The MARNHOLD Journal · Kitchen buying guide
A kitchen tap is something you reach for every day. The right one should make washing, filling and rinsing feel easy—and look at home beside your sink. Before choosing a finish, start with the way your kitchen actually works.
Start with your sink, not just the photograph
A tap can look perfectly balanced in a large kitchen and feel oversized in a compact sink area. Compare the product’s dimension drawing with your own worktop, bowl and surrounding space. A simple tape measure is more useful here than choosing by appearance alone.
1Overall height
Check the distance from the mounting surface to the top of the tap. Allow for shelves, window openings and anything else above the sink. Also check the separate outlet height if you regularly fill tall pots.
2Spout reach
Compare the horizontal distance from the tap’s mounting centre to its outlet with the position of your bowl. The outlet should direct water into the usable sink area, rather than too close to an edge.
3Handle clearance
Leave room to move the lever through its full range. A nearby wall, upstand, window frame or separate accessory can limit movement even when the tap body itself fits.
Worth checking: overall tap height and spout outlet height are different measurements. Look for both in the technical drawing instead of assuming that one tells you the other.
Fixed spout or pull-down: choose around your routine
Think about what you do at the sink most often. Do you mostly wash your hands and fill a kettle, or do you rinse large trays, clean the corners of the bowl and move between two sinks? Choose the movement you will actually use.
A conventional spout
A tap without a pull-down head can suit a straightforward routine. Check whether the spout swivels and how far it moves; a conventional spout is not necessarily fixed in position.
A pull-down head
A detachable head lets you direct the outlet around the bowl. Compare the stated hose extension, available spray functions and docking design on the individual product page.
The cabinet matters too. For a pull-down kitchen tap, the hose and any counterweight need an unobstructed travel path. Waste pipes, shelves, bins and stored cleaning products can get in the way. Check the manufacturer’s installation diagram for the actual space and routing required.
Do not assume that every pull-down tap offers the same extension, spray modes or return mechanism. Confirm the features listed for the exact model you are considering.
Check what you cannot see in a styled kitchen
The connection underneath the worktop is as important as the silhouette above it. Before replacing an existing tap or planning a new kitchen, compare the installation requirements with your sink and plumbing.
- Mounting arrangement: check whether the tap is deck-mounted or wall-mounted, and how many mounting holes it requires.
- Hole size and worktop thickness: compare the required opening and permitted mounting thickness with your sink or worktop.
- Water pressure: check the tap’s stated pressure requirements against your hot and cold water supply. A tap that looks right may still be unsuitable for your system.
- Connections and hoses: confirm the inlet connection size, available hose length and any additional parts needed for your installation.
- Space below the sink: allow access to the fixing hardware and, where applicable, the moving hose.
If you are unsure about your pressure or connections, ask a qualified plumber before buying. Product requirements vary, and a general guide cannot confirm compatibility for a particular installation.
Choose a finish that belongs in the room
Once you know the tap fits, look at the surfaces around it: the sink, worktop, cabinet handles and nearby appliances. A brushed grey metal finish can sit quietly alongside pale stone and natural wood, while the overall shape helps define the look of the sink area.
Use finish names and product descriptions alongside photographs. Lighting and screen settings can change how warm, cool or dark a metal appears. A finish name alone also does not tell you the material underneath or the care it needs.
Follow the care instructions for the specific product. Before using a cleaner, check that it is suitable for that surface; do not assume a product described as “bathroom” or “kitchen” cleaner is suitable for every tap finish.
Five checks now, fewer surprises later
Keep the product page open beside your measurements. If any important detail is missing, get it confirmed before placing your order.
Before you add a tap to your basket
- I have checked the overall height, outlet height, spout reach and handle clearance.
- The mounting holes, worktop thickness and inlet connections match my installation.
- My water supply meets the stated pressure requirements.
- There is enough room beneath the sink for the fittings and any pull-down hose.
- I know the selected finish, what is included and whether any extra parts are needed.
Need help checking a detail? Contact MARNHOLD with the product name, a photograph of your sink area and the measurements you already have. We can help with the listed product information; your installer should confirm suitability for your plumbing.
Kitchen tap questions, answered
Is a taller kitchen tap always better?
No. A taller design may give more room for large containers, but the right choice also depends on outlet height, reach, sink size and any window or shelf above it. Compare the full set of dimensions.
Can any kitchen tap replace my current one?
Not automatically. Mounting holes, fixing depth, water pressure and inlet connections must all be compatible. Check the technical information before removing or replacing your existing tap.
Does a pull-down tap need space in the cabinet?
Yes. Its moving hose needs room to travel without catching on stored items or pipework. The return mechanism and clearance requirements depend on the model.