7 Things to Consider When Selecting a New Kitchen Faucet
The faucet is one of the busiest tools in the kitchen. It’s vital for the daily tasks of prepping food, cooking, cleaning, and sanitizing. Of all the features in your kitchen, the faucet is probably the one that you interact with most.
Standing at center stage, the faucet is also one of the primary features of your kitchen’s style. Choosing the right fixture will not only enhance the functionality of the kitchen, but also serves as an expression of your individual taste. Telling a story of how the kitchen is used, your faucet will be a defining element of your home for years.
But with so many options, how do you get it right? Here is a list of 7 key things to consider as you go through your faucet selection process.
but also serves as an expression of your individual taste.
Style and Design
Let’s face it – style matters! The kitchen faucet says a lot about a person’s personality. It should blend with and accentuate the look of your kitchen. Because of its prominent position, the faucet is often the pinnacle of kitchen design, with everything else falling in place around it. Here are some of the major faucet styles to consider.
Traditional
Traditional kitchen design allows you to mix and match different layers of detail, including color and texture. The graceful opulence of a traditional faucet can compliment a kitchen with elegant design. The Sellette™ Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet (KPF-1682ORB) is classically inspired, with decorative moulding and ornate details that offer a refined touch. It’s the perfect fit for a warm and classic kitchen adorned with wood tones, creamy whites, and natural stone.
Modern
Modern kitchens are characterized by restrained designs, with subtle color variations that frame a simple, stylish, and functional space. In these kitchens, the faucet offers an opportunity to punctuate the characteristically clean space with crisp lines and a bold aesthetic. The sleek design of the Artec Pro™ Commercial Style Faucet with Pot Filler (KPF-1603BGMB) brings an industrial edge to the kitchen. Its tall arc and open coil spout are the perfect complement for the smooth and flat surfaces of a modern kitchen.
opportunity to punctuate the characteristically
clean space with crisp lines and a bold aesthetic.
Transitional
Not too modern, not too classic. It’s the perfect balance for those who want to keep it current without making a big statement. Characterized by soft, rounded contours, transitional design blends features of modern and traditional styles. The Merlin™ Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet (KPF-1674SFS) has elegant curves and clean lines. It’s the perfect balance for a kitchen with versatile transitional style.
balance for those who want to keep it current
without making a big statement
Commercial Style
For the pro chefs out there, a commercial faucet can complement your chopping, braising, deglazing, and searing skills at the sink. It’s a subcategory of modern design, so it will work perfectly in a sleek kitchen as well. The characteristic coiled spout instantly brings to mind images of the stainless steel surfaces of a professional kitchen. The Britt™ Commercial Kitchen Faucet (KPF-1690SFS) can inspire the budding professional chef in any of us.
is often the pinnacle of kitchen design, with
everything else falling in place around it
Handle Type
There are some kitchen faucet choices that affect form and function equally. Choosing the handle type is one of those features that straddles both considerations.
Single Handle
Anyone who preps and cooks most of their meals at home will appreciate the ease-of-use of a single-handle faucet. Temperature and flow can easily be adjusted and fine-tuned with one hand, one finger, or even an elbow if needed! It’s a good choice for busy kitchens and certainly for anyone with limited mobility.
Two-Handle
There is no mistaking the dramatic style statement a two-handle faucet can make. With the many handle styles available, it’s possible to take your kitchen to a new place by changing your faucet alone. The Allyn™ Transitional Bridge Faucet (KPF-3121) has an elegant two-handle design that becomes an impactful kitchen centerpiece. Whether you are going for a traditional look or an edgier industrial style, there are two-handle faucets that can help you achieve the look.
has an elegant two-handle design that becomes
an impactful kitchen centerpiece.
