8 Ways to Love Trough Sinks
Add industrial-chic style to your bathroom or laundry room with this utilitarian sink
Rebekah Zaveloff
September 13, 2011
I think it might be the nostalgia of art school that has me completely smitten with trough sinks. While the trough sinks of my memories are covered in years of paint (while the floor was covered in water), when used in residential design they can add a chic industrial edge to any space — sans the paint splatters. There's something about not caring about making a mess that I associate with the trough sink; even if it's not meant to be used that way in a home, it's the feeling it gives to a space that interests me. Here are a few ideas for how to integrate one into your home.
Not sure if this is the main kitchen or a butler's pantry, but either way it's adorable. I really love the asymmetrical cabinet below as well.
Tip: If you're looking for a vintage trough sink, check out local architectural salvage yards and antique stores. But be warned, the sink may have to be refinished (a sprayed-on enamel that won't last forever), and check with your contractor about plumbing it before you buy it.
Tip: If you're looking for a vintage trough sink, check out local architectural salvage yards and antique stores. But be warned, the sink may have to be refinished (a sprayed-on enamel that won't last forever), and check with your contractor about plumbing it before you buy it.
Trough sinks add a nice feel to laundry rooms, giving the space a potting-shed feel.
I love this farmhouse-chic approach: The trough sink can be installed as a drop-in sink into any furniture piece or countertop. Great for a powder room, guest room or kids' shared bathroom.
Whether it's a laundry room, mudroom or both, there's something so Old World and functional about the trough sink being used in such a utilitarian, high-traffic space.
Current trough sinks are often inspired by their vintage counterparts. Complete with drainboards on each side, this is a great spot for hand washing clothes or cutting flowers for arrangements.
This could easily be a residential bathroom or the bathroom from a hip restaurant. With the dark walls and floors, the white Kohler Brockway trough sink visually jumps off the wall with its black enamel bottom. There's something humble and honest about the exposed pipes and utilitarian wall mount design. I love the row of simple porcelain lights with exposed bulbs, and I can almost feel the scratchy green soap from art school sitting on the integrated soap dishes of the faucets.
Tip: Note how the mirrors aren't centered equally over the sink. When you do a trough sink like this you can get away with the asymmetry seen here.
Tip: Note how the mirrors aren't centered equally over the sink. When you do a trough sink like this you can get away with the asymmetry seen here.
This is a unique, slightly more modern installation example of the same sink. The addition of counterspace and a shelf underneath make this a preferred installation for many homeowners looking for more storage than the wall-mount version offers. Even though there are two faucets, you can easily do one large mirror rather than two.
If you need more storage, this sink can be set into a vanity cabinet as well, with the signature black enamel bottom exposed it's anything other than typical. Plus, you get two faucets (or three, depending on which model you buy). I recently installed one of these for a client who has three boys that share a bathroom — it was perfect.
Fixture Universe
Amazon
Here it's shown with the cast iron legs that can be ordered separately. Those are seriously industrial looking.
More:
Your Bath: Faucet Finale
Weekend Decorating: Skirted Sinks
Console Sinks for a Vintage Style Bath
More:
Your Bath: Faucet Finale
Weekend Decorating: Skirted Sinks
Console Sinks for a Vintage Style Bath
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http://www.livingroc.net/50-trough-stone-sinks
Can someone please define a trough sink? I'm not clear on what exactly sets these apart from other types of sinks...the tall back? the width? a curved bottom?