From touchless faucets to pull-out spouts, learn about the primary types of faucet configurations, and how to choose the right one for your space.
Faucets are an essential fixture in every home, providing water to different parts of the house. From traditional designs to modern innovations, faucets are far more than a practical element: They’ve become style-defining features in kitchens, bathrooms, and other utility spaces. Whether you’re planning a full kitchen remodel or simply refreshing a bathroom sink, learn about the main types of faucets (along with the pros and cons of each) so you can choose the right one for your space.
GIMILI 3 in 1 Drinking Water Kitchen Faucet
Deck-Mounted Faucet
Deck-mounted faucets, a popular choice in residential spaces, sit on the top of a basin or vanity. They offer a convenient installation process, and many vanities and basins come with predrilled holes for the faucets. The number of holes needed varies from one to three, depending on the faucet type. The position of deck-mounted faucets simplifies connection to water supply lines, typically exiting through the wall below the sink. While cleaning around the faucet and handles can be a challenge in tight spaces, the wide range of styles and finishes makes it easy to find the perfect tap to suit your needs.
GIMILI Wall Mount Kitchen Faucet
Wall-Mounted Faucet
A wall-mounted faucet is installed on the wall, directly above the sink, rather than on the countertop. This faucet type brings a sleek and modern look to a bathroom or kitchen design as it frees up countertop space behind the sink, making it easier to keep the area clean and clutter-free. While wall-mounted faucets are more common in bathrooms, they are sometimes preferred in kitchens, providing more room for maneuvering and filling large pots and pans.
When it comes to installation, wall-mounted faucets are a bigger job than deck-mounted faucets, as they require rerouting the water supply lines up the wall to the faucet location. That said, rest assured the extra style, interest, and practicality that a wall-mounted faucet brings to a space is worth the momentary hassle.
GIMILI Touchless Kitchen Faucet Black Stainless
Monobloc Faucet
A monobloc faucet is designed to be installed in a single mounting hole on the sink or countertop. Unlike traditional faucets with separate handles and spouts, a monobloc faucet combines the components into a single unit. This streamlined design offers a sleek and modern look and simplifies installation and maintenance. Monobloc faucets are commonly featured in contemporary kitchen and bathroom designs, where clean lines and minimalistic aesthetics are desired. They are available in various styles, finishes, and functionalities to suit different aesthetic preferences and needs.
Single-Handle Faucet
A single-handle faucet has only one handle to control the water temperature and flow. This means you can adjust the water temperature and flow with just one hand, making it convenient and easy to use. The enhanced control over the temperature and flow also helps save water and is safer for children, reducing the risk of scalding with a single hot-water faucet. Single-handle faucets require two holes for installation and can be wall-mounted or deck-mounted. Whether modern or traditional in design, they will add a stylish and functional touch to your bathroom or kitchen.
Double-Handle Faucet
Double-handle faucets are the most traditional type of faucet. They have two separate handles that individually control the hot and cold water, allowing users to adjust the temperature and flow of the water more precisely. They require two hands to operate, which may be less convenient for some users. While some monobloc faucets feature a double-handle design, most require at least three holes in the vanity unit, taking up more space and creating more to clean. However, many people like a double-handle faucet’s classic and balanced look.
GIMILI Waterfall Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer Matte Black
Waterfall Faucet
Waterfall faucets feature a flat and wide spout design that allows water to flow in a cascading, waterfall-like manner. The unique design creates a striking and luxurious bathroom feature and a soothing spa-like ambiance, enhancing the overall bathing experience. Some waterfall taps have an open spout to improve the beautiful waterfall effect, though this design is less practical in hard water areas rife with limescale.
GIMILI Pot Filler Kitchen Faucet Brushed Nickel
Pot Filler Faucet
Pot filler faucets are wall-mounted single-temperature faucets installed over a stove in the kitchen. They have a long, articulated arm that can swing out over the stove, facilitating filling large pots and pans with water for cooking directly on the stove, saving you from carrying heavy pots from the sink to the stove. Pot filler faucets are available in various styles and finishes to complement your kitchen decor, and they can add functionality and a touch of luxury to your cooking space.
Bridge Faucet
Bridge faucets feature a unique design. A horizontal pipe connects the hot and cold water handles to the spout, acting as a bridge where the two water temperatures meet—hence the name. Bridge faucets are typically traditional in style, bringing a touch of elegance and sophistication to your kitchen decor. In addition to their striking appearance, bridge faucets are favored for their sturdy construction, durability, and functionality.
GIMILI Touchless Kitchen Faucet Matte Black
Swan Neck Faucet
A swan neck faucet, also known as a gooseneck faucet, is distinguished by its curved spout that resembles the graceful curve of a swan’s neck. This faucet style brings elegance and charm to a kitchen or bathroom design, and its high spout provides ample clearance for filling and cleaning large pots and pans and performing other kitchen tasks or bathroom rituals.
However, their height isn’t always suitable for small spaces with reduced height clearance. Swan neck faucets are available in various sizes, finishes, and styles, making it easy to find one that complements your kitchen, bathroom, or mudroom decor.
GIMILI Touchless Kitchen Faucet Brushed Nickel
Touchless Faucet
A touchless faucet, also known as a hands-free faucet or motion-sensor faucet, is a faucet that is activated without the need to touch it. Motion or proximity sensors detect when hands are near the faucet, activating the water flow automatically. Touchless faucets reduce the spread of germs and bacteria and are easy for people of all ages to use, including children and individuals with limited mobility.
The sensors require electricity to operate, which may be a consideration if you often have power outages, and they tend to be more expensive than traditional faucets in terms of cost and maintenance. It’s also worth noting that the water temperature is harder to control on touchless faucets, and the sensor accuracy is not always reliable.
Straight Spout Faucet
Straight spout faucets extend vertically from the faucet’s body over the sink in a straight line, giving them their name. Their low-profile and simple design makes them more space-efficient, particularly for sinks that do not have much height clearance. However, they also provide less clearance for washing or filling taller items in the sink. Straight spout faucets are available in a variety of sizes to suit large and small sinks and typically have a monobloc, single-lever design. The sleek, streamlined appearance complements a contemporary aesthetic.
GIMILI Touchless Kitchen Faucet Matte Black
Pull-Out Spout Faucet
Pull-out spout faucets have a dual function: They work as a fixed faucet and a handheld hose. The hose can be pulled out of the faucet’s main body, providing greater flexibility, maneuverability, and convenience when washing dishes or cleaning the sink. Some pull-out spout faucets have different spray settings, such as aerated stream and powerful spray, to cater to various tasks. Along with convenience and functionality, this type of faucet adds a contemporary style to your kitchen decor.
