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The kitchen sink often becomes a vessel for the results of ambitious cooking sprees: crumb-ridden plates, greasy pans, partially stained coffee mugs—they all end up here. Sometimes, it’s even a dumping ground for arts and crafts projects or flower stem offcuts. It’s a hardworking space, but no one ever said it had to be a big metal box.

There are plenty of kitchen sink designs beyond stainless steel and the ever-popular white farmhouse basin. Think of yours as a spot for showing off a little personality—and where chore dread disappears. After all, you’re staring at it the whole time you’re cleaning dishes—you should at least enjoy the view. Calling all remodelers: Kick-start your plans with these five fresh fixture styles. 

The New Farmhouse

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Farmhouse Sink, Rocky Mountain Hardware ($18,000)
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A farmhouse sink might be a coveted kitchen feature, but white porcelain is a little, well, expected. Bronze, on the other hand, is a fresh take we can get behind. This three-basin option (apron optional) is the type of feature you splurge on instead of fancy backsplash tile. The metal finish will change with time and touch, giving it even more personality. But you can always restore its original finish using a deoxidizing agent with paste wax, Rocky Mountain Hardware suggests. 

The New Contemporary

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Kitchen Sink, Huguet (Price upon request)
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Majorca-based tile maker Huguet handcrafts some of our favorite wash spaces—and terrazzo is its specialty. The waterfall edge of this custom example is perfect for minimalists who want to keep the visual clutter to a minimum. 

The New Glam

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Butler Sink by BACIFIORE by Mick De Giulio, Kallista ($4,400)
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Marble countertops have met their match: Pair the veiny surface with a like-minded sink that’s carved from a single block of stone. If you’re fearful of scratching and staining the Arabescato marble, the trough is also available in basalt, which is known for its strength and durability. (Just a heads-up: This one doesn’t match with a garbage disposal, so you’ll have to get rid of food the old-fashioned way.)

The New Traditional 

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RW Atlas Stone Apron Sink, Waterworks ($2,000)
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Stainless steel has a tendency to look drab over time, no matter how hard you scrub it down after you’re done doing the dishes. This 24-inch butler sink does right by the metal: It’s made out of 16-gauge stainless steel, so it’s especially shimmery, and it features a curved wall so water doesn’t splash around. Your space will sparkle. 

The New European

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Titan Stone Farmhouse Sink, Waterworks ($6,000)
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The kitchen isn’t the first place you’d expect to embrace Brutalism, which is exactly why we love this prehistoric-looking pick. The farmhouse-inspired silhouette is crafted from French limestone and would look right at home in a rustic cottage or beach bungalow. Rubble family, eat your heart out.

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