Personal Workstations

Kitchen sinks and faucets are becoming increasingly customized, both in look and function, with bold finish choices and personalized features.

"We are continuing to see kitchens evolve into more distinctive personalized spaces in the home," says Alex Yacavone, design studio manager for Kohler Co. in Kohler, WI. "These spaces are now becoming opportunities for homeowners to show off their design style and perspectives, giving what traditionally has been a utilitarian and perhaps looked-over space a more curated feel."

"The popularity of customizing is not limited to just finishes, but to the faucets themselves," adds Noah Taft, chief marketing officer for California Faucets, based in Huntington Beach, CA. "In the small club of custom manufacturers like us, you can specify a myriad of handle styles and spout styles for any series. This flexibility allows you to design the precise look you desire and not have to settle for the rigid design of mass-produced faucets with few options."

Bold colors and finish combinations are trending, helping designers create looks tailored to the individual taste of their clients. "Incorporating more color into the kitchen has been on an upward trajectory the past few years, and the sink and faucet can make a bold statement to convey a color story in the home," stresses Edyta Drutis, v.p. of brand marketing for BLANCO North America in Lumberton, NJ.

"We’re seeing a lot of popularity in contrasting design, with bold pops of color, unconventional faucet uses and more," observes Jason Silverstein, senior manager, Design & Insights for Elkay in Downers Grove, IL. "People are thinking beyond the standard to make their home a reflection of their style and values, highlighting their favorite color."

Manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News say that other top trends include features that increase the functionality of the work area, technological advances that add operational value as well as address water conservation/sustainability concerns, and faucet/sink choices that lend a cohesive feel to the overall design of the home.

Personal Influence

This desire for personalized design leaves the door open for designers to influence upcoming trends as they work to create spaces their clients love. Christine Zimmer, product manager at Watermark Designs in Brooklyn, NY says designers and architects help shape trends because they push the design envelope. "They are more willing to take risks," she says.

"We are constantly looking at how people are authentically living in and using their kitchen spaces to create experiences through our faucets and fixtures," expresses Lucia McBroom, lead brand manager for Brizo Kitchen and Bath Company in Indianapolis, IN. New spaces, such as butler's pantries and bar areas, are more often being added and require unique kitchen products, she adds.

"These functional spaces leave more creative freedom for the main kitchen, where the main faucet can live as a focal point – like jewelry for the home – standing out with unique design details," she continues. "People are willing to take more risks in the kitchen when it comes to design choices, and showcase their unique, individual style preferences more than ever before.

"Every kitchen is different, and we see customers wanting to personalize not only their kitchens, but the products they put in them," reports Ben Alliker, national sales manager at HamatUSA in Hamilton, NJ. "They want just the right size, shape, finish and feel for their unique space."

Bold Combinations

Though classic finishes certainly still have their place, manufacturers say that people are experimenting more with split finishes, bold color options, unique textures and varying styles.

According to Marco Meli, v.p. of sales for Gessi North America, based in Anaheim, CA, current design trends include "artistic, chef-inspired kitchen faucets that are sleek and really elevate functional design with pops of color like orange for the hoses, combined with dramatic metal textured finishes and smooth sleek bases, creating a very minimalist and artistic style."

Taft adds, "People are increasingly interested in playing with various finish combinations, including split finishes. This growing infatuation extends not only to finish color, but to texture as well. Split finishes enables you to showcase, for example, a polished finish with a brushed or satin finish, or even add cool, cutting-edge accents like carbon fiber."

"An additional trend that dovetails beautifully with the continuing interest in industrial style is burnished brass," Taft adds. "A living finish that patinas over time, burnished brass has captured the imagination of many designers who love the variability of the finish. The finish changes in unique ways depending on atmosphere, use and care, and that's all part of the fun."

The willingness to step away from classic choices means a range of colors comes into play. "As people become more expressive in this space, we are seeing a lot of bolder color," says Yacavone.

Alliker offers, "Graphite is getting some long overdue attention. Designers and customers are now starting to use more tones of silver and gray beyond just polished chrome, polished nickel and satin nickel. HamatUSA offers colors including Graphite and Pewter beyond just the standard range of finishes, to provide designers and homeowners with the opportunity to bring more sophisticated and interesting tones into the kitchen."

For sinks, he adds, the demand for matte finishes, such as matte white and matte black, has exploded. "Homeowners are finding that the durability of fireclay can be complemented with bold colors, too," he explains.

Softness and Warmth

On the flip side of bold choices, some manufacturers say that softer, warmer tones are increasing, shades that build a sense of personal wellness and peacefulness in the kitchen space.

"We are seeing a lot of water and botanical-inspired blues and greens – warm neutrals that feel calming and create a sense of relaxation, with a focus on personal wellness, but also wellness for the world," stresses Yacavone. "There are a lot of biophilic materials being used in this space, like tactile woods and dynamic composites."

"Designers and clients continue to be drawn to warmer color palettes that include earth tones and neutrals," McBroom says. "We continue to see the trend for matte black finishes, but on more traditional architectures."

"Kitchen finishes tend to adhere more closely to the cabinet hardware finishes, so we see a lot of matte black and warmer brass or gold finishes," concurs Zimmer. "Sometimes we’ll be asked to do a bold color on a faucet handle – but that's usually for bathrooms."

Cohesive Design

With open floor plans, the kitchen sink workstation is in full view and must fit into the overall design of the space. This also allows for an opportunity for this area to stand out, manufacturers say.

"The open plan kitchen and ones with darker hues create the perfect dramatic stage for the kitchen faucet to become the centerpiece of the design – show stopping – especially with the pop of color," stresses Meli.

