Workstation Sink Designs Compared | Signature Series™, NexGen™, Paragon™ | Rachiele®
What is a workstation sink? A workstation sink is a multifunctional kitchen upgrade designed to turn the sink into an efficient prep station. With integrated ledges and custom-fit accessories, it allows you to chop, rinse, and clean in one continuous workspace while preserving counter space and improving daily kitchen workflow.
Compare the Signature Series, NexGen, Paragon, and Harmony configurations, and choose the design built for how you cook.
The First Multi-Tier Workstation Sink in the Industry
Rachiele® introduced the first workstation sink in 2010, then the industry’s first multi-tier workstation sink, Evolution™, and received three patents for it in 2014. Evolution was the first sink with two steps inside the bowl. In 2020 those patents were sold after we developed a far better design, Paragon™, a multi-tier workstation design that uses interior stepped ledges so the usable front-to-back 18" dimension stays the same above and below both working levels.
Choose the Right Custom Workstation Sink for How You Cook
Signature Series™ – The Original Workstation Sink
Rachiele introduced the Signature Series in 2010. It was the first workstation sink ever built: one step formed into the bowl.
Many brands still use that original idea. They just leave the flange exposed to create a second tier.
Available in professional-grade stainless steel, copper, brass, or bronze. Stainless, brass, and bronze get MicroWelded corners for easy cleaning. Copper is finished with fused corners. Built for daily use.
The 36" model fits a standard 36" cabinet. Most kitchens need no redesign.
-
Holds cutting boards and half-sheet pans directly on the step
-
One clean, efficient level, no learning curve
-
Sized for compact kitchens and standard cabinetry
The Signature Series™ is where the workstation sink began, a single step doing the work
NexGen™ – Redefining the Modern Workstation Sink
NexGen, introduced in 2018, takes the Signature Series and swaps the step for a ledge.
Anything that sits on the ledge also sits on the sink floor in the same orientation. Accessories like the Multi-Use Grid work at either level with no change in setup.
You get two full working surfaces, not one, each ready for the next step of the meal.
Ledge and sink bottom share the same 18" width, so accessories move freely between them
Multi-Use Grid and other accessories function at both levels
Compact footprint with more usable space than a single-step design
If you need more function without losing sink space, NexGen™ delivers it.
Paragon™ – The Ultimate Multi-Tier Workstation Sink
Paragon adds a second ledge, giving you three full working levels instead of two: two ledges plus the bottom of the sink. Just like NexGen, anything that fits one level fits the others in the same orientation, so accessories like the Multi-Use Grid move freely between all three without switching setups. Every level shares the same 18" width, and because the ledges sit below the flange, there's no water pooling at the grout line.
Three working levels, each usable on its own or together for simultaneous tasks
Accessories can be ordered to fit either ledge
Flat accessories can slide under and over each other for layered prep
Ideal for sinks 42" and larger; also available in a 36" version for smaller kitchens. Paragon™ offers the most work surface Rachiele® has ever built into a single sink.
How to Choose the Right Custom Workstation Sink
At Rachiele®, we pioneered the original workstation sink design and continue to refine it through custom fabrication, real-world use, and direct collaboration with homeowners. Every sink is built in the USA and designed around how you cook, prep, and clean, with no reliance on mass-produced templates or fixed configurations.
What is a Custom Workstation Sink?
Most workstation sinks on the market are mass-produced with fixed dimensions and limited flexibility. Rachiele® takes a different approach. Every custom sink is designed around how you cook, prep, and clean, with configurations tailored to cabinet size, workflow, and real daily use rather than standardized templates.
Compared to standard sinks, our NexGen and Paragon workstation sinks feature:
-
Seamless single or dual-tier functionality
-
Integrated accessories like cutting boards, multi-use grids, and sponge caddies.
-
Premium metals and true made-in-USA craftsmanship
How a Custom Workstation Sink Works in Daily Use
This video demonstrates how a custom workstation sink functions in real use, including accessory placement, workflow between prep and cleanup, and how integrated ledges reduce wasted counter space. It also shows how sink size, ledge configuration, and user habits affect efficiency during everyday cooking tasks.
After you lock the workstation layout, choose the metal.
Each one looks, cleans, and ages differently. Match it to how you cook, how you clean, and the look of the kitchen.
Every Rachiele sink is made to order, so the same design can be built in more than one metal. Pick for durability, patina, color, or a finish that stays stable over time.
