The Must-Have Kitchen Feature Professional Designers Say You Should Splurge On

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One of the most used fixtures in your home is also one of the kitchen features that a designer recommends splurging on because it can truly go with the flow and make the rest of the room pop. A new kitchen faucet gives you the perfect opportunity to add a personal touch and some functional flair to the room. Plus, though a quality sink and faucet combo often looks more expensive than it is, spending a bit more on something used daily is always a good idea.

The best part? No matter the style of your kitchen, there is a faucet that matches (or contrasts) perfectly with your current colors and design. Here's one thing to consider before tackling this upgrade: While it's perfectly okay to only replace a faucet and keep your existing sink, if you're on the fence about a new one, it may be worth it to do both at the same time. While installing both a kitchen sink and faucet can be done without the help of a professional, it can be bit more complicated than remembering how to DIY a bathroom sink faucet replacement. Doing a full swap all at once will allow you to ensure everything matches and help to simplify the process.

Replacing your faucet is a smart upgrade is because it's something you can do yourself, and it's relatively affordable. But don't mistake value for cheap. It's still important to spend on a high-quality faucet given how much you use it and how long it should last, so budgeting a few hundred dollars for the faucet alone is recommended. That's no small amount, but in terms of large-scale kitchen projects, you could be spending a lot more for less.

Regardless of your intended budget, remember to do your research. There are just so many choices out there. Because of this, it's important to pick the features that will truly work for you. Today's choices can be touchless, smart, or even voice activated. Plus, there are multiple sprayer options to consider. Others can be controlled with an app, include a built in water-filter, or have LED lights that change color based on water temperature — which, can, of course also be set by the faucet. Customer testimonials will let you know whether people still love their choice. With so many options out there, relying on real reviews to determine the best kitchen faucets for your home could be the difference between a successful splurge or a designer dud.

Functionality is still key, no matter how good your desired new piece looks. After all, your new kitchen faucet is going to be used a lot, so make sure it works for you and your family. Professional designers say something as simple as being right-handed or left-handed can change which kind of faucet is the best choice for you. 

As with any home fixture, there's a wide price range regarding both how much you could (and how much you should) spend. There are just so many options. On Amazon alone, there are search filters for number of holes, filters, desired finish, type of sprayer, and more. But here are two picks that are mostly loved that appear to provide good value for consumers. 

This Delta Boyd Brushed Nickel Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer is on the list of Amazon's 50 best-selling kitchen faucets and is slightly better rated (4.6 out of 5) than other options in its price range. Plus, at $194, it's more than 40% off its list price for the time being. People choose this faucet for its multiple spray settings and sleek finish, and note that it appears to be made from sturdy, high-quality materials. Another option offering value, even with an over $400 price tag, is this Moen Align Spot Resist Kitchen Sink Faucet with a sleek handle and unique pull-down spring design. With a 4.5 star Amazon rating, this model is loved for its hose's reach and hands-free technology, though some reviews say it falls short when it comes to water flow power. On the flip side, there are many faucets on the Amazon best-seller list with a price tag of less than $100.

But if you want to spend more you can. There are plenty of fixtures with a price tag of $1,500 or more. No matter what your budget, the key is finding a fixture that is mixture of quality and personal flair. It could be the decision that completes the kitchen.