Kitchen remodels provide the perfect opportunity to upgrade to a contemporary corner sink. This uniquely angled fixture brings visual intrigue to kitchens large and small. With clean lines, modern styling, and built-in convenience, today’s corner sinks offer form and function.
Contemporary corner sinks feature straight rather than curved fronts for a sleek, geometric look. This streamlined silhouette aligns with current trends favoring modern minimalism over ornate embellishments. By swapping in one of these sinks during your next remodel, you can instantly modernize the heart of your home.
Benefits of Corner Kitchen Sinks
Beyond pure aesthetics, contemporary corner sinks deliver practical advantages over traditional sinks.
Save Precious Counter and Cabinet Space
Strategically installing a sink on the diagonal frees up prime real estate along the walls. This allows you to add extra base cabinets for storage or incorporate wider cooktops and appliances. Removing obstacles also achieves a clean, decluttered appearance.
| Corner sinks maximize foot traffic flow around the perimeter of the kitchen. You can easily access cabinets and drawers without bumping knees on a sink basin. The absence of a large sink and countertop protruding into the room creates new opportunities for furniture placement as well. |
Enhance Workflow and Accessibility
The unique positioning enables you to place a contemporary corner sink right next to cooking appliances. Keep cleanup seamless by situating the basin near the stove, oven or island cooktop where spillage most likely occurs. The diagonal angle also allows for approach from multiple access points compared to a sink along the wall.
Contemporary corner sinks often include countertops or cabinets with adjustable legs. This means you can customize the height of the sink area to meet ergonomic needs and physical limitations if necessary.
Add Visual Interest
A contemporary corner sink brings undeniable visual impact to kitchen design. The eye naturally focuses on angled elements. And the abundance of styles, shapes, colors and material textures permits immense creativity.
Use a contemporary corner sink to infuse modern flair or contrast tradition. Coordinate metal finishes and countertop materials with other kitchen accents. Let this statement piece influence the room’s overall aesthetic through shape and texture.
Elements of a Contemporary Corner Sink
Certain qualities define contemporary corner sinks including clean lines, specialty materials and built-in conveniences.
Clean-Lined Design
The most identifying feature of a contemporary corner sink is likely the squared styling. Unlike classic sinks with rounded edges, contemporary models showcase straight lines and crisp corners.
The overall silhouette remains streamlined and simplified without pronounced lips or detailing. You may see subtle indentations or angled bases. But elaborate ornamentation gets traded for sleek functionality in line with contemporary design principles.
Specialty Materials
While stainless steel reigns supreme for contemporary kitchen sinks, corner basins venture into more unique substances as well. Common materials include:
- Stainless steel – hardy, heat-resistant, shiny industrial aesthetic
- Fireclay – earthy organic finish, scratch-resistant durability
- Cast iron – traditional country charm, retains heat well
- Composite granite – signals high-end luxury, extreme durability
Many contemporary composite sinks offer reinforced construction. This prevents cracks, stains and damage over years of heavy use.MPOSIUM
Built-In Accessories
Another hallmark of the contemporary corner sink is the integration of bonus features. While bar sinks keep it simple, full-size kitchen sinks incorporate helpful add-ons.
The most prevalent built-in amenity remains the drainboard. Available in various materials like stainless steel or teak wood, these sloped platforms provide optimal dish drying space. Some corner sinks even hide chopping boards under the drainboards for added functionality.
You may also spot towel bars, colanders and custom faucet arrangements in conjunction with corner basins. This not only looks sleek, but it saves the step of shopping for coordinating accessories down the road.
Corner Sink Placement Considerations
The unconventional shape and angles of corner sinks call for careful planning regarding cabinet specifications and traffic flow.
Measure Carefully
When preparing the corner cabinet for your sink, precise measurements are essential. Though designs vary, most corner sinks should not exceed 23 inches in depth. Standard cabinet dimensions figure 24 inches deep. This leaves wiggle room for installing supply lines and drains.
Take detailed measurements of your existing kitchen corner before selecting a replacement sink. This includes plumbing and electric requirements. Nothing worsens a remodel like realizing your perfect sink won’t actually fit the space.
Mind the Angles
When orienting your contemporary corner sink, consider visibility and access. The optimal angle range falls between 45 and 60 degrees. Anything wider reduces your ability to see into the basin while standing at the stove or countertop.
