The Surprising Kitchen Trend We’re Starting to See More Of

Apartment Therapy editors and writers—we’re just like you, readers. What I mean by that is I don’t just write here, I’m also a reader of the site, and my go-to is the house tour section. There’s always something new to see, and you can really start to spot trends emerging from the sheer volume of homes showcased there. One thing that I noticed in a recent Atlanta house straight up put a smile on my face—a bright orange kitchen sink, beautifully situated in a corner of the counter. And it just screamed personality. This got me thinking about the sink as a showpiece and how color might play a role in selecting a fixture. Sinks aren’t cheap, but when you take a risk here, it can pay off big time design-wise.

Colored sinks seem fresh, but their roots are mid-century retro. Remember the pepto pink tile of the ’50s, avocado appliances of the ’60s, and the mustard everything of the ’70s? Sinks got caught up in this mix too, and that creamsicle colored number I was eyeing from the house tour mentioned above was, indeed, original and considered a quirk by the homeowner. Totally get. I mean, the placement itself is odd. But what’s happening this time around with colored sinks is the shades are bolder, brighter, and more varied. And we’re not just talking simple undermount bowls. These days, companies are making beautiful colored apron-front farmhouse sinks, divided bowls, small space styles—you can find just about anything out there.

Red sports car? Pssshhh. Give me a red divided Elkay quartz double bowl sink instead. I mean, just look at those killer curves! This kind of a move isn’t for the faint of heart, but it certainly gives a kitchen a focal point in a heartbeat. Red’s a popular kitchen accent color as it is, but you’ve got to be into this shade for the long haul because a sink isn’t quite as changeable as, say, hardware or kitchen towels.

And if you want a Tiffany Blue sink, the good news is you can get that or any of the other 29 Pantone-aligned colors offered by Whyte & Company . Blush, mint green, cobalt blue—all the latest “it” colors are options. And they have lots of sizes, from tiny bar sinks to big farmhouse stunners.

Though it may be the least smiley of the bunch, black is still a color and a viable option for a kitchen sink. In many ways, it may even be the safest choice—less expected than bright white, ivory, or stainless, but still striking. When you go for a black sink, you’re making a statement but it’s still relatively neural. And maybe it would hide potential stains? I don’t know, but black is growing on me.

So what do you think? Would you go with a bold color for your sink, or is it simply too risky?