Author: Kendrick Hulse

The kitchen sink is so important to daily life that it’s found use in one of our favorite sayings: “Everything but the kitchen sink.” Yet this importance is often overlooked by homeowners actually designing a kitchen of their own.

Your kitchen sink is, in many ways, the centerpiece of your entire kitchen. It plays an integral role in the layout and workflow of your kitchen, and no culinary space can function without one.

Keep reading for some of our favorite kitchen sink ideas that will prove just how crucial this element is to the perfect home.

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1. Choose Durable Ceramic Sinks

A ceramic kitchen sink is nowhere near as fragile as you might think. On the contrary, ceramic sinks are some of the most durable (even out-performing stainless steel). Another awesome quality of ceramic is just how easy it is to clean.

Ceramic sinks offer a traditional aesthetic that feels right at home in any farmhouse- or rustic-style kitchen design.

For the greatest durability and heat-resistance, be sure to invest in a fireclay sink. Fireclay ceramic contains high levels of clay and other materials that give the final product a remarkably strong finish.

2. Optimize Space with Drainboard Sinks

Drainboards are sloped surfaces that hold freshly washed dishes and allow excess water to run back into the sink (rather than pooling on your countertop). A drainboard is not part of the kitchen sink itself but an accessory attached to one or both sides.

Stand-alone dish-draining racks can be clunky and unattractive. Opting for a kitchen sink with a built-in drainboard is an excellent way to give your kitchen a more streamlined appearance.

Drainboards can be built into nearly any style of kitchen sink. You can find drainboard attachments made of stainless steel, ceramic, granite, and many other materials.

3. Explore Farmhouse Sink Styles

Farmhouse kitchen sinks rose to popularity a few years ago and have yet to lose momentum. The traditional farmhouse sink style is also known as an apron-front sink.

Today, this style of sink can be found alongside all different kitchen decor trends. For a clean aesthetic, go with a white ceramic farmhouse sink with a large basin. If you prefer an industrial look, opt for a sink made of stainless steel.

The humble apron sink is just as often a fixture in contemporary homes as it is rustic-inspired ones. Pairing your farmhouse sink with a sleek faucet and soap dispenser will ensure your kitchen is ready for the modern age.

4. Select the Perfect Sink Faucet

Do you want your kitchen sink faucet to stand out from the rest of the room? Or do you want it to blend into the background? The answer to this question is nearly as important as picking out a sink basin.

Choosing the perfect sink faucet means accounting for your kitchen’s functional and aesthetic needs. Don’t let yourself get swept up in fancy features (or a one-of-a-kind faucet style) in lieu of what your household truly needs.

No matter what style of faucet you decide on, it’s important to match the finish to other elements within your kitchen. Look to your cabinet hardware or light fixtures for inspiration that will tie your kitchen sink to the rest of the design.

5. Incorporate Sinks into Kitchen Islands

The kitchen sink often ends up as a centerpiece that all other appliances revolve around. So — at least in terms of accessibility — it makes sense to include space for a sink in your kitchen island.

By placing your sink in your kitchen island, you’ll be putting much of your home’s day-to-day mess on display. Be sure to invest in a large sink basin that can accommodate plenty of dishes.

On the other hand, a kitchen island can be the ideal place to install a small prep sink. If you entertain often (or just love home cooking), you may soon wonder how you ever lived without this extra workspace!

6. Modernize with Contemporary Sinks

Yes, most contemporary kitchen sink ideas favor traditional designs. But there’s plenty of opportunities to incorporate modern elements in your own kitchen.

The faucet can make or break any modern kitchen sink design. Sleek, geometric shapes are the most popular. But installing a vintage-style faucet alongside an ultra-modern basin is also a winning choice.

Another way to introduce some modern intrigue to your kitchen sink is to select a basin made of a unique material. A granite composite sink is interesting no matter how you style it. The same is true for a colored stainless steel or soapstone sink.

7. Maximize with Single Sinks

Society as a whole puts a lot of stock in the idea that bigger is always better. And this belief impacts how we design our personal living spaces.

You might be tempted to install an extra-wide double sink in your kitchen to maximize space for washing and prepping. However, plenty of kitchens benefit from a compact single sink instead.

Opting for a single-compartment sink means more room for accessories like a built-in cutting board or drainboard. Single sinks are also ideal for kitchenettes or for fitting into a tight kitchen corner.

8. Embrace the Elegance of Square Sinks

Contemporary kitchens tend to have larger, washbasin-style sinks compared to homes from just a few years ago. While rustic apron-front sinks fall into the category, you’ll also find plenty of self-rimmed and undermount sinks as well.