• Custom Bronze Kitchen Sinks
• Custom Brass Kitchen Sinks
• Custom Copper Kitchen Sinks
• Custom 316L Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
Understanding the Differences Between Rachiele® Workstation Designs
Each Rachiele® workstation design serves a distinct purpose. This section explains how the Signature Series™, NexGen™, and Paragon™ differ, so you can choose the configuration that best fits your kitchen and how you cook.
-
Single Step
-
2 working levels (bottom of sink can be used as shown above)
-
18" width allows a half sheet pan to sit on step
-
Accessories can be stacked to mimic 2-tier functionality
-
Bowl width 1″ narrower below step
-
Great for all sink sizes
-
Far superior to the similar "step" workstation sinks
-
Visit our new Signature Collection™ - Uncompromising Quality - Attainable Price!
-
-
Single ledge
-
2 working levels (ledge and bottom of sink)
-
18" width allows a half sheet pan to sit on ledge
-
Accessories can be stacked to mimic 2-tier functionality
-
Bowl width dimension is the same above and below ledge
-
Accessories can be placed in the same orientation on the bottom of the sink
-
Our most efficient workstation design
-
-
Two ledges
-
3 working levels (top tier, lower tier, and bottom of sink)
-
18" width allows a half sheet pan to sit on ledge
-
Ledges are below flange. No water sitting at the grout line!
-
Flat accessories can slide under and over each other
-
Bowl width dimension is the same above and below ledges
-
Best for sinks 36" and over
-
For those who are avid home chefs
-
The counter isn't doing the work here.
The sink is. 60" multi-tier Paragon, Harmony (dual drain-single bowl) farmhouse sink with a brass face fused to a 316L stainless steel bowl.
What Sets Rachiele® Custom Sinks Apart?
Rachiele® pioneered the workstation sink in the United States and holds more than 10 patents for innovative sink design and functionality.
At Rachiele®, we do not follow trends. We lead with purpose and inspire others to follow. Every custom sink is crafted under the direct guidance of founder Dino Rachiele and a small, dedicated artisan team. The result is a product that combines precision, elegance, and efficiency in a way competitors cannot replicate.
This is more than a sink. It is a lasting symbol of American craftsmanship—rare, refined, and built to perform for generations.
Rachiele® introduced the very first single-bowl corner sinks to the kitchen and bath industry. Designed as the original space-saving solution, this sink transforms unused corner space into a fully functional food prep and cleaning zone. With its ergonomic design and custom-fit layout, it remains the most efficient way to add workstation functionality to compact or uniquely shaped kitchens.
Exclusively by Rachiele®, this custom sink was designed in collaboration with kosher households to meet the needs of traditional Jewish kitchens. Two fully separated drain zones allow for complete separation of meat and dairy prep, following kosher practices without compromise. This sink is ideal for families seeking both religious observance and modern functionality in a handcrafted, high-performance design.
"Finding a truly kosher-friendly sink that did not require a full kitchen renovation was difficult. Rachiele® offered the perfect solution. The dual-drain design allows us to keep meat and dairy prep completely separate while maintaining a clean, modern look. It fits both our space and our values."
— Rachel G., Brooklyn, NYThe Paragon™ by Rachiele® is the only dual-tier workstation sink with a full 18-inch usable width both above and below the ledges. This design gives you three full working levels without sacrificing bowl space. Built for serious home chefs and entertainers, the Paragon™ makes food prep, cleanup, and workflow faster and more efficient than any traditional sink design.
"The Paragon™ completely changed how I use my kitchen. The space, the flow, and the build quality are unmatched."
Mark T., Scottsdale, AZA retrofit farmhouse sink from Rachiele® delivers the classic apron‑front look of a farmhouse sink while fitting into your existing cabinets with minimal modification. These sinks are engineered to install into standard 30‑inch or 36‑inch sink bases without requiring a full kitchen remodel, making them a high‑impact update for kitchens where major construction is not desirable or necessary. Our retrofit apron fronts provide ergonomic comfort with a thinner face that brings the sink closer to you and improves reach and usability compared to traditional undermount options. They work with both drop‑in and undermount installations, providing flexibility and performance that enhances everyday kitchen tasks.
Each Rachiele® sink is custom-built with optimal depth to reduce back and neck strain. Designed around your height and workflow, it makes kitchen tasks more comfortable and efficient.
"I used to dread washing dishes because of the back pain. My Rachiele® sink completely changed that. It's the most comfortable sink I’ve ever used."