Angles beyond 60 degrees also limit your capacity to reach the entire sink without straining. Find the sweet spot that allows you to leverage the diagonal placement without discomfort.
| Think about how a contemporary corner sink affects foot traffic as well. Position the basin so it doesn’t create bottlenecks or frequently obstruct passageways. Keep pathways open from work zones to other functional areas of the kitchen. |
Check Appliance Clearances
When designing a kitchen remodel around a contemporary corner sink, carefully survey appliance placements. Ensure adequate ventilation space for the refrigerator, oven and dishwasher. Confirm the sink location doesn’t interfere with any appliance doors swinging fully open.
Also check for potential issues with adjacent cabinets and drawers. Prevent awkward experiences like cracking your head while unloading bottom cabinets obscured by new sink plumbing. Doing your homework in the planning stage prevents hassles down the road.
Contemporary Corner Sink Styles
Many sink manufacturers now produce corner basin models showcasing trendy contemporary flair. But subtle styling differences help you narrow choices.
Modern Minimalism
Purists pursuing a contemporary corner sink may gravitate towards the true minimalist look. This includes clean lines, smooth surface materials like stainless steel, and shallow undermount basins.
Secondary traits of the modern minimalist sink include sparse faucets and accessories. You may spot handy add-ons like side lever controls. But the overall vision remains free of visual clutter.
Rustic Charm
Bringing a contemporary corner sink into a more traditional kitchen requires finessing stylistic contrasts. Rustic contemporary models balance modern shapes with textures and colors that nod to the past.
For example, a fireclay construction looks and feels inherently organic. The inclusion of rounded corners and exposed copper piping adds to the hand-crafted personality. This styling seamlessly mingles old and new design elements.
Transitional Flexibility
For those seeking versatility, the transitional contemporary corner sink hits the sweet spot. Transitional style encompasses both contemporary and traditional characteristics for broad aesthetic appeal.
With transitional contemporary sinks, expect to see streamlined silhouettes but with classic apron-front facades. More neutral tones like black, white and gunmetal gray cater to both camps. This makes coordinating a breeze in more eclectic kitchens.
Design Inspiration
Ready to welcome a contemporary corner sink into your redesigned kitchen? The following installations reveal how a carefully selected basin transforms not just a cooking space but an entire home’s atmosphere.
Industrial Loft
The exposed ductwork, metal finishes and subway tile backsplash firmly cement this kitchen’s industrial identity. Sticking to stainless steel for the sleek corner sink and drainboard builds on the warehouse vibes.
This versatile contemporary style adapts well if you later replace certain finishes but retain the clean lines. For now, leaning into metallic accents brings powerful synergy.
Minimalist Heaven
Everything about this corner sink oozes contemporary minimalism. The streamlined silhouette, squared styling, matte black color and abbreviated faucet align with pared-back principles. Matching cabinetry maintains continuity.
Proof a kitchen remodel doesn’t require wild drama or contrast. By uniformly applying fundamental contemporary cues, you still achieve a bold modern statement.
Country Cottage
Who says contemporary sinks can’t bridge rustic kitchens? The organic texture of the cast iron basin mingles with visible hammered copper sinks. Exposed plumbing nods to farmhouse practicality but with an upgraded leather finish.
Against the weathered cabinetry and flooring, this corner sink configuration injects contemporary edge into pastoral surroundings. It respects the comforting character while whispering of sophistication.
Finding the Right Corner Sink
Determining which contemporary corner sink suits your new or renovated kitchen requires careful reflection around layout, dimensions, style preferences and quality concerns.
Consider the Kitchen
Regardless of sink type, the model you select must fit properly within your kitchen’s specific footprint. If renovating, measure twice to ensure the cabinetry can accommodate contemporary replacements. Custom-building framework around a focal sink risks wasted effort if your dream basin won’t actually fit.
If designing a kitchen from scratch, make sink selection an early priority. This includes inviting your contractor to help you choose corner sink orientations allowing for optimized functionality and flow.
Measure Twice, Buy Once
Resist impulse buying a glossy contemporary corner sink without double-checking all measurements. Every manufacturer provides exact sink dimensions and necessary cabinet sizes. But listings sometimes focus on the basin alone while excluding extras like the faucet, handles and drain assemblies.
Know exactly what comes included with any sink model you consider. Then map out your full dimensions to guarantee everything integrates into your kitchen properly. You want high style and seamless performance.
| When planning around a contemporary corner sink, involve any contractors early in the process. Professional kitchen designers comprehend spatial limitations and building specs in ways we may miss as homeowners. Their expertise proves invaluable for pivot points like plumbing and cabinetry. |
Complement the Existing Kitchen
If undertaking a kitchen remodel solely to install a contemporary corner sink, make sure the new basin aligns with the room’s prevailing aesthetic. Clashing styles ruin the impact of an otherwise stunning sink.
