We recently installed a faucet with a similar profile, the Kohler Simplice. We don't have cupboards above it but I just stood at the sink holding a grocery bag about four inches above the top, extending about 12 inches out from where the wall would be, to mimic the bottom of an upper cab and try to get a feel for your space.

It looks like your view of the top of the arc may be partly obscured when standing at the sink, more so if you're very tall. However, I can't see how it would be a problem functionally. The controls near the base will be completely visible and accessible to you, as will the pull-down portion as well as the neck just above it, which is what I grab to swivel the faucet.

As for aesthetics, I think it will look fine. From elsewhere in the room the 4 inch clearance above the faucet won't look squished. You see the faucet as a unit and the bottom of the arc where the pull-down is makes the center of gravity feel lower (for lack of a better way to describe what I'm seeing!) Also, I don't see why your faucet is too large for the sink you're considering, if the profile of the faucet is the look you like. We tried using a shorter faucet for our space to keep it lower and it seemed squatter and less graceful even though we weren't working with the constraint of an upper cabinet as you are. I'd go with the faucet if I were you.

Finally, as for the size of the sink, our counter space is rather small and we have a new 22x33 inch single bowl sink which I love. I'd advocate for getting the larger sink even if it means a few less inches of counter, not because the faucet's too big, but for functionality in the sink. I use an expandable strainer similar to the one linked below. With the ends pulled out it sits atop the right-hand side of my sink and provides a place to set knives to air dry, frozen things to thaw out, fruit to rinse and drip drain, or whatever. In this way it compensates for lost counter space. The extended side also provides a place to hang the dish rag, solving a puzzle for me since I used to put the dish rag over the middle of our old double bowl. The entire space beneath the strainer is still available for use. Sometimes I'll put dirty dishes under it if the dishwasher is running, and I can still use the left portion of the sink for other tasks. There are certainly more custom and sleek options available, but this cheap-o one that I already happened to have works for me.

I purchased a grid for the sink, further expanding available space since it lifts things up off the sink bottom and enables you to use the faucet in one part of the sink while leaving dishes/veggies to rest elsewhere on the grid without getting wet. I really find that the large single bowl sink with the strainer (and grid) keeps things off my counter, leaving more usable counter space.

Apologies if this is TMI or not quite relevant to what you were asking, but I thought I'd give you my observations since no one else had chimed in. Also, a disclaimer: my comments are based on a completely non-scientific experiment using a faucet that resembles yours but may have different dimensions, so take that into consideration! Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: expandable strainer

I have researched this topic. The volume needed to have both a faucet and also other things like cabinets or shelves.

Look at the following images on the web.
KWC 10.231.103.700 Livello in 100% stainless steel
KWC 10.191.003.127 Ava in stainless steel and in plated stainless on the handspray

Consider getting a pullout of this shape. Then you have loads of room. Enough for undercabinet lighting.

There are many other faucets that have this shape too. I chose to highlight the KWC ones because they are high quality, and they have thin slim handsprays and hoses. The trend is toward miniaturizing faucets and making them into works of art or jewelery, that function very well. The KWC handsprays are easy to pull out and to reseat.

Another one with the same shape is
"Moen 90 degree kitchen faucet"
and it is bulky compared to the KWC ones.

If you want the gooseneck shape, consider a Grohe like the K4, the Concetto, or the Riobel Edge. You have to see the hose in action to really appreciate it.

Hth

Well, I don't think the function will matter a bit, as long as you can fit the darn thing under the cabinet. It'll just be unpleasant working under a low cabinet and you can't fix that with just a faucet.

Usually there is no cabinet over the sink -- it's not the most comfortable configuration when you need to lean in. Don't want to bump your head.

A pull down with a low on/off that works from front to back should do it. Standard backsplash height is 18" so 20" is even a bit generous.

If cabinet over the sink is a "must" then I'd look at a 13" high faucet vs 15". The two inches should make a difference in terms of the scale, even with a pulldown.

Now you're getting into the design aesthetics of the kitchen. How important is it for you to have that specific tap. If you plan on it being a show piece then you have to show it off and putting it underneath cabinets in a cramped position is not going to do it. If you want to show it off - then raise the cabinets which makes sense anyway, and put glass doors in them OR put some higher open shelves above the sink - maybe 2 of them. Then you are creating a focal point for the tap.

If the storage is more important than the tap then I would suggest a lower tap to avoid the cramped feeling. But raising the cupboard level over the sink is a good idea to avoid bumping your head and the claustrophobic feeling which may develop.

Hi All,

Thank you all so much for your input!

It is quite important for me to get a high-arc faucet, mainly because I love the look and really would like a pull-down style faucet. I have used a pull-out style before, and don't really like the ergonomics of it.

After considering everyone's input, and thinking about it all day, I think I'm going to just raise the cabinet height 10 inches. Something's gotta give, and in this case, it's the cabinets.

Thanks again!

-E

Lovely kitchen marcydc.

Raising wall cabs is not my solution.
Mock it up and you may find that 12"d 20"h cabs are fine.

i agree with the ergonomics of pull-downs.
I recommend the KWC Livello as the most ergonomic pullout.

Hth

How about a compromise and raise ALL the cabinets on the sink wall, but not quite 10"? Depends on how tall you are and how limited you are on storage. But see how nice MArcy's kitchen is, raised cabinet and all!

I've never ever bumped my head on an upper cabinet but I have had a sink under the cabinet and I sometimes bumped large pots moving them over to the drain rack. As always, do a mockup if you can, and be sure you have clearance to the sides of the sink if you need it.

I was just looking at properties with a friend in a complex that cabinets over the sink and it was much, much nicer with higher cabinets over the sink. The higher the better, IMHO.

As for raising all the cabinets, I would hate that, if it were my kitchen. Mine are all at 19-1/2 (kitchen was designed for one of those monster first-gen microwaves on the counter), and it's a constant nuisance. I wouldn't do that at all.

Oops, sorry. Obviously

a complex that cabinets over the sink

should be

a complex that has cabinets over the sink

Thank you rococo and fori! :)

ecnyx, you probably don't need to go as high as 10 more. 4 more inches is enough. I've not bumped anything!