Whenever you’re designing your home, it’s important not just to think about the fun aspects of decorating, but also about the most necessary aspects. For example, hardware. This is something that needs to be decided early on.

There are many things on the list of what you need to buy for your home’s hardware, and the types of kitchen faucet will be one of them. But learning the options that are available can help you do this quickly.

Types Of Kitchen Faucets: Handles

When it comes to the handles of the faucet, you want something that you’re okay with operating a dozen times a day. This is where you will do dishes, wash fruit, and wash your hands often. So let’s make it count.

One-Way Lever

A one-way lever is a type of handle that you can only turn in one direction. Or sometimes in two. But it cannot be bent to go two different ways if that makes sense. These can only be found in double handles.

This is a very popular option. However, it cannot be found in single-lever options because you need both handles to control both water pressure and heat at the same time since it can only move one way.

Two-Way Lever

The two-way lever is similar to the one-way lever but it can move almost any way. Moving it out controls the water pressure while moving it back and forth controls the heat level. This is very easy to operate.

This may be the most popular type of sink handle in the kitchen today. As far as types of kitchen faucets go, this is definitely a great option that is minimalistic and looks great too. You will see it everywhere.

Cross Handle

Cross handles are handles that look like a cross, or an X. While they aren’t that popular in kitchens anymore, they can still be found in kitchens that are designed to look classic or u nioque. In bathrooms, they are more popular.

Most of the time, the handles are white, but they are commonly silver and can even be found in rare colors like black or blue. These colored ones are more industrial, valve-like, and reminiscent of a steam-powered device.

Pump

A pump handle is a tribute to the classic pitcher pump, the primary source of water during a good part of the 1800s. During the time, it was revolutionary. Today, you can still get pitcher pumps for any faucet.

These are operated by pumping, which isn’t always very convenient but if you like the aesthetics, it can be worth it. You just need to learn how to operate them efficiently for them to work right on your kitchen sink.

Knob

Knobs are more popular in the bathroom than in the kitchen. However, you can still easily install them for your kitchen sink. They are commonly double-handles, with one controlling hot and the other cold.

But of course, there are single-knobs too which can rotate nearly 360-degrees, making it similar to the two-way levers only with a different appearance. These are usually very round and work well with that geometrical layout.

Teardrop

Teardrop handles look like knobs only they are teardrop-shaped. They are often teardrop-shaped so that you can tell where the knob is in position. Because the point of the teardrop will point towards where it is.

For example. When you turn the teardrop to point to the left, it will most likely be hot, while pointing it to the left will probably be cold. But there will be a guide on the handle and the point is there to help.

Handleless

Handleless faucet handles are becoming very popular because they are much more sanitary than other faucet or handle options. They can operate by either touching the faucet itself or with a detector.

When the handles faucet is operated by sensing movement, it can randomly turn on if you’re not careful. This can waste water. So make sure it is installed correctly and you don’t move around it unnecessarily.

Types Of Kitchen Faucets: Streams

There are not that many different types of kitchen faucet streams. Because water is water, right? Well, most people end up choosing the standard faucet stream for their kitchen, believing this is true. But you might feel differently.

Standard

There isn’t much to say about the standard kitchen faucet stream. Because, well, it’s standard. This is a steady stream as you’d expect from a types of kitchen faucets with no special features and found in almost every sink.

Waterfall

The waterfall sink usually comes with a special type of nozzle. This is not ideal for washing dishes and is more common in the bathroom, but it can still be chosen for any kitchen sink that you decide to don with it.

The waterfall stream is usually fairly soft. It is thin yet white, making it a very therapeutic stream. It doesn’t work for doing chores, of course, but if you have a dishwasher, this can be a great option.

Spray

The spray sink is common these days but there is usually a standard option too. You can use the spray setting to remove gunk from dishes or for washing the sink itself, especially if it’s stainless steel.

