@daisychain I think I’m with you. I have a cabinet right now that opens on its own, and I constantly smash my forehead on it when standing at the counter. I am picturing something similar of a cabinet above the sink.

I also have daily items that are hand washed. While I try to keep up with putting items away + drying items with a towel, there are times when I can’t keep up because I’m either too busy - or not feeling well. I currently have a two bowl sink - and use a metal dish rack that fits in one side.

I am getting ready to start my kichen renovation - and would like to have a one bowl sink - so, I’ve been looking for a good solution.

My sister had her countertop “scored“ - and while I like the idea of no dish rack, most of the time when I visit her, there are items that haven’t been put away which makes the counter look messy.

I also saw the photo you posted above with the hidden drain rack above the sink. While I like the idea of a hidden drain rack, I don’t like having a cabinet above my sink.

I’m thinking about getting something like this:

You can also purchase similar type accessories for an existing sink.

If you buy a butcher block + flat metal rack for bottom of sink, your dishes/glasses can be hidden underneath the butcher block.

I always wash by hand and let air dry. I empty the drying rack regularly. What is there is there. No problem.

My design is the only sink on the market with an integrated rack built into the sink body

Newton Kitchens & Design · More Info

Reality Sink · More Info

Reality Sink · More Info

Sounds like something you may be interested in . I can provide you specs if you like.

I have a double sink and I keep a dish drainer in one side- practically completely hidden from view. I have no issues with a double sink :)

If you have the space and you’re remodeling….. drying drawer…..

Any cabinet maker can EASILY make a drying drawer to your exact specifications…very simple.

ElleN: thank you❣️I love soapstone! Please post lots of photos when your kitchen is completed. Off white greige cabinets will look great with soapstone.

Nidnay: I like your drying drawer. I have not seen that before❣️Your kitchen is lovely too.

Kculbers…..that‘s not my kitchen….just a pic I found on the web :)

I'm with @daisychain Zn3b. Our houses can't possibly look like a houzz photo most of the time. I guess I'm the only one who doesn't find a dish rack full of clean dishes ugly. And storage space is awfully precious to use for dish drying, in my opinion.

I bought a nice looking drying rack, but it was big and I hated having it on the countertop all the time, so we replaced it with a simple microfiber drying pad. We lay the dishes on it, they air dry easily, and it's flat so not really noticeable anywhere but right in the space. It's also simple to stick it away under the sink when we don't want to see it and you just throw it in the washing machine to clean it. And less than $10!

After remodeling, I tried using one of those mats with a low profile dish rack, but it just didn't work for me. I needed something that could contain the items better. Our appliances are stainless, and this OXO dish drain works for me. I used the 20% coupon.

This might not be what OP is looking for, but maybe someone else is. I'm not the only one who ended up here that isn't shamed by clean dishes air drying on the counter.

Its no show stopper, but i like the double layer against a wall…

I think the most bang for yiur design bugk would be to make sure your dishes all coordinate; the most ”unattteactive” racks are the ones with a missmadh of different odds and ends

How much of these regularly used items could be hung on cup hooks beneath the overhead cabinets -- consider that and other options that enable you to keep these items handy without taking up countertop space:

https://www.amazon.com/Drying-Boosiny-Stainless-Expandable-Kitchen/dp/B083Q5HB15

https://www.amazon.com/iBesi-Stainless-Multifunctional-Countertop-size%E2%89%A432-5in/dp/B07XGJKQ1L

https://odditymall.com/over-the-sink-drying-rack.

It's really so simple.

I have a 100% stainless steel (no plastic tray) dish drainer that sits on the side of the sink. It's about as attractive as a dish drainer can be. I got it a long time ago off Ama**on, don't remember the brand but wanted it because there's no plastic. I hate clutter and don't love having it out, but it doesn't really bother me that much, I grew up with a dish drainer, always had one in my own homes -- I view it as one of those necessary things, not going to win a beauty prize but just naturally belongs there.

I wouldn't like a drying door or cupboard -- that's just not how I roll, I would find it more of a chore than anything, having to open and close and reach up or down and actually make a concerted effort to empty it. Too much hassle. With the rack out on the counter I can just quickly put things away when I'm walking by and see it rather than thinking oh gee I have to empty to dish drawer today.

