Kitchen Guides
Kitchen Sinks That Are Far From The Ordinary
Soapstone, copper, concrete. Give your kitchen a distinctive look and feel with a less-common sink material
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 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.
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
Take a look at 5 types of granite countertops
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
Take a look at 5 types of granite countertops
Drew also notes that 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.”
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.
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.
This kitchen has a more traditional country look than the previous one, yet hammered copper fits right into the material palette.
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.
Here’s how to embrace concrete at home
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.
Here’s how to embrace concrete at home
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.
Note: Make sure your contractor knows the weight of your concrete sink, as it may need extra structural support.
You can control the colour of concrete and even add funky wavy dish drain lines like these if you want.
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.
NativeStone
NativeStone is a relatively new product that blends concrete with raw natural materials including renewable jute fibre. 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 fibre. 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.
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.
This sink is upcycled and is European pitch black basalt.
Read more:
Kitchen FAQs: What’s the Right Sink Material?
Tell us:
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? Share with us in the Comments below.
Read more:
Kitchen FAQs: What’s the Right Sink Material?
Tell us:
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? Share with us in the Comments below.
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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.
Browse through images of different kitchen sink styles