The Pros And Cons Of Installing A Wall-Mounted Faucet In Your Kitchen
Odds are that at one point or another, you have stopped scrolling and taken a second look at some of the gorgeous wall-mounted faucets you have come across on your social media feeds. They are showstoppers and give a space a major upgrade. However, are these stunning fixtures worth it? Based on the pros and cons of wall-mounted faucets, it boils down to whether you can stomach the upfront and potential maintenance costs down the road to have the perfect statement piece for your kitchen.
The typical kitchen faucet found in most homes is called a deck-mounted fixture, as it is installed on the deck or surface of the countertop or sink rim. A wall-mounted faucet, on the other hand, is installed on the wall behind the sink (in drywall, tile backsplash, or countertop splash) or on the backsplash of a vintage-style sink with an integrated splash. While both options have the potential to be the perfect fit for your kitchen remodel, it is important to weigh the pros and cons to see if you think wall-mounted faucets are worth the investment.
Pros of wall-mounted faucets
The main advantage of adding a wall-mounted faucet to your kitchen is definitely aesthetics. Whether you are going for a vintage charm or a stylish modern look, wall faucets are unique statement pieces that create a major wow factor and are certainly worth consideration if you're dreaming up bold, eclectic ideas for your kitchen remodel. Wall-mounted fixtures will turn heads and create fantastic visual interest in a space since they are not the typical installation you would expect to see.
Another pro for these types of faucets is that since they are up off of the countertop, you gain that additional counter space that you wouldn't have with a deck-mounted fixture. This is especially handy in a kitchen where space is at a premium, making a wall-mounted faucet a potentially great idea to help make your small kitchen seem bigger. Mounting your fixture up off the countertop also means that these fixtures are much easier to clean than deck-mounted options, and who wouldn't love a win in the cleaning department? Being up away from water splashes means they need to be wiped down less often and pick up less bacteria due to the distance from the sink.
Cons of wall-mounted faucets
Disadvantages of wall-mounted faucets mainly relate to the cost and inconvenience of installing and maintaining the fixture. Since they are distinctive statement pieces, the initial cost of the fixture itself will likely be higher than the deck-mounted counterpart. However, this is not a spot to save money — be sure to purchase a high-quality fixture with professional parts since they will be inside your wall. Another consideration is that there are also very limited options in designs for wall-mounted fixtures, especially if you are remodeling or replacing and have to match the distance between existing holes in your backsplash.
The cost to install a wall-mounted kitchen faucet is higher than that of the typical deck-mounted version because the plumbing needs to go inside the wall, rather than in the cabinet under the sink. Because of this, the setup for this type of fixture is much trickier and requires the expertise of a professional to install — it's not a potential DIY project. In addition, unless it is a new build where the studs are already exposed, the wall on the kitchen side or the room behind the sink will need to be opened up to gain access and rework any existing obstacles, then repaired when installation is complete. The same goes for maintenance, which can be much more complicated without the plumbing readily available. In the event of a leak or issue, the wall may need to be reopened, creating more expense for the homeowner.