I hand wash a lot. I only have one set of pots, pans, and mixing bowls, so putting those items in the DW doesn't work for the way I live/cook.

I really identify with the pursuit of the best dish drainer. I dont have a dishwasher and dont want one. Indeed, I would never be able to fill it up. With just the two of us our use is limited to just a couple of dishes and bowls and coffee cups.

I found that those micro fiber mats get wet and wil stay wet unless you can hang them up somewhere. In the hot summer sun that is not a problem as I hang them off the deck railing in the back yard and let them wash with the rain and dry with the hot sun. In the winter it is not as easy.

I tried a silicone mat, too and that worked pretty well. But it holds drained water and can be a chore to empty the water from it. If you dont empty the water from the silicone mat it can get unsanitary.

I have tried dish drainers but have not found one that lasted well or that was pleasing to have out and use.

What I would love the most is to have one of those old fashioned sinks with the built in drain board. They used to be very common but now demand a high price.

I dont understand why more sinks aren made that way. The drainboard is good for not only placing wet washed kitchen items, but also a place to place washed vegetables and all of those myrid things that dont go into the dishwasher.

I dont much care for the accessories that cover the sink as they take away from the function of the sink and seem to be more in the way than offering any real advantage. I think that I would constantly be removing them because they are in the way.

We had been going to sell our house this past spring/summer and had planned on adding a dishwasher to the kitchen. After changing our minds as to selling we also changed our plans to add a dishwasher. It was not something that I want, but it seemed to be necessary for selling.

Our dishwasher went out decades ago and I never replaced it. The kids were almost grown and it was becoming a time of only the two of us. That space was more valuable in my tiny kitchen for other uses than a dishwasher that I dont want or need. I know so many people who just use them for storing things. I will bet that most people who live alone dont even use them at all.

I try to make sure that all things are put away, but if I had a nice space for an attractive drying and storing I would just keep it much like in the photo of the above poster.

We need so little. A dishwasher is not one of those few things.

A drainboard is such a nice functional thing to have built in.

I rarely ever towel dry anything. I really dont care if it is a bit wet when I put it away. My cupboards have a liner in them. Keep it simple!

If you have a family and there are lots of things to clean up in the kitchen your needs will be different, obviously. We are empy nesters and life is so much slower for us.

I could live life as if it were an Ikea photo shoot.

Ah, the quest...

Countertop

https://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-easy-pieces-countertop-dish-drainers/

Wall mounts

https://www.remodelista.com/posts/design-sleuth-the-indian-stainless-steel-wall-mounted-dish-drying-rack/

DIY

https://themerrythought.com/diy/diy-minimal-wooden-dish-rack/

"I would never be able to fill it up. With just the two of us, our use is limited to just a couple of dishes and bowls and coffee cups."

It sounds like you don't cook at home. What goes on those plates and bowls?

Different strokes......I live alone, and I run about 5 loads a week, sometimes even 2 loads in the same day.

I was alone for a week and somehow filled up the dishwasher pretty much every day. I don't think I realized how much I cook on a regular basis.

my dishwasher died, and I have been hand washing for the last 2 weeks waiting for the new dishwasher to be installed. Handwashing wastes SO MUCH more water than a dishwasher!

If i ever had a dishwasher that didn’t require washing the dishes before I put them in…but we gave up and just handwash them all!

Oh don’t get me wrong, between the two of us we ALSO do at least 1 load in the dishwasher every day. 2 loads on meal prep days. But we cook every meal from scratch. I think the biggest dishwasher space suck is all the Pyrex we pack our lunches in, just because they’re bulky and awkward.
We hand wash / towel dry pots and pans, and only hand wash what we have to of the rest. Lol, personally I’m always trying to trade things out for dishwasher safe, but my husband seems to have different priorities…

Consider adding a rolling cart with trays to your kitchen

https://www.amazon.com/Utility-Rolling-Storage-Locking-Bathroom/dp/B08D9F9T3L

or one with doors and shelves especially for such items and invest in shallow trays to be the drain trays / drawers along with mats designed to be dish drying mats.

https://vurni.com/small-mobile-kitchen-carts/

https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Rolling-Storage-Portable-Microwave/dp/B01L5Q7KNW 

One home has double sink— larger for washing/ loading dishwasher from and other for drying hand washed items .. they sit low off the counter. The other house large one sink I bought a metal dish drainer that fits on me end f the larger sink and under the sink cabinet when not in use but at least it give me the two sink feels. Nothing on the counter Esther way

More drying cart rack options:

https://www.homedit.com/best-kitchen-carts/

https://www.amazon.com/Utility-Rolling-Storage-Locking-Bathroom/dp/B08D9F9T3L

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-kitchen-carts-islands.html

Basically you need a rolling cart with shelves on which to set a tray with a drain pad or tray. Since you're rebuilding your kitchen, you might consider building a parking place for it.

