Selecting Kitchen Plumbing

The key to selecting kitchen plumbing is to put function first. This is the most used area in the home and you need it to work hard for you and your family. In true “form follows function” fashion, once you know what you are looking for in terms of function, it makes the selection process much easier.

I personally like to start with the faucet. It’s a statement piece in the kitchen and what you interact with the most. Start by deciding how you like to turn your faucet on and off. Do you want one handle to adjust the temperature or two? There are additional options like touchless faucets and foot pedals you can use to turn them on and off. 

The second item to look at is the spray function. You can choose between a pull down sprayer that comes out of the main faucet, a side sprayer that comes out of the countertop, or a pre-rinse style faucet that has the hose as part of the body of the faucet. The pull down sprayer is a great option for most households, it works seamlessly when cleaning up and switching between a stream of water and the spray function. The side sprayer is a classic piece and works well although it is a separate piece and you will need to add it to your countertop. This works really well with traditional looking faucets, especially bridge faucets. The pre-rinse faucet functions really well but they tend to be large and very industrial so it really needs to fit the style of the home it’s in. 

There are also secondary water dispensers to consider. An instahot water dispenser delivers hot water ready for tea or coffee straight into your cup or french press. A filtered water dispenser gives water that is ready to drink. While looking at plumbing think about whether or not you would like a built-in soap dispenser for hand washing or an air switch button for the garbage disposal. These pieces can be great to have at hand and seamlessly installed.

After you have decided on the pieces and functionality you need, we can start to think about finish and style. For a sleek or modern feel, look for pieces that have clean lines, minimal detailing or even cooler finishes like polished chrome or matte black. For a transitional or traditional feel, look for pieces that have more details and warmer finishes like unlacquered brass, polished nickel, or oil rubbed bronze. When debating between polished and brushed finishes, note that brushed usually doesn’t show fingerprints quite as much as polished but sometimes that shiny polished finish is worth it. 

Once you have your faucet, we can shift the focus to the sink. The first question I ask is do you want a single basin or double basin sink? The single basin is great for washing larger pieces like big pans, sheet trays, and cutting boards. The double basin works well if you like to use one side of the sink to wash dishes while leaving the other side open for rinsing or other uses. Mounting the sink under the countertop is something I highly recommend so you can easily wipe food and messes straight into the sink. Consider an apron front sink if you like the farmhouse look or have a beautiful sink material that you want to show off. 

Speaking of materials, there are several options when it comes to sinks. Cast iron is a classic and highly durable option. These are heavy duty but can chip so care does need to be taken. Stone sinks are stunning and highly durable but if the stone is porous it may need to be sealed to prevent stains. Copper sinks are also gorgeous but not the most durable for things like scratches and dents. However, they are antimicrobial so that’s a great bonus. Fireclay sinks have become popular and are fairly durable although can scratch. Granite composite sinks are very durable and have a uniform color throughout so if by chance you do get a scratch it will be difficult to see. 

You will be using your kitchen plumbing daily whether or not you cook often. Hand washing, art project clean up, and more happen in this space and you want to make sure it is serving you and looking great while doing it. 

Photography by Joni Schrantz