There’s no doubt that the kitchen sink is the hardest working feature in the room. And the sink has come a long way from the everyday stainless steel basin. Today, there are an abundance of sizes, shapes, colors, and materials to choose from.
This has turned the kitchen sink into a kitchen focal point both visually and functionally.
Today’s sink needs to be beautiful, hardworking, and reflective of your kitchen’s style all at the same time. Manufacturers are coming up with new and creative ways to blend these attribute so that the kitchen sink area can perform multiple tasks with ease and efficiency and look good while doing it. No longer blending into the background, today’s sinks take center stage as designers and homeowners look for new ways to combine beauty and brawn. With the spotlight now on kitchen sinks, there are a few styles and patterns emerging from the marketplace. Today’s sink trends include a few classic stars as well as some up-and-coming showstoppers.
BLANCO Quatrus accessories make it possible for homeowners
to personalize their sink to enhance cooking, cleaning, entertaining,
and organizing in style.Photo courtesy of Blanco America.
Accessories
Since the space a sink takes up is counter space lost, it’s vital to have a sink that’s an efficient workstation. This is especially important in tighter kitchens with limited space. Most sink manufacturers now offer a variety of accessories designed to work with a sink to create a more efficient space. Some of the most common customized accessories include bottom grids, cutting boards, rinsing baskets, utensil caddies, sponge holders, soap dispensers, and even compost collectors. As just one example, Blanco has a line of custom accessories created especially for their QUATRUS kitchen sink collection. Designed to make cooking and cleaning at the sink easier, the line includes a dishwasher safe workstation that holds knives and utensils, cutting board, magnetic sink caddy, and multi-level stainless steel grids.
Single Bowl Styles
Whereas the dual bowl stainless steel sink was once your typical headliner, homeowners today show a preference for single bowl styles. This may be, in part, due to the fact that most kitchens feature dishwashers. So a two-bowl system is no longer necessary for washing and rinsing. Plus, the fact that we tend to do a lot more in-home entertaining might have something to do with it. We’re cooking for more people, and therefore using larger pots and pans. If you’ve ever tried to wash your roaster pan in a double-bowl sink, you know what I’m talking about! Single bowl sinks with greater depth are a welcome update. Plus, these larger, deeper designs better accommodate the accessories mentioned above.
Kohler’s Strive apron front sink is a sleek and
modern update to Farmhouse style sinks.
Photo courtesy of Kohler Co.
Farmhouse Sinks
A classic favorite, the farmhouse sink has evolved beyond vintage styles into timeless apron-front sinks that make a bold design statement. Originally designed to mimic the rectangular, extra-deep look and exposed front common in many rural homes, the farmhouse sink (or apron front sink) offers a feeling of nostalgia. Today’s popular farmhouse sinks offer a touch of Old World appeal but have been updated with fresh features including new shapes, colors, textures, and details. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, farmhouse sinks are one of today’s top kitchen trends. Whereas farmhouse sinks in the past were made primarily out of cast iron, today, you’ll find them in a wide range of materials including porcelain, copper, stainless steel, fired clay, natural stone, and more. Because farmhouse sinks shine a spotlight on the material of the sink itself, they’re a stunning focal point in kitchen. And because they’re typically deep bowls, they offer ample workspace, even for large pots, pans, and cookie sheets. A great example of today’s sleek and modern farmhouse style sink is Kohler’s Strive. Made from stainless steel, it has a professional look and features a self-trimming apron, which overlaps the cabinet face for easy installation. Its 9-inch deep basin features curved corners to make cleaning quick and easy.
Seamless/Integrated Sinks
That tiny little space where the sink meets the countertop can be one of the hardest spaces to clean in the kitchen. Seamless, or integrated, sink designs help alleviate this problem. In these sink styles, the sink and countertop are made from the same material and are melded together into one single piece. They make for easier kitchen clean up and also offer some unique opportunities for creativity and personalization. For example, fabricators can angle the countertop edges and route in a built-in drain board. Integrated sinks create a modern, streamlined look and can actually help prevent the growth of mold and bacteria in and around the sink. They can be made from a range of materials including stainless steel, solid surface, quartz, and even concrete. However, there is a limit to what materials can be used since the material needs to be able to work as a water-resistant sink and practical countertop. But the coolest thing about integrated sinks is that they can be custom designed to your specifications.
The artisan crafted Rio Chico bar/prep sink from Native Trails,
forged of high-quality recycled copper, features a graded transition toward the drain.
Prep Sinks
Many homeowners have discovered that having an additional, smaller sink in the kitchen can have a big impact on food prep, be a big help when entertaining, and can even make cleanup easier. These supplemental prep sinks offer an extra workspace that can be incredibly versatile. For example, they can be filled with ice to chill wine during a party, offer a spot for someone to rinse and chop vegetables while the main sink is in use, or they can simply provide a place for a quick hand rinse. When it comes to selecting a prep sink, there are a variety of styles and shapes available. The artisan crafted Rio Chico bar/prep sink is a trough style sink on a smaller scale. It’s forged of high-quality recycled copper, features a graded transition toward the drain, and adds an eye-catching texture, making it just perfect as a secondary sink.
Even if your clients are fans of the tried and true stainless steel sink, there are still so many updated features to choose from. From zero-radius corners and coordinated accessories, sink features have come a long way. If you haven’t shopped around for a kitchen sink in some time, you may be surprised to see all the options available today. No matter what statement you’re looking to make in the kitchen, you’ll find a functional kitchen sink that reflects your style.