Add an open shelf or two near the sink beneath your overhead cabinets for those items.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/210472982558127718/

You can always give the items a shake over the sink to remove most of the water and then set them atop a dish cloth on the shelf. With an open shelf, they'll air dry.

"my dishwasher died, and I have been hand washing for the last 2 weeks waiting for the new dishwasher to be installed. Handwashing wastes SO MUCH more water than a dishwasher!"

Yes - I'd forgotten how much. I got a new dishwasher and they took my 10 year old one in exchange, but the new one is damaged. Costco is exchanging it for me, but in the meantime I'm hand washing everything, and it takes a lot more water. And counter space.

This is probably not what you’re looking for but it’s different . . .

Lots of suggestions here for you, Ellen. While some may not agree with items out all the time, its a system that works for you so fine! Pick one of the interesting racks shown here. maybe some kind of mat under to catch drips

dmac1108 I installed the 33" side drain Kraus about 6 months ago and LOVE it. The side drain is great. I usually use half the sink for drying, along with the roll-up drainboard, and can still use the other half of the sink. It's extremely deep and I can fit a 3qt fry pan in there flat to wash it.

toronto vet, I cook at home exclusively. .Eating out is rare in the best of times and almost does not happen in todays world at all. I cook every day of my life, almost, and buy only real food. In the summer I buy in bulk from a local farm. I bake most of our bread and have a special one for my signature home made bread crumbs. Cooking and enjoying food is a focus for me. So, yes I cook, everyday for over half a century and have raised a family.

I clean as I cook so that there is very little left to clean up after a meal. By the time we sit down to the table the kitchen is almost clean and put away.

Streamlinig and simplifiying makes it is easy to manage. I keep a nesting set of stainless bowls that get used for almost everything ,a few good quality skillets and utensils, and a couple of pots. Most of which just get a good swish under hot water with a steel scrubbie and that is all that is needed often.

I bake, I can, I cook and put a nice meal on the table everyday. Most of my cooking is done in iron skillets that get merely swished under hot water whle the skillet is still warm, patted dry and put away. They are all over 45 years in use and are all still wonderful to cook with. They get used daily.

We have two salad plates that we use as dinner plates, two soup/cereal bowls, a couple of shallow bowls, some drinking glasses and a couple of coffee mugs and that is about it. The two plates often get a mere swish of a scrubbie under the hot water and put away without much fuss. It is just the two of us and we have shared more than just microbes this past half century, so not too concerned about that. The plate is clean and shiny and that is just fine.

For company, I have a stack of pure white restaurant china that I keep elsewhere.

Yes, I cook a lot and keep it simple and wonderful. When I come into the kitchen in the morning to make the coffee it is all clean and put away.

That thing about the use of water is a loaded argument. For people who turn the faucet on and let it run, maybe they do use a lot of water. One thing that many dont account for is that there are many other things other than just the water that runs into the dishwasher. There is the rinsing of the dishes before they go in and there is all the washing up with countertops and stove tops and other surfaces that require the use of water. I also run a bucket of water with Dawn and use that when needed. I am aware that there are times when a swish wont do and bucket of Dawn aids in the general clean up in the rest of the kitchen.

Keep it simple.

For those who have more than a couple of older folks using the kitchen, a dishwasher would make more sense. For us, it makes no sense at all. It would only be for resell value and I am not sure that I really want to worry much about that at this point.

I have been on a personal journey towards simplying and lightening up the load. I am enjoying it and have zero regrets about paring down anything.

If I were to choose a gravestone, it would read, "Keep it simple". But, I dont want a gravestone anymore than I want a dishwasher.

"I clean as I cook...."

