INSULATION KITCHENS M
ulti-functionality in the home, and more specifically in the kitchen, has never been so important. This is a space that
must work hard to be the perfect spot for entertaining and for everyday family living. Gone are the days when the room was mainly used as a practical spot for tasks like laundry, cooking and washing up. Today’s kitchen is the epicentre of our homes, where we come together whether to work, rest or to play. That’s according to Daniel Boulton, business & product development manager at Clearwater. “Ironically, as the kitchen is being used more than ever, design trends increasingly dictate a lean towards minimalism,” he says. “After all, a cluttered look is never the best way to maximise efficiency when family life gets busy. With the growing trend for open-plan kitchens, designs are moving towards a sleek style, complete with plenty of solutions that utilise every inch of potential space.”
Design for a multitude of tasks Boulton says that this doesn’t just mean clever internal storage ideas either; the minimalist approach has resulted in a move towards multi-functional design even within the fixtures and fittings themselves. “Think hot water taps that make the perfect brew without the need for a kettle, liberating worktop space. Filter taps for great tasting water with no need for a bulky jug to take up room in the fridge or multiple plastic mineral water bottles clogging up the cupboards. Combination ovens that use a single appliance whether you’re baking, grilling, or heating. Kitchen islands that function as food prep zones and dining tables and even breakfast bar areas that can double up as an alternative desk space in our hybrid working world.”
Value and functionality A kitchen isn’t a kitchen without a sink though, Boulton adds, because despite everything the primary function of the space will be to prepare and cook food. “Often the unsung hero of the kitchen, when it comes to functionality and design, the focus of the kitchen is often on other areas, but the sink is an essential workstation and an equally important component of the overall aesthetic of your space,” he says.
Boulton adds: “When the emphasis is on maximising worktop space, the sink can now be multi-purpose too and by this I don’t just mean double bowls. Going beyond washing up and soaking dishes, many of the latest sink designs offer extra space for tasks including chopping, draining, and drying, all of which
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EVERYTHING AND THE KITCHEN SINK
As the kitchen becomes increasingly multi-functional worktop space is at a real premium. BMJ looks at how the kitchen sink is evolving as somewhere to do so much more than just the washing up.
allow for easy and efficient food prep and clean up directly over the sink, while keeping germs and other contaminants off the countertop surfaces.”
Beyond the washing up State-of-the-art, modern, and very slick, multi-functional sinks take minimalism to new heights, and Boulton describes them as “the perfect cook’s assistant”, which make an important selling point at a time when home dining is so prevalent. “Often referred to as workstation sinks, or prep station sinks, this is one of the most exciting recent innovations in kitchen sink design. On the most basic level, these sinks feature sliding pieces and inserts such as colanders, cutting boards, bins, drying racks, shelves for sponges and more, so everything can be prepped at the sink. Far from a fancy gimmick that looks good in a showroom – they offer a very real opportunity for merchants to add value to a sale and function to kitchens big and small.” Clearwater’s new range of Kameo sinks feature a ‘Smart Ledge’ that is designed into each bowl, enabling a set of four catering accessories to be employed for chopping, straining, and draining. Boulton explains that the Stark Smart range, is also designed with the cook in mind, as it features built-in accessory ledges which house custom-fit accessories,
Above: The Urban Smart range of sinks from Clearwater Products provide the perfect cook’s assistant in any style of kitchen.
including a wooden chopping board, is supplied with each sink, and an optional strainer colander and strainer tray. “These sit snugly on their ledges, freeing up both hands for tasks such as rinsing vegetables and straining pasta. The Smart accessories have transformed the Stark from a humble sink into a clever workstation,” he says.
Bespoke opportunities Such multi-functional design is not the preserve of the larger kitchen sink either, as it is arguably even more beneficial in the small kitchen where worktop space is at a premium. And while size isn’t a barrier to this market, neither is budget, with options at every level from entry and beyond.
Boulton says: “Many homeowners are opting for multi-functional sinks that can be used for food preparation, washing vegetables, and even as a bar sink for entertaining. Giving your customers the opportunity to customise the sink with such optional accessories gives creative freedom and the chance to add value to a sale in perhaps one of the least expected areas of the kitchen.” BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2024
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