Bathroom faucets play a huge role in your home’s functionality and aesthetic. When you’re redoing your bathroom, swapping the faucets can have a major impact on its overall look and feel. Whether you prefer a more minimal look or ornate designs with a lot of personality, here’s how to choose a new faucet type for your bathroom.
What Types of Bathroom Faucets Are There?
There are several types of bathroom faucets, and it’s important to think about which type will best meet your needs.
- Single-handle faucets that lift or twist to the side
- Spread-fit faucets with separate hot and cold handles
- Center-set faucets are a single unit that rests on a plate or base, making it ideal for small countertops
- Wall-mounted faucets are fixed to the wall to give it a floating appearance
- Waterfall faucets have a wide spigot and produce a flat stream of water
- Deck-mounted faucets attach to the sink deck, and they come in a variety of styles
How to Choose the Right Type of Faucet
It’s helpful to consider your vanity size and setup before picking a new faucet. For example, large vanities can benefit from larger faucets. A three-piece faucet in a large vanity can offer balance and structure to the overall design.
In a smaller bathroom, you may look into a wall-mounted or center-set faucet that maximizes your available space.
You should also check how many installation holes are available in your vanity. If your countertop doesn’t have enough holes to accommodate your ideal faucet type, then you will need to see if you can add more or replace the sink or vanity.
Faucet height and projection are two other important considerations. While many people focus on the design, they should really be thinking about how the faucet will perform. If a faucet is too high, it could create constant runoff or backsplash, and a faucet that’s too low can spray upwards or be difficult to use.
Other Considerations
Think about the finish of your new faucet and how easy it will be to maintain. For example, brushed nickel is much easier to clean and keep free of watermarks and fingerprints than chrome. Solid brass faucets are extremely resilient while die-cast zinc-alloy is a durable, budget-friendly option.
A matte finish on your faucet could also make it easier to keep clean, but some people prefer the shiny polish of other metals and materials. You should also consider how the faucet’s appearance will tie into the rest of your bathroom decor. You may consider swapping out the hardware on your cabinets and shower/tub to get a more cohesive finish.
When it comes to choosing a new faucet, consider space and function first. Once you’ve narrowed your selection down based on their form and utility, you can start looking more closely at finishes and details that will tie your whole vanity together. Ultimately, the best type of faucet will strike the perfect balance between price, performance, and aesthetic to give you a new bathroom look you love.