The spray setting is common, however, a similar setting is known as the mist setting. This is a much rarer setting but is often included when there is a separate spray nozzle that pulls out from a house.

Pitcher Pump

We’ve talked about the pitcher pump but you don’t need the pump itself to have the pitcher pump stream. This is similar to the waterfall stream but instead is thicker and narrower, but therapeutic all the same.

Powerwash

Powerwashing is common outdoors but you don’t hear about it much when it comes to sinks. However, power washing can be found in many kitchen sinks, especially those with different stream settings.

Other terms for power washing when it comes to sinks are concentrated and targeted streams. These are slightly more narrow streams with a very strong water output which is perfect for cleaning stubborn spots.

LED

This is definitely more of a feature than an actual type of kitchen sink water stream. Any stream can be LED if you have a separate LED light to add to it. But not just any light will work, it has to be waterproof.

Types Of Kitchen Faucets: Nozzles

The nozzle is the end of the faucet where the water exits. There are different ways this can be mounted and different ways it can operate. Most options are quite new but they are all readily available.

Pull-Down

The pull-down faucet nozzle pulls straight out and is usually attached to a straight faucet neck. This type of nozzle can only be pulled out one way and can extend but it’s usually very flexible altogether.

Pull-Out

The pull-out faucet is similar to the pull-out faucet but it can move in a near-360-degree way. This type of faucet has a flexible hose and usually a long hose that lets you reach the floor and the countertops.

Commercial

The commercial kitchen nozzle is familiar to those working in schools, restaurants, and hospitals. It is common in commercial kitchens and is quite unique. There is a coil holding the faucet and an extendable hose.

Pot Filler

The pot filler faucet is self-explanatory. It looks very strange but is designed to fill pots. It goes up and over and can be pulled away from the wall or set back against the wall. This is a rare and cool type of faucet.

Mounted

The mounted kitchen nozzle is mounted to the wall. It can be almost any style of faucet. For example, most pot fillers are mounted to the wall but most pull-down ones are not, however they both can be.

Types Of Kitchen Faucets: Metal Finishes

When it comes to kitchen faucet finishes, it’s all up to you what your kitchen faucet looks like. They are all about aesthetics and it has very little to do with operation as they are simply finishes for your faucet.

Bronze

Bronze is actually both copper and tin (or another similar metal). So it is unique but also part copper! It looks very warm but with the touch of silver metals, it is cooler than the typical copper, which we will get to soon.

Brass

Brass is a very gold metal with a slightly bronzer hue than pure gold. This is a safe option if you do like gold but want something less strong that won’t overpower the rest of your kitchen. Just make sure the hardware matches.

Copper

Copper is considered a reddish metal. It works perfectly for anything from industrial kitchen designs to farmhouse kitchen designs. It is quickly becoming one of the most popular types of hardware for kitchens.

Gold

Gold is an obvious choice and most people either love gold hardware or hate it. So the choice is completely up to you. It’s a bold statement that turns out amazing if you pair it with the right kitchen decor.

Pewter

Pewter is a unique option. It is one of the darkest metals you’ll find. But it isn’t a pure element like gold. Pewter itself, real pewter, is actually tin, copper, and other metals all mixed together to create this gorgeous tone.

Nickel

Nickel is probably the most popular type of kitchen faucet. It is almost always brushed to achieve a matte look. This is one of the two primary types of silver for kitchen sinks and is the softer of the two.

Chrome

If you want a bold silver color for your kitchen faucet, then choose chrome. It’s the shiniest silver you can get for your kitchen faucet. But if you don’t like glitz and glam then try for nickel instead, as it’s not as loud.

Choosing A Kitchen Faucet

When it comes to choosing a kitchen faucet, there’s always a lot to decide on. After all, how do you decide if you want the classic gooseneck or the standards straight neck? Or maybe something completely different!

Since most kitchen faucets are primarily about looks and not operating, it’s safe to say that you can trust your own instinct and needs. Take a look at your budget and then find your favorite within it to complete your kitchen.