Innovative options and sleek styles allow today’s models to do more than ever before.
The modern kitchen serves as much more than simply a food preparation room: It’s a space to gather, work, entertain and eat. Increased popularity in open layout architecture means a lot more living is done in and around the kitchen, requiring the space to play multiple roles. And just as the room has taken on new responsibilities, so has the kitchen sink. The sinks of today are being designed to take on many jobs while still looking stylish and remaining durable.
One way sinks have evolved is their size. The typical sink is still 36-in.-wide, but consumers want those inches to be used more efficiently. The difference? Depth. While kitchen sinks of the past may have been 6 to 7 in. deep, today’s sinks are 9 to 10 in. deep to accommodate large pots and pans, baking sheets and even small kitchen appliances.
There is also a trend toward single basin designs that offer users a roomy, unimpeded sink. New models provide generous cleaning space and plenty of room for specially designed accessories such as cutting boards and drying racks. Because today’s at-home cooks primarily clean their dishes in the dishwasher, there is less need for a divided sink designed for soaking and rinsing; more emphasis is being placed on the ability to clean larger items that won’t fit in the dishwasher or that require hand washing.
But, for those who still prefer a divided sink there are sinks with as many as three basins, or ones with divides of varying heights. Sinks with lower profile divides allow for higher functionality. The sink can work as a single bowl for cleaning large items and as a double bowl when washing dishes.
Shape has always been a distinguishing attribute for sinks. However, in smaller kitchens where counter space comes at a premium, altering the shape without improving the utility is a non-starter. Subsequently, bowls are often contoured to provide plenty of room for cleaning bigger items. Also, some of the newest shapes feature more open space by offsetting the faucet placement to the side, which has the added benefit of allowing the faucet to be more accessible to users, especially children.
Because consumers want to maximize their kitchen storage areas, the space below the sink can be valuable real estate, especially in smaller kitchens. An offset drain is a feature that can help when space is tight below the countertop. Because the drain can be located in the back corner of the sink, this type of drain set-up can offer space below for cleaning supplies or a
trash pull-out.
Long, slim trough sinks are also used for maximizing space and utility in a crowded kitchen. Often installed with faucets on both ends, these narrow but deep sinks allow for multiple people to use them simultaneously, which is great for food prep or pouring drinks away from the normal traffic flow.
Another growing trend seen in many of today’s sink models have incorporated a sloping drain to direct water and food waste directly to the drain, thereby minimizing sink clean-up and water pooling. It also saves on the amount of water used to rinse out the sink—a bonus in today’s more eco-conscious kitchens.
With the popularity of the open kitchen layout and the inclusion of integrated bars in places like family rooms, a whole new style of sink has arisen: the entertainment (or secondary) sink. These versatile sinks are used for washing and rinsing glassware, preparing garnishes, staging drinks or, when packed with ice, for chilling wine or other beverages.
The smaller secondary sink is often positioned near the stovetop and paired with a larger main sink. This allows the cook to easily dispose of food and empty or fill pots with water quickly and efficiently, with a minimum of mess or splashing.
Because the sink and faucet duo is often the focal point of the kitchen, its design can really set the tone for the whole space. Nothing evokes nostalgia in the kitchen like the timeless apron or farmhouse sink, which is reclaiming its place even in today’s more contemporary kitchens. Farmhouse sinks have a warm, inviting appeal that creates a welcoming atmosphere in the kitchen. The comfortable feel of this style is brought up to date with the use of new materials such as stainless steel and through color or textural elements.
Those who crave a high-end professional look, just like those frequently used by chefs on TV, may prefer the straightforward and functional design of stainless-steel sinks, favored for the easy-to-clean surface and space efficiency. The beveled edges and smaller dimensions soften the commercial design, which makes them appealing to consumers who are drawn to the simple sophistication of sinks used by the pros.
Some new sinks offer an innovative multi-tiered design that provides additional storage and workspace for busy cooks who want to keep the prep area clean and functional. This is of particular benefit when the sink is the centerpiece of a kitchen island and at the heart of the room. Sink options with extended surfaces, nesting storage trays and sliding cutting boards and accessories allow the sink to be both supremely versatile and blissfully uncluttered.
The array of accessories available for the kitchen sink extends far beyond the built-in soap dispenser. There are colanders perfectly sized for a particular sink model, cutting boards and drain boards, tool racks with custom "soaking cups,” wire rinsing baskets and drying racks in all manner of materials. This gives consumers an opportunity to customize their sink for their use.
When it comes to sink materials, stainless steel remains a popular option with its sophisticated, timeless look that often mirrors the modern kitchen appliances. However, cast iron is enjoying a resurgence in popularity not only for its rugged durability, but for the ability it provides consumers to personalize a space through color with the wide array of options available. Whether it’s a single pop of color from a sink or a coordinated suite of products that mirror the owner’s aesthetic, a cast iron sink is yet another way to create a truly individual look in the kitchen.
Cast iron also works well with stone and solid surface countertops. The feel of the materials play off each other, and the cast iron color options allow the sink to complement and enhance the look of the surrounding space.
Author:Lynn Schrage Copy From http://www.isfanow.org/news/68898/New-Consumer-Needs-Push-Companies-to-Rethink-the-Sink-.htm#.Tr13H44hd9s.facebook