How do I Choose the Best Vessel Faucet?

You have chosen the vessel sink for your kitchen or bathroom, and now you must choose a faucet worthy of the vessel. A vessel sink sits on top of the cabinet countertop and is not inserted into it, so choose a vessel faucet with an attractive water supply and spigot. Consider the following when choosing a vessel faucet: type of faucet, handle style, spout style, finish style and installation difficulty.

First, consider the type of vessel faucet best suited for your sink and kitchen or bathroom installation. Vessel faucets can be wall-mounted or countertop-mounted. If the wall is not open, realize that you or a plumber will have to open the wall behind the sink to install the faucet plumbing fixtures. Additionally, some vessel faucets are easier to install than others, depending on the complexity of the faucet design and whether any special tools, such as a basin wrench, are necessary.

Countless handle styles, spout styles and finish styles await you. Vessel sink faucets might sport one handle or two. A faucet will most likely last a long time, so consider the lifestyle changes of your family. Young children might be more comfortable with a double-handle faucet, and older family members maight require only a single handle.

The finish style is another important consideration when choosing a vessel faucet. Brushed-on finishes such as brushed bronze and brushed nickel hide spots well. Polished chrome is a popular choice; polished brass exudes formality and class. If your room is an infrequently used powder room, consider a specialty faucet such as black ceramic or an oil-rubbed finish style.

A bathroom faucet not only serves as a means to distribute water, but like a jewel in a crown, the faucet embellishes the décor of the room's design. The style and finish of the vessel sink faucet should harmonize with the other kitchen or bathroom fixtures in the room. Generally, a home's overall design should stay true to the architectural style. A blockish, contemporary vessel sink faucet looks incongruous in a Victorian-style bathroom filled with ornate 19th-century bathroom fixtures.

Finally, carefully consider the price of the faucet. Home improvement budgets can rapidly grow to epic proportions. Consider shopping on the Internet or looking at discount stores to save some money on your project.