Trends: Not Your Everyday Kitchen Sink
Soapstone, copper, concrete. Give your kitchen a distinctive look and feel with a less-common sink material
Becky Harris
January 15, 2018
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
These days you can’t flip through one page of Houzz kitchen photos without hitting a farmhouse-style kitchen outfitted with a Shaws Original fireclay sink, or a contemporary or transitional kitchen with a sleek stainless basin. While these choices are both great, there are other options out there, and they are predicted to trend in 2018. If you’re looking for something different, take a closer look at some noteworthy lesser-known materials and see if they are for you.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a wonderful way to add an antique or farmhouse look to a kitchen. And when you use soapstone countertops, it creates a seamless look that translates well into a modern or contemporary kitchen as well.
Soapstone is a wonderful way to add an antique or farmhouse look to a kitchen. And when you use soapstone countertops, it creates a seamless look that translates well into a modern or contemporary kitchen as well.
Soapstone is denser than granite and marble and is not porous, so it can stand up to acids, stains and hot water. But you’ll have to be someone who considers nicks and stains as lending your sink character, because they will happen.
Learn more about soapstone sinks
Learn more about soapstone sinks
Granite Composite
This dark graphite sink adds a modern touch to this farmhouse kitchen and picks up on the black hardware on the cabinetry. Contractor Brian Drew is a big fan of this sink — so much so that he has one in his own kitchen. “I absolutely love these sinks. They are virtually indestructible, they are scratch- and scuff-resistant, stain-resistant and heat-resistant up to over 500 degrees. I set a full pot of boiling water in mine and had no issues whatsoever,” he says. “They can be cleaned with almost anything, and in addition I’ve never seen one water spot.”
Granite composite sink: Franke USA
This dark graphite sink adds a modern touch to this farmhouse kitchen and picks up on the black hardware on the cabinetry. Contractor Brian Drew is a big fan of this sink — so much so that he has one in his own kitchen. “I absolutely love these sinks. They are virtually indestructible, they are scratch- and scuff-resistant, stain-resistant and heat-resistant up to over 500 degrees. I set a full pot of boiling water in mine and had no issues whatsoever,” he says. “They can be cleaned with almost anything, and in addition I’ve never seen one water spot.”
Granite composite sink: Franke USA
Drew also notes that at around $250, they are a budget-friendly option for his clients. “I feel they are just a nice way to add something unexpected in a kitchen. People are so used to simple stainless sinks in the kitchen, and I think this is just a nice way to add interest without really breaking the budget.”
Sink: Diamond Silgranit in Truffle finish, Blanco
Learn more about granite composite sinks
Sink: Diamond Silgranit in Truffle finish, Blanco
Learn more about granite composite sinks
Copper
Copper adds a gleaming patina to a kitchen, and in the case of a hammered copper sink like this one, eye-catching texture. If you’re someone who likes to keep your copper cookware out on display it’s a nice way to accentuate it.
Learn more about copper sinks
Copper adds a gleaming patina to a kitchen, and in the case of a hammered copper sink like this one, eye-catching texture. If you’re someone who likes to keep your copper cookware out on display it’s a nice way to accentuate it.
Learn more about copper sinks
This kitchen has a more traditional country look than the previous one, yet hammered copper fits right into the material palette.
Browse copper sinks
Browse copper sinks
Concrete
Cast-in-place concrete can provide a seamless, all-in-one look that suits contemporary and modern spaces well. This kitchen has a cast-in-place integral concrete counter and sink, with an integrated dish drain.
Sink and counters: Concreteworks
Cast-in-place concrete can provide a seamless, all-in-one look that suits contemporary and modern spaces well. This kitchen has a cast-in-place integral concrete counter and sink, with an integrated dish drain.
Sink and counters: Concreteworks
Another advantage to concrete is that you can create unique imprints in it, like the fiddlehead fern detail on the apron front of this sink.
Note: Make sure your contractor knows the weight of your concrete sink, as it may need extra structural support.
Sink and counter: BDWG Concrete Studio
Note: Make sure your contractor knows the weight of your concrete sink, as it may need extra structural support.
Sink and counter: BDWG Concrete Studio
You can control the color of concrete and even add funky wavy dish drain lines like these if you want.
Sink: custom, Stone Soup Concrete
How to Choose the Right Kitchen Sink
Sink: custom, Stone Soup Concrete
How to Choose the Right Kitchen Sink
You don’t have to have your concrete sink cast in place or have concrete countertops to pull off a concrete sink. You can opt for one that’s ready-made, like this one from Sonoma Cast Stone.
Check out kitchen sink faucets
Check out kitchen sink faucets
NativeStone
NativeStone is a relatively new product that blends concrete with raw natural materials including renewable jute fiber. The jute lightens the weight of the sink while increasing its strength — these sinks weigh about 40 percent less than solid concrete sinks. (But as with concrete, make sure your contractor knows the weight of the sink for installation, as they are still heavier than a lot of other options.)
These sinks are sealed in a way that makes them resistant to scratches, stains and cracks, though the manufacturer recommends letting extremely hot pots and pans cool before placing them directly into a NativeStone sink.
NativeStone is a relatively new product that blends concrete with raw natural materials including renewable jute fiber. The jute lightens the weight of the sink while increasing its strength — these sinks weigh about 40 percent less than solid concrete sinks. (But as with concrete, make sure your contractor knows the weight of the sink for installation, as they are still heavier than a lot of other options.)
These sinks are sealed in a way that makes them resistant to scratches, stains and cracks, though the manufacturer recommends letting extremely hot pots and pans cool before placing them directly into a NativeStone sink.
Salvage
This is a German Silver sink original to this 1920s home, but you can get an unusual look like this yourself if you’re willing to put in some time looking. Try searching for early restaurant sinks to find sizes not often seen in homes. Here’s a start: Houzz pro Grampas Antique Kitchen has a great selection of vintage sinks.
This is a German Silver sink original to this 1920s home, but you can get an unusual look like this yourself if you’re willing to put in some time looking. Try searching for early restaurant sinks to find sizes not often seen in homes. Here’s a start: Houzz pro Grampas Antique Kitchen has a great selection of vintage sinks.
This sink is upcycled and is European pitch black basalt.
Share: Do you have a kitchen sink we don’t see every day? What’s it made of, how does it function and what do you like and dislike about it? Please share with us in the Comments.
More
Designing Your Kitchen: How to Configure the Sink?
Houzz TV: 60 Kitchen Sinks With Mesmerizing Views
Browse kitchen sinks
Share: Do you have a kitchen sink we don’t see every day? What’s it made of, how does it function and what do you like and dislike about it? Please share with us in the Comments.
More
Designing Your Kitchen: How to Configure the Sink?
Houzz TV: 60 Kitchen Sinks With Mesmerizing Views
Browse kitchen sinks
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Being short, I appreciate these sinks being closer to you when you wash anything. My similarly sized designer made this point when we were discussing sinks and she was so right!
Love the ideas in this thread, but I'm surprised to see that there was no mention of ledge sinks! It's still a new concept, but I see it being all the rage a few years down the line.
We sell undermount sinks with an integrated ledge that allows you to rest cutting boards, colanders and all sorts of accessories right in your sink. Not only does it extend your counter space, but it turns your sink into a full prep station!
Got this huge slate sink in last week. 7 1/2 feet long! 90 x 24 with 11" back splash and 9" slant front apron. The basin is 46 x 22"! Estimated weight 730 pounds. Sold it yesterday, but thought some may like seeing the extra large size that some of these sinks came in. This is a very old sink.