There are plenty of options for just about any kitchen faucet configuration, so if you don't narrow down your preferences ahead of time, the choices can seem overwhelming. The Kitchen Faucet Buying Guide helps take some of the guesswork out of finding the best faucet for your kitchen sink.

Check the hole in the kitchen sink first

If you're buying a new faucet for an existing sink or even one that hasn't been installed, it's all about the sink's faucet holes. For a typical deck kitchen faucet, the number of faucet holes in the sink can serve as a guide for the type of faucet that will fit the sink. For example, a sink has two mounting holes, 8 inches apart from center to center, designed for faucet assemblies that fit in those holes. In many cases, if you prefer a different faucet configuration, you can still make modifications, as long as it doesn't require adding holes to the sink, which could damage the sink.

If there are more faucet holes in the sink than you need, those extra holes can be covered with a cover plate, base plate, or faucet hole cover. Common domain name format. custom concealed shower set These plates or lids come in many sizes and styles, so choose an option that fits your sink and ideal faucet. If shopping at a brick-and-mortar store, it can be helpful to purchase both the faucet and deck board to ensure the finishes match.

If your sink doesn't have a hole for a faucet, that means you're free to choose a deck- or wall-mounted faucet. Deck-mounted faucets stand vertically and are installed on the countertop behind the sink (or over the sink if the horizontal rear edge of the sink has holes). There are no faucet holes in the sink, and you are free to choose any type or configuration of deck-mounted faucet.

While deck kitchen faucets are common, they do have some drawbacks. It takes up countertop space behind the sink, so there must be plenty of space between the back of the sink and the wall or window behind it. Countertops must be drilled to fit the plumbing of your chosen faucet, which can prove difficult even with problematic stone countertops such as granite. If there is only a small space between the installed faucet and the wall behind the sink, it can be difficult to clean thoroughly.

The wall-mounted faucet protrudes from the wall behind the sink, which makes cleaning the area behind the sink easier because the faucet hardware doesn't get in the way of cleaning.custom concealed bathroom shower set On the other hand, installing a wall-mounted faucet is a bit more complicated than a deck-mounted faucet and may require cutting the wall and hiring a plumber to run or rearrange the hot and cold pipes to run through the wall.

If the backsplash is already in place, you'll also have to drill through it, which can be difficult or cause some damage when handling the stone or tile. You must also choose a faucet of the right size and height so that its head is 8 to 10 inches above the countertop and at least 7 inches from the back of the sink. This provides plenty of room to fill a jar or wash your hands.

No kitchen faucet buying guide is complete without mentioning faucet configurations. Choices include a single- or double-lever faucet that controls the flow of hot and cold water, an optional hand sprayer that installs through separate holes in the sink or countertop, or a pull-down (or pull-out) sprayer that fits inside the faucet spout, when not in use. Take it back when needed.

If you choose a faucet with a pull-out or pull-down spray, choose a quality faucet made of sturdy metal with a braided nylon or stainless steel sheath over the pull-out hose. Since this type of faucet gets a lot of drag when using the spray function, the quality of the actual faucet construction must be able to handle a lot of use and abuse, otherwise the faucet could crack or break.

Another kitchen faucet option, most common in commercial kitchens, is the pot filler faucet. For most home cooks, this faucet is more of a luxury than a necessity. It is installed behind or near the stove and is used to fill pots that are too large or heavy to carry from the sink to the stove. These unique faucets feature removable hinged parts, so when not in use, the faucet fits neatly against the wall and stays out of your way while cooking.

You can easily swing the faucet to any stove when you need it. Pot faucets require a cold water line, so are best installed during kitchen renovations or new builds, as the plumbing line is still being configured, but can also be installed as a retrofit.

The most obvious feature of any kitchen faucet is its shape, style and finish. A large gooseneck faucet looks simple and classic, providing enough space to fill a large pot. Some contemporary faucets look like they're in a commercial kitchen at home, while retro wall-mounted chrome faucets look like they've been around for generations. Depending on the style of doorknobs, drawer handles, small appliances and the overall decor of the room, choose a style that suits your kitchen.

Because almost any faucet style comes in a variety of finishes, it's best to think about how its finished product will fit into your kitchen's decor. For example, if most of the major appliances and all drawer handles in the kitchen are stainless steel or chrome, the faucet can also be opted for a similar chrome, nickel or platinum finish.

Chrome is durable and scratch-resistant, and is available in a variety of faucet styles, but its shiny finish is prone to water spots. The durable brushed nickel alloy looks similar without much sheen. Other metal finishes, such as copper, brass or oil-ground bronze, are also available in glossy polished, matt or brushed finishes.

Regular black or white kitchen faucets can also be used if you prefer a non-metallic finish. These colors are not as common as metallics, so they may only have a limited number of faucet styles. While a matte or brushed black finish hides dirt and may reveal water stains,china square mixer shower white faucets show greasy, dirty fingerprints and may require more frequent cleaning. If you don't want to touch the faucet too much, there's an option for touchless, which requires a battery or an outlet to power the feature, depending on the model.