12 Types Of Bathtub Faucets [And Faucet Handles] (2024)

The style of your bathroom can range from efficient and minimalistic to vintage or farmhouse vibes. Choosing your bathtub hardware is influenced by bathtub style, the style you wish to create in your bathroom, and your budget. But aside from creating a space that you'll love, the faucet you choose for your bathtub can affect water flow, which affects the quality of a good soak in your tub. Nothing is quite as good at the end of a long day as a luxurious soak in a bathtub.

With our guide below, you can choose the faucet that meets both your aesthetic and functional needs to create the perfect look.

1. Wall-mount Bathtub Faucet

The wall-mount bathtub faucet is the most common and affordable bathtub faucet option. This faucet option is a space saver as it attaches directly to the wall. Wall-mount faucets will come either with or without a diverter valve, which is needed for a shower.

Click here to see this wall-mount bathtub faucet on Amazon.

2. Spout Only Bathtub Faucet

As the title implies, this bathtub faucet is the spout portion only. You would choose this if replacing only the spout portion of your faucet and not the entire plumbing. If you like your current faucet handles, for example, but want to upgrade the spout, this is a great option. Just changing the spout can give a surprising new look to your fixture and change the water flow into your tub.

Click here to see this spout only bathtub faucet on Amazon.

3. Spout Only Bathtub Faucet with Diverter

Adding a diverter to the bathtub faucet allows the water flow to be directed through either the bathtub spout or the shower. This is usually in the form of pull up knob on the spout or concealed pull down diverter. You'll need a faucet with a diverter if you have a shower installed in your bathtub.

Click here to see this spout with a diverter on Amazon.

Click here to see this spout with a pull-down diverter on Amazon.

4. Deck Mount Bathtub Faucet

The deck mount bathtub faucet sits on the edge of your tube. This option works well for bathtubs that do not have a shower. The handles will be closer to you for your access while you soak. When choosing this type of faucet, you'll need to make sure your bathtub has enough edge room for the spout and handles.

5. Roman Bathtub Faucet

This bathtub faucet is designed to replicate the luxury of an ancient Roman bath. It is a traditional style typically with an arched spout. However, more contemporary styles are now available without the signature arched spout. Roman faucet styles are available in deck mount, wall mount, and freestanding faucet styles.

Click here to see this Roman bathtub faucet on Amazon.

6. Freestanding Bathtub Faucet

Freestanding bathtub faucets are designed for use with a freestanding bathtub. The classic Victorian clawfoot tub style or a Roman freestanding tub would be a good match for a freestanding faucet. These faucets are the most expensive faucet style.

Click here to see this freestanding bathtub faucet on Amazon.

7. One-Hole Faucet

This faucet has one spout and one handle, which is swiveled to the right or left for either hot or cold water. As it requires only one hole for installation, it is generally less costly than a three-hole faucet.

Click here to see this one-hole faucet on Amazon.

8. Three-Hole Faucet

This set up provides a spout and a separate handle each for hot and cold water flow. You'll be able to control water temperature more closely, but these faucets are more prone to leaking than a one-hole faucet.

Click here to see this three-hole faucet on Amazon.

9. Waterfall faucet

This type of faucet gives the appearance of a waterfall cascading from the faucet spout. The spout is generally wide, which helps create the waterfall effect. Waterfall faucets are available in wall mount, deck mount, and freestanding styles.

Click here to see this waterfall faucet on Amazon.

10. Vintage Faucet

Vintage faucets put the finishing touch on a traditionally inspired bathroom. This style of faucet will typically come with a handheld shower sprayer to complete the antique look.

Click here to see this vintage faucet on Amazon.

11. Wide Spread Three-Piece Faucets

These faucets have the same feature as a three-piece faucet - spout and two separate handles for hot and cold water, but they are connected by a plate allowing for a larger distance between each piece. This allows for additional features like a shower sprayer or soap dispensing system to be added to the setup.

Click here to see this widespread three-piece faucet on Amazon.

12. Minispread Faucets

Minispread faucets are a scaled-down version of the widespread faucet. They are still a three-hole system allowing for precise control but streamline and compact the hardware appearance.

Click here to see this minispread faucet on Amazon.

Bathtub Faucet Handles

There are three main types of handles you will have to choose from with your bathtub faucet. In addition to style, you'll also have choices regarding each faucet set's materials and finishes.

Knob Handles

Knob handles will consist of a large button type fixture that is turned to control water flow. Hot and cold will each be controlled by their own knob.

Click here to see knob handles on Amazon.

Lever Handles

Lever handles are pushed up or down to control water flow. As with knob handles, hot and cold water will each have its own lever.

Click here to see lever handles on Amazon.

Cross Handles

Cross handles will look like an "X" design on the faucet knob.

Click here to see cross handles on Amazon.

Enhance Your Tub

Creating the bathroom of your dreams starts with choosing the perfect hardware. Faucets can change the look of your bathroom from classic to contemporary. Choosing different metals and finishes will further enhance the style. Keep in mind your bathtub style as certain faucets will match better, for instance, a freestanding tub with a freestanding faucet. Your bathroom can be transformed from a functional room to a haven where you can escape to soak away the events of the day.

Learn even more about bathroom faucet styles in our post,

If you've wondered how to determine when it's time to replace a faucet, check out our post, "How Long Do Bathroom Faucets Typically Last?"