Making a Splash

In a time when kitchen design is favoring clean, streamlined looks and steering clear of excessive ornamentation and over-the-top opulence, personal touches are coming from unexpected sources. One of the ways that kitchen and bath designers are adding distinctive style – as well as the highest functionality – to these spaces is by incorporating sinks and faucets that make their own statements.

According to manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News, the strong demand for the commercial look in the kitchen continues to influence sink, faucet and accessory design. Upscale consumers, however, are also insisting on beautiful and eco-friendly designs and technology. Stainless steel sinks are a bestseller, although demand for more unique sinks is on the upswing. And, when it comes to faucets and water accessories, many are thinking green while choosing from a broad variety of finishes and styles.

Sinks Get Professional and Personal

Designers and their clients continue to be attracted to the professional-looking kitchen, with its clean lines, uncluttered surfaces and flexible work stations. High-end amateur chefs want their work areas to be extremely functional, individualized and gorgeous. This attitude spills over to every aspect of the kitchen – including the sink.

“Much of today’s trends in kitchen sink design have a huge debt owed to the food service industry,” says Ken Fey, v.p./COO of Houzer in New Brunswick, NJ. “The commercial look of squared-off, 90-degree sinks is still strong.” Fey also notes, “Designs for residential kitchens have taken so many cues from commercial kitchens in recent years, the fallout has been a surge of user-friendly design applications in many product segments, including kitchen sinks.”

Ann Rottinghaus, marketing communications manager for Elkay in Oak Brook, IL, agrees. And, although many are opting for the professional look, she maintains that “personalization” is uptrending. Rottinghaus refers to this trend as “non-stock nation,” pointing out that it requires “unique, designer-oriented designs.”

Professional kitchens “have never been more popular,” she concurs. “Among the latest requirements [for kitchen sinks] are granite surfaces, just like those that top chefs around the world use.”

Steel-ing the Show

Still, the ubiquitous stainless steel sink is here to stay, as demand for it shows no signs of waning. Its long-life, professional good looks and easy-to-clean surface are just some of the characteristics that help it hang on to its lead in the kitchen sink market. Many designers also acknowledge that its look is compatible with a variety of kitchen designs.

“Highly polished steel finishes with drain grooves are currently in high demand for their aesthetics and easy-to-maintain neat appearance,” comments Tim Maicher, director of marketing for Lumberton, NJ-based Blanco. “Looking forward, we continue to see stainless steel sinks remaining an important element in kitchen design. In the near future, we see stainless steel sink designs moving toward a sleeker appliance feel and look.” Steel sinks also add to the semi-professional look, he adds.

Mark Webster, marketing manager for Karran USA in Vincennes, IN, agrees that the stainless steel sink is here to stay. “Stainless steel remains strong in the market, as it has over the past several years,” he says. “It blends in so well with the strong trend in stainless steel appliances as well as the modern, contemporary look.”

Stainless steel also gets high marks as a “green” product, note many industry players. While this is true of other products, Rottinghaus gives stainless steel credit as “one of the world’s most recycled materials. All stainless steel products are 100% recyclable, and have value even after a very long life as consumer products.” And, she adds, “The average useful life of a stainless steel product is 30 years.”

Beyond Steel