Bathroom faucets are one of the most important accessories in your bathroom, but many people don’t know how to pick one. Not only do you need to choose the right style and configuration for your sink, but there are dozens of brands to choose from. And then there are all those finishes! Which of the following features should you focus on first?

We’ve put together this helpful guide, which covers the exact order of steps to take when buying your next faucet. Following this guide in this order will help you avoid the common mistakes homeowners have made over the years.

Step 1: Choose the right hole configuration for your bathroom faucet

When buying a bathroom faucet, you should focus on the hole configuration first because it will force you to consider the look of the rest of the room. It will prompt you to make a decision based on the size and type of vanity, and it will also require you to decide whether they need custom or pre-made countertops. Finally, it requires you to consider the overall space of the room and whether the faucets should protrude to fill that space or be as invisible as possible.

Single Handle Faucet AL0065B

Step 2: Choose the design style

For most people, the second step in selecting a faucet should be the design style. There are three main styles to choose from: traditional, transitional and contemporary. When picking your bathroom faucet, it’s critical to have a preference and know which one best suits your overall decor.

Traditional Faucet Styles

Traditional bathroom faucets may feature a more ornate style with lots of curves and details. If you want something that matches your traditional décor or is the main attraction of your bathroom space, it’s best to go with this design.

In addition, these types of faucets are suitable for larger bathroom spaces, such as master bathrooms or family bathrooms with oversized vanities. This is because traditional designs are larger and have curved details that make it difficult to move around if you have limited space. Widely used faucets are more popular in this category, although it’s not uncommon to find traditional single-hole faucets in powder bathrooms.

Double Handle Faucet

Traditional bathroom faucets may feature a more ornate style with lots of curves and details. It’s best to choose this design if you want something that matches your traditional decor or is the main attraction of your bathroom space.

In addition, these types of faucets are suitable for larger bathroom spaces, such as master bathrooms or family bathrooms with oversized vanities. This is because traditional designs are larger and have curved details that make it difficult to move around if you have limited space. Widely available faucets are more popular in this category, although it’s not uncommon to find traditional single-hole faucets in powder bathrooms.

Modern faucet styles

Modern bathroom faucets tend to have a sleek, minimalist design with a handle on the spout side. These faucets are often found in smaller wall-mounted vanities that have simple, symmetrical lines and no other space-consuming details.

You can easily identify these faucets because the vast majority of these faucets fall into one of three categories: clean round tubular styles, very square styles or square designs with rounded edges.

Single Handle Faucet

Make a decision

Choosing a style for your bathroom is more of an art than a science, but it shouldn’t be that complicated. If you’re not sure, choosing a faucet that matches the overall decor of your home and/or bathroom is the safe choice. Keep in mind that faucet manufacturers tend to offer a broader selection of traditional faucets and more single-hole options for contemporary styles. Transitional options are more evenly distributed between the two.

Step 3: Finishes

Finishing is largely a personal choice, but there are some practical issues to consider. Do you have a messy toothbrush in the house? Toothpaste splatters stand out more on darker surfaces. If you have hard water, these deposits can also burst against a darker background. Fingerprints and water stains tend to stand out on chrome and other shiny surfaces — if these things bother you, consider using a lighter matte finish.

Ornate designs with grooves and deep cuts should probably be avoided if you are not a regular/compulsive cleaner. As with dark finishes, problems such as soap scum, toothpaste splatters and water stains will be magnified.

The most durable finishes are still good chrome, but manufacturers have made great strides in finish quality over the years. If you need the longest lasting finish, but standard chrome is not to your liking, look for a PVD finish. Physical Vapor Deposition uses vacuum pressure and an electrical charge to create an unbeatable finish.

Most cleaners are not your friend (there are exceptions) — but the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations are! If you can’t find anything in the paperwork or on their website, you can never go wrong with homemade soapy water and/or vinegar solutions — and if you’ve never used them, you’ll be surprised at how effective they are. Try to use only soft cloths, non-abrasive sponges or paper towels when cleaning. While some may scoff at this “harmless” cleaning technique, it’s better for the faucet and the environment to do it regularly (rather than removing a month’s worth of dirt with industrial chemicals).

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