Many corner kitchen sink ideas feature square basins to maximize capacity without taking up too much countertop space.

A square kitchen sink fits many decor styles — the material you choose will have more impact than the actual shape. A stainless steel sink will produce a more industrial look. Meanwhile, a copper or porcelain sink will look very traditional.

9. Choose Versatile Stainless Steel Sinks

Stainless steel is one of the most popular kitchen materials around. It looks super sleek. Plus, it’s easy to clean and maintain throughout your kitchen’s lifetime.

Stainless steel sinks come in every style imaginable. If you want to maximize functionality, go for a double-bowl sink design. If you’re short on space, opt for a corner kitchen sink or one with a built-in drainboard.

Not all stainless steel sinks are built the same. Look for quality-of-life features like a soundproofed basin or heavy-gauge steel to ensure you get the most out of your new kitchen remodel.

10. Sleek Style with Undermount Sinks

Knowing which kitchen sink ideas are right for your home involves more than just choosing your favorite finish. Even opting for an undermount sink over a self-rimmed design can make a big difference.

How do you take your coffee (or tea)? Even if you start your days with a black cup of joe, brewing your own coffee can require an arsenal of tools.

You can let your kitchen counters succumb to a mess of coffee grounds and empty mugs. Or you can design a coffee station that streamlines your mornings and makes even the most basic cup feel like a trip to your favorite cafe.

Below you’ll find some of the best coffee bar ideas and tips to recreate them in your own home!

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1. Chalkboard Coffee Station

We all know a charming local coffee shop with a clever chalkboard sign or illustrated wall menu. So it’s only natural that you’d want to include a chalkboard element in your own coffee bar design.

Chalkboard paint makes it incredibly easy to add a functional writing surface to your living space. Most chalkboard paint can be used on walls and furniture. You can make a custom message board with a piece of framed wood.

Much of the appeal of including a chalkboard in your coffee station is the customizability. However, don’t be afraid to use stencils to add semi-permanent designs to your chalkboard — seasonal motifs are a great option!

2. Holiday Celebration Setup

Children celebrate the winter holidays with hot cocoa. Adults celebrate the season with hot coffee (and maybe an occasional cup of cocoa!).

Aside from stocking your coffee station with seasonal flavors like peppermint, gingerbread, and eggnog, take the time to update your decor for the holidays. Set out your favorite holiday coffee cups and arrange Christmas ornaments throughout the area.

If space allows, your home coffee bar is the ideal place to display a small Christmas village or miniature tree. Tinsel and twinkling lights can be strung across the coffee station for maximum holiday cheer.

3. DIY Coffee Bar Creation

Yes, you can go to your local kitchenware or furniture store and purchase a ready-made coffee bar table. Yet many of the best coffee bar ideas are the result of individual creativity and DIY skills.

The perfect coffee bar is one that meets your household’s needs, and the easiest way to achieve that is to design your own. 

Start with a compact hutch or console table that matches your home decor — new paint and hardware can always be used to give an old piece of furniture a new look. Install hooks, extra shelves, and access to a power source for all of your coffee supplies. 

4. Dining Room Coffee Station

The kitchen counter is the most obvious location for a coffee maker. But placing your coffee station in your dining room can be a great way to free up kitchen space and make your dining area feel more inviting.

Set up your coffee bar using a thin console table or buffet. If your coffee bar station has drawers or cabinets underneath, you can use the space for miscellaneous serveware along with your coffee essentials.

While your coffee bar should coordinate with your dining room decor, it’s okay to draw attention to the area with a cute sign or mug rack.

5. Farmhouse Style

Farmhouse decor is largely about curating a space that is as warm and cozy as possible. Naturally, an at-home coffee station fits right in with this goal.

Furniture with a natural wood or whitewashed finish is ideal for a farmhouse coffee bar. You can use vintage furniture for your station setup or mimic an aged appearance using chalk paint and finishing wax.

Farmhouse-style coffee bar decor often features repurposed materials and antiques. Hand-painted pallet wood can be used to create a custom sign or mount a mug rack. Include small details like rustic tea towels and mason jars in your DIY coffee bar.

6. Kitchen Space Coffee Bar

The kitchen is by far the most convenient room to keep your coffee maker in. Why not expand your kitchen coffee nook to include everything you could possibly need for a morning pick-me-up?

Keep all of your coffee-making supplies in one area and include thematic decor to tie everything together. Organization and visual appeal are what differentiates a proper coffee bar from a regular kitchen setup.

Your kitchen coffee bar doesn’t need to be out on display 24/7. Consider placing your coffee accessories in a butler’s pantry or large cupboard to keep your kitchen neat and tidy throughout the day.

