Updated October 2026
As one of the owners of Manor House Sinks, I get a front-row seat to what people are putting in their kitchens. The best way I know to spot a trend is to look at what customers actually buy, so this year I went back through our orders. A few sinks stood out, and they have more in common than you might think.
The short version: in 2026, people chose sinks that do more (built-in drainboards and workstation ledges), sinks that make a statement (bigger, bolder aprons), and faucets that work like jewelry. In 2027, expect kitchens divided into zones, more second sinks, and a bigger focus on clean water and calmer spaces.
Kitchen Trends in 2026
1. Built-In Drainboards
Sinks with a drainboard built right in are having a moment, and I can see why. The Nantucket 36" Italian farmhouse sink is made in Italy, with a decorative lip apron and a sloped drainboard beside the bowl, so dishes can dry without a rack cluttering the counter. The Whitehaus 42" Heritage sink takes the same idea to a grand scale, with a big single bowl and an integrated drainboard in classic European style.
Clare's tip: Who doesn't want the biggest sink possible?! A big sink with a built-in drainboard is pure luxury, and it's surprisingly practical.
2. Farmhouse Style Without New Cabinets
Not everyone wants to rebuild their cabinets to get an apron-front sink. Nantucket's patented EZApron sinks are designed to fit a standard base cabinet, which makes them a smart upgrade for a kitchen refresh. Two great options are the stainless steel EZApron30, with a 10" deep bowl and a 7" apron that looks great in a smaller kitchen, and the Glacierstone double bowl EZApron.
3. Aprons That Make a Statement
The apron is the face of a farmhouse sink, and people are having fun with it. The Whitehaus Farmhaus 30" reversible sink gives you two designs in one: a Roman floral apron on one side and a classic fluted apron on the other, so you choose which faces out when it's installed.
4. Stainless Steel and Copper
I'm seeing more people choose metal. Stainless steel is practical, nearly indestructible and suits almost any style, from a 1908 house to a brand-new build. The Nantucket MOBYXL is a good example: a 16-gauge stainless undermount with an unusual oblong shape that gives you a generous single bowl. Copper sinks, like Thompson's handmade farmhouse sinks, bring warmth and a living finish that gets more beautiful with age.
5. Workstation Sinks Are Here to Stay
Workstation sinks have a ledge built into the bowl for a cutting board, colander and drying rack, so the sink becomes a prep station. They're no longer new, but they're still one of the most useful upgrades you can make, especially in a smaller kitchen.
The Ruvati epiCast 33" workstation sink shows how sleek a workstation can look, in matte black granite composite with its own cutting board and accessories. Browse all our workstation sinks.
6. Faucets Are the Jewelry of the Kitchen
The faucet is one of the first things people notice, and there have never been more finishes and styles to choose from. Nickel, brushed brass, matte black and gold can tie the sink, the cabinet hardware and the lighting together.
One style I especially love is the bridge faucet, with two handles joined by a bridge above the spout. Kingston Brass makes some of the most beautiful bridge faucets I've seen, and they're hard to find from other brands. The Heritage bridge faucet comes in nine finishes, from polished chrome and nickel to antique copper, so even though the design is traditional, it can blend with virtually any style.
Clare's tip: I love faucets. They're like jewelry! My favorite finish is nickel, but all the options available now make the faucet such an important part of pulling a design together.
Touchless faucets are popular too, for hygiene and for convenience. They're a lifesaver when your hands are covered in egg whites, which mine sometimes are. I'm a messy cook! See our touchless faucets.
7. Pot Fillers Make a Statement
A pot filler is a faucet on the wall above the range, so you can fill a big pot right where you'll cook it. It's practical, and it's a chance to add a little drama. Kingston Brass's Belknap pot fillers are real showstoppers, with industrial-style handles that look like valves or gears. You'll find more styles in our pot filler collection.
Clare's tip: I LOVE pot fillers. But coherence is key: your sink, faucet, pot filler and hardware should feel like they belong together. You want a unified flow, not a collection of separate statements.
8. Matching the Main Sink and the Bar Sink
In higher-end kitchens, I see more customers buying a bar or prep sink to match their main sink, often in the same metal and finish. Thompson Traders makes bar and prep sinks to match many of its kitchen sinks, in copper, brass, nickel and stainless steel.
9. Warmer Colors and Finishes
Stark white kitchens are giving way to creamy whites, warm grays and natural wood. Sinks are following along: BLANCO's SILGRANIT soft white is a warmer alternative to bright white, and BOCCHI's fireclay sinks come in colors from matte white to deep blue.
Concrete-look fireclay fits this trend perfectly. The Nantucket 30" farmhouse sink with a concrete finish has a soft, matte gray glaze and a reversible apron: smooth and minimal on one side, fluted on the other. It has earned a five-star review, and it's easy to see why.
10. Outdoor Kitchens
More homeowners are extending their kitchens outdoors. An outdoor sink needs to stand up to the weather, so look for marine-grade stainless steel. See our outdoor kitchen sinks.
Looking Ahead: Kitchen Trends for 2027
The National Kitchen & Bath Association surveys designers, remodelers and manufacturers every year. Its 2027 Kitchen Trends Report, released in October 2026, points to some real changes.
The Open Kitchen Gets Zones
After years of fully open plans, designers are moving toward kitchens divided into zones, with partial walls, back kitchens and butler's pantries. Beverage stations are rising too: 90% of the designers surveyed expect them to be popular. That's good news for second sinks, like a prep sink in the island or a bar sink in the pantry.
Wellness and Clean Water
Water filtration, touchless faucets and quieter, sound-absorbing materials are all on the rise. So is protection against leaks: 65% of designers expect more leak detection and automatic shut-off valves.
Calmer, Less Cluttered Kitchens
Designers expect less open shelving, more concealed storage, and appliances hidden behind cabinet doors. A workstation sink fits right in, because the cutting board, colander and drying rack all live in the sink instead of on the counter.
Natural Materials
Quartzite is overtaking quartz for countertops, white oak is the favorite wood, and more than half of designers expect the island to be a different color from the rest of the cabinets. Undermount sinks show off a beautiful stone counter best, and metal sinks look wonderful against warm wood.
Clare's tip: My pick for 2027 is the new BLANCO Inteos series. It's sleek, modern and very versatile, and the 33" SILGRANIT model comes in eight colors, from soft white to coal black. It fits that calmer, clutter-free kitchen perfectly.
Our Picks
Common Questions
What is the most popular kitchen sink in 2026?
Big single bowl farmhouse sinks, especially ones with extras like a built-in drainboard or a workstation ledge. Stainless steel and copper are gaining ground too.
Are farmhouse sinks still in style?
Yes. Farmhouse sinks suit both traditional and modern kitchens, and new materials like stainless steel and copper keep them fresh.
What kitchen trends are coming in 2027?
Kitchens divided into zones, back kitchens and beverage stations, water filtration and touchless faucets, concealed storage, quartzite counters and natural wood.
Should my bar sink match my kitchen sink?
It doesn't have to, but matching the material and finish gives the kitchen a unified look. Many brands, including Thompson Traders, make bar sinks to match their kitchen sinks.
Planning a new kitchen? Call me at 1-800-359-4460. I'd love to help you find a sink and faucet that work together.