Take cues from your current color scheme, materials, finishes and accessories. Seek corner sink shapes, textures and dimensions that slip easily into the existing furnishings. Aim for an integrated look signaling intentionality, not happenstance.
Seek Reputable Brands
In investing in a contemporary corner sink as the highlight of your kitchen, don’t skimp on quality. Target manufacturers recognized for durability, longevity and reliable performance. Check consumer reviews and WARRANTY coverage. Where available, choose materials like stainless steel or composite that resist damage over years of use.
Finding a perfectly complementary contemporary corner sink proves easier when you know it will continue looking fabulous despite heavy use. That confidence lets you focus more on how it completes your aesthetic vision rather than stressing potential issues down the road.
Installation Tips and Considerations
Contemporary corner sinks require special installation circumstances to account for their unique shapes and drain positions.
Involve Plumbing and Electrical
The intense angles of corner sinks mean extensive plumbing work in situating drain pipes and supply lines. Retrofitting existing kitchen infrastructure challenges DIYers lacking advanced skills.
Installation also commonly involves moving or upgrading electrical outlets to accommodate the shifted sink. And you want lighting that properly illuminates the basin without shadows. Bring in kitchen renovation pros to handle the entire back-end process.
| If planning a contemporary corner sink for new construction, work with architects and builders to blueprint ideal pipe and drain placement from the beginning. Plot locations avoiding floors, walls and other obstacles requiring extensive rerouting later. |
Consider Professional Installation
To ensure your contemporary corner sink anchors properly and performs optimally for years, consider hiring specialists for the installation as well.
The unique directional angles demand precise measurement and cutting skills to correctly fit the countertop opening and align with plumbing. Prevent leaks resulting from amateur efforts. Utilize experts also well-versed in the special support or reinforcement frames these sinks often need.
Prepare for Unexpected Costs
Even utilizing professional tradespeople for purchasing and installing your contemporary corner sink, unexpected costs can sneak into the process.
For example, you may discover mid-project that your selected basin doesn’t fully integrate with your existing cabinet heights. Or outdated electrical can’t support a drain assembly. Be prepared to absorb small last-minute expenses without sabotaging the entire remodel.
Check Local Permit Requirements
Given the complexity of swapping in a contemporary corner sink, your specific neighborhood may mandate pulling local permits. This ensures your remodel meets building codes and passes crucial inspections.
Before getting underway, verify if permits apply for plumbing, electrical, framing or construction. Leaving authorities out of the loop risks fines down the road. Better to handle paperwork proactively even if imposing a short delay.
Caring for Your Contemporary Corner Sink
Protecting your investment in a contemporary corner sink starts by following all manufacturer care recommendations.
Follow Care Guidelines
Review homeowner manuals to understand appropriate cleaning practices based on your sink’s material. Certain surfaces demand gentle solutions while others handle abrasives well. But universally, refrain from using sinks as cutting boards liable to scratch or stain easily.
Clean Regularly
While contemporary sinks resist staining compared to classic materials, grime still accumulates with regular cooking. Establish a consistent cleaning routine based on use frequency. For example, wiping surfaces daily and disinfecting weekly prevents lasting buildup.
Pay equal attention to hidden areas around drain openings and mounting hardware that grease and particles can coat over time. A mild weekly scrubbing keeps these spots cleared.
Protect Surfaces and Finishes
Certain contemporary sinks made of materials like concrete demand sealing to prevent dark staining. Re-apply protective treatments regularly, along with non-abrasive cleansers. This maintains the sleek aesthetic that initially attracted you.
Limit exposure to excessive heat that can damage sink surfaces and hardware. Always run cool water when pouring boiling liquids into basins. Letting water cool prevents cracking and warping disasters.
| Extend your contemporary corner sink’s lifespan by regularly inspecting for leaks, cracks and loose parts over time. Early intervention saves the headache of extensive repairs down the road. Documenting issues helps when seeking manufacturer warranty support as well. |
FAQs
How much do contemporary corner sinks cost?
Pricing varies dramatically based on size, materials, accessories and brand. However, expect to invest $500-1500+ for just the sink itself. Associated demolition, cabinetry, countertops, plumbing and installation carry additional expenses from $2000 up.
Can you put contemporary sinks anywhere?
Corner sinks require very specific cabinetry and plumbing circumstances. You cannot easily retrofit them into existing countertops or vanities. Carefully measure your space before purchase and prepare for major construction.
Do contemporary corner sinks increase home value?
Kitchen and bath remodels do reliably return solid resale value by modernizing functionality. Contemporary corner sinks make strong focal statements. Their customized nature makes for key distinctions from the competition when selling.
