Don't Make This Expensive Mistake in Your Dream Kitchen!

If you’re planning your dream kitchen—or already neck-deep in one—there’s a design decision I see far too often that ends up costing a small fortune in regret: the sink. In fact, it truly doesn't matter if you are designing a luxury kitchen or a modest one. Please read on...

Yes, the humble sink. It’s where you begin food prep, rinse produce, wash hands, scrub pots, soak sheet pans, and clean up after your culinary brilliance. And yet, for some reason, it’s usually one of the most overlooked decisions in high-end kitchens. I encourage you to make time to do a great deal of research, especially on websites like Houzz.com in their discussions section. Your choice will have a lasting effect, good or bad. 

Let’s start with materials.

There’s a trend right now toward porcelain farmhouse sinks, fireclay, composites, and even natural stone or concrete. And while they look beautiful on day one, I’ve heard firsthand countless horror stories from folks who invested heavily in these options—only to see staining, cracking, chipping, or delamination within a few short years. Yes, even in so-called “high-end” brands. Just do some checking on Houzz.com and you will read many of the heartbreaking stories!

The truth is, nearly every sink material other than metal has a potentially short lifespan. That said, you will hear that "I have had my sink for 20 years without an issue. Yes, that can be true. When you go down the road, you are rolling the dice. You could be the lucky one, or you could be like the following customer that told me they babied their cast iron sink like a newborn, yet a single dropped a glass aspirin bottle in the sink and chipped the sink. Most porcelain, cast iron, and fireclay sinks will eventually show hairline cracks that are impossible to clean. You have to be careful about pouring hot water in the sink after running cold water. Some granite composite sinks may stain, crack, or even develop a hole after a heavy drop. Take a look at the photo of a granite composite sink that was sent in by a customer. We fast-tracked the replacement for them! Check out the photo below. Yes, it does happen more than you might imagine.

Photo sent it by one of our customers prior to us replacing it with a single-bowl workstation sink that will last generations.

And if damage does occur, repairing a concrete or stone sink is often impossible—or at the very least, extremely costly and inconvenient. Worse yet, most of these sinks aren’t designed as workstations, leaving you with beautiful but functionally limited fixtures. Many stone sinks also suffer from poor drainage, frequent leaking, and visible mineral deposits that are nearly impossible to remove. A friend of mine had a granite sink and told me she lost count of how many dishes and glasses she broke.

A modern kitchen deserves more than outdated materials and impractical design. It deserves something built to serve you—beautifully, efficiently, and for decades to come.

If you’re building a kitchen that’s supposed to last decades, not years, you deserve a sink that can go the distance. And that brings me to what’s just as important than the material…

Your dream kitchen should function like a finely tuned machine. 

A luxury kitchen should work as beautifully as it looks—and the sink plays a bigger role in that than most people realize. It’s not just a spot to rinse dishes. It should be a smart, ergonomic workstation designed around you and the way you actually use your kitchen.

When I first introduced the workstation sink to the market, we didn’t have the need to advertise. The idea spoke for itself. Quietly, it found its way into homes where function mattered as much as form. Over time, others took notice. Today, you’ll find reflections of my original design in kitchens around the world. Even when imitated, the concept has a way of opening people’s eyes. But when it’s done with purpose—tailored to the way you cook, prep, and live—it becomes more than a sink. It becomes a daily companion. A trusted tool. And, for many, the part of the kitchen they come to love most.

The size, the depth, the bowl orientation, the accessory layout… it all matters. A 32” sink in a 36” base cabinet might look like a good idea in a showroom—but in practice, it’ll have you juggling prep and cleanup like a circus act. On the flip side, a properly designed workstation sink at the right size turns your kitchen into a joy to use—efficient, comfortable, and dare I say it, even fun.

A properly and intentionally designed workstation sink does more than just hold water. It supports and speeds up your workflow. It keeps you from having to make constant trips back and forth across the kitchen. It gives you a cutting board where you need it, a colander when you need it, and a place for utensils to dry without turning your counter into a wet mess.

In short: it makes your kitchen work.

So here’s the takeaway—don’t let your kitchen’s most-used feature become its greatest flaw. Choose a material that lasts. Choose a design that works for you. And if you’re not sure where to start, well… I know a guy. -Dino