Of all the fixtures and appliances, the kitchen tap is probably the one we use the most. According to faucet manufacturer KWC, the average family uses the kitchen faucet more than 40 times a day. Whether it’s washing hands, rinsing dishes, filling a pasta pot, or washing vegetables, the kitchen faucet gets a workout every day. So when it’s time to buy a new faucet, you need to know how to choose one that does its job and will continue to do so for years to come. But don’t worry, this guide should take much of the fear and hatred out of selecting a new tap.

Are you looking for an old vintage look, a chic contemporary, rustic Old World style, or something classy and traditional? Nickel or pewter faucets are perfect for traditional kitchen, copper or bronze are ideal for Old World and country-style kitchens, and chrome or stainless steel faucets have a very contemporary look.

One of the first things to know before buying a faucet is its hole settings. Most sinks come with drilled holes to receive the faucet and sometimes accessories such as a shower head, soap dispenser, hot drink, or filtered water faucet. One-hole sinks are for single control faucets, three holes for single control faucets with a sprayer and / or accessories, and four holes for single control or two-handle sinks with various accessories. If you have a deck or bottom mount front sink, the holes are drilled into the countertop behind the sink.

Types of kitchen faucets

The right faucet for you depends on your personal preferences. You have several to choose from.

High Arc Faucets

If you wash a lot of large pots, fill vases frequently, or have a large, spacious sink, a tall arc faucet is probably for you. High arc faucets, also known as gooseneck or high neck faucets, give you more room to work. Today’s high arch kitchen faucets often have beautiful flowing curves and tapered handles and could easily be the focal point of a kitchen. These faucets are best used in deep sinks, they will cause splashing if the sink is shallow. Most bar sink faucets are of the high arch type to allow as much space as possible to wash products.

Removable and hinged taps

Pull-out faucets have a spray head that opens towards you, while a drop-down faucet has a spray head that pulls toward the bottom of the sink. Both options help you clean the sink and wash the produce or water the plants. Pull-out faucets are the fastest growing in popularity of any faucet in the industry with good reason, they are the perfect combination of style and function. A button or toggle control makes it easy to switch from aerated stream to a spray. Look for one that rotates 360 degrees for easy access to all areas of your sink.

Single-lever kitchen faucets with side spray

Mixer taps still account for over 80% of faucet sales and are popular with builders. These taps are basic and have a single handle that controls temperature and flow. They are available with a side spray that is much less expensive than pull-out spray faucets. They also allow you to have a spray with a vintage looking faucet.

Two Handle Faucets

Two-handle faucets (one hot and one cold) are not as popular as one-handle faucets because they are not as easy to use. They have a classic look that makes a strong fashion statement in Victorian-style kitchens and other period kitchens.

Touch the taps

Tactile faucets are fantastic and are rapidly growing in popularity. These hands-free kitchen faucets open and close with just a light touch of a hand or arm. These faucets are becoming favorites in “aged in place” or handicapped kitchens. These are wonderful additions to any food prep sink because they are so easy to light with your hands covered in dough or flour. They are also useful for a potting bench sink.

Wall-mounted kitchen taps

As you can guess, these are attached to the wall above the sink. They are often seen with agricultural sinks and sometimes boat sinks. These faucets are becoming more popular as apron or farmhouse sinks have been hugely successful in almost every kitchen style. Note that when using a wall faucet, the water supply must extend to the wall above the sink.