As with any major purchase for your home, buying a kitchen faucet can be a bit intimidating. Especially since you'll likely want it to last a few years, some basic facts and tips about kitchen faucets can help step you through the process of selecting a faucet. First, you'll want to consider the kitchen sink. Kitchen sinks are equipped with one to four (or sometimes more) holes to accommodate different types of kitchen faucets. If you're changing a faucet on an existing sink, the easiest approach is to select a kitchen faucet to fit the sink's current hole configuration. Changing from a three-hole type faucet to a single-hole setup leaves open holes in the sink to be filled. Alternately, trying to knock out additional holes, say to change from a single-mount faucet to a three-hole version, can damage an already-installed sink. If you're installing a new kitchen sink and kitchen faucet, life is a little easier since you can select whatever type of compatible faucet and sink you like. In fact, you can make things much simpler by installing the new faucet on the sink first and then drop the whole sink and faucet combination into the countertop at one time. This will save you or your plumber from having to work in tight places under the sink to attach the new faucet.

Once you know how many holes are available in your kitchen sink, you can begin to choose a kitchen faucets that's a fit with your likes and needs. Think about whether you'd prefer a kitchen faucet with two handles? one handle? a sidespray? a pullout spout? hot water or soap/lotion dispenser? separate filtered water spout? Two-handle faucets require three sink holes and may have an escutcheon or deck plate. Adding a sidespray takes a fourth hole; other accessories - soap/lotion and hot water dispensers, filtering spout - each require an additional sink hole. You'll want to consider the clutter factor too, being careful not to add so many things to the sink space that you feel crowded or constrained.

Single-handle faucets with a deck plate also need three sink holes; without a deck plate, you can mount the faucet in a single hole. Many pullout spout kitchen faucets can be single-hole mounted as well. This is a nice option if you'd like the functionality of a sidespray and faucet all-in-one and the flexibility to add some accessories to any available sink holes.
Now that the handle configuration of the faucet is decided, you can move on to style and particular performance features. Kitchen Faucet styles range from very basic and utilitarian to distinctively traditional, contemporary or somewhere-in-between "transitional" designs to coordinate with the overall look of the kitchen. In terms of the faucet finish, chrome was once pretty much your only option. Not so today - finishes for kitchen faucets are offered in a myriad of colors including copper, stainless, matte black, polished brass and even shades of white for perfect matching! There are no hard and fast rules about style. What's most important is that you pick something you like since you use your kitchen faucet so much everyday.

Functionality will play into your choice as well. Look for kitchen faucets that offer good spout heights (for working with large pots, tall vases and pitchers, and the like) as well as extended reach into the sink (for full sink coverage and task versatility). A forceful spray option is pretty much a must for rinsing or cleanup - you'll need a sidespray or maybe a pullout faucet with the spray function integrated within the spout wand. There are even filtering faucets available that deliver pure, filtered water right from the tap.

Regardless of the functionality that appeals to you, buy the best kitchen faucet you can afford. Inexpensive models may seem appealing, but the kitchen faucet is so heavily used that you'll want the highest quality materials and construction possible to avoid any premature repair or replacement. Solid brass construction of the kitchen faucet body is always a good choice for durability. An essential consideration as well is a proven technology to prevent leaks - the washerless cartridge and ceramic disc technologies are two that have stood the test of time.

Armed with this information, you have what you need to shop with ease for kitchen faucets that meets all of your expectations in terms of affordability, performance and style.