Twin champagne troughs

His & Hers drinks troughs

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During the design of this particular kitchen I had a great deal of freedom to explore different ideas, and that's often when the most enjoyable bespoke kitchen features come to life. One of those ideas became these twin drinks troughs, a feature that almost didn't happen, but ultimately turned out to be one of my favourites in the whole project.

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Looking beyond the obvious solution

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The original idea came from a recessed, flush-fitting chilled wine holder I had seen at a home exhibition.

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It certainly looked impressive, particularly the illuminated versions, but at well over £1,000 each they represented a significant investment. More importantly, when there weren't any bottles in them they looked a little odd,almost like a random hole cut into the worktop. Unless you knew exactly what they were for, you'd probably be forgiven for thinking they were somewhere to throw your recycling.

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For me, it was one of those ideas that looked good at first glance but didn't really justify the cost.

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So, I shelved the idea and started looking for something better.

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Finding the right solution

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I eventually found a manufacturer producing stainless steel drinks troughs designed for under-mounted installations.

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They looked good, but they still felt really expensive for what they were.

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Then another idea presented itself.

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Instead of buying a specialist product, I sourced two standard single under-mounted stainless steel sinks, which turned out to be exactly the right size for what I wanted to achieve.

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Because they were normal, everyday products, they were readily available, reasonably priced and, importantly, looked exactly as though they had been designed for the job.

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One sink would have been a little too small on its own, so I suggested using two instead. Even then, the overall cost remained sensible while creating a much more practical feature.

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Martin loved the idea straight away because it created something practical for entertaining at home without adding clutter to the worktop, so we added it to the specification.

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Designed into the kitchen from the beginning

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Once the design had been agreed, the solid surface fabricators incorporated the additional openings into the worktops and the twin drinks troughs were positioned neatly behind the main sink.

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With the matching cover plates in place, the drinks troughs disappear into the worktop until they're needed. Most visitors would never realise they were there during everyday use.

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Whether it's a family barbecue, Christmas drinks or an evening entertaining friends, the transformation is immediate.

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One side comfortably holds bottled beers while the other keeps wine chilled, keeping refreshments close to hand while leaving the rest of the worktop clear for preparing food and entertaining.

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Add a handful of colour-changing LED ice cubes alongside the real ice, and it becomes an even bigger talking point. It's one of those details that guests almost always notice and usually ask about.

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A better idea for entertaining

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This project perfectly demonstrates what bespoke design is really about.

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Rather than choosing the most expensive product available, the better solution came from questioning the obvious answer and looking for something that worked better.

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The finished result feels completely integrated into the kitchen while adding a feature that guests rarely expect to discover.

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Everyone involved loved the vision from the beginning, and seeing it brought to life confirmed it had been the right decision.

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Sometimes the most memorable bespoke features aren't the most expensive.

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They're simply the ones that make a kitchen a little more enjoyable to use.

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If you enjoy projects like this, you may also like our Media Wall with Smart Mood Lighting, Breakfast Bar Sonos Subwoofer Housing, and Custom Mood Lighting Project, where thoughtful design and creative problem-solving transformed everyday ideas into bespoke features.

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Do you have a bespoke project you'd like to discuss?

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Whether you're planning a new kitchen or looking for bespoke kitchen features that make entertaining at home more enjoyable, I'd be happy to explore the possibilities with you.

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If you're planning a bespoke kitchen in Stourbridge, Solihull or elsewhere across the West Midlands, let's discuss how creative thinking and carefully considered design can turn simple ideas into features you'll enjoy for years to come.