Choosing a Kitchen Faucet

Since the sink is the powerhouse of the kitchen, it only makes sense that you have a faucet that also meets your demands. We will discuss different faucet types, features, and things to keep in mind to help you choose the right faucet. If you missed it, you can find out more about choosing your kitchen sink here.

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Before we get started, I would like to mention that it is best to pick your faucet in conjunction with your sink. Most sinks, with the exception of many undermounted sinks, have holes drilled for specific faucet types. You will want to make sure that the faucet holes will match the number of holes required for your faucet. A lot of sinks can be ordered with varying amount of holes for this purpose, but you will need to have a faucet picked out in order to order correctly.

What happens if the amount of holes in the sink do not match the faucet that you want? Unfortunately, if your sink does not have enough holes, you will need to select a compatible faucet. There are very few sinks that have knock-outs to add holes. If you have extra holes, there are plugs that you can purchase to fill them. They do not look the best, but they do the job. Another option would be adding a in-counter soap dispenser. Many faucets come with a matching dispenser, but they can also be purchased separately like the one above. These are great even if you need to add another hole to accommodate one. It keeps you dish or hand soap close at hand and eliminates the clutter of having a bottle setting out.

Two Handle Faucet

Two handle faucets have a more classic feel. They are available with and without a side sprayer. They can have a high arc design, as shown above, or a standard neck. The high arc is great for getting larger stock pots underneath. You will need a three hole drilling for these. Four, if there is a side sprayer. Do not use this style for offset double sink styles. The neck needs to be able to swing over each of the bowls. Because if this, the neck should be mounted directly next to or over the bowl divider.

Pros

• Classic look
• Hot or cold only easily
• Side sprayer available
• Will fill three hole sinks, four if side sprayer or soap dispenser

Cons

• Must use two hands to mix water to correct temperature
• Can look overwhelming or cluttered on undermount style sinks or smaller sinks
• Should not use on an offset double bowl sink. See above
• Can’t have both a side sprayer and a soap dispenser with this style as most sinks have a maximum of four holes
• Larger base plate to clean around

Single Handle Faucets

Single handle faucets are the most popular choice. They typically have a high arch neck to allow for larger pots and often have a pull-down sprayer to eliminate the need for another hole. These tend to have the cleanest look, but are also available in traditional styles.

Pros

• One-handed temperature control
• Modern and traditional styles available
• Single hole drilling. Great for undermount sinks
• Often has removable plate available to cover extra holes if needed

Cons

• Pull-down sprayers may be weaker than separate sprayers. Check reviews
• Most options tend to be limited to modern styling, although traditional options are available
• May not cover enough holes in traditional top mount sinks. Choosing one with a base plate and a soap dispenser, like below, can solve this issue

Touchless Faucet

This is not so much of a different style, than a cool new feature on the market. Touchless faucets have the benefit of not needing to touch the handle when your hands are a mess. Highly recommended for the home chef. These are usually found in the single handle style.

Commercial Style Faucets

Commercial style faucets can make a great visual impact in your kitchen. They are often used in large, modern “chef” style kitchens. These are typically single hole, unless it comes with a soap dispenser.

Pros

• Striking visual impact
• Heavy duty sprayer
• Easy to get larger pots under

Cons

• Needs large and deep sink to prevent splash-back
• May overwhelm small and medium size kitchens
• May be difficult to clean

Wall Mounted Faucets

Wall mounted faucets are another great way to make a great visual impact, this time in a traditional setting. These are a great complement to a farm sink. They do require additional plumbing, so is best to be used in new construction or an entire kitchen remodel and not just a refresh. We also recommend the use of wall tile behind the sink or a high-backed farm sink. If used, there would not be any sink holes needed unless adding a soap dispenser. Because most sinks have at least one hole, it would be best to use with an undermount sink or specialty high-backed farm sink.

Pros

• Great visual impact
• Traditional Styling

Cons

• Requires special plumbing
• Usually only available in two handle style with two-handed operation
• Options with sprayers are hard to find

As you can see, there are many different styles of faucets to choose from. It is important that you choose your faucet in conjunction with your sink to avoid having too many or too few holes in your sink or countertop. Current trends are for as few holes as possible. This looks less cluttered and there is less to clean around. Make sure to read about choosing a kitchen sink here.

Choosing a Kitchen Sink Part 1: Style

Choosing a Kitchen Sink Part 2: Materials and Maintenance