6 Kitchen Sink Trends for 2021
See the new sink textures, colors and workstations that debuted at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
The kitchen sink is an unexpected place to bring character and personality into a kitchen. But a look at the latest kitchen sink offerings show there are new possibilities in color, texture, function and art. We talked with sink manufacturers and looked at countless sink products that launched during the all-virtual 2021 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (which shut down early due to website problems). We came away with six kitchen sink design trends we think you can expect more of in the coming year.
Foster’s Happy Hour sink features accessories for prepping. Photo from Foster
1. Workstation Sinks
One of the most exciting recent innovations in kitchen sinks is the workstation sink, or prep station sink. These sinks feature sliding pieces and inserts such as colanders, cutting boards, bins, drying racks, shelves for sponges and more. That means everything can be prepped at the sink. Kitchen and bath designer Tracey Stephens says her clients get excited when she shows them a workstation sink.
Foster is launching a version of its Happy Hour sink this year. It will feature a 55-inch-long bowl and several insert options, including a cutting board. Homeowners can customize the sink with optional accessories like a knife holder, a set of covered bowls, holders for bowls, bottles and spices, a grating kit and a drying rack. The sink is also available in smaller sizes.
1. Workstation Sinks
One of the most exciting recent innovations in kitchen sinks is the workstation sink, or prep station sink. These sinks feature sliding pieces and inserts such as colanders, cutting boards, bins, drying racks, shelves for sponges and more. That means everything can be prepped at the sink. Kitchen and bath designer Tracey Stephens says her clients get excited when she shows them a workstation sink.
Foster is launching a version of its Happy Hour sink this year. It will feature a 55-inch-long bowl and several insert options, including a cutting board. Homeowners can customize the sink with optional accessories like a knife holder, a set of covered bowls, holders for bowls, bottles and spices, a grating kit and a drying rack. The sink is also available in smaller sizes.
The Dart Canyon ADA dual-depth sink by Elkay has a reversible rack that allows for a deeper basin than standard ADA-compliant depth. Photo from Elkay
Elkay debuted the new Dart Canyon ADA dual-depth sink, shown here, which allows for tasks to be completed by someone in a wheelchair. A reversible rack in the bottom of the basin can change the height. Flipped one way, it is higher to accommodate someone who is seated. Flipped the other way, it accommodates tall pots. This setup also works well for kids who want to contribute their skills in the kitchen.
In addition, the sink has a shelf inside that keeps sponges and scrub brushes accessible yet hidden at the front of the sink. It comes with the reversible rack, drain cover and drain. The cutting board, large colander and small colander are sold separately.
Elkay debuted the new Dart Canyon ADA dual-depth sink, shown here, which allows for tasks to be completed by someone in a wheelchair. A reversible rack in the bottom of the basin can change the height. Flipped one way, it is higher to accommodate someone who is seated. Flipped the other way, it accommodates tall pots. This setup also works well for kids who want to contribute their skills in the kitchen.
In addition, the sink has a shelf inside that keeps sponges and scrub brushes accessible yet hidden at the front of the sink. It comes with the reversible rack, drain cover and drain. The cutting board, large colander and small colander are sold separately.
Nantucket Sinks expanded its Prep Station sink offerings. Photo from Nantucket Sinks
“This year, Nantucket’s focus has continued to be on adding to our prep station sinks,” says Jake Khoury of Nantucket Sinks. The company added new material and size options for apron-front workstation sinks as well as new accessory offerings for their existing undermount prep station sinks. New accessories create additional configurations for prepping, washing and drying at the sink. The model shown here is a handmade stainless steel undermount sink.
Special trays or racks can raise the height of the sink to accommodate different abilities. The rack also helps keep the bottoms of vases and pots dry while filling with water, protects the bottom of the sink from scratches and eliminates the noise of pots and pans clanging against a stainless steel basin.
“This year, Nantucket’s focus has continued to be on adding to our prep station sinks,” says Jake Khoury of Nantucket Sinks. The company added new material and size options for apron-front workstation sinks as well as new accessory offerings for their existing undermount prep station sinks. New accessories create additional configurations for prepping, washing and drying at the sink. The model shown here is a handmade stainless steel undermount sink.
