Once considered a relic of old-fashioned kitchens and countryside cottages, the humble sink skirt is making an unexpected return, and it feels decidedly chic.
After years dominated by sleek cabinetry and ultra-minimal interiors, sink skirts offer something kitchens have been missing: softness and charm.
They’re versatile in their styling too, from English country-inspired homes to relaxed coastal kitchens, designers and homeowners alike are embracing the soft fabric detail as a way to bring warmth, texture and personality back into the heart of the home.
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There’s a certain softness achieved by adding a sink skirt. (Photography: Chris Wakefield).
Designers are reimagining sink skirts through tailored linens, playful stripes, delicate florals and earthy natural fabrics that feel elevated rather than overly nostalgic.
Originally, homeowners used sink skirts to conceal plumbing and create hidden storage beneath farmhouse sinks.
The return of sink skirts coincides with a broader shift towards more lived-in interiors. Kitchens are becoming a lot less showroom-perfect and more expressive.
Sink skirts introduce movement and texture in a way hard cabinetry simply cannot.
The charm added by the sink skirt is undeniable. (Photography: Danielle St Laurent).
“We’re very drawn to the slightly undone quality of them — the way fabric gathers, wrinkles, drapes, and shifts over time makes a space feel more alive and lived-in. There’s something almost costume-like about skirted interiors that we love.”
Hollie Velten-Lattrell, Interior Desginer at SPACES
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The trend also sits very comfortably alongside the continued rise of cottage-inspired interiors, English country style and the enduring appeal of the “Nancy Meyers” aesthetic.
Bold and bright colours aren’t always necessary either. An earthy colour pattern adds a level of luxury. (Photography: Tom Blachford).
A softer alternative to cabinetry
Beyond aesthetics, sink skirts can also be surprisingly practical. They provide easy access to under-sink storage while cleverly hiding cleaning products, bins and everyday clutter.
For older homes, they can also offer a budget-friendly alternative to custom cabinetry. Particularly in laundries, butler’s pantries or smaller kitchens where flexibility matters.
Because homeowners can easily swap out the fabric, sink skirts make it simple to refresh a space seasonally. They can even introduce colour and pattern without committing to a full renovation. That’s always a design win!
This is one way to make a statement! (Photography: Alana Landsberry / Styling: Lucy Gough).
How to make the trend feel modern
The key to making sink skirts feel current rather than will always lie in the styling. Tailored silhouettes, natural linens and understated patterns can definitely feel more contemporary than heavily gathered or overly frilly designs.
Look no further than former The Block contestants Steph and Gian’s stunning new home renovation, where they utilised curtains – including sink skirts – in multiple spaces like the kitchen and laundry, in a way that is both contemporary and effortlessly stylish.
Steph and Gian Ottavio got creative with their design choices. (Photography: Lauren Trompp / Styling: Nonci Nyoni / Styling assistant: Julia Baston).
Pairing the look with natural stone, timber cabinetry, brass tapware and interesting tiles helps strike the right balance between traditional charm and modern refinement.
Steph admits they had “become a signature” in her home and were made using the same fabric as the window curtains, expertly creating a sense of continuity throughout each space.
“Adding curtains isn’t something people usually do but it adds drama and cosiness.”
Steph Ottavio, architect & homeowner
And if you’re going for a more relaxed coastal feel, striped linen or soft neutrals work beautifully, while floral prints and gingham fabrics lean further into the cottage aesthetic.
Different fabric choices change the entire aesthetic. (Photography: Kate Enno/ Styling: Annalese Hay).
Sink skirts are most commonly seen beneath kitchen sinks, but the trend is also finding its way into bathrooms, laundries and mudrooms. In smaller spaces especially, a fabric skirt can help a room feel lighter and less visually heavy than bulky cabinetry.
(Credit: Photography: Ess Creative)
It’s a simple detail, but one that brings an undeniable sense of character and charm.
And perhaps that’s exactly why sink skirts are making a comeback. In a time when homes are increasingly expected to feel calm, comforting and personal, this once-forgotten kitchen feature feels perfectly at home once again.
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Photography: Martina Gemmola
