5 Reasons to Love the Versatility of a Copper Sink
One of the best ways to set a kitchen or bathroom design apart: a copper sink. These heirloom sinks bring instant character and visual interest to a space — and they effortlessly complement a range of design styles.
Designer: Laura Burton Laura Burton Interiors
Photography: An Indoor Lady
Builder: Enve Builders
Product: Trough 30 Bathroom Sink
As a plumbing material, copper is truly timeless — dating back centuries — even though it does tend to pop up frequently on lists of trending materials in home design. Especially in light of the fact that it provides an interesting alternative to stainless steel or ceramic sinks.
All of Native Trails’ copper products are made from 100 percent recycled copper that has been melted down and hammered out by hand. These finishes are ‘living,’ meaning that they’ll evolve over time: Antique Copper, Tempered Copper, and Polished Copper.
From left to right: Tempered Copper (which mottles all the copper hues together through a complex heating and cooling process), Antique Copper (which has a distinctive rich brown mottled hue that re-patinas itself), and Polished Copper (which is shiny and hand-polished with hints of rose gold).
These sinks are loved by interior designers for many reasons, our lifetime warranty included, but here are 5 of the top ones.
1. Copper plays well with other metals
Designer: Ainsley Stewart
Photographer: Morgan Brinton
Product: Farmhouse 30 in Polished Copper
It’s okay to mix diverse metals (like a copper sink with polished nickel fixtures, as in this kitchen by Ainsley Stewart). In fact, it’s encouraged — giving a more layered, eclectic look to the space. As designer Emily Henderson says, “Copper, rose gold, brass, gold and silver can all be friends. More like an all-girls band — they play, compete, perform and can knock ’em dead when done right.”
Mixing a copper sink with contrasting hardware also helps the sink come off like a rich pop of color all on its own. (For more on mixing metals, read our tips from top designers.)
2. Copper puts a luxe touch on rustic or heritage-style homes
Design: Korr Design
Product: Rhapsody in Antique Copper
“Rustic” is usually one of the first associations with copper in homes — and for good reason. A copper sink is a perfect fit for log cabins and mountain lodges, but it offers a luxurious twist, going a long way to elevate the look of a country kitchen.
See this charming heritage home nestled near Longview, Alberta. Inspired by the home’s striking vaulted log ceiling, Korr Design expanded the kitchen, outfitting it with double islands and two Native Trails copper sinks (one apron front and one undermounted), a copper range hood and copper kitchen accessories.
3. Copper can bring industrial chic vibes to a space
Design: Bond Design Company
Photo: Nicole Gerulat
Product: Cantina in Antique
Another design style readily associated with copper sinks: industrial. For homeowners and designers going for luxe, moody and factory-inspired look, a copper sink will bring a rugged touch.
This speakeasy-style Utah kitchen by Bond Design Company uses a Native Trails sinks in Antique Copper to marry playfulness and minimalism. See the full project here.
4. Copper brings durable luxury to high-use spaces – plus goes contemporary, too
Design: South Harlow
Photo: Nader Essa Photo
Product: Cocina 30 in Antique Copper
Opting for a copper sink in a high-use or commercial space can play a powerful role in maintaining a truly sanitary — and chic — environment. That’s because copper is known for its ability to quickly kill a wide range of harmful microbes, and has been used to fight germs throughout history.
“We are obsessed with our Native Trails hammered antique copper sink,” say the designers from South Harlow Interiors, which recently used Native Trails’ Cocina 30 to add character and warmth to its contemporary styled studio kitchenette. “And it has a beautiful patina that just gets better with time!”
Read more about copper’s antibacterial properties here.
5. Copper adds texture and interest to any design
Design: Charmean Neithart
Product: Cocina 30 and Cocina 21 in Antique Copper
Hammered copper sinks often beat out more traditional competitor materials because of the texture they provide to any space.
“As we continue to embrace more authentic, natural materials in the design of our homes, we’ll likely see more sinks that move away from man-made stainless steel and porcelain to materials that exude more warm and richness: think integrated stone or copper sinks,” says Ines Kelly of Kelly Hopter Interiors.
Charmean Neithart found our hammered copper perfect in this Japanese-inspired kitchen. The kitchen was designed to highlight the surrounding garden with its dramatic bamboo forest and black bottom pool.
And finally, what’s not to love about a copper sink?
“Copper sinks are beautifully understated and mellow to the eye,” affirms Helen Parker, Creative Director of internationally acclaimed deVOL’s Kitchens. They are elegant but incredibly hard wearing, and they age beautifully, gathering character with every use. Copper is timeless and really should be used more frequently in kitchens and bathrooms as its properties are unique, mixing durability with timeless style.”