Special trays or racks can raise the height of the sink to accommodate different abilities. The rack also helps keep the bottoms of vases and pots dry while filling with water, protects the bottom of the sink from scratches and eliminates the noise of pots and pans clanging against a stainless steel basin.
Nantucket Sinks’ glossy white fireclay sink with Waves apron front adds texture to the kitchen.
2. Apron-Front Texture
Apron-front sinks are a classic style that have been popular in traditional and modern farmhouse kitchens. But a new variety of colors and textures is expanding their range well beyond traditional and transitional styles.
This glossy white fireclay sink from Nantucket Sinks’ Vineyard Collection is a good example of the textured trend. The apron-front has a coastal-inspired wavy texture. It is also available in matte black fireclay.
2. Apron-Front Texture
Apron-front sinks are a classic style that have been popular in traditional and modern farmhouse kitchens. But a new variety of colors and textures is expanding their range well beyond traditional and transitional styles.
This glossy white fireclay sink from Nantucket Sinks’ Vineyard Collection is a good example of the textured trend. The apron-front has a coastal-inspired wavy texture. It is also available in matte black fireclay.
Elkay’s Mint Créme finish adds a vintage touch to the kitchen. Photo from Elkay
3. Wider Variety of Materials and Colors
While stainless steel and fireclay have reigned as go-tos for kitchen sinks, homeowners are becoming more familiar with alternatives. The sink shown here is Elkay’s Quartz Luxe, a mix of quartz and high-performance, UV-stable acrylic resins. These sinks come in a variety of colors and can withstand heat up to 535 degrees Fahrenheit. Another advantage offered by this material is that it is stain- and smudge-proof.
Manufacturers are also offering a rainbow of colors for various sink styles. At KBIS 2020, Elkay previewed the Mint Crème color shown on the sink here. It’s now available for purchase.
While an apron-front sink can bring color front and center, undermount sinks offer a different experience. A colorful undermount sink is an unexpected surprise that isn’t visible until you’re standing over it.
3. Wider Variety of Materials and Colors
While stainless steel and fireclay have reigned as go-tos for kitchen sinks, homeowners are becoming more familiar with alternatives. The sink shown here is Elkay’s Quartz Luxe, a mix of quartz and high-performance, UV-stable acrylic resins. These sinks come in a variety of colors and can withstand heat up to 535 degrees Fahrenheit. Another advantage offered by this material is that it is stain- and smudge-proof.
Manufacturers are also offering a rainbow of colors for various sink styles. At KBIS 2020, Elkay previewed the Mint Crème color shown on the sink here. It’s now available for purchase.
While an apron-front sink can bring color front and center, undermount sinks offer a different experience. A colorful undermount sink is an unexpected surprise that isn’t visible until you’re standing over it.
The Wild Grass in Blue design is one of many options for the new Gallery sink by Shaws Sink. Photo by House of Rohl
4. The Sink as Canvas
Shaws took personalizing the kitchen sink to a new level in 2021. New graphic options for their Shaker and Lancaster apron-front fireclay sinks include botanical, abstract and linear designs. The artwork is fired into the sinks in specially designed kilns, so it won’t scrape or wear off over time.
4. The Sink as Canvas
Shaws took personalizing the kitchen sink to a new level in 2021. New graphic options for their Shaker and Lancaster apron-front fireclay sinks include botanical, abstract and linear designs. The artwork is fired into the sinks in specially designed kilns, so it won’t scrape or wear off over time.
The Shaker apron-front fireclay sink by Shaws has a boxier shape than traditional farmhouse sinks. Available June 2021. Photo from House of Rohl
5. New Angles on the Farmhouse Sink
Farmhouse sinks are often associated with traditional and transitional kitchen styles, and their iconic silhouettes usually have an apron front with rounded corners. But this year, sink manufacturers added new silhouettes that work well with modern and contemporary designs.
For example, instead of rounded corners, the matte black Shaker apron-front fireclay sink from Shaws shown here features a more modern rectangular shape with squared-off sides and thinner walls. The sink currently comes in white and parchment fireclay colors. Matte black and matte gray will be available in June 2021.
