Luxurious kitchen fixtures might be beautiful, but many fail to live up to homeowners’ expectations. One prime example? Pot fillers. Often a symbol of high-end kitchens, pot fillers may look desirable on social media, but surprisingly, designers say their clients never actually use them. When I asked 17 interior designers about the most overrated home features, nearly half of them said the popular design choice tops the list.
Pot fillers are installed on the wall above the stove. The intent is to easily fill pots with water while cooking and eliminate the need to carry them from the sink to the stove. In reality, designers tend to discourage clients from installing them, citing the only real appeal is aesthetics.
“The top needless renovation item on my list is the pot filler,” says Nancy Davilman, principal designer of ND Interiors. “Rarely is a kitchen so large that carrying a pot of water from the sink to the stove causes any real strain. I feel they’re a complete waste of money — and more importantly, they disrupt the design of the backsplash.”
“Pot fillers are the poster child for kitchen features that look impressive but rarely earn their keep,” agrees Olivia Botri, principal designer of Dart Studio. “They’re often installed for aesthetic impact, yet most home cooks still fill pots at the sink — where they also drain them.”
Another point of concern is the additional plumbing, which often requires drilling into the kitchen’s backsplash. Pot fillers can also be expensive to install and a headache to maintain. “Add in the cost of plumbing a water line into a backsplash, plus the risk of leaks, and the payoff just isn’t there,” says Botri. According to data from Angi, installing a pot filler costs $1,650 on average, but it can be $3,000 or more if new pipes are needed.
“They sound convenient, but the truth is — you still have to carry the pot back to the sink to drain it,” says Michelle Murphy of DEMI RYAN. “I always ask: Is it worth the cost and potential maintenance for a feature that solves half a problem?”
Despite the cons, pot fillers can look stunning and luxurious in modern kitchens. If aesthetics are top of mind, you might still decide to invest in this popular home feature. However, it also pays to consider other kitchen design upgrades that are worth the investment. Go for features that improve your cooking routine and boost your home’s value.
Remember that your home should be customized to fit your preferences and lifestyle — beautiful kitchen design is never one size fits all.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
