The Fancy Kitchen Feature Mike Holmes Says Is Worth The Money

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Upgrading your kitchen can be a time-consuming, pricey undertaking, so it's no surprise if you can afford only the most essential luxury fixtures. Instead of selecting pieces that simply look beautiful or high-end, you'll benefit from choosing fixtures that also make the space more functional. Modern kitchen staples feature advanced technology that boosts their functionality beyond basic practicality. On his blog Make It Right, general contractor and HGTV host Mike Holmes pointed out a particular fixture that is a smart, useful addition to any kitchen, no matter the design. According to Holmes, touchless faucets are a must-have kitchen feature you should splurge on.

These fixtures are a great touch-free kitchen tool to consider adding to your space. The ease of use inherent in a touchless faucet is what makes the product so appealing to homeowners. They simplify everyday tasks. You no longer have to manually turn on the faucet, wait for the water to reach the right temperature, or adjust the handle for the right pressure. Touchless faucets feature a movement-activated sensor, meaning the faucet intuitively starts and stops the flow of water. They require less time and energy from you — a simple hand swipe near the faucet is all it takes. This means that you can easily get water even when your hands are covered in flour or you are holding a colander of berries.

On his blog Make It Right, general contractor and HGTV host Mike Holmes explained that touchless faucets are a simple way to elevate the functionality of a space. "This can come in handy for individuals with limited mobility who may experience difficulty reaching or grasping the faucet handle," the blog post advised. Family members of any age or ability can easily use the faucet when needed. Touchless faucets limit the spread of germs, which makes them safe additions to a kitchen, where food preparation results in some of the highest bacterial loads in a home. In other words, a touchless faucet is a clean option that even young children can operate without help.

These types of faucets also look decidedly modern — they're a relatively tiny change you can make to your kitchen to make it look more expensive. Choose a faucet in a material already used in your kitchen — most likely stainless steel, like this Appaso Brushed Nickel Stainless Steel Touchless Kitchen Faucet, which costs well under $100. Or look for something more unique with additional features, like this Gimili Black and Gold Touchless Kitchen Faucet with a pull-down sprayer for about $140. Be aware that touchless faucets include more parts mechanically and electrically than standard sinks, plus they are often operated by batteries, which will need to be replaced over time. A plumber and electrician may need to be contacted to set up the faucet's waterline and power source correctly.