Kitchen Faucet Buying Guide

Design: Austin Bean Design
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Whether you are an expert chef or novice cook, you will use your kitchen faucet daily. For this reason, it is important to choose a faucet with the right style and functions to suit your needs.

In this guide, we break down what you need to know about the most common faucet mounting layouts, handle options, sprayer and spout choices, and some special features to consider to ensure you make the right decision when choosing a faucet.

Faucet Mounting Options

There are three common mounting options: deckplate, non-deckplate, and wall mounted. Faucet mounting (number and spacing of holes) is especially important if you're placing a new faucet on an existing countertop or sink, both of which already have a set number of holes and spacing. Faucets have between one and five holes, varying based on the number and layout of handles, spouts, and faucet accessories, like water filters.

Look at the number of holes your sink or countertop has and filter your search with those details. Sink hole covers can be used to disguise unused holes.

Single Hole
Faucets with a single hole often feature only one handle, as well. Single-hole faucets require only one hole in the sink or countertop. If you have more than one hole, the unused holes can be covered up with sink hole covers or by selecting a deckplate faucet.

Two Hole
Two-hole faucets can come in a two different configurations, one is a bridge faucet, and the other looks like a single-hole faucet with an additional feature, such as a side sprayer or soap dispenser, next to it.

Three Hole
The standard layout for a three-hole faucet is one for the spout and two for the handles. However, this can vary if there is an additional feature, such as a soap dispenser or side sprayer added.

Four Hole
Kitchen faucets with four holes allow you to add an additional feature, such as a side sprayer or soap dispenser, mounted to the sink or countertop. Four-hole faucets are a type of widespread faucet.

Deckplate
A faucet with a deckplate, or an escutcheon, contains the handles and spout in one plate. It can cover up to three holes on your sink or countertop. Faucets with a deckplate are a type of centerset faucets.

Wall Mounted
Hung on the wall above the sink, wall-mounted faucets make countertop cleaning easier and allow for larger pots, pans, and other vessels to be placed in the sink.

Additional Faucet Styles

Aside from the standard kitchen sink faucet that will be used every day, there are two other popular faucet styles to consider when renovating a kitchen.

Pot Filler
Designed to fill cooking pots with water, pot fillers are generally placed near the stove. This placement eliminates the need to carry heavy pots to the stove, therefore easing neck, back, and shoulder strain. Pot fillers can be mounted to the wall or to the countertop or sink.

​Bar Faucet
Typically smaller in size than the average kitchen faucet, bar faucets can carry out many of the same functions as larger faucets. Bar faucets are commonly placed in smaller sinks located in another part of the kitchen so that the main sink doesn't become too crowded.

Faucet Handle Options

Single Handle
Oftentimes a single-handled faucet will come attached to a deckplate to cover up unused handle holes. The single handle operates both hot and cold water.

Double Handle
Double-handled faucets may have the handles integrated to a deckplate or mounted individually. They have separate handles for hot and cold water.

Sprayer and Spout Options

Spout Options

• High-arc spouts, or gooseneck spouts are taller versions and provide more working space over the sink. They are generally 8-10 inches higher than the countertop.
• Standard spouts are usually 3-5 inches higher than the countertop.

Tip!

Measure the space between the counter and any cabinets above the sink. The faucet should fit comfortably between the cabinet and the countertop. Also ensure there is enough space for special functions, depending on your spout type.

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Sprayer Options

• Side sprayers are mounted onto the countertop or sink next to the faucet; these require an extra hole.
• Pull-down or pull-out sprayers are incorporated into the faucet and do not require an extra hole.
• Some faucets feature a 360-degree swivel, allowing the water to reach all parts of the sink and the surrounding countertop, but often require more space.

Special Features

• Water filtration
• Automatic faucets have motion sensing technology
• Hot and cold water dispensers offer filtered water at the desired temperature for drinking
• Soap dispensers