Brass Kitchen Faucets: The Complete Buyer's Guide

A kitchen faucet is the hardest-working fixture in your home, and in solid brass it can also be the most beautiful. But choosing one involves more than style. The faucet has to fit your sink, your countertop holes, your plumbing and the way you cook. This guide walks you through every decision.

1. Choose the faucet style

Bridge faucets

Two handles joined by a horizontal "bridge", with a tall spout rising from the center. Bridge faucets are the signature of classic, farmhouse and English-country kitchens. They typically mount through two deck holes, most often at 8-inch (20.3 cm) centers. Many can be paired with a matching side sprayer or a separate filtered water tap.

Single-hole and single-lever faucets

One hole, one handle (or a side lever). Clean, compact and easy to operate with one hand. A great choice for smaller sinks, prep sinks and bar sinks.

Pull-down faucets

A spray head that pulls out of the spout on a hose. Ideal if you wash large pots or want to rinse the whole sink easily.

Wall-mount faucets

The faucet comes out of the wall above the sink, leaving the counter completely clear. They require water supply lines inside the wall, so they are best planned during a renovation.

Pot fillers

An articulated arm mounted on the wall above the range, so you can fill heavy pots where you cook. A pot filler is a luxury addition, not a replacement for your main sink faucet, and needs a cold-water line run to the stove wall.

2. Check your deck holes

Look under your sink or at your countertop and count the holes:

• 1 hole: single-hole or pull-down faucet (or a bridge faucet designed for single-hole mounting).
• 2 holes: most bridge faucets.
• 3 or 4 holes: a bridge faucet plus accessories such as a side sprayer, filtered water tap or soap dispenser.

Measure the distance between the centers of the holes. For bridge faucets, this "center-to-center" measurement must match the faucet. If you are installing a new countertop, you can drill holes to suit the faucet you choose.

3. Get the proportions right

• Spout height: a high-arch gooseneck makes it easy to fill tall pots, but check the clearance under wall cabinets, shelving or a window.
• Spout reach: the water should land near the center of the sink bowl or drain, not at the back edge.
• Sink size: large farmhouse sinks suit tall, generous faucets; small prep sinks look best with compact ones.

4. Look at what is inside

• Solid brass body: durable and restorable. See our guide to solid brass vs brass-plated.
• Ceramic disc cartridges: smooth, drip-free operation for years.
• Standards for drinking water: faucets supplying drinking water must meet the plumbing rules where you live. In the United States that includes lead-free requirements, commonly shown by certifications such as NSF/ANSI 61 and 372. Ask your supplier and plumber.
• Connections: supply-line fittings differ between countries, so your plumber may need adapters.

5. Choose your finish

Unlacquered brass develops a living patina and can always be polished back to a shine. Lacquered brass stays bright but its coating can wear on handles over time. Read unlacquered vs lacquered brass for a full comparison.

6. Plan the installation

We always recommend installation by a licensed plumber, following local codes. Before they arrive, have ready: the faucet and all included parts, your sink and countertop dimensions, and any accessories (sprayer, filter tap) you want to install at the same time. For filtered water taps, the tap connects to the outlet of your filtration system, which is usually sold separately.

Our brass faucets

OLDENSOUK faucets are made from solid brass and finished by hand in our Marrakech workshop, then shipped worldwide with duties included (DDP). Many products come with a downloadable spec sheet and installation instructions on the product page. Explore our kitchen faucets and pot fillers, or contact us with your sink details and we will help you choose.

Frequently asked questions

Do brass faucets turn green?

Unlacquered brass can develop green or dark spots where water is left to dry, especially with hard water. Drying the faucet after use and occasional polishing keeps it even.

Can I install a bridge faucet on a single-hole sink?

Only if the faucet is designed for single-hole mounting. Most bridge faucets need two holes at a fixed spacing.

How tall should a kitchen faucet be?

There is no single rule. Measure from the countertop to the underside of any cabinet or shelf above, and leave comfortable clearance above the top of the spout.