From hot taps to workstation sinks, Abode's design manager Paul Illingworth talks us through the essential sink and tap trends set to make an impact on kitchen design this year.
Must-have sinks and taps remain focused on precision design and performance, with long-term sustainability goals placing new emphasis on natural materials, durable finishes, and added extras like restricted flow rates, sensor technology, and eco settings. With the main aim to save energy and water, early feedback from specialist KBB retailers report that 52% of UK homeowners will consider doing renovations in 2025, with 1/5 making significant long-term savings to help keep pace with the rising cost of living.
1. SINKS
STYLE | Synergy between the furniture, sink, and taps is the latest style trend influencing modern kitchen design, and this level of co-ordination is encouraging a look that is highly sophisticated and perfectly streamlined. With this in mind, sinks that are designed without tap decks are now the go-to for anyone wanting a truly contemporary aesthetic. By mounting the taps behind the sink, you can opt for either horizontal or vertical orientation, so the bowl and surrounding surface area remains untouched – ideal if your client's tap requires 3 holes! Sinks that offer 2 IN 1 installation are most popular in 2025, with undermount or inset options complementing all types of worktop.
FINISH | When it comes to material then PVD and granite sinks are on the rise, reflecting the desire to introduce design elements, that are robust and effortlessly take centrestage in the kitchen, utility and laundry room. Known for their superior anti-fingerprint and scratch resistant properties, the latest PVD and granite sinks are not only durable but versatile too, offered in an extensive range of colours and finishes that are easy to clean and provide a pristine, luxury appearance in your kitchen. Top colours in 2025 take inspiration from the very best taps on the market, with sinks in brushed brass and black now topping the charts and making it even easier to coordinate the sink and taps, and even the waste and overflow! Mix-and-match kitchen schemes are also trending right now, with combination finishes proving extremely popular for anyone that prefers a contrast in styles!
FUNCTION | Doubling-up the kitchen sink is number one in 2025. Whether it’s design, capacity or the added extras, you can now increase the functionality of a sink without sacrificing on form or function. If you’re working with a compact kitchen, there are now innovative slimline rinsers that let the user fill a sink to the brim and double the water capacity to give you all the benefits of a traditional 1.5 bowl combination with much smaller footprint. Don’t overlook the accessories in 2025 either, as the latest sink designs are now available with a range of complementary accessories, that are specially designed to increase functionality. Look out for added extras such as flex racks, stainless steel colanders and chopping boards to quickly transform a sink into a complete workstation designed to save time and space when prepping and cooking food.
2. TAPS
STYLE | Distinct profiles will continue to influence kitchen mixer taps in 2025, with the latest single and dual-lever designs taking the spotlight and helping to capture a range of interior styles to suit the rest of your client's home. Echoed through signature style spouts, quad and swan-neck designs with a sleek silhouette are characterising the contemporary kitchen with more elaborate, country-style spouts defining the more classic or traditional kitchen space. 3 IN 1 and 4 IN 1 instant hot water taps have also undergone a series of transformations and now, are available with a range of control features like environmentally friendly real wood levers through to solid brass and ceramic options so you can match a product with a contemporary, traditional, industrial and even Scandi-style kitchen scheme.
FINISH | Decorative surface finishes are delivering a strong identity in both the modern and classic kitchen this year, with the very best PVD and matt finishes in white, grey and black topping the charts. If you love a pop of colour, then neutral-coloured taps remain a solid choice with standout shades in nude and warm terracotta this year. The desire for custom design continues to introduce a range of textures and appearances with brass taps rated the most requested finish in 2025 and due to their growing popularity, models are now being offered in brushed and antique variations so you can achieve the look and finish you want for your design. Another hot favourite in 2025 is the ability to colour match kitchen taps to the latest appliances, helping to satisfy the latest furniture trends for darker finishes in the kitchen with options in graphite and more recently, gunmetal becoming a stylish alternative.
FUNCTION | Function forward style trends have shown the kitchen tap is no longer just for washing the dishes, as the desire for increased efficiency has led to a range of extra design features, which are introducing up to 5 functions in the wet zone such as making hot drinks, delivering filtered water, prepping food, pot filling, and general washing and cleaning. Working in combination with the latest mixer taps and workstation sinks, the latest trends are showing a taste for complementary handsprays with ergonomic controls and powerful spray action through to water filter taps. Homeowners are also celebrating steady growth for instant hot water taps that are high performance and sensitively styled, and the latest research reports that 80% of all new premium kitchens, and 20% of all mid-range kitchens now include a hot water tap as the go-to kitchen essential!