So you could fill a dishwasher. You choose not to. There is no question that dishwashers save power and water, and it's been proven again and again. There is no "loaded argument", there are only test results, and those that think it's not true are lying to themselves to justify their personal choices (just like those that say a washing machine tub full of water is necessary for clean clothes). Just say that you prefer to hand wash everything, and accept the results (and comments). There is no rinsing of dishes required before they go in a washing machine, and there's no need for soaking a pan before it goes in either. Those that do that either have old, lousy machines, or they do it out of habit.

I don't care if you choose to do your dishes by hand, but I do care when there's false information being flown about in the name of justifying those choices.

wednesday morning . Totally agree with you, in fact luv every word! And your absolutely correct in your statements. This is my lane and know the facts.

@kaitie09 - Thanks for posting your comment! I‘ve been really confused about which sink to purchase. I have ALWAYS had a two bowl sink - and while I like being able to make some soapy water on one side when neeeded, I HATE that the larger bowl isn’t large enough at times! Most people on Houzz seem to prefer the one bowl sinks - but there are SO MANY options that it makes my head spin. The 33” Kraus sink looks nice, has lots of good reviews, and is less money than the other options suggested by my contractor.

@User - not surprised that you would come up with a really great option! While I’m in the camp of not worrying about having few things drying within sight, my SO hates it (he doesn’t, however, hate it enough to put the stuff away so . . .) I have a lot of storage in my kitchen - I might be able to work this in next to the sink! Thanks for the idea!

@Toronto Veterinarian - if you’re cooking so much that you have to run your dishwasher twice a day - and you live alone - do you need a roommate??!!? I’d like to volunteer! 😂 You just made a great point - I am one of those who thoroughly rinses dishes OUT OF HABIT. My daughter recently moved in with her boyfriend - and he asked her why she washes the dishes BEFORE putting them into the dishwasher. My mom trained me - and I trained her. Now we both need to break that bad habit! Will save time and will stop wasting water.

I’ll end this argument here and now. Just eat out.

Because we have a well and sceptic, I ALSO wipe out any greasy, oily dishes before either handwashing or loading them. I rinse and scrape dishwasher-headed dishes because it's easier for me to clean out our sink filter/trap than to clean out the dishwasher filter.

What were we discussing? Oh, yeah, we recently stayed at an air bnb and I loved their dish rack so much I noted the brand and ordered it. Forgot to include it in my earlier post.

https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2226159/joseph-joseph-extend-expandable-dish-rack.jsp?prdPV=1

for myself personally, I want to get a stainless sink with integrated drain board, and place the most minimal looking rack on it. as for having the countertop cut with drain grooves: I've read a bunch of horror stories on Houzz about how gross they get, how hard to clean, and/or how it might ruin the stone from the sitting water that doesn't drain well enough.

if you're looking into nicer dish racks, I would not recommend anything that has clear or white plastic parts-- they yellow after only a few years (I'm looking at you, very expensive Simplehuman rack). NYT just did a review on fancy dish racks! the best looking one was the Rohan dish drainer. I personally love that it has no plastic parts. expensive, but you could keep it forever.

normally I don't like the kind of sink that has the drying rack inside, because it's not big enough. but I was surprised to see there are some new, better models out there. here's a current houzz thread with some good product suggestions.

finally, consider ways to cut down on some of that clutter if you can. we have this garlic press that is dishwasher safe, and we love it. consider feeding your dogs with regular bowls and put them in the DW when done. things like that.

"@Toronto Veterinarian - if you’re cooking so much that you have to run your dishwasher twice a day - and you live alone - do you need a roommate??!!?"

LOL - twice a day isn't common, usually every couple of months when I do a weekend bake and cook. But certainly 5 loads a week is pretty common for me.

I love the mat! It's easy to use, easy to put away, easy to wash.

I keep two in the kitchen and change as needed. So easy to store too.

I have never had or used a good dishwasher apparently!

@wednesday morning I endorse your pared down, minimalist lifestyle. I aspire to that. However, I don’t believe swishing cookware and dishes with hot water and no soap gets them clean. Also, don’t you have to run the tap before the hot water flows, thereby wasting water?

Anyone running the dishwasher twice a day to have clean dishes to use, needs more dishes?

"Anyone running the dishwasher twice a day to have clean dishes to use, needs more dishes?"

