Exploring Pot Fillers: Are They Essential for Your Kitchen? Designers Share Their Opinions
Revamped and Reimagined:
Upgrading your kitchen now opens doors to indulge in the luxury of minor conveniences that make a big difference in daily life. Take, for instance, the pot filler - an amenity that's not a necessity but can transform your cooking experience. You probably haven't given it a second thought, but once you've relished the convenience, you'll wonder how you ever managed without one!
"A pot filler? It's a game-changer, especially for avid cooks!" beams Tanya Shively, founder and principal designer at Sesshu Design Associates.
So, should you splurge on a pot filler? Here's what experts have to say on the subject, theydding light on the perks, pitfalls, and practicalities of installing a pot filler in your kitchen.
12 Kitchen Essentials that Make Life a Breeze## What's a Pot Filler?
A pot filler is a faucet specifically designed to fill pots, neatly mounted above the stove. Due to its faster water flow, large stockpots can be filled quickly and effortlessly - a nifty advantage over your run-of-the-mill faucet! These bad boys usually come equipped with a retractable swing arm that moves out of the way when not in use.
These babies aren't your everyday kitchen feature, but they're becoming increasingly popular in luxury kitchen designs. "Pot fillers are a stunning amalgamation of functionality and aesthetics that I can't help but adore when incorporated intelligently into kitchen layouts," asserts Brandea Morton, owner of B. Morton Design.
Morton highlights how modern kitchens often use the range as a design element, with eye-catching hoods and statement backsplashes. The pot filler serves as another chance to add a vibrant visual detail to this space, complementing the existing plumbing and hardware.
Pot Filler Perks
If you're a cooking enthusiast, a pot filler is your best friend when it comes to filling pots with ease. Valerie Ann Helgeson, lead designer and founder of Design Directions, explains that a typical stockpot weighs between 16 to 33 pounds, and transporting it across the kitchen can be tiresome. So, when your sink is more than two to three steps away, the convenience of a pot filler becomes indispensable.
A pot filler also serves as a unique piece of kitchen bling, allowing you to choose a finish and design that complements your overall hardware scheme. Whether you favor aged brass, polished nickel, or something else altogether, the pot filler offers an opportunity to introduce some eye-catching flair. Not to mention, the architectural style of a swing arm sconce adds a striking touch.
Last, but not least, if you're selling your house, a well-appointed kitchen, complete with a pot filler, is sure to impress potential buyers. While a pot filler won't necessarily boost the resale value of your house directly, it creates an overall sense of opulence and refinement in your kitchen.
Pot Filler Pitfalls
Probably the biggest hang-up with pot fillers is the installation process. Joseph Patrick, owner of Lamont Bros. Design and Construction, informs that the installation often involves adding a water line behind the range area, which may not exist in most kitchens. This additional plumbing work adds considerable cost to the project.
If the water line needs maintenance, access can sometimes be tricky. Helgeson advises planning for access on the opposite side of the wall to minimize potentially messy repairs.
Lastly, it's crucial to remember that while a pot filler saves you from schlepping a filled pot across the kitchen, you'll still need to transport that big mama to the sink for draining - so, the convenience goes halfway.
Installing a Pot Filler
Typically, pot fillers are situated above the range or cooktop. As there's usually no water line in this area, the first step is to enlist the help of a plumber to install a water line behind the range. Since only a cold water line is required, the work shouldn't be overly invasive, especially when renovating the kitchen. An access panel on the other side of the wall, behind the plumbing, should be added for easy future access.
Types of Pot Fillers
Pot fillers come in various styles, each suited to different kitchen sizes and aesthetics. Ultimately, the decision often boils down to personal taste and aesthetics. "To keep the look cohesive, we generally recommend a pot filler that matches the main faucet and overall plumbing fixture suite, maintaining visual harmony throughout the space," says Kristin Kostamo, founder of Anne Rae Design. Here are some popular options:
- Single Arm: Ideal for smaller kitchens, single-arm fillers extend out using just one arm and have a limited reach.
- Double Arm: Suitable for larger kitchens, double-arm pot fillers tuck neatly into the wall when not in use and offer extended reach across the range.
- Deck-mount: When mounting into the backsplash isn't an option, a deck-mount pot filler extends up from the countertop like a traditional faucet, enabling it to reach various burners.
- Martha Stewart, a renowned figure in the home-and-garden and lifestyle industries, might find a pot filler, mounted above the stove for quickly filling pots, a valuable addition to her kitchen design.
- The home design decor trend of modern kitchens incorporating statement architectural features extends to pot fillers, which can serve as visually striking elements, thanks to their retractable swing arms and diverse finish options.
- While Pot fillers offer numerous advantages, including making life easier for cooking enthusiasts by reducing the effort required to fill pots, they do come with additional expenses due to plumbing installation and, potentially, maintenance needs.
- In a world where home improvement and home-and-garden magazines often feature impressive kitchen design ideas, a pot filler is an often overlooked yet transformative amenity that can elevate the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a luxury kitchen.
- Whether you're an avid cook or simply aiming to make everyday tasks more convenient, the installation of a pot filler can add a touch of style and utility to your kitchen, complementing your existing plumbing and hardware.
- As the market for home design decor and kitchen decor continues to grow, many homeowners may find the introduction of a pot filler to their kitchen renovation or new construction project a worthwhile investment, not just for its practical purposes but also for its potential impact on the resale value of their home.
