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    Modern kitchen trends: Introducing the galley sink

    If you're looking to create a more functional and attractive kitchen, it might be time to install a galley style kitchen sink.

    Alex | Oneflare

    Everyone desires to own a kitchen that offers them the utmost ease and comfort while preparing meals or hosting guests. You, too, can be in the same league as them. You must be looking for ways to make it more functional and attractive. If that is the case, then you don’t need to scurry here and there for ideas. As per the latest trends, one of the must-have features of any modern kitchen is the workstation sink (or galley sink). Why? A typical sink allows you to wash fresh produce and dishes. However, workstation sinks offer you much more than these necessary conveniences.

    With the newly curated galley sinks, you usually get a variety of accessories, including drying racks, cutting boards, bottom grids, and serving boards. Due to these accompaniments, these multi-purpose sinks become an exemplary functional piece no matter whether the size of the kitchen is small or big. You can use them to accomplish your cleaning tasks as well as to prepare meals. Alongside this, you can also take advantage of their extension as the countertop when it comes to entertaining or serving guests. So, it will not be wrong to say that the first thing that you can think of adding to your kitchen is the workstation sink.

    Modern kitchen with black cabinetry and fittings with stainless steel appliances and a white benchtop.
    Galley sinks allow for convenient preparation of meals and cleaning / Source: Precise Kitchens

    There are several galley style kitchen sinks available, from stainless steel to composite. If you intend to give your kitchen a fresh look within a limited budget, then stainless steel can be an ideal choice. However, when it comes to increasing the overall interior aesthetics, choosing composite granite sinks can be a better idea. With this, you can decide on the mounting options, such as drop-in, under-mount, and farmhouse. Every installation type has its purpose. You can go through the pros and cons of each of them to understand what suits your kitchen habits the best.

    Now, let’s see what else you can select for your kitchen to make it friendly, stylish, and more productive.

    Countertops

    Integrating the sink with your benchtop will create a beautiful continuous surface and allow for easy cleanup. If you are looking for a sophisticated look, then this seamless design is a good choice.

    Earlier, granite used to be the ubiquitous choice everywhere. But maintenance and cleaning challenges cropping out of its porous characteristic made people watch out for some alternative. This situation gave rise to composite granite. A mix of natural stone and resin, this surface turned out to be far more durable and more reliable than the granite slabs. And the best part was it retained the charm of the natural stone as well. For your kitchen, you can also go with this option. If you still want to explore more, then porcelain can be another choice. Porcelain worktops have been trendy in Europe, and now, American homes are also embracing this joyfully.

    Modern kitchen with black cabinetry, marble island benchtop and splashback.
    Integration of benchtop with sink / Source: Handy Kitchens Pty Ltd

    Porcelain surfaces can match the elegance and appearance of wooden, granite, marble, and other materials effortlessly. Plus, it can provide excellent resistance to stain, bacterial growth, and heat.

    With this countertop, your choice of the workstation kitchen sink will mingle well. It is just that you have to take a call on the type of installation and surface available in the market.

    Flooring

    The open floor is the new-age choice. It overflows into your living space, creating an illusion of spaciousness so that you don’t feel the pinch. For continuity, designers usually extend wood flooring of the living area into the kitchen. Wood tends to be susceptible to water damage. However, it doesn’t feel as hard as a tile surface. Plus, it can remain moderately cold and warm, unlike other materials. A lot of kitchens these days showcase this style. Hence, if you desire, you, too, can benefit from this popular choice. A combination of porcelain or granite worktop, wooden flooring, and workstation sink can prove wondrous.

    Brown hardwood flooring in a bright kitchen with white cabinetry and island bench.
    Hardwood flooring is a popular choice for kitchen renovations / Source: Aspect Cabinetmakers

    Kitchen Taps

    There is an incredible number of choices for kitchen taps. Design and function are the two elements to be pondered when making a selection. Single levers are a great choice in an open-plan kitchen. A two-handle lever looks wonderful in a more traditional kitchen.

    Gooseneck spouts are a popular choice, as they can add a sleek and polished look or a more vintage look. Consider spouts with pull-down sprays or with sensors that let you turn the water on or off with the touch of a hand.

    Marble kitchen benchtop with dark grey sink and tap.
    Gooseneck kitchen taps are becoming increasingly popular / Source: Focus Building & Renovations

    Cabinets

    White has dominated the choices for far too long until people faced maintenance challenges. It is still everyone’s favourite, but many homeowners are now inclining towards other colours. Even today, white cabinets can be visible in many homes. To break the monotony of the tone, interior designers use wooden materials on shelves, pullouts, and drawers where white is the leading theme. If you want to add vibrant colours instead of white, then choosing from greens and blues can be the right thing. From the family of blues, navy colour emerges as the classic choice. Other than this, hues like teal, spring green, and deep forest green can also look exciting in the kitchen cabinetry.

    Small kitchen with dark brown and white cabinets
    Be sure to match the choice of cabinetry with your workstation sink / Source: Hudson Construction & Renovations

    Anyway, whatever cabinet you choose, make sure that it supports the choice of workstation sink and installation type you select. Some materials tend to be heavy and hence, require full support from cabinets where they are installed.

    Kitchen appliances

    The sink is a small plumbing fixture. Still, it magnificently contributes to the overall look of the cooking area. So, when it comes to tools that occupy ample visual space in the kitchen, you can imagine the kind of responsibility you have to shoulder while selecting them. Stainless steel surfaces continue to be a prominent part of any modern kitchen. But the challenge with them is that they leave behind the fingerprints. To avoid this, you can switch to shades like black, blue, yellow, red, and orange. The more colourful choices you make, the stronger the personality your kitchen will acquire. Then, you can keep modifying colours to deal with the boredom of seeing the same thing.

    Bright kitchen with white cabinetry, marble benchtop and splashback and stainless steel oven/cooktop.
    Stainless steel appliances continue to be the main feature of modern kitchens / Source: Focus Building & Renovations

    What are your plans now? If you desire to transform your kitchen, you can buy a workstation sink, and with that, work around other areas too. A blend of all these changes can elevate the overall appeal of your kitchen while taking care of practical aspects. No matter whoever comes to this part of your house, he or she will surely gush about the way you planned and executed the entire thing. And yes, even if you thought nobody is going to notice your workstation sink, you will get a reality check when guests appreciate this choice for being thoughtful and smart. Even when you get acclimatized to your new kitchen, you would still be praising your decision to buy a workstation sink for it.

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