Choosing a new bathroom faucet is one of the easiest features to overlook in a major bathroom remodel. It’s a seemingly small item that certainly doesn’t make the list of desirable luxury features (steam shower! heated floors! whirlpool tub!), and is therefore often tragically relegated to the “necessity” list. But I think a new faucet is definitely something to be excited about. Because it’s one of the most often used items in the bathroom, budgeting for a nice one will not only make your bathroom more enjoyable to use, but can also help solidify a distinctive style.
Shop Rohl Bathroom Faucets
Take, for example, the classic cross handled faucet. These are probably one of the most iconic types of faucets, and immediately evoke an old fashioned, cottage style bathroom. Often done in a simple chrome finish with porcelain accents on the handles, these are more charming than fancy, but are the perfect way to lend authenticity to a turn of the century bathroom. Paired with a petite pedestal sink, the look is picture perfect and totally timeless. If your bathroom is a restoration in an older home, look for antique replicas from brands like Herbeau or Elizabethan Classics for the most accurate look.
Shop Herbeau Bathroom Faucets
For a slightly more sophisticated old world feel, look for faucets with a matte finish – like oil rubbed bronze or satin nickel – that have the same looped and curved, tooled appearance, but that replace the cross handles with lever style handles. Combined with a column spout this slightly more spread out faucet has a touch of French country sophistication that’s perfect for a more upscale period style bathroom. Alternately, look for bridge faucets in this style, which are both lovely to look at and add a little antique authenticity.
For a really, really ornate antique look and feel, you’re probably going to have to splurge a little. But if you’ve already got marble flooring and tile, a big Victorian soaking tub, a walk in shower, and a nice chaise lounge and some thick fabric curtains, anything less than a really intricate, decorative faucet just won’t do your space justice. I’m personally partial to the elegant, slightly serpentine designs of Herbeau’s Pompadour collection, but you can find lovely floral designs and other highly detailed decorative faucets that were designed for a really luxurious, opulent space.
Shop Moen Bathroom Faucets
But what if your bathroom is a little more modern? Well, to me, that makes it doubly important. Modern bathrooms are all about sleek simplicity, and while a conventional bathroom faucet will get the job done, it isn’t going to be pretty. Even for a bathroom that’s simply contemporary, choosing an elegant bathroom faucet is an easy way to lend polish and sophistication to the space. If you have the room for it, I like a faucet with long, lever style handles. Not only does this look really nice, but it’s also a more accessible option, and they’re much, much easier to keep clean than the basic acrylic “diamond” handled faucets that have been ubiquitous for so long.
Shop Hansgrohe Bathroom Faucets
For a slightly more modern look, always always stick with chrome, but don’t settle for a generic chrome faucet – look for a design that’s really out there. Vessel sink faucets that replace the conventional handle with a joystick and wall mounted waterfall style faucets are some of my personal favorites, but with just a little perusing, you’re practically guaranteed to find a unique, innovative design that will really make your bathroom shine. Remember, simple doesn’t have to mean boring, and even just opting for a less conventional faucet handle can give your bathroom sink area a sleek, futuristic look.
Shop Vigo Bathroom Faucets
For a bathroom faucet that will be a real showstopper in a modern bathroom, look for something even more out there. If you’re replacing your whole sink setup, look for bathroom faucets that come paired with a glass vessel sink – these are typically made out of the same bright, colorful, patterned material and have a similar scooped shape that turns the faucet into a lovely, abstract waterfall. For something especially unique, consider installing an LED faucet. These have built in LED lights that turn on when the water begins flowing. As a bonus, many models are designed to change colors depending on the temperature of the water, which can be especially nice if you keep your water heater set about 120 degrees.
Your bathroom faucet might not be the first thing that comes to mind when designing a luxury bathroom, but with so many beautiful, signature bathroom faucets out there, maybe it should be! What do you think of these lovely luxury faucets? And what style bathroom are you designing?
Shop All Bathroom Faucets