7. Luxury Coffee Bar

It doesn’t matter if you own an early-model Keurig or a high-end espresso machine. The most luxurious coffee bar ideas are all about attention to detail.

Opt for simple furniture and decor that offers a cohesive aesthetic. Modern elements like a glass console table and sleek floating shelves are excellent investments.

While decor is crucial to creating a stylish living space, you don’t want to overdo it. Clutter is the enemy of luxury design, especially when it comes to a mess-prone area like a coffee station. Prioritize organization and storage when designing your luxury-inspired coffee bar setup.

8. Contemporary Coffee Bar

Modern decor is not a monolith. There are numerous trends and styles contained within the modern design movement. Borrowing ideas from any or all of these trends is not just okay but encouraged!

Regardless of your go-to aesthetic, modern decor is all about sleek shapes and finishes. One of the easiest ways to give your coffee corner a modern touch is with a monochromatic color scheme.

Take a minimalist approach with your coffee bar surface. Invest in special storage solutions to hold coffee pods and other necessities. Display pop artwork and unique decor over your coffee station with a floating shelf.

9. Pallet Crafted Coffee Station

Reclaimed wood is a beloved material among home designers and DIYers alike. If you’re looking for inspiration to create your own DIY coffee bar, getting your hands on some pallet wood is a great place to start.

Reclaimed pallet wood is an excellent choice for a cottage- or farmhouse-inspired coffee bar top. Replace your existing coffee station surface or add pallet wood on top to protect the original finish.

Another great coffee bar idea is to use recycled pallet wood to construct floating shelves or coffee mug storage. Leave the raw wood finish intact or paint your new wall decor to match your home decor.

10. Rustic Coffee Bar Design

You’ll see many of the same design elements in both rustic and farmhouse decor, including vintage furniture, aged finishes, and reclaimed wood.

While contemporary farmhouse decor tends to have a more polished look, rustic decor remains au naturel. You can also create a rustic coffee bar with aspects of the French countryside or American Southwest.

Your first step should be deciding if you want your rustic coffee station to have a light and airy aesthetic or a more masculine one. From there, you can curate your coffee setup to match.

11. Small Space Coffee Bar

It doesn’t matter how much love you hold for the perfect cup of coffee. Devoting a large portion of your home to a coffee bar isn’t always realistic.

A small coffee station can be just as efficient as a full-size one. Look for an unused corner in your kitchen, dining room, or pantry that can be converted to a DIY coffee bar.

A bar cart is an extremely convenient and versatile piece of furniture, whether you’re mixing cocktails or brewing a morning coffee. Using a bar cart is ideal if you drink pour-over coffee (or prefer a cup of tea) rather than relying on a traditional coffee machine.

12. Stylish Coffee Corner Inspiration

Most people don’t set up an at-home coffee station solely out of convenience. Coffee bars offer a unique aesthetic that can make your home feel cozy and on-trend.

Of course, you need the essentials — there’s little point in putting together a coffee bar without some kind of coffee maker. Invest in stylish baskets and wall-mounted mug hangers to store your must-have coffee accessories.

Once your coffee bar is fully stocked, you can move onto the fun stuff. There’s no shortage of fun and quirky coffee-related artwork that can be displayed above your station. Complete the look with miscellaneous items like candles, potted plants, and more.

13. Sleek White Coffee Bar Concept

A home coffee bar does not need a high-concept aesthetic to look great. An all-white design is clean, contemporary, and easy to adapt to whatever space you have available. You can also take a white coffee bar in several different directions.

Pairing white decor with wooden accents will add much-needed warmth. This combination is often used in rustic designs.

Sleek light fixtures and minimal decor will give your coffee station a modern appearance. If the look of wood grain isn’t your style, use materials like polished metal or marble instead.

14. Wooden Coffee Bar Creation

Whether you’re thinking of setting up a full-scale coffee station or mobile bar cart, wooden furniture goes with everything.

There’s a good chance your coffee bar will take a beating with daily use. Rather than spend money on brand-new furniture, try your hand at creating a DIY coffee station by painting or refinishing an old dresser or accent table.

The natural wood elements don’t need to stop there. Supplement your coffee bar storage with wall-mounted shelving or add a personal touch with your favorite framed artwork.

Wood countertops might feel like a new trend. Yet this material was one of the first used for in-home work surfaces.

Wood is far more durable than many people believe, even if it does require special maintenance from time to time. And it complements a wide variety of interior decor trends.

So if you’re dreaming of a kitchen counter that’s both classic and contemporary, you should definitely give natural wood a chance.

Check out some of our favorite wood countertop ideas below before you decide on your next kitchen counters!

