The Express Kitchen Faucet Style Guide

There’s just so much happening at the moment with kitchen faucets, you will find plenty of new features, finishes and styles popping up every other day. In fact, as far as just kitchen faucets are concerned they are the most hip and happening of all kitchen fixtures. The kitchen sink is no longer just a necessity it is a style statement that keeps the entire kitchen in sync.

Master Kitchen designer, Susan Serra and Richard Landon say that the kitchen is more of an entertainment zone and open-planed kitchens are becoming a reality today rather than by accident. AS the kitchen starts becoming the most frequented places during parties and social occasions, having the best fixtures is now more of a nicety and luxury than anything else. In this four part style guide, I will try and introduce or rather re-introduce the hottest trends today such as the utilitarian-chic faucets to minimalistic modern designs. I will also discuss in depth classical designs that are making rustic and famous farmhouse reappearance on the scene. Novel shapes, broader array of choices and plenty of features with exciting finishes await those bold enough to try out such ground breaking designs and styles.

It is my goal to help you land on an exact style, finish and design that is made solely for you and your kitchen. So without any further ado, let’s get started!

Simple, Sleek And Streamlined

Take a look at any contemporary faucet and one thing becomes evident – they are all minimalistic in every way possible. From using as little material as possible to reducing the footprint and having simple lines, today’s faucets are a definite improvement over the bulky taps of the past. Even those that have a bit of a neo-classical appeal seem to be more streamlined and minimalistic. Home Décor Products kitchen category manager, Christine Dillon says that sleek, chrome, stainless steel finishing with simplicity is the new ‘it-thing’. I have to agree. Having seen so many kitchens that are designed meticulously only to fail with an odd kitchen faucet design, I believe contemporary kitchens today demand a contemporary faucet that screams simplicity and yet uses very little.

streamlined-faucetJust imagine exaggerated ornamentation, single handles with sculpted silhouettes and you will suddenly feel so old school. Yes, such faucets have a place even today in some kitchens but this is a style of the past. Ergonomics, steady features, convenient control placements and intuitive yet functional design are a few things that define today’s contemporary faucet. Not to forget, today’s faucets are so much easier to clean.

The Downside

The only real problem with contemporary designs is that they won’t always be in fashion. Moreover, some of today’s designs are so cutting edge that they don’t have any business in a traditional kitchen.

Industrial and Chic

Ever taken a sneak peak at a top end restaurant’s kitchen? You will find industrial grade appliances and fixtures everywhere. In fact, what we call industrial faucets is actually a design inspired by commercial faucets for chefs and restaurants. These ‘professionals only’ style is a hot new trend that is catching a lot of attention.

industrial-faucetIf you are a dedicated home chef with perfection on your mind then having an industrial looking faucet with a commercial kitchen setup won’t be a bad idea. Personally, I prefer industrial styling simply because they are so easy to maintain. My own kitchen is nothing short of a busy restaurant’s back-end and so to me industrial chic faucets are insanely attractive.

They are tall, dramatic and sexy to look at. The sheer size of these faucets blend well together with double door fridges, six burner cooking ranges, full set of Italian steel knife sets and a stone oven pizza. As for functionality, these faucets are super easy to maintain and usually extend far away from the sink capable of reaching your burner range. I find it easier to cook with such faucets as I can fill up pots and pans right on the cooktop or even water plants sitting on my kitchen windowsill.

The Downside

The impact of such huge faucets on a tiny kitchen can be demeaning. In fact, an industrial faucet in a small kitchen never looks good. That is why I said previously that you need a large kitchen with massive appliances and lots of cooking space to fit in an industrial faucet. Moreover, if you are the kind of person who only cleans dishes at the kitchen sink, preferring takeouts over savory home-cooked meals then this isn’t the right faucet for you.

In the next part we will look at faucets with a neo-classical and rustic appeal. Who said olden styles are passé?

KitchenFaucetDivas.com
Compare items () compare