Faucet Height
Height consideration for your faucet can be aesthetic or functional. A taller faucet like the Artec Pro™ (KPF-1603) can have a dramatic effect on the design of your kitchen. If your sink is under cabinets and height is a limiting factor, a commercial style faucet with optimized height like the Bolden™ (KPF-1610) will fit without sacrificing style or functionality.
dramatic effect on the design of your kitchen
Faucet Arc
Faucet arc is the distance from the top of the sink to the base of the spout. You might be looking for a dramatic tall arc to help fill and maneuver big pots and pans, or you might want a low-profile faucet that doesn’t block the view. Arc can be an important consideration depending on how you use your faucet. A high arc faucet, like the Ansel™ Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet (KPF-1675SFS), is not only striking and graceful, it can also be helpful for fitting large items in the sink. Meanwhile, the low-arc Oren™ (KPF-2252SFS) fits neatly into any kitchen decor and keeps a low profile.
Faucet is not only striking and graceful,
it can also be helpful for fitting larger items in the sink
Sprayer Function
One faucet feature that modern kitchens should not go without is the sprayer function. Allowing you to easily direct the flow of water and reach every corner of the sink, it’s a feature that is used for many kitchen tasks – from filling pitchers and watering plants, to blasting away tough grime. There are a few different options available that primarily result from the shape of your faucet. Whatever sprayer function you choose, it is guaranteed to boost the functionality of your kitchen workflow.
Pull Down
Faucets with pull-down functionality, like the Odell™ (KPF-1676SFS) Kitchen Faucet, have a sprayer hose which extends down toward the sink from the main faucet body. These faucets often have a button or lever mechanism that allows you to access an aerated stream or a powerful spray of water from the same spout.
Pull Out
Faucets like Oren™ (KPF-2252SFS) allow you to access the benefits of pull-down functionality, but with a lower profile. These faucets pull outward toward the user.
Side Sprayer
These models have a separate spout for accessing the spray function, which docks on the sink or countertop rather than on the faucet body. Faucets with side sprayer functionality, such as the Urbix™ (KPF 3125BG), are a great option if you’re looking to incorporate a spray function while utilizing extra holes in your sink or countertop.
the functionality of your kitchen workflow.
Mounting
Does your faucet mount to the counter or the wall? Do you need to match your faucet to existing holes in your countertop? Or are you installing new counters and choosing a faucet before you cut the holes? Knowing your mounting type is key to choosing the right faucet. It’s important that your faucet aligns with the number of holes that are drilled through your countertop or sink. The most common configurations are Sellette™ Traditional Kitchen Faucet and 3-hole options Allyn™ Transitional Bridge Faucet.
If you are replacing an old faucet and want to change the mounting type to increase the number of holes, you will need to have them drilled, which may involve hiring a professional. If you’re going from a multiple hole mounting style to a single-hole mounting style, a deck plate can be used to cover the extra ones.
your faucet aligns with the number of holes that are drilled through your countertop or sink
Installation
Changing your faucet usually involves a fair amount of crawling around under the counter. It’s not a hard DIY project, but does require a bit of flexibility. If that doesn’t sound enticing to you there is another way! Kraus faucets with QuickDock™ Technology, like the Oletto™ Commercial-Style Faucet, allow you to install from above the counter. With this type of installation, it’s possible to easily complete your kitchen upgrade yourself, with no need to call in professionals.
FROM ABOVE THE SINK
W/ ALLEN KEY
AND WATERLINES
FAUCET
Finish
One of the most important design considerations is the faucet finish. Trends come and go, but some are timeless stand-bys. Brushed Gold or Matte Black can bring in some modernity. Or you can even go with an interesting 2-tone look like a Matte Black and Stainless Steel mixed finish. A shiny Chrome can add a level of sophistication, while Spot-Free Stainless Steel makes cleaning easy by resisting water spots and fingerprints.
Extras
Don’t forget that there are additional types of faucets for special applications. An extra faucet for your bar area can be an entertainer’s dream! For the eco-conscious, water filter faucet that mounts right next to your kitchen sink can create a convenient way to convert to refillable bottles and promote healthier living.
mounts right next to your kitchen sink can create a convenient way
to convert to refillable bottles and promote healthier living
Your kitchen faucet is the central feature of your kitchen design. Choosing the right model can have a huge impact, making your kitchen tasks more enjoyable and serving as a centerpiece for the entire space. Congratulations on taking the firsts steps in transforming your kitchen, and happy shopping!