Sink Style: 10 New Forms and Functions for 21st-Century Kitchens

If it's been a while since you've shopped for a new kitchen sink, prepare to be amazed by the range of designs, features, and accessories on the market. The kitchen sink of today is more than just a place to do dishes; it's become a hub of activity where homeowners can prep food, facilitate entertaining, and make a style statement all at the same time. You might choose a model that coordinates with your granite counters or your stainless steel appliances. Or perhaps you'll find a no-touch faucet irresistible or opt for an integrated cutting board or colander that sits seamlessly above the sink basin. With so many available options out there, one can only wonder what our grandmothers would have thought!

A Nod to the Past

1/11
Apron Front Sinks

"Apron-front sinks aren't just for farmhouse kitchens anymore," reports Sara Reimer, assistant home and garden editor for Midwest Living. "They look great in traditional, country, and contemporary settings, and their large capacity accommodates oversize pots and pans."

Kohler

Smart Accessories

2/11
Sink Accessories

Whether fitted basin racks to protect the sink from scratches or brush and sponge holders that fit over a divider, specialized sink accessories are simplifying common kitchen tasks.


Related: 16 New Ways to Store Kitchen Necessities

Kohler

Faucet Functions

3/11
Touch Faucets

No-touch technology, self-retracting pullout wands (like Walden from Moen, shown here), and even coordinating soap dispensers are changing the way we wash dishes.


Related: Granite Countertops—A Buyer's Guide

Moen

Sink as Workstation

4/11
Over The Sink Accessories

Custom-fitted details like cutting boards and colanders that rest directly on top of the sink are a stylish way to expand the workspace and are particularly welcome in smaller kitchens.


Related: Renovating a Small Kitchen? 10 Questions to Ask Before You Begin

The Galley Workstation

A Seamless Line

5/11
Custom Sinks

Susan Klimala of The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn in Illinois installed a custom granite sink in one client's home to create "a beautiful clean line with no interruption in the countertop material." An integrated cutting board fits snugly above the basin.


Related: Kitchen Countertops 101

The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn, inc.

Island Dreams

6/11
Kitchen Island Sinks

A second sink incorporated into a kitchen island is a luxury that has the practical benefit of simplifying food prep and entertaining.


Related: New and Notable—10 Must-Haves for the Luxury Kitchen

American Standard

Think Outside the Box

7/11
Sink Materials

Uncommon sink materials such as bronze, copper, zinc, and slate have become accessible to today's homeowner. This apron-front marble design looks stunning with coordinating counters.


Related: Top Tips for Keeping Countertops Like New

Kallista

Sleek Silhouettes

8/11
Modern Kitchen Sinks

The unique shape and tapered basin that distinguish the sinks of Julien's Trapezoid collection are sure to attract attention in modern kitchens.


Related: Kitchen Envy—10 Rooms We Love

Julien

Divide and Conquer

9/11
Low Divide Double Bowl Sinks

Do you love the convenience of a divided sink but hate the struggle of cleaning larger pots? New low-divide sinks may be the solution you've been looking for.


Related: How To Install a New Kitchen Sink

Blanco

If You Can Dream It…

10/11
If You Can Dream It…

To create one client's dream food-prep sink situated in a kitchen island, Nick Geragi and his team at Klaff's Kitchens in Connecticut designed a custom butcher-block counter around a brushed-nickel sink from Bates and Bates.


Related: 12 Wow-Wow Worthy Wood Countertops

Klaff's Kitchens

For More…

11/11
For More…

If you are interested in more about kitchen design, consider:


Kitchen Envy: 10 Rooms We Love


11 Gorgeous Galley Kitchens


Kitchen Flooring: 8 Popular Choices

Houzz

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