5. New Angles on the Farmhouse Sink
Farmhouse sinks are often associated with traditional and transitional kitchen styles, and their iconic silhouettes usually have an apron front with rounded corners. But this year, sink manufacturers added new silhouettes that work well with modern and contemporary designs.
For example, instead of rounded corners, the matte black Shaker apron-front fireclay sink from Shaws shown here features a more modern rectangular shape with squared-off sides and thinner walls. The sink currently comes in white and parchment fireclay colors. Matte black and matte gray will be available in June 2021.
Ironridge sink by Kohler. Photo from Kohler
Kohler’s Ironridge sink has an extra-large basin that angles out past the sink. This adds interesting lines to a kitchen and allows the sink to fit in with modern and contemporary styles.
The large basin also adds function. The sink can accommodate a cookie sheet laid flat on the bottom of the basin, eliminating the splashing that goes along with that particular washing task. The sink is also large enough to bathe a baby in.
The bottom of the basin slopes toward an offset drain to direct food and liquids toward it rather than lingering on the sink.
Kohler’s Ironridge sink has an extra-large basin that angles out past the sink. This adds interesting lines to a kitchen and allows the sink to fit in with modern and contemporary styles.
The large basin also adds function. The sink can accommodate a cookie sheet laid flat on the bottom of the basin, eliminating the splashing that goes along with that particular washing task. The sink is also large enough to bathe a baby in.
The bottom of the basin slopes toward an offset drain to direct food and liquids toward it rather than lingering on the sink.
This reversible sink from Nantucket Sinks offers traditional or contemporary mounting options. Photo from Nantucket Sinks
Nantucket Sinks debuted an interesting option this year: a reversible apron-front prep station basin that can be mounted one of two ways. This reversible option is available in a 30- or 33-inch basin in several granite composite color options. The 33-inch basin is also available in fireclay.
The sink is mounted here with the contemporary side showing, which has more rectilinear lines. Mounted with the opposite side showing, the apron-front would show more traditional rounded edges.
Nantucket Sinks debuted an interesting option this year: a reversible apron-front prep station basin that can be mounted one of two ways. This reversible option is available in a 30- or 33-inch basin in several granite composite color options. The 33-inch basin is also available in fireclay.
The sink is mounted here with the contemporary side showing, which has more rectilinear lines. Mounted with the opposite side showing, the apron-front would show more traditional rounded edges.
The Integrity sink in Poblenou by Silestone creates a seamless look on the island. Photo from Cosentino
6. Integrated Sinks
Integrated sinks are crafted from materials that match the surrounding countertops. The result is a seamless look, as though the whole thing was carved out of one large block of a solid-surface material like quartz.
What’s new about this trend are new patterns and colors offered from quartz manufacturers. The counter and sink shown here are composed of quartz from Silestone’s new Loft Series, inspired by and named after historic industrial neighborhoods. The color, called Poblenou, recalls the look of poured-in-place concrete with a bit more polish. It’s a good option for homeowners who like the look of concrete but desire countertops that are smoother and more serene.
6. Integrated Sinks
Integrated sinks are crafted from materials that match the surrounding countertops. The result is a seamless look, as though the whole thing was carved out of one large block of a solid-surface material like quartz.
What’s new about this trend are new patterns and colors offered from quartz manufacturers. The counter and sink shown here are composed of quartz from Silestone’s new Loft Series, inspired by and named after historic industrial neighborhoods. The color, called Poblenou, recalls the look of poured-in-place concrete with a bit more polish. It’s a good option for homeowners who like the look of concrete but desire countertops that are smoother and more serene.
Foster’s Phantom BASE allows for an integrated sink look with durable stainless steel on the bottom of the sink basin. Photo from Foster
Italian company Foster debuted its stainless steel Phantom BASE this year. The product works in tandem with the integrated solid surface sink trend. It maintains the integrated look while providing the practical durability of stainless steel at the bottom of the basin.
Cabinet-S-Top
Italian company Foster debuted its stainless steel Phantom BASE this year. The product works in tandem with the integrated solid surface sink trend. It maintains the integrated look while providing the practical durability of stainless steel at the bottom of the basin.
Cabinet-S-Top
1977 Medina Road
Medina, OH 44256
330.239.3630
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