet opening for the Contempo 33. The sink is 33 inches wide, but the apron front extends beyond the cabinet face and requires clearance on both sides. Installing a 33-inch sink into a 33-inch cabinet opening is one of the most common sizing mistakes we see, and it requires expensive cabinet modification to correct.

Purchase from an authorized BOCCHI dealer. Authorized dealers are verified by BOCCHI USA and provide access to the manufacturer's limited lifetime warranty, which is not transferable and does not apply to purchases from unauthorized marketplace sellers. The Sink Boutique has been an authorized BOCCHI dealer since 2018 and carries the full Contempo 33 lineup across all available finishes.

The drain orientation is reversible: you can position the drain left or right to match your plumbing rough-in. However, the apron face is flat on all four sides, not reversible between a smooth and fluted design.

Approximately 65 pounds for the standard single-bowl version (model 1352) and closer to 75 to 80 pounds for the workstation version with accessories (model 1504). All fireclay farmhouse sinks require cabinet reinforcement before installation. A standard builder-grade cabinet floor is generally not sufficient on its own.

Returns are accepted within 30 days for unused, uninstalled items in original packaging. Store credit returns carry no restocking fee (customer covers return shipping). Cash refund returns carry a 15% manufacturer restocking fee (customer covers return shipping). Damaged or incorrect items are replaced free of charge. Full details at The Sink Boutique return policy.

Nine finishes: White, Matte White, Biscuit, Matte Gray, Matte Dark Gray, Matte Black, Black, Sapphire Blue, and Matte Brown. Availability by finish may vary. Confirm in-stock status on the product page before ordering, as some finishes have longer lead times than others.

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