Choosing a Kitchen Faucet is Similar to Choosing a Husband

This post brought to you by Kohler. The content and opinions expressed below are that of FOXY OXIE.

Choosing a kitchen faucet is not unlike choosing a husband – except way less important and not nearly as life-altering. Also, you can’t just go to the store and pick out your future spouse, so really, not as similar as I originally thought, but let’s not get bogged down with the details, shall we?

“It dispenses hot and cold water,” you may think to yourself. “How complicated could it possibly be?”

Just so we’re both on the same page, I’m currently referring to the faucet.

It isn’t until your eyes are opened to the millions of options out on the market – many of which appear to be quite a promising investment – that you realize choosing a kitchen faucet is not nearly as simple as you once thought.

Terrible analogies aside, whether you’re simply upgrading a few fixtures, renovating the kitchen, or remodeling the entire house like we are, the following are six main factors to consider if you’re in the market for a new kitchen faucet: (1) features, (2) style, (3) maintenance, (4) brand name, (5) budget and (6) installation requirements.

To further explore each one, we’re going to utilize Kohler’s new line of kitchen faucets designed exclusively for The Home Depot, which includes the Kohler Trielle Kitchen Faucet, the Kohler Sous Kitchen Faucet and the Kohler Worth Kitchen Faucet.

Consider the features and characteristics.

Let’s agree to avoid the marriage analogy on this one, okay? I’m afraid I won’t be able to contain my laughter.

Think about your current kitchen, how you use your faucet and what features are lacking. Are you frustrated by your faucet’s lack of reach and versatility? Do you dream of adding a soap dispenser, garbage disposal or none of the above? Do you prefer a one-handle, two-handle or handle-free faucet? Do you have low-hanging kitchen cabinets or a window that could possibly restrict the height of your faucet?

All of these questions need to be considered when choosing a new kitchen faucet.

The Sous faucet, below, includes an assembled faucet, 29-1/2 in. supply lines, a soap/lotion dispenser and a deck plate. Its high arch and unique exposed-spring design provide exceptional control and flexibility in the kitchen.

The Worth faucet, below, features bold facets on the handle, at the base and a swivel point to provide standout design. It also includes an assembled faucet, 30-5/16 in. supply lines, a soap/lotion dispenser and a deck plate.

Last but not least is the Trielle faucet, below, featuring DockNetik technology, which secures the spray head in place using Kohler’s signature magnetic docking system. The two-function spray head offers two settings: A wide forceful spray that facilitates all the various tasks of the kitchen space and a MasterClean spray face that features flexible nozzles, making cleaning up a total breeze.

You know when you were a young, naive girl, you created a husband-material checklist with which you compared your latest crush? Let’s apply that all-too-familiar concept to faucets. Find a few favorites and compare the features in a simple table, listing your most-desired features on the far-left column and the various faucets across the top row, like so:

Style

Style is oftentimes the very last factor on the list of considerations when you’re in the market for a new kitchen faucet. It seems like a trivial pursuit when compared to durability, performance and the husband-equivalent of “a good sense of humor.”

Call me superficial, but I, on the other hand, prefer to surround myself with things that are aesthetically pleasing, especially if I’m going to be looking at them for the rest of my life – if you catch my drift.

With Kohler faucets, you can have both: function and style.

You already got a glimpse of the functions, so let’s talk about the styles. The Sous faucet is inspired by the modern design of professional kitchens with the mission of bringing out your inner chef. The Worth faucet, above, is inspired by the vintage-loving urbanite, looking just as lovely in a traditional-style kitchen as it does in a more contemporary one. The Trielle faucet, below, is also versatile, adding a perfect dose of glam to contemporary spaces.

After all, the faucet is one of the most-used features in your kitchen; why not make it an enjoyable experience, if you can help it?

Maintenance

Much like a husband, you want a kitchen faucet that will be with you ’til the end. You would never choose a husband with plans of replacing him in a few years, would you? Apply that same commitment to the kitchen faucet, and you’re guaranteed to pick a winner.

When looking for “The One,” make sure you have a pretty good idea of what to expect in day-to-day life. For example, Kohler faucets feature finishes that resist corrosion and wear, as well as a scratch-free technology that helps the faucet withstand the toughest daily use. On top of that, they are designed with ceramic disc valves that exceed industry standards by two times for a lifetime of durable performance.

You hear that? A lifetime of durable performance!

Put THAT on your must-have checklist!

Brand Name

To be honest, I am not a brand fanatic, never have been. But when it comes to items that require a hefty financial investment and a lifelong commitment, there’s something to be said for innovative and reliable brands. Sure, you may pay a little extra for the name, but with that name comes years of research, new technology, quality, reliability and performance.

Going back to the ever-so-eloquent marriage analogy from earlier, purchasing a kitchen faucet from a low quality brand is akin to marrying someone from a drastically different social circle; sure, we see it happen in fairytales, but in reality – which is where, hopefully, you and I both live – it rarely works.

Budget

The topic of budgets seems as appropriate of a place as any to once and for all put an end to the husband-shopping analogy – if only because I have used up all of my wittiness within the previous seventy-two paragraphs.

Let’s get serious for a minute. You can’t talk about brand names without addressing the looming subject of budgets.

Despite being one of the most innovative brands in the industry, which would automatically make one assume “expensive,” Kohler strives to meet consumers’ growing interest and demand for well-designed yet affordable kitchen faucets (and home improvement fixtures in general).

According to HomeWyse, the average total cost of a new kitchen faucet is $320 – $620; talk about an investment, right? Once you know the average costs, paying $218.85 for the Sous, $199.00 for the Worth or $192.38 for the Trielle seems like a total steal, wouldn’t you agree?

Installation Requirements

If budget is a major factor in your decision making, you’ll want to consider a faucet that is DIYer-friendly, like the Kohler Trielle, which comes with flexible hoses and quick-connect fittings for easy installation.

However, cost isn’t the only installation factor to consider. Take, for example, your sink; does it have one, two, three or four holes? The number of holes in your kitchen sink will determine what kind of faucet you can install. Faucets like the Kohler Sous and Worth, which include a deck plate, are more versatile in that they allow you to install a single-handle faucet on a two or three-hole sink.

Another installation factor to consider is mounting. Deck mounts are the more common option; they are typically attached right in the center of the area just behind the sink. Wall mounts, much like the name suggests, are installed into the wall. Although an aesthetically appealing option (and my personal favorite), wall mounted faucets are more difficult to install and must be done by a professional, adding installation costs into the mix.

For more oh-so-educational articles like this one, plus tips and inspiration for decorating, organizing and styling your home, check out the Home Decor section. To see the progress on our house remodel, head to Our Bungalow Renovation section.