10 Tips for Finding the Perfect Faucet

The Perfect Faucet

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"Changing a faucet can give a whole bathroom a new look," says Delta Faucet product manager Allison McKinney. Though seemingly innumerable options exist on the market today, you can find the perfect design by focusing your search on three criteria—style, function, and fit.

Better Homes & Gardens

Shape and Style

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When choosing a faucet style, shape is usually the first consideration. Whether curvy and traditional or angular and modern, designs can be found to suit every taste. Here, Kohler's Revival collection boasts scroll lever handles and a silhouette of smoothly rounded details.

Kohler

Finish Considerations

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Having settled on a shape for the faucet, you must next decide on a finish. While polished chrome and brass are perennial favorites, the old standbys are now sold alongside luxury finishes, such as brushed nickel and champagne bronze, shown here.

Delta

New Technology

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Among the innovations in faucets today is touch technology, which uses motion sensing to automatically turn water on and off—a plus for families with young children who tend to leave the faucet running!

Delta

Matching Accessories

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If you fall in love with a particular sink faucet that showcases an eye-catching shape or an unexpected finish (like these wrought iron designs from Moen), check to see whether matching accessories are available before making a purchase.

Moen

Practical or Pretty?

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Select a style based on the amount of traffic the bathroom is likely to see. Chic silhouettes and fanciful finishes are well-suited to powder rooms or master baths, while high-traffic kids baths warrant something sturdier.

American Standard

Period Influences

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Porcelain handles, a high-rise spout, and a beautiful satin nickel finish give Victorian flair to this design from Kingston Brass. If you are creating a period bath, there's no shortage of historically influenced fixtures available to complement your vision.

Kingstonbrass.com

Flow Options

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Eco-conscious homeowners may seek out a specialized low-flow bathroom faucet, some of which feature a luxurious "waterfall" effect, like this one by Sumerain. Saving the environment never looked so good!

Fixture Universe

Vessel Sinks

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A tall, single-handled faucet is the prefect accompaniment to a vessel sink. Shown in English Bronze, this graceful faucet design from Newport Brass is available in 26 additional finishes.

newportbrass.com

Lasting Quality

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Faucet models with lifetime warranties may cost more, but considering that your faucet will be exposed to water and wear on a daily basis, insurance might be a worthwhile expense.

Pfister