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Best Kitchen Sinks And Taps For Your Kitchen Renovation

February 15, 2024 – 4 min read

Planning a new kitchen filled with the latest cooking appliances, or perhaps that long-awaited kitchen reno? Making your sink and tapware a striking focal point is a simple way to add designer dash to the most used room in your home. To help assemble the ideal sink set-up for your space – one that balances function and form – we called Vicki Murnane, interior designer and founder of Lusheri Design in Victoria. Here, she reveals what’s trending in sinks and taps.

Modern black gooseneck tap and matching matte black inset sink in a kitchen filled with warm afternoon light

Best Sink And Tap Finishes

The colour and texture of your sink and tapware can elevate the look of your entire kitchen. Here’s what’s hot in the kitchen:

Mix, Not Match

“The biggest trend we're seeing is contrasting finishes for an eclectic kitchen design,” says Vicki Murnane. “Think brushed gunmetal sinks with matte black tapware. Or a large, white farmhouse sink with a brass gooseneck tap.” To keep the look cohesive, Vicki recommends settling on one dominant colour or finish, with one to two contrasting accents.

“The biggest trend we're seeing is contrasting finishes. Think brushed gunmetal sinks with matte black tapware. Or a large, white farmhouse sink with a brass gooseneck tap.”

Make It Matte

For those not keen on the eclectic look, Vicki says matte finishings are having a moment, with brushed chrome, nickel, aged copper and brass kitchen tapware running hot. The earthy look of matte fixtures suits farmhouse and coastal-style kitchens to a tee and perfectly complements natural finishes such as wood, marble and stone.

Shop Matte-Finish Kitchen Taps

Hafele Matte Black Gooseneck Mixer Tap

Oliveri Vilo Natural Brass Pull Out Mixer Tap

Side on angle image of an Oliveri Vilo Natural Brass Pull Out Mixer Tap

Monochrome Magic

The black kitchen sink is here to stay. In the same way that large appliances in black instantly modernise any kitchen, black sinks and taps add a touch of suave sophistication to the benchtop. “One of the reasons black kitchen sinks are still turning heads is because they go with everything – from white cabinetry and stainless steel benchtop appliances to black-on-black contemporary-style kitchens,” says Tania Grillinzoni, The Good Guys Buyer – Cooking and Dishwashers.

Shop Black Kitchen Sinks

Oliveri Santorini Standard Bowl Topmount Black Granite Sink

Franke Sirius Tectonite Carbon Black Sink

Hafele Quartz 1 & 3/4 bowl Sink with Drainer

Top down image of a Hafele Quartz 1 & 3/4 bowl Sink with Drainer

The Hottest Shapes

Clean lines, soft silhouettes and functionality reign supreme.

Gentle Curves

For kitchen taps, it’s all about the gooseneck with its tall, elegant, rounded aesthetic that adds softness to modern and classic kitchens alike. “But what people really install a gooseneck style for is functionality,” says Vicki Murnane. “Gooseneck taps are tall enough to fill tall vases, and often come with sink mixers and pull-out sprayers suitable for washing large pots and rinsing and preparing vegetables.”

Shop Pull-Out Gooseneck Taps

Oliveri Pull Out Gooseneck Mixer Stainless

Hafele Mixer Tap Gold Brushed Stainless Steel Pullout

Oliveri Vilo POS Mixer

Side on angle image of an Oliveri VT0426B-ST-BL SAN-BLACK Vilo POS Mixer

Undermount Sinks

Love a high-end, minimalist look? Undermount kitchen sinks are mounted under the countertop to create a hidden, smooth, seamless finish. “Chic undermount sinks are also popular with a natural stone or granite benchtop,” says Vicki. “One with an apron front is a simple way to get the popular, traditional farmhouse look.” 

Shop Undermount Sinks

Oliveri Sonetto Large Undermount Bowl

Franke Basis Fragranite Double bowl Sink

Top down image of a Franke Basis Fragranite Double bowl sink

Practical Considerations

Looking pretty is a perk, but your kitchen sink and tap have important jobs to perform. From meal prep to hand washing and cleaning dirty dishes – it’s important you find a set that meets your needs.

Maximise Your Space

Short on workspace for meal prep? The latest sink designs incorporate a built-in ledge for a made-to-fit cutting board or drainer, creating a functional and convenient extension of the kitchen bench.

Size Matters

“You also have to consider the kitchen and household size,” says Vicki Murnane of Lusheri Designs. “A single bowl often suits a compact kitchen with limited bench space, whereas double kitchen sinks or large drop-in sinks are ideal for families or those who love entertaining.”

A man at the kitchen sink filling a kettle as water pours from an elegant gooseneck tap

Pick The Best Position

Proximity to the dishwasher is paramount for scraping and rinsing dishes in the sink before loading them to be washed. “If space is limited, consider positioning your sink and tap on the island bench,” says Vicki.

Save With Efficiency

Buying the right kitchen tap can help you save water at home, so make sure you check the WELS star rating on your favourites. More stars mean greater water efficiency, which is better for your bills and the planet.

 

Looking for more great home reno ideas? Visit us in-store or online for all the biggest brands and best advice. Plus, let The Good Guys Home Services team arrange tradespeople to fit your kitchen appliances for you, ensuring a professional finish every time.

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