The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Kitchen Faucet
Choosing a kitchen faucet can be overwhelming thanks to the vast array of kitchen faucet options, features, and accessories that are available. As kitchen showroom consultants, we aim to simplify this process and compile all the information for you so that you can make the best choice. For many families, most of the time at home is spent in the kitchen, which makes choosing a kitchen faucet all the more important–not just in terms of functionality and usability, but also in terms of how the faucet will enhance the look of our kitchens and homes. Avoid the inconvenience and the mediocrity of having the wrong kitchen sink and faucet, by evaluating all of the options beforehand.
Choosing a Kitchen Faucet
Step 1: Evaluate the existing kitchen
What kind of features and fixtures already exist in your kitchen? Will you be keeping the current design or getting all new fixtures? Get started by selecting a complementary faucet for your kitchen sink. What sink and faucet style and installation options will best meet your needs? Is your sink made of enameled cast iron, glass, stainless steel or composite material? What faucet finish will match the other elements in your kitchen?
Need to visualize the space? Kohler’s interactive kitchen planner allows you to play with sink options, faucet selections, countertop types, wall colors, and cabinet selections before buying the fixtures.
Step 2: Choose your faucet functions
Once you have decided the overall look and type of faucet that will fit well with your kitchen area, decide exactly what you need from a kitchen faucet. What is your faucet style? Do you offer use large cookware that might be best accommodated with a high-arch spout? Do you prefer to operate the faucet with a single handle, two handles, or touchless technology? With response touchless technology, simply wave your hand, utensil, pot or pan through the sensor window to turn your sink on or off.
A wall-mount faucet will help to reduce countertop clutter. Bridge kitchen faucets offer a new interpretation of a classic design with two-handles and a generous swing spout that mounts onto the counter, sink deck or wall. For all-in-one function, try a pullout or pull-down faucet model. If you prefer a clean sink deck without a sidespray, generous spout height, and multiple spray options, a pull-down model might be the right choice for you.
Pull-down kitchen faucets with features like Kohler’s DockNetik magnetic docking system have specially positioned magnets that lock the sprayhead into place when you’re not using it.
Pull-out models generally have a larger section of the faucet that pulls away and offer the same function as a pull-down faucet, but with a larger grip area that may be more comfortable to use.
Have you considered adding faucets with multiple spray options? Kohler, for example, offers specialty sprays and innovative technologies that make it easier to prep, cook and clean, including quiet hoses, easy-to-clean sprayfaces and tarnish-resistant finishes.
Streamline kitchen tasks with sprays that can gently clean delicate fruits, quickly fill large pots with water, and sweep dirty dishes clean. Kohler’s BerrySoft kitchen task spray offers a light spray specifically designed to gently wash fruits and vegetables. It’s the perfect way to prep without bruising your produce. Boost spray technology increases the flow rate of your faucet’s sprays by 30% with the push of a button. And Sweep spray features specially angled nozzles that create a forceful blade of water to sweep away food from your dishes.
Step 3: Choose your faucet finish
Once you have selected a kitchen faucet, choose a finish that complements the other colors and metals in the room. Or choose a finish that makes its own bold style statement. Whatever you prefer, Kohler has one of the largest selections of faucet finishes, from a deep Vibrant® Polished Titanium, an antiqued Vintage Nickel, or the warm Vibrant Moderne Brushed Gold that is sure to make a statement in any room.
Whether you are looking for warm brushed tones or brilliant polished hues, each finish resists corrosion twice as well as the industry standard. Vibrant faucet finishes are created using physical vapor deposition (PVD) to bond the finish and faucet together at the molecular level, creating an incredibly strong surface that is scratch- and tarnish-resistant. And all KOHLER finishes are backed by a Lifetime Limited Warranty.
Step 4: Choose the finishing touches
Consider the functional accessories that streamline kitchen tasks and keep sink bowls tidy. Most are easy to install and are a great way to enhance your kitchen faucet. For example, keep your countertop clear by storing liquid soap, dishwashing liquid, or hand lotion in an under-the-sink container. Soap dispensers are available in a range of designs and finishes to match your kitchen sink and faucet.
Strainers and disposable flanges help your sink drain smoothly and keep debris from clogging your drain. These are available in a variety of finishes to coordinate with your faucet.
For added convenience, pot fillers and beverage faucets allow you to continue using your main faucet while entertaining or cooking. Pot fillers allow you to fill pots right where you need it, above or next to your stovetop, to avoid carrying a heavy, water-filled pot across the kitchen. Beverage faucets dispense filtered drinking water, with cold-water and hot-water systems available.
Tip: Before beginning installation, be sure to observe all local plumbing and building codes. Shut off the water supplies. Carefully inspect waste and supply tubing for any sign of damage and replace if necessary. Before installation, unpack the new faucet and inspect it for damage. For new installations, assemble the faucet on the sink before installing the sink. Do not straighten the faucet supply tubes until the faucet is installed to the sink.
Visit Our Bathroom Showroom in Collegeville
Our ultimate guide to choosing a kitchen faucet will hopefully make your faucet selection process easier. When you make an appointment with us at our showroom, we can better guide you through the wide range of features, styles and colors available in sinks and faucets from Kohler, Moen, Brizo, and any other manufacturer you may be interested in. Because many of our displays are functional, you will be able to test out your selections before making a purchase. Call to schedule an appointment: 610-409-8500.