"We’re seeing consumers put more consideration into their faucet and sink pairing," remarks Drutis. "There is more emphasis on having a unit that seamlessly works together, both physically and visually. Homeowners are seeking a more cohesive, coordinated look when it comes to the water place so that it better complements the overall design of their space."

"A more modern, open layout often requires strong focal points in the kitchen to help visually separate spaces," Drutis adds. "A taller faucet or apron-front sink can provide a visual anchor within the kitchen. Additional prep zones, like a butler's pantry or home bar, allow separate space for a supporting sink and faucet to aid with entertaining and meal prep, while keeping people out of the main kitchen action."

"Kitchen design trends tend to shape trends for faucets and sinks as people look for cohesive spaces," says Silverstein. "The sink is typically the heart of the kitchen – from meal prep to clean up – so integrating it seamlessly into the aesthetic of the space, while maintaining functionality, is key."

Enhanced Function

People want sinks and faucets that not only work well together aesthetically, but do more, manufacturers say.

"Overall, homeowners are seeking kitchen systems to meet all their needs," Drutis adds. "The Blanco UNIT starts with a sink and faucet pairing, but goes beyond with a coordinating soap dispenser, integrated accessories and under-the-sink organization solutions."

Silverstein says consumers expect more from the sink space. "They want to do more with their sink and counter space with usable capacity, deeper and wider sinks front to back, and workstation features like integrated food prep and drying." Single-bowl sinks continue to trend up, overtaking double bowls at premium price points, he adds.

Taft reports demand for accessories that match the kitchen faucet continues to grow as well. "These include soap dispensers, garbage disposer buttons, hot and cold-water dispensers, dual hot/cold water dispensers and air gaps for markets where local regulations require them," he comments.

Kitchens are increasingly incorporating more than one sink/faucet. Taft continues, "In larger format kitchens that employ various stations and/or islands, the demand of secondary faucets has become increasingly important. Whether it's customizable pot fillers by the stove or prep faucets on the island, we are seeing growing adoption of these supporting characters."

"Kitchen islands are still hugely popular, with more sinks being designed into the islands themselves," observes Silverstein. "Folks are also designing kitchens with two sinks for multitasking and generally integrating sinks into the overall design and living needs."

Alliker adds that, for the past few years, consumers, designers and architects have been looking for additional features and benefits in everything they purchase. "They want sinks that double as surface area – leading to the ongoing popularity of workstation sinks. They want faucets that do more than just provide water in the same way, leading to the popularity of unique and functional designs such as our Kanta hand-held and handle-free kitchen faucet."

Faucets need to incorporate both convenience and style. "While style-wise we are seeing an uptick in transitional styles in bathrooms, we still see a lot of interest in contemporary faucets, like our Titanium single lever faucet in kitchens," says Zimmer. "Sleek, single-lever faucets are a great option because they leave room for additional accessories."

Drutis reports, "Popular faucet shapes include pull-downs, pull-outs and semi-pro styles, and we expect to see more hidden pull-down faucets trending in the near future. Faucets with a pull-down/out feature are the most convenient and functional for the everyday home chef."

Impact of Technology

Though many think of connectivity when mulling technology advances, with sinks and faucets these advances can take many forms. From finishing technology to faucet functionality, from filtration to water conservation, technology impacts trends in myriad ways.

"We see a rise in technological advancements and lifestyle shifts that are changing the way people behave in and use their kitchens, which ultimately impacts kitchen faucets," McBroom notes. "We also view innovation as a way to address changing behaviors and needs in the kitchen," she adds. "Our Articulating Kitchen Faucet includes an articulating arm that offers a larger range of movement than a traditional pull-down faucet, letting you position the faucet for any task at hand."

"Of course, many suppliers are bringing connectivity into the kitchen – connected ovens, refrigerators and more. Faucets are no exception. But the technology I see impacting faucet and sink trends more are the advancements in finishing and operation," says Alliker.

Taft states, "Most of the digital technology in the kitchen remains largely gimmicky and, quite frankly, buggy. But incorporating PVD technology in finishes allows for additional durability in kitchen faucets. As arguably the most used appliance in a home, kitchen faucets that feature PVD finishing offer not only a nice palette of color options, but significant protection against wear and tear."

"Technology has impacted nearly every industry and sinks and faucets are no exception – although there is a discrepancy between the meaningful technology within other parts of the home versus the sink," Silverstein says.

"Smart faucets are popular in households looking to save water and energy. Key features include touchless faucets and components that are adaptable for limited mobility," Silverstein continues. "Positive changes are also starting to happen with voice activation, measured filters and leveraging technology for water usage and management to improve water quality at the sink." He adds that products using eco-friendly materials like bamboo and stainless steel are also popular, as are products that reduce single-use plastic bottle waste and wasted water.

"Key drivers of trends that involve technology are still around sustainability and water consumption," Zimmer agrees. "We know that using an aerator reduces consumption by about 20-30%, but another important factor is that using an aerator also reduces energy costs; by reducing the amount of water needed to wash the dishes, you also reduce the energy needed to heat up the water, and right now that's an important detail that people might not realize."

Technology that increases personal wellness is also a factor, manufacturers say. "Homeowners are incorporating wellness into their kitchens, beyond composting and using natural materials," Silverstein stresses. "When it comes to wellness, hydration is a key component. Touchless faucets that reduce the spread of bacteria and use filters that reduce lead and other harmful chemicals from drinking water, like Elkay's Avado 2-in-1 Filtered Faucet, are popular when it comes to the wellness trend," he says. ▪

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