2012 Trends: See What's Ahead in Kitchen Faucets and Fixtures

Hiding your sink is a European trend starting to make its way across the Atlantic.

They are designed for "un-kitchen" open plan looks. In addition to minimizing visible sink mess, they also add kitchen counter and prep space.

Modular sinks that incorporate flexible bowl configurations and accessories will be hot in 2012.

We've become so accustomed to personalizing our digital work surfaces, it's inevitable that we'll want to personalize our other work surfaces as well. Think of these as iSinks, with the i standing for "individual preference."

Engineered stone countertops, a.k.a quartz, remain on-trend. What's likely to be a hot trend in 2012 is the integrated quartz sink.

Integrated sinks have been very popular for Corian, stainless steel and concrete countertops. Their availability from manufacturers, not just a few innovative fabricators, is new, exciting and likely to be a popular trend this year.

Dan Sullivan's Affluence Seamless Sink (now CreateGood.com), introduced the seamless sink drain when none of the major sink companies were interested in his invention. It won a major design award and the hearts of homeowners and designers, including me.

The majors have started to take notice, and are introducing their own versions to the marketplace this year. Expect to see more of these clean-lined sinks in 2012.

Country and rustic inspired faucet shapes will be big this year in both traditional and non-traditional spaces and styles. Bridge faucets will show up in expected finishes such as oil-rubbed bronze, but also in polished nickel. They will be large and available in traditional and contemporary styles.

Modern streamlined faucets will be hot this year, especially pull-down styles. These add both contemporary flair and convenience to your kitchen and work with modern or traditional sinks, as shown here.

More one-touch and sensor faucets will be entering the residential market. This will be a hot trend in 2012 as more homeowners take to their convenience and potential for germ reduction.

Dark finishes are showing up all over the place this year in some interesting variations. There is a new dark chrome several manufacturers are offering, along with brown and black composites and the still popular oil-rubbed bronze.

More:
10 Elements of Today's State-of-the-Art Kitchens

Fab Fixtures: The Wall-Mounted Faucet

Bronze: Ancient Metal With Modern Appeal