Many plumbing installers may be seeing a drop in business during the current housing market slowdown. But Brad Smith, chief operations officer for Kimbel Plumbing in Springdale, Ark., has actually found additional work because of the slow market. His company is going to homes that aren't selling and upgrading the kitchen faucet to make the house sell faster, and possibly for more money.
"More and more, people are saying the kitchen faucet can be the selling point of the whole home," says Smith, whose company services about 3,000 to 3,500 residential units each year. "It's the most important faucet in the whole house."
To keep up with consumer demand for first-class faucets, manufacturers are enhancing and expanding their product lines. A plain '70s-style faucet just won't do anymore, according to Smith. "Everyone wants a nice, sleek-looking faucet; pull-out, if possible," he says.
While transitional styles are still best sellers, the modern look is taking over a larger portion of the market, according to Heather Novak, senior product manager for Moen. On the other end of the spectrum, Victorian and bridge-style faucets are favorites for remodeling and historic applications, manufacturers say. "The most I do are bridge faucets, for more of a timeless appearance," says John Borcherding, a certified remodeler and founder and principal designer of Artisan Kitchen and Bath in St. Louis. Similar to a modified letter H, with two handles and a faucet in the center, bridge-style faucets work well with big, single-basin sinks.
Fine Finishes
Designers say a faucet's finish should be dictated by the style of the kitchen and its appliances and hardware. While chrome is still the basic finish option, Smith says homeowners are upgrading to stainless steel about 50 percent of the time in order to match appliances. Brushed stainless and satin nickel are also growing in popularity because they are less likely to show fingerprints and watermarks.
Consumers also are experimenting with warmer finish colors, designers say. "People would like to have a faucet that matches everything else," Novak says. "If they've spent extra for wrought iron hardware, or oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, or stainless steel appliances, they want the faucet to match."
For example, weathered bronze, cast iron, or black faucets work well with darker motifs, such as Jenn-Air's new line of oil-rubbed bronze appliances. "People have moved on from the pure stainless look," says Leslie Petch, Kohler's senior product manager for kitchen faucets.
Back to Work
Of course, the kitchen faucet is more than just a showpiece—it's got to perform, too. Americans crave professional-style fixtures that are also easy-to-use, multipurpose, and low-maintenance. Jado's IQ Semi-Pro, for instance, is equipped with a pull-down sprayer with a stainless steel hose protector coil that wouldn't look out of place in a busy restaurant kitchen. Borcherding says those types of units are popular for their great water flow and sleek, minimalist design.
But while pro-style faucets can list for $700 or more, homeowners don't need to spend a fortune to improve the functionality of their kitchen sinks. Pull-out faucets have moved down-market, Novak says, adding that Moen offers a builder-grade pull-out for as low as $180. "That's starting to be demanded now by homeowners, even at an opening price point," she says.
Multiple rinsing sprays and pause features offer added flexibility. Moen's Camerist faucet, for example, offers four functions: a pause button, regular spray, regular rinse, and a lighter veggie rinse flow option.
More advanced technology like hands-free functions could grow in popularity as consumer demand for hygienic products increases, but few manufacturers are confident enough in the technology to bring it to the kitchen market. Brizo's touch-on, touch-off Pascal faucet is an example, however, of whiz-bang technology that packs both a "wow" factor and a benefit to the user.
While faucet electronics are still in the works, Kohler's Petch points out several trends that could take kitchen faucets out of the kitchen. He says he's spotting more and more small sinks in master bedroom mini bars. And as the popularity of outdoor kitchens continues to blossom, homeowners will be on the lookout for faucets that can handle the rigors of extreme temperatures and weather.
—BUILDING PRODUCTS
The biggest trend driving kitchen faucet configuration is set in stone: "The availability and affordability of natural stone," says Gray Uhl, director of design for Jado and American Standard. To preserve the look of their granite and marble countertops, homeowners are looking for single-hole, single-handle, pull-out faucets that keep the kitchen deck clean. "Consumers are looking for as simple of an installation as possible," Uhl says.
The demand for a clean look extends to undermount sinks as well, says Brad Smith, chief operations officer of Kimbel Plumbing. "We've done more of those in the past year than in our whole history combined," he says.
In the pursuit of simplicity, high-end homeowners are putting potfillers above their kitchen stove. The double-jointed faucet can extend to fill a pot while it's sitting on the burner, then retract against the wall. "It's almost become a de facto standard as an upgrade to a kitchen space," says Leslie Petch, Kohler's senior product manager for kitchen faucets.
The newest trend, he says, is deck-mounted potfillers, especially on the kitchen's central island. "You're seeing a lot more stovetops being offered on islands as part of the process of engaging people as part of cooking preparation," he says.
Moen
Moen. With a sleek, high-arc silhouette and soft, modern styling, the single-handle Medora kitchen pull-out faucet blends form and function, according to the manufacturer. Available in a single-hole mount, it blends into granite and other solid-surface countertops for an upscale, clean look, the maker adds. The single lever handle offers easy-to-use temperature and flow control, the company says. 800-289-6636. www.moen.com.
Kohler
Kohler. Exuding a simple elegance, the Simplice pull-down kitchen faucet adapts easily to a wide variety of styles, according to the manufacturer. The high-arc spout provides comfortable clearance for filling and cleaning large pots, and the sleek, fluid lines make the faucet easy to clean, the maker adds. A pause function allows users to temporarily halt the water flow. 800-456-4537. www.kohler.com.
