Using Kitchen Faucets in Bathrooms (and vice versa)

I love kitchen faucets. I don’t know if it’s the space they give above the sink or the elegant look that the height provides, but I have often wondered if I could swap out my stubby bathroom taps for a sleek kitchen one.

Let’s have a look at how kitchen and bathroom faucets differ and why you can use kitchen faucets in bathrooms, but it may not be the best idea to use bathroom faucets in kitchens.

Kitchen faucets can be used in bathrooms. The faucet height and mobility increase basin functionality and ease of use. Bathroom faucets in kitchens are less helpful. It restricts the space under the faucet, mobility, and extra filtration options. Mixers are easier to swap out than 2- or 3-piece units.

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Differences Between Kitchen and Bathroom Faucets

To a certain extent, faucets are faucets, particularly nowadays when there are stricter standards governing things like water quality and materials that are safe to be used in the house. Let’s put it this way; no one is using lead-lined pipes in their plumbing anymore!

However, there are still some differences between kitchen and bathroom faucets based on the purposes that they are intended to serve.

Size and Arc Type

Kitchen faucets typically have a central set that is 8″ (20.32 cm) long while bathroom faucets have a central set of only 4″ (10.16 cm).

Kitchen faucets tend to have a lot more mobility and are easier to use for washing various items of all shapes and sizes. Bathroom faucets are usually very sturdy and have no room to move the spout around.

When it comes to mixers (hot and cold water combined through one spout), there are fewer differences in terms of mobility and you are also less limited by the number of holes in the sink; bathroom and kitchen mixers both use one hole.

Kitchen faucets characteristically have larger arcs than bathroom faucets. In fact, bathroom faucets rarely have an arc.

Accessories/Features

Kitchen faucets tend to have a lot more bells and whistles than bathroom faucets do. Unlike bathroom faucets, you can add on helpful accessories like soap dispensers, making it easier to wash your dishes.

Some high-end kitchen faucets may even come with a built-in pulldown and out-spout that acts as a mini, extendable hose.

Bathroom faucets chiefly have only one accessory option, and that is a faucet extender. These attach to the end of the spout, emphasizing how close low they are to the basin.

Kitchen Faucets in Bathrooms

It is Possible

For the most part, you should be able to physically install a kitchen faucet in the bathroom, particularly if your bathroom basin is set up for a mixer and so only has one fixture hole.

You might encounter an issue if the set is made up of 2-3 parts as pictured below. The reason why this might be a potential issue is because of the holes in the bathroom basin for these kinds of faucets. I will discuss this more in the section on installation considerations.

Replacing a faucet is not the most difficult DIY job out there, so if your bathroom basin is set up correctly and it’s just a matter of swapping out the units, then you should be able to do it without a professional’s help (maybe with the aid of a YouTube video or two).

However, if the installation involves adjusting the holes in the sink or even making new ones and re-routing your supply pipes, then you might want to get a plumber in to help you.

Benefits of Using Kitchen Faucets in Bathrooms

There is quite an array of kitchen faucet designs to choose from, making plumbing a fun task for your inner interior decorator. You can choose a design to match your desired aesthetic. Bathroom faucets are a little more limited in their design features and range.

One can also benefit from the height aspect of a kitchen faucet in the bathroom.

It can make filling up your water glass before bedtime less of a hassle.
It makes rinsing the sink after use easier.
You can do a quick wash of smaller garments within your bathroom sink saving you on water and electrical costs by not needing to use your washing machine for small amounts of laundry.
This new freedom within your bathroom sink also allows for you to wash your hair in the sink when you are in a rush instead of having to endure an entire shower ritual.

You also won’t need to stress about splashing water everywhere creating an aquatic mess because of the minimal space in the wash area that would be brought about by a standard bathroom faucet. It might also make a smaller basin more viable in, say, a guest bathroom if you are trying to save space, but you still want your guests to have an easy-to-use basin.

Another advantage is that you can use or install faucet-integrated (built-in) filters. Often, these come standard with your kitchen faucet, but you can also simply purchase one that is designed to attach to the faucet, which may be easier to replace in the long run. Manufacturers more often make attachable filters for kitchen faucets models.

Considerations Before Installing

You need to make sure that the design you have chosen for your kitchen faucet matches the design of your current bathroom sink. If not, you would need to either go shopping for a new faucet design or a new bathroom sink that is best suited for the current design.

If you have two holes for the separate hot and cold taps, then you are unlikely to find a kitchen faucet that can be used in that setup; this style is almost exclusive to bathrooms. Kitchens either have mixers or they are 3-piece units.

If you have three holes in your bathroom sink, then you can try installing a mixer, and use a deck plate _{^{(amazon link)}} to cover excess holes. If there is another hole you can use it for a soap dispenser.

For the 3-piece units, you are more likely to find something that works, but you have to remember that the spacings can differ and the fixture holes in the sink might be too close together.

You may also need to make sure there is space for installing your filtration system (if there isn’t one already). Installation can be pricey.

Bathroom Faucets in Kitchens

It is Possible

As mentioned, swapping out faucets is not the most difficult job to do, unless you are trying to install a unit that requires more holes. Then you will need some help and guidance on cutting into your kitchen sink accurately and safely.

Although it may be logistically possible to install bathroom faucets in your kitchen, it may not be the best idea. I will discuss why in the considerations section.

Benefits of Using Bathroom Faucets in Kitchens

Apart from being smaller, discreet, and not an eyesore in the kitchen, there aren’t that many benefits to having a bathroom faucet in the kitchen.

If you have a specific reason for installing a bathroom faucet in your kitchen, then it may be best to read through the considerations first before proceeding with the installation process.

Bathroom faucets can also utilize the same faucet-integrated (built-in) filters as kitchen faucets.

Considerations Before Installing

When it comes to the actual faucet installation, you can apply the same considerations as with the kitchen faucets in bathrooms, including the correct size of the unit and the number of holes in the sink and filtration system installation.

However, you also need to ensure that the faucets being used are NSF Standard 61-approved (any faucet or plumbing products are to be tested and certified according to this standard). This controls the quality of water exiting the faucet, ensuring that it is drinkable.

Don’t worry; if you’re unsure which products to use, there are many faucets that have been approved by American National Standards that you can choose from.

You may land up breaking fine crockery because of how close the sink walls are to the faucet spout. Having a sturdy and small water dispenser in a kitchen sink may hinder washing efficiency. However, it may help if you have a deep sink.

If using the kitchen faucets is going to be a difficult experience, then you are less likely to keep up with cleaning and cooking.

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Will Faucet Make a Difference to Water?

Most homes have a main water supply line that is shared between the bathroom and kitchen, so it is generally safe to use both as sources of drinking water.

The installation of a kitchen faucet in the bathroom might mean that the water is more filtered, and the installation of a bathroom faucet in the kitchen can mean your kitchen water is less filtered. However, this filtration is not necessary to make the water potable; it just might make a slight difference to the taste.