Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens®

Chrome and brass fixtures are the most common type and are available in a variety of polished and brushed finishes. Pewter, nickel, and copper are also available.

Many easy-care finishes won't corrode, tarnish, or discolor. Powder-coat epoxy can give faucets a touch of vibrant color. Specialized finishes such as brushed nickel, matte brass, antiqued bronze, and even black iron can give your bathroom or kitchen a unique style.

Riser faucets allow greater clearance for filling stockpots and large containers.

Spouts with pull-out sprayers aid in cleaning and can fill large pans without putting them in the sink.

Scraper/spray and brush/spray combinations can tackle tough cleaning jobs.

Pullout wands are available that change from spray to stream at the touch of a button.

Built-in switchable filtration systems deliver purified water on demand.

Anti-scald faucets let you set the maximum water temperature -- usually 110 degrees -- to protect children. Instant hot- and chilled-water dispensers keep water on tap for instant coffee, soups, and powdered drink mixes.

The ideal kitchen faucet is tall enough to fill pots and can rinse all corners of your sink. One option is a faucet with a retractable head that allows you to spray water where you want it.

To avoid splashes, make sure the faucet's height and the sink's depth are compatible. Also, check the faucet's reach: Water should flow to one side of the sink's center, but not toward the back. Extra-deep kitchen sinks and kitchen sinks with more than one basin often require special faucets to guarantee the appropriate height and reach. Wall-mounted faucets offer the most flexibility when it comes to height. Because widespread and single-level models can be deck-mounted, they can be positioned behind or beside sinks.

If you need to replace a center-set faucet, consider a mini widespread version. It looks like a separate spout and handles but will fit existing center-set holes.