Danze
Danze. The Parma pull-out faucet features uncluttered, minimalist Euro styling, according to the manufacturer. The side-mount single-control design is ideal for contemporary kitchens, the maker adds. The faucet is available in chrome or stainless steel finishes. All the manufacturer's faucets feature durable ceramic-disc valves and heavy pattern construction. 877-530-3344. www.danze.com.
Jado
Jado. Designed with clean lines and curves and work-horse functionality, the IQ Semi-Pro kitchen faucet is equipped with two unique spray functions: a wider spray and a more intensive vegetable wash, according to the manufacturer. Offered in polished chrome or UltraSteel PVD, the faucet has controls on the handle to adjust the spray or control the flow. 800-227-2734. www.jadousa.com.
Franke
Franke. Designed to fit comfortably in the hand, the sprayhead of the FF 3000 was inspired by the ergonomics of the computer mouse for smooth operation without twisting the wrist, according to the manufacturer. The faucet shaft is open for easy maneuverability of the sprayhead. The dual flow spout adjusts from stream to spray with a touch of the thumb. 800-626-5771. www.frankeconsumerproducts.com.
Villeroy & Boch
Villeroy & Boch. The Pantro faucet includes a unique spray diverter that converts the water from a normal stream flow to a full spray with a turn of the sprayhead. The handle controls the temperature and prevents the possibility of scalding because it is independent of the spout. The faucet is available in a choice of polished chrome or platinum matte finishes. 877-505-5350. www.villeroy-boch.com.
Gerber
Gerber. Featuring an elegant arc that adds flexibility in the kitchen, the Allerton high-arc kitchen faucet spout is gracefully styled and complements kitchen décor ranging from classic to contemporary, according to the manufacturer. Available with a coordinated vegetable sprayer, the faucet is particularly useful when paired with multi-bowl sinks and for filling large pots, the maker says. 630-754-0278. www.gerberonline.com.
Delta
Delta. The Allora pull-down spray kitchen faucet includes a wand that intuitively connects with the spout when not in use for a consistently clean look, the manufacturer says. Similar in function to magnetic closures found on totes and personal electronics cases, the faucet's magnetic closure engages the wand to its docked position in a snap, according to the maker. 800-345-3358. www.deltafaucet.com.
Brasstech
Brasstech. Available in 30 finishes, including stainless steel PVD, English bronze, antique brass, polished copper, and Forever Brass PVD, Newport Brass pull-down faucets are offered in traditional or contemporary (pictured) styles. The faucets include a toggle button to control the stream or spray flow and a "twist and lock" mechanism that locks the sprayhead into the spout. 949-417-5207. www.newportbrass.com.
Grohe
Grohe. The Ladylux Pro deck-mount potfiller can be installed on a counter surface near the cooktop or on an island and supplied from underneath with a cold water line, providing convenience, utility, and safety, while completing the professional look of the kitchen, according to the manufacturer. The dual pivot joint design extends more than 20 inches. 630-582-7711. www.groheamerica.com.
ShowHouse by Moen
ShowHouse by Moen. Designed with utility, style, and safety for high-end kitchens, the potfiller is designed to be mounted on the wall above a cooktop or range, according to the manufacturer. It folds against the wall when not in use, and extends 24 inches with its double-joint extendable arm to deliver hot or cold water to heavy pots from above. 877-663-6741. www.showhouse.moen.com.
Elkay
Elkay. Available in chrome, brushed chrome, or brushed nickel, the Arezzo restaurant-style faucet offers a flexible pull-down sprayhead that can be handheld or temporarily secured for hands-free operation. The dish spray rises 18 inches above the countertop, offering height that provides both balance in large-scale kitchens and functional reach for multiple sink basins, according to the manufacturer. 630-574-8484. www.elkayusa.com.
KitchenAid
KitchenAid. Constructed of solid brass, the manufacturer's faucets are hand-finished to guarantee a flawless finish in either stainless steel or chrome, according to the manufacturer. The faucets come in three styles: pull-out, gooseneck, or gooseneck pull-down. The pull-out and pull-down (pictured) models, both with integrated hoses, provide maximum flexibility when rinsing and cleaning, the maker says. 269-923-5000. www.insideadvantage.com.
Hansgrohe
Hansgrohe. Allegro Gourmet has an ergonomically correct pull-down spout to make everyday tasks effortless, the company says. It uses two spray modes that are controlled with an ergonomic button on the backside of the pull-out spray. Like all of the manufacturer's products, it has cast brass housing and ceramic cartridges. It comes in chrome and steel or a combination of both finishes. 800-488-8119. www.hansgrohe-usa.com.
Brizo
Brizo. Combining hands-free and touch-control technologies, the Pascal culinary faucet with Smart Technology allows users to activate water flow by either tapping almost anywhere on the faucet or using the hands-free option, reserving both hands for cooking and cleaning. Water temperature and flow are set by the faucet's single-handle manual valve, so water is delivered at the same setting each time. 877-345-2749. www.brizo.com.
Price Pfister
Price Pfister. Equipped with a new "anti-splash" feature, the manufacturer's high-arc, pull-down kitchen faucets merge the beauty and practicality of a high-arc spout design with the convenience of a pull-down faucet, according to the manufacturer. Available in the Hanover, Treviso, and Ashfield (pictured) collections, each faucet allows users to adjust spray volume to a desired pressure level between 20 percent and 100 percent. 800-732-8238. www.pricepfister.com.
MGS
MGS. Designed for residential kitchens and food-prep work islands, the multifunctional handheld rinse-down sprayhead is equipped with a push-button control allowing for either a needle spray or an aerated flow. This solid stainless steel option is available with all Vela and Randa models. The Vela L with handheld rinse-down sprayhead is pictured. 561-218-8798. www.mgsdesigns.com.