Sinks and Faucets Balance Form and Function

Functionality and utility are essential when it comes to the kitchen sink area. If a faucet sprays water everywhere or is difficult to clean, or a sink can't accommodate the needs of the user, the water station fails, no matter how attractive the design, Additionally, the water station may need to incorporate extra accessories such as instant hot, water purification systems, etc.m and may also have to address special needs or water conservation issues. And, value continues to be a high priority.

At the same time, consumers expect a clean aesthetically pleasing design that will enhance the overall look of the kitchen, while sometimes incorporating more features in a smaller space.

Balancing both sets of needs is key, according to manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen and Bath Design News. It's not enough to be beautiful; that's a given. A quality product is desirable in the sink and faucet area as consumers are remodeling for the long term and are not just upgrading to tun over.

If a cheap sink causes you to replace an entire stone counter top in five years, it's just not work it!

By some estimates, you're likely to spend 70 percent of your time in the kitchen standing in front of the sink. This area needs to be extremely hard working and complement the home owner's personal sense of style. It's simply not enough to satisfy one or the other need today.

COORDINATED EFFORTS

Faucet and sink trends don't exist in a vacuum, and the overall design of the kitchen plays a major role in the sink and faucet choices. When homeowners remodel a kitchen, they generally decided on the overall design first and then buy a faucet that is consistent with their overall design vision.If kitchen designs move toward clean lines and less ornamentation, then faucet manufacturers will begin to develop more minimalist transitional and contemporary designs that are compatible with that motif. Faucets now coordinate with popular appliance finishes like stainless steel and black for a completely coordinated appearance. In addition, as interest in modern design grows, so does the trend toward modern faucets.

When it comes to kitchen design as a whole, designers and homeowners are ditching clutter and ornamentation to streamline the space and create a clean, seamless fee. This desire for clean, simple lines carries over into faucet designs. the landscape of a kitchen at large drives the choice of colors, textures and shapes to build out the room. Texture and color in sinks can enhance the larger kitchen scheme. In the end, the emphasis is on personal style and today, achieving personalization is painless with so many fabulous choices in the marketplace.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Finish preferences for faucets and accessories remain consistent with past trends, with stainless steel, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and chrome topping the lists. Stainless steel remains the dominant finish choice for appliances and fixtures, though finishes can vary significantly by manufacturer. In addition, traditional warm, bronze finishes are also gaining in popularity again, though we're seeing a specific interest in blending these traditional finishes with more contemporary architectures.

MAXIMIZING SPACE

Home sizes are trending toward a smaller footprint, which sometimes means a smaller kitchen space to work with. Even when this isn't the case, the space must be maximized. Regardless of size, the kitchen plays a much more central role in today's home, serving as not only the food prep area, but the living room, dining room, office and craft area.
We know homes are shrinking overall, however, the space devoted to the kitchen typically is not. This reinforces the abiding value associated with the kitchen space and the fact that more activities are moving into the kitchen, which requires valuable square footage to work even harder. That variety in size seems to be increasingly important in the faucet market. There is simply no such thing as "one size fits all" for faucets. Many collections include a number of models designed for various configurations and spaces. There's a general shift toward kitchen faucets with higher profile spouts. Taller spouts provide additional clearance for maneuvering large pots and pans around the sink area, improving work flow and efficiency.

Smaller kitchen with less counter space require a sink that's more narrow so that there;s room for a faucet behind. Delicate stone and marble counter tops can be cut to fit this sink without getting to thin.

With the rise in streamlined designs, a pull-out or pull-down faucet is becoming essential, eliminating the need for a separate side spray while offering convenience. Awareness of the need for products that fit homeowners of every age and ability ins on the rise as well, and at the forefront of many manufacturer's minds. While Universal Design is by definition, good design meant for all age groups, the resurgence of this design practice among the design community is increasingly important as Baby Boomer generation ages and more families consider multigenerational households.