Kitchen Trend – Bridge Faucets

I’ve been doing a lot of Pinteresting lately, and I’ve been pinning loads of kitchens as we look to design our kitchen.  When you spend hundreds of hour studying pictures of kitchens, you start noticing some trends popping out.  Emily Henderson just shared some of the latest kitchen trends she is seeing this year, so I thought I’d share an observation of my own (*hint* it’s all about bridge faucets).

When pinning images you like on Pinterest, it’s important to ask yourself why you like the image. If you don’t, you’ll never truly figure out what elements make up the looks you are drawn to.  Usually I pin images that are generally appealing to me, then I go back to study individual aspects of each of them. For instance, I was looking back over my Kitchen Inspiration pin board at the faucets, and I noticed that many of them were bridge faucets.

via Vintage Tub & Bath

What the heck is a bridge faucet anyway? I turned to the all-knowing interwebs search of history on the bridge faucet or any information actually, and Google fell short. Why are more people not talking about the illustrious beauty that is the kitchen bridge faucet??? What I do know is that most modern faucets have mixer valves (the piece that brings you hot and cold water together) underneath the counter top so that they are not visible. Bridge faucets, on the other hand, tout their mixing valve (or bridge) as a piece of ornamentation or jewelry.

I think that’s a common theme in design and architecture in the last few decades: the celebration and display of mechanics. You see this in city lofts where the pipes and ducts are exposed, for example.

Styles of Bridge Faucets

Bridge faucets are technically an old-fashioned style of faucet, but I put them in the category of pedestal sinks and subway tile: totally classic. They seem to come mainly in two varieties… the traditional style with a cantilevered spout, and the high arc style with a tall rounded spout.

The first more traditional style seems most commonly available for purchase and also more affordable.  But, (of course it would be this way), the high arc style is the one I am seeing in my Pinterest research as the faucet of choice in designer kitchens. And of course it tends to be less available and more expensive.

Additionally, most bridge faucets attach to the counter top in two places right underneath each handle. But some have an additional attachment right underneath the spout. I definitely prefer the look without the third pipe coming down because it highlights the main visual appeal of the bridge faucet which is the bridge.  That third pipe kind of erases the visual space and can look busy (just my personal thought).

Functionality of Bridge Faucets

Beyond what style you prefer, there are a couple of other things to consider when looking to buy a bridge faucet: are you ok with a 2-handle kitchen faucet?  Many modern kitchen faucets have one handle for both hot and cold to aid in ease of use. Two handles, while symmetrical and beautiful, are undeniably less functional.

Another consideration in buying a bridge faucet is your preference on the sprayer.  Very few bridge faucets come with an in-spout sprayer (although there is one that I will link for you below). So, if that is an essential kitchen tool for you, you will have to consider getting an additional sprayer faucet.  Luckily, some bridge faucets are sold with matching sprayers to solve that issue.

If you’re still set on getting that beautiful kitchen jewel that is the bridge-style faucet for your own home (like I am), I’ve compiled my favorite options from around the web for you to check out. And in case your partial to an oil-rubbed bronze or gold finish, make sure to click through because a lot of these come in those options too!

(click on the ones you like to see where to buy them!)