The faucet you’re purchasing is sure to elevate the overall quality in your bathroom and give it a clean, sleek appearance. One important aspect of ensuring you’re purchasing the right faucet is “measuring your faucet centers.” This means making sure that the number of holes the faucet requires and the spaces between those holes corresponds to 
your sink’s holes and spaces. The term “faucet center” refers to the distance in inches from the very center of one of the outermost holes to the one opposite to it over the spread of the faucet. (As a side note, measuring the faucet centers on your kitchen faucet is similar in principle, but for simplicity’s sake this article will be dealing with bathroom faucet centers.)
For your browsing pleasure at FaucetDirect.com, filter out the faucet centers which don’t apply so you can find the ones that do. This option is located on the left-hand column of the page under the header “Faucet Centers,” with the categories of “single hole,” “1 to 3 inches,” “3 to 6 inches,” etc., below it. Some faucets have adjustable faucet centers to open up greater possibilities for your sink’s needs. Check the specifications on the faucet to determine if it will fit the layout and dimensions of your sink.
With regard to “faucet centers,” faucets generally fall into the following categories:
Single-hole: also called “vessel faucets,” a handle is attached near the spout—therefore using one hole (and no faucet center) for the complete faucet—and the spout is usually situated higher over the sink; perfect for vessel sinks. Check out these stylish choices by Kohler and HansGrohe.
Center-set: the spout and handles are situated on the base of the faucet; perfect for smaller sinks. Faucets by Delta and American Standard broadly offer sleek and stylish choices for this arrangement.
Mini-spread: the faucet’s handles on this design sit close to the spout, but off the faucet’s base; great for medium sized sinks. For this faucet type, Delta and Danze exhibit unique and beautiful designs.
Widespread: the handles and spout are not connected to the faucet’s base and a short distance of counter exists between each; suited to larger sinks. Moen, ShowHouse by Moen, and Kohler are all notable choices for this faucet center spread.
Wall-mount: similar to widespread faucets, the handles and spout are situated over the sink’s center, but are mounted on the wall; a great choice for vessel sinks, antique sinks, or sinks that don’t already have pre-drilled holes; make sure the spout is long enough to direct water into the center of the sink. Kohler and Danze lead the pack on this arrangement, but many fashionable choices can be found with other brands as well.
As you’re sure to have seen by now, some faucets “cross over” into other faucet center categories. For instance, some faucets are considered “widespread” or “mini-spread” and yet are mounted to the wall. This has all been done in the interest of enhancing stylistic and functional possibilities for the faucet selection that best fits you.
Again, your faucet is dependent upon the sink to which you’ll fix it—or to which you will be fixing it, if you’re purchasing a new sink. If you’re having trouble visualizing what sink works with what faucet, browsing through our various sink types should give you some creative ideas. Just remember to consult the faucet center first, and you’ll save yourself some hassle in the long run. The types of sinks—and the faucet choice for those sinks—are listed below:
Self-rimming: a “lip” runs over and around the ledge of the sink’s counter; for this sink, we recommend the single-hole, center-set, mini-spread, and widespread faucet types.
Undermount: the entire sink is mounted under the counter and there is no “lip”; this sink offers the most stylistic combinations since all of the above listed faucet center types can be matched stylistically.
Pedestal: the sink rests atop a porcelain or stainless-steel stand; single-hole, mini-spread, and widespread faucet center types are suggested for this sink.
Wall mount: functions as a sink and generally as a counter as well, but without the actual fixture of the counter; mounted to the wall; includes the corner-mount sink; try a single-hole, center-set, or widespread faucet-center type for this sink.
Vessel sink: the sink itself rests largely above counter; looks much like a vessel for holding water; the single-hole and wall-mount faucet center types work well with this sink.
If you need any assistance in choosing the faucet based on your sink’s faucet centers, please give a call to our knowledgeable sales staff and we’ll be happy to assist you.
