Don’t we all love our kitchens? It’s the place where we cook food for our loved ones and therefore, want everything to be nothing less than perfect. From cabinets to work-tops and kitchen appliances, homeowners spend a considerable amount of time planning each and every little detail of a kitchen, but one thing that most people neglect is the quality and functionality of kitchen faucets.
For most people, faucets are just an element that facilitates the supply of water to the kitchen sink, but if you really dig deep, you’d understand how important it is to find a set of quality faucets. After all, kitchen faucets are probably the one element that you interact with most after your refrigerator.
Whether you’re planning a complete kitchen remodel or simply want to upgrade your leaky, worn out faucets, here are five tips that will help you make the right pick.
Look for Metal options
One thing you need to stay clear of is kitchen faucets with plastic variants. A fully-plastic or partly plastic faucet will feel lighter compared to an all metal one, and may also cost more, but this little investment will help you save immensely on costly repairs and replacements in the near future. Therefore, make sure that you look for products made of brass or stainless steel. In addition, if your faucet features a separate handle for cold and hot water, make sure that the cartridge beneath the handle is not Nylon. It should be either brass or stainless steel.
Carefully study your warranty options
Look for products that come with a warranty and make sure to ask how the warranty issues are handled. If you are thinking to buy kitchen faucets online, read customer reviews, as well as the warranty, return and exchange policies of the manufacturer. Most manufacturers provide Limited Warranty means that they will replace the product ‘Free of Charge’ in case of mechanical defects, material, and workmanship, under normal use. All you have to do is submit the copy of the purchase order or invoice to avail the benefits of the warranty system.
Limiting Factors
While choosing a new set of faucets for the kitchen, it may be important to determine the space that you have in and around the sink. Where is the faucet mounted? How much space do you have between the main sink faucet and the backsplash? Is there a wall nearby that can limit the movement of the handles? How deep is the sink? In most cases where the sink is shallow, designed recommend high arch kitchen faucets. If your sink is pre-drilled, be sure to check its number of faucet holes so the design you choose fits well.
Functional Considerations
When looking for new kitchen faucets, there are a few functional considerations that you can’t neglect. Do you cook often and need strong water spray? Do you need a faucet with temperature memory? How helpful would it be to have a faucet that gets automatically turned on? Test-drive before you buy. Make sure the handles and levers are easy to maneuver and the sprayer pulls out and returns easily. All this will ensure that every second you spend working at the kitchen sink is a joy, rather than a chore.
Know your Style
Choose a faucet that complements the design of your kitchen. Is your style minimal, traditional or farmhouse? Let’s take a look at a few design options to suit your kitchen style
Minimalistic
These faucets are sleek and streamlined, crafted to exude a simple, yet sophisticated presence in the kitchen. Minimalist designs often feature pull-down or pull-out spray heads, or gooseneck design. Chrome and stainless steel tend to be the two most popular finishes for this design option.
Traditional
Kitchen faucet designers have not been immune to latest trends like hand forged and bridge faucet designs and that’s exactly what you can see in the latest collection in the market. They are also the best way to create a look that takes you back to the Victorian era. Kitchen faucets with bronze, brass, and copper faucets create more authenticity.
Modern
Unique shapes, straight lines, and small handles are just a few attributes for kitchen faucets that are best suitable for contemporary homes. Look for nickel and stainless steel finishes to dominate the design theme. In addition, it is rare to see a modern faucet with ablack mattefinish, but is one of the high-demand kitchen faucets that are currently on the market. What is magical about this finish is that it matches well with virtually any personal style.
Future
If you’re someone who likes to experiment with your creations, there are some cutting-edge innovations that you can look out for in this category. While some models are geared to provide water-efficient solutions, other boasts fascinating features LED lighting, temperature sensors, spot shield technology and so on. A motion sensor faucet is perfect for cooks who need to wash messy hands over and over again.
Choose the best you can afford
If you have a kitchen faucet that is at least 10 years old, now is a good time to invest in a modern, and innovative kitchen faucet styles. Selecting the right faucet for your kitchen is easier to do when you understand what works for you and what doesn’t. It’s a matter of taste; just keep the above tips in mind when you shop around for a new faucet.