Susan M., Portland, OR
Designing Custom Sinks for the Moments
That Matter
Most families cook dinner at home about five times a week. Based on feedback from Rachiele® workstation sink owners, these designs can save an average of 10–20 minutes per meal compared to traditional sinks. Over the course of a year, that adds up to 43 to 86 hours saved.
Families don’t drift apart all at once. Life simply moves quickly. Meals come and go. Cleanup happens. The kitchen empties sooner than anyone expects.
I wanted to create a different rhythm. One where the kitchen invites people to stay. Where hands work together naturally. Where conversations continue, even as the evening winds down.
Nothing about the family needs to change.
The moments just have more room to last.
That’s the work I care about.
This is what I hope to bring to your home.
Our workstation sinks are designed to hold standard half-sheet pans and steam-oven pans - no adapters, rails, or workarounds.
Food moves from prep to oven to cleanup in one pass. No extra counter space. No extra handling.
Bronze multi-tiered, dual drain, single bowl workstation sink.
Harmony™ - Designed for Sharing. Crafted for Performance.
Rachiele introduced the first dual drain, single bowl sink in 2021 to allow 2 users to work at a sink at the same time without a divider in the way.
Harmony was introduced as a solution for a husband and wife who wanted to prep and clean up at the same time. Double-bowl sinks get in the way. The divider steals space, fights large pans, and still lets water and scraps drift across. Harmony™ is a single bowl with two drains, shaped so water and debris stay on one half instead of spilling into the other. Two people work side by side, with no wall between them.
Harmony™ – A Smarter Way to Prep, Clean, and Share
The Harmony single-bowl, dual-drain sink is designed to simplify kitchen workflow for solo or shared use. This custom workstation sink makes it easy to prep food on one side and clean on the other. Each side has a dedicated drain to keep tasks separate and efficient.
Ideal for both left- and right-handed users, the Harmony™ sink supports multitasking without overlap. Designed for 36-inch cabinets and larger and is built for families, couples, or anyone who values speed, cleanliness, and teamwork in the kitchen.
Harmony™, The First Single Bowl Kosher-Friendly Kitchen Sink
The Harmony kosher-friendly sink features two fully separated drains to maintain the strict separation of meat and dairy prep. With completely independent plumbing and no cross-contamination, each side functions independently for true kosher compliance.
Made from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, copper, bronze, or brass, this sink is hygienic and easy to clean. Custom accessories are available for each side to support proper kosher practices. The Harmony™ sink is thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of observant households without compromising on quality or convenience.
Exclusive Harmony™ Dual Drain, Single Bowl Custom Workstation Sink Gallery
Customer Review: The Harmony™ Custom Sink Experience
“Installed July 2023 - still used daily by two people at the same time.” Dino, This is a very late and incomplete thank you! The sink was installed in July 2023 and we love it!... We love the sink and faucets. We can both work in the kitchen at the same time without fighting for one sink or hitting elbows. As you may remember, my husband does the dishes by hand (no mechanical dishwasher), and he gets excited whenever I am in the kitchen and start washing anything and everything. So now, he can wash but not interfere with my rinsing/cooking. We have our own sides - a wash side and a work side (although he sneaks over to mine sometimes . ha). The sink is durable. Dean is a brute and drops things he washes. I am glad it is heavy duty steel. I love the attachments. My favorite cutting boards fit! Your accessories are used daily. My husband uses the silverware server to dry the silverware, and he inserts the coffee strainer in one to dry it. (The climate is so humid here). After purchasing the Waterstone faucets, I briefly worried that I bought the wrong kind because my husband likes "spray mode" and there is no mechanism (aside from a rubber band) to keep it locked to spray mode hands free. It turns out it doesn't matter. The regular setting is enough to knock off grit, and we use "spray mode" less often. So my husband can use regular mode and still have one hand to hold a dish and the other to wash the dish. We have never had any problems with the cord either. My husband routinely dangles the cord, and then I tuck it back up as it looks nicer. At first, I did this for fear that it would get grimy like our past ones have at two homes. It doesn't matter – it's durable, stays clean, and maintains the ability to retract. (So I still retract it for looks, but I stopped worrying it would get gritty and lose the ability to reattach.) Thus, this system is holding up to my lovable but brutish husband, my obsessive hand washing/fruit/veggie washing, and to the harsh Hawaii climate. Well done! Rebecca