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1. Achieve a Glossy Finish with Natural Oil Finish Wood Countertops

Transform your kitchen into a sophisticated space with natural oil finish wood countertops. This finishing technique not only brings out the innate beauty and grain of the wood but also provides a smooth, glossy surface that’s a delight to touch. Regular maintenance with oil ensures longevity and preserves the luster, making your kitchen a centerpiece of elegance and warmth. These countertops are perfect for those who love a sleek, reflective look without compromising on the organic feel of wood.

2. Make a Bold Statement with Dark Stained Wood Countertops

Dark stained wood countertops are the epitome of bold elegance and can anchor the aesthetic of any kitchen. This choice is perfect for creating dramatic contrast, especially in kitchens with lighter cabinetry or walls. It’s not just about looks; dark stains also do a great job at hiding minor scratches and wear. When paired with the right lighting, these countertops can create an inviting atmosphere, exuding a sense of luxury and timeless sophistication.

3. Create a Warm Glow with Maple Stained Wood Countertops

Introduce a touch of warmth and natural radiance into your kitchen with maple stained wood countertops. Maple’s light color and subtle grain patterns provide a perfect canvas for stains, allowing you to tailor the warmth and tone to your kitchen’s color scheme. These countertops bring a cozy, welcoming glow to your space, making it more inviting. The durability and versatility of maple make it a practical choice for a busy kitchen.

4. Timeless Appeal: Distressed Wood Countertops

Distressed wood countertops offer an unmatched timeless charm, perfect for adding character to your kitchen. This style celebrates the beauty of imperfections, making each piece unique. The distressed finish not only looks stunning but is forgiving of the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen. It’s an ideal choice for a rustic or farmhouse-style kitchen, blending old-world charm with modern functionality.

5. Classic Look: Butcher Block Wood Countertops

Butcher block wood countertops bring a classic, functional elegance to your kitchen. Known for their durability and ease of repair, these countertops can withstand the rigors of daily use while maintaining their beauty. They provide a warm, inviting surface for meal prep and can double as a charming serving area. Regular sanding and oiling will keep them looking fresh and new, making them a practical yet stylish addition to any kitchen.

6. Embrace Natural Appeal with Live Edge Wood Countertops

Live edge wood countertops are for those who seek to bring nature’s unrefined beauty into their home. These countertops feature the natural edge of the tree, offering a unique, organic look that becomes the focal point of your kitchen. The raw, natural lines of the edge contrast beautifully with the polished surface of the countertop, creating a striking balance. They fit well in both modern and rustic kitchens, bringing a piece of the outdoors inside.

7. Mask Spills with Matte-Finish Wood Countertops

Matte-finish wood countertops offer a contemporary, understated elegance that also practicality masks spills and fingerprints. This finish diffuses light rather than reflecting it, lending a soft, serene ambiance to your kitchen. It’s an ideal choice for those who prefer a more subtle, muted look that still showcases the natural beauty of the wood. These countertops are also easier to maintain, requiring less frequent touch-ups.

8. Add Visual Interest with Two-Toned Wood Countertops

Two-toned wood countertops are a creative way to inject visual interest and depth into your kitchen. By combining different wood types or stains, you can create a unique, custom look that complements your kitchen’s color palette. This design choice can be used to highlight specific areas of your kitchen, like an island or breakfast bar, and is perfect for adding a contemporary twist to the warmth of wood.

9. Go Eco-Friendly with Reclaimed Wood Countertops

Reclaimed wood countertops are not only stylish but also an eco-friendly choice for your kitchen. Each piece tells a story, with history etched into its grains and textures. These countertops are ideal for creating a rustic, lived-in feel, and their recycled nature makes them a sustainable choice. They’re also incredibly durable, having withstood the test of time, and can be refinished to suit your taste.

10. Soften Your Kitchen with Light Stained Wood Countertops

Light stained wood countertops are perfect for softening the overall look of your kitchen. They bring a bright, airy feel to the space and can make small kitchens appear larger. The light stain highlights the natural grain of the wood, offering a subtle, understated elegance. These countertops pair beautifully with a variety of decor styles and are a great way to brighten up your kitchen without overwhelming it.

12. Achieve a Unique Look with Resin & Wood Countertops

Resin and wood countertops are the pinnacle of modern kitchen design, offering a unique, eye-catching look. This innovative combination allows for a myriad of color and pattern choices, encapsulating objects or creating stunning visual effects within the countertop. The resin provides a durable, water-resistant surface, perfect for the demands of kitchen use. These countertops are ideal for those wanting to make a statement and stand out from the traditional kitchen design.