Having more dishes won't change the number used, so whether I own 4 or 24, I'll still only use the number I use. However, on occasions when I run two loads a day, those loads not filled with dishes - they're filled with pots, pans, baking sheets, mixing bowls, utensils, measuring cups, graters, choppers, etc. And just a couple of dishes and glasses.

SeattleMCM: That's it! That's the one I have - the 100% stainless steel one. It really is about as good looking as a dish drainer can possibly be.

@User

Thank you.

No, I use only a bowl or two , usually an iron skillet and maybe a small stockpot, all of which get cleaned and put away. If I put them in a dishwasher I would have to run a dishwasher in order to have these same couple of things for the next meal. I would have nothing to cook with and not enought to fill up a dishwasher.

Once you run a steel scrubbie and some hot water over a plate or steel bowl, it is as clean as it needs to be. You can see the plate all shiny and clean and the pot that I cooked pasta in only needs the same.

If there is detergent needed I will use it. Mostly there is not. I do like to use some Dawn for glassware.

As for arguing with you, TV, about hand washing vs. dishwashing---not going there. I am way done with that.

I wish I could find a stainless steel sink with a built in drain board. What a great download part of the countertop it would provide. It would be good for so many uses, not just a dish drain.

I looked at that Kohler sink that is being sold at Costco. Some of you may have seen it. That sink is too much hype and not enough real function. I suspect that that big fancy commercial looking faucet that comes with it more is for show than real qualtiy or function. That full sink mat that covers the entire floor of the sink looks to be cumbersome to pick it up and clean out the bits of stuff that get caught on it and that cutting board over the sink is impractical for much real use. In my opinon, it is more about style over function. This is an example of how consumers fall into believing that something that smacks of industrial or commercial design is qualtiy. It may be, but it is no guarantee. i dont think that I would buy this sink. It doesnt offer any real advantage.

taliaferro, my sink sits right atop the water heater in the floor below, so, no I dont have to run a gallon of water to get to hot. I am very confident that my kitchen ware is clean.

I have little, use little and want little . I cook everday and am headed into the kitchen today to can up about half a bushel of tomatoes, render some bread crumbs from my specially baked bread, make some breaded eggplant cutlets and peel and prepare a whole bunch of peaches. Also going to put up a couple of jars of caponata with some eggplant. Sure could use that drain board space that I dont have!

I love my streamlined and simple kitchen. Most of my cabinets are empty and that suits me just fine.

I prepare simple good quality food. At this time of year I buy only what is fresh from the farm, at the farm. If we have tomatoes everyday for a month, so be it. We wont have them in January. The same with the peppers, squash, eggplant, sweet corn, peaches, and now the apples have begun to come in. And, the watermelons from the farm are exquisite! How fortunate to have so much good produce. No grocery store produce is acceptable when there is the farm.

I have a friend that I often get eggs from and I buy locally raised meats when I can.

Food does not have to be complicated, just good qualtiy.

I know that I am fortunate, but I am not rich by any means.

Keep it simple, keep it good.

I so wish I had a nice drainboard sink. I remember when they were quite common. My one and only dishwasher was here in this house when we moved in late 80s. It went bad, I took it out and have never lusted after one since then.

Ikea has what appears to be a solid material drainboard meant to be used with one of their drainers. I am going to give it a second look. I would even take one that was not integral with the sink if I could find a good one.

We run it every-other day with three people, but I guess we always wash pots and pans by hand, so who knows how often it would be with those.

Anyway, the "something I want to look at" problem is a constant vexation of parents with babies, so that might be a direction worth exploring. The ones that look like grass are pretty flexible and would probably hold water bottles and a lot of stuff (but the dog slow feeders just have to lean against the wall at our house -- no drying a maze!)...

https://www.amazon.com/Boon-Grass-Countertop-Drying-Green/dp/B0032G9E0G/

Here are a few others that take the same modern look in different directions:

https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Tot-Bottle-Drying-Rack/dp/B0771CB9J4/

https://www.amazon.com/Bottle-Drainer-Termichy-Countertop-Toddler/dp/B07C1J9VF7

You'd probably need a couple of any of these side by side to cover grown-up-size items, but still, cute when empty or full! Otherwise, maybe just throw a dish towel over the top of the chaos when people come over?