How to Choose an Unlacquered Brass Bathroom Faucet

A bathroom faucet is small, but it is the piece you touch every morning and every night. In unlacquered brass it becomes one of the most characterful things in the room. Here is how to choose one that fits your sink perfectly.

Start with your sink and countertop holes

The number of holes in your sink or vanity top decides which faucet styles will work. Check before you fall in love with a design.

• One hole: a single-hole faucet, where the spout and handle (or handles) share one base.
• Three holes, 4 inches apart (centerset): a centerset faucet, or a single-hole faucet with a cover plate.
• Three holes, 8 inches or more apart: a widespread faucet with separate spout and handles.
• No holes: a wall-mount faucet, or a vessel sink with a tall deck faucet.

The four main styles

Single-hole faucets

Compact and clean, ideal for powder rooms and small vanities. The Single Hole Bath Vanity Faucet and the Belgravia vanity faucet are good examples.

Widespread faucets

The traditional choice for a primary bathroom: a spout in the middle and a handle on each side, usually with cross or lever handles. They suit larger sinks and give the most "old-world" look. See the Belmont, Vienna and Lucerne widespread faucets.

Wall-mount faucets

The spout comes straight out of the wall, which frees up the countertop and looks beautiful over vessel sinks and console sinks. Plumbing has to be placed in the wall at the right height, so plan it during the renovation. Browse our unlacquered brass wall-mount faucets, such as the powder room wall-mounted faucet.

Bridge-style bath faucets

A bridge connects the two handles above the deck, like a classic English kitchen faucet in miniature. The Louisiana and Dublin bathroom faucets bring that look to the vanity.

Measurements that matter

• Spout reach: the water should land near the center of the bowl, not at the back edge. Measure from the faucet hole to the drain.
• Spout height: taller spouts suit vessel sinks and make hand washing easier; short spouts suit undermount sinks with mirrors close above.
• Handle clearance: make sure lever handles can turn fully without hitting the backsplash or the mirror.
• Flow rate: bathroom faucets in the U.S. are usually 1.2 to 1.5 GPM. California requires 1.2 GPM or less for new lavatory faucets.

Lever or cross handles?

Cross handles look the most traditional and pair well with English and French styles. Levers are easier to use with wet or soapy hands and are often preferred for accessibility. Both age beautifully in unlacquered brass, and the part you touch most will develop the deepest patina.

Do not forget the drain

A chrome pop-up drain under a brass faucet is the most common mistake in brass bathrooms. Pair your faucet with a matching unlacquered brass pop-up drain, and if the plumbing under the sink is visible (as with console sinks), a brass bottle P-trap.

How it will age

In a bathroom, unlacquered brass mellows within weeks. Handles darken first, spouts more slowly. Wipe it dry after use if you want slower, more even aging, or polish it whenever you want the shine back. Read Unlacquered Brass: The Complete Guide for full care instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put a single-hole faucet on a three-hole sink?

Yes, if the faucet comes with or accepts a deck plate (escutcheon) that covers the two outer holes. Check the plate size against your hole spacing.

Is unlacquered brass safe for a bathroom faucet?

Yes, as long as it is lead-free brass. Brasslik bathroom faucets are made from solid lead-free brass.

Should my bathroom faucet match my shower?

It does not have to be the same model, but using unlacquered brass throughout the room means every piece ages in the same direction, which is what makes the look feel intentional.

Find yours: browse every unlacquered brass bathroom faucet, or see our guide to designing a bathroom with brass fixtures.