Is your kitchen missing that final touch of luxury? Tired of the boring plastic soap bottles cluttering your countertops? then it’s time to upgrade your sink area with a decorative soap dispenser. Not only do they add form and function, these stylish accessories can completely transform the look of your kitchen while keeping everything sparkling clean.
In this post, we’ll explore why decorative soap dispensers are so popular and guide you through choosing the perfect one to match your personal style.
Why Choose a Decorative Soap Dispenser for Your Kitchen Sink?
Enhance Visual Appeal and Match Your Kitchen’s Decor
Unlike generic plastic bottles, decorative soap dispensers are designed to seamlessly blend with your existing kitchen decor. Materials like glass, ceramic, granite, and metal allow the dispenser to coordinate with countertops and backsplashes. Choose a finish that matches your faucets and other metallic accents for a cohesive look.
Styles range from sleek and modern to elegant traditional so you can find the perfect dispenser to align with your design scheme. The subtle sophistication transforms any kitchen from boring to brilliant.
Add Both Form and Function to Your Sink Area
A decorative soap dispenser doesn’t just look pretty – it also makes washing dishes more convenient. The pump or spout mechanism allows easy, one-handed soap dispensing directly into the sink basin. No more fumbling for a slippery bottle or leaving sticky soap residue on the counter or your freshly cleaned dishes.
Dispensers are designed not to tip, leak or clog like old soap bottles, keeping your workspace neat and clean. Refillable chambers reduce waste too. It’s functional home decor at its finest!
Luxury Styles to Indulge Your Senses
While affordable options exist, higher end dispensers use premium materials like cut glass, polished metals, and fine porcelain for sheer extravagance. Geometric shapes, faceted cuts, and ornate detailing transform mundane tasks into a little luxury each day.
With nature-inspired forms and textures plus stunning colors from soft neutrals to dramatic hues, it’s easy to find a high-end dispenser to delight your senses every time you wash dishes.
Most Popular Types of Kitchen Soap Dispensers
Countertop Soap Dispensers
The most common style sits right on your countertop within easy reach of the sink basin. Choose a horizontal or vertical design to best fit the space. Consider one coordinating with your faucet finish or other metallic accents.
Wall-Mounted Soap Dispensers
Free up precious countertop real estate by installing your dispenser directly on the wall or backsplash. This discrete option blends seamlessly into your decor. Look for a durable metal bracket and tubing designed not to corrode or stain tile over time.
Ensure the model uses gravity or a pump instead of batteries which may leak and damage walls behind the unit.
Automatic Sensor-Activated Dispensers
For next-level convenience, look for automated dispensers with an infrared sensor to detect hand movement. Wave your hand below the spout and enjoy no-touch, hygienic soap dispensing!
Battery-powered options switch off automatically to conserve energy. Or select a model that plugs into an outlet behind your sink or countertop.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Kitchen Soap Dispenser
Location and Installation
First determine if you want your dispenser to sit on the countertop or install into the wall or backsplash. Measure to ensure you have adequate clearance. Allow room not just for the initial install but to easily refill the chamber as needed.
Most countertop units feature non-slip padding or soft feet to protect your workspace. Wall mounts should include all necessary hardware and instructions for simple DIY installation.
Size and Capacity
Consider daily usage to determine the ideal capacity. Standard countertop dispensers hold 17-34 oz to limit frequent refills. Wall-mounted tend smaller around 8-16 oz. For busy kitchens producing lots of dishes, look for larger units to reduce maintenance.
Likewise pay attention to dimensions to ensure your chosen dispenser fits nicely within your existing space without blocking workflow.
Material and Durability
Decorative soap dispensers commonly feature glass, ceramic, porcelain, granite, marble, and stainless steel or other metal alloys. Each material boasts unique aesthetic and functional advantages from shatter-resistance to stain-proofing.
Metal alloys like brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze offer superior durability and easier cleaning. For glass, look for tempered varieties to prevent cracks or breaks. Check consumer reviews to confirm quality craftsmanship and longevity.
Style and Finish
Beyond the structural material, decorative dispensers allow you to coordinate finishes with your kitchen decor. Metal finishes like polished chrome, matte black, or antique copper align with modern to old-world aesthetics.
Neutral painted glass blends easily into any color palette. While smooth, shiny surfaces reflect light beautifully, consider textural finishes like crackled glazing or hammered metals for added depth and visual interest.
Top Brands Offering Luxury Kitchen Soap Dispensers
Lene Bjerre
Renowned for premium Scandinavian style, Lene Bjerre’s kitchen collection offers chic porcelain dispensers with geometric shaping and striking color combinations. Expect excellent quality fused with playful modern whimsy.
House Doctor
With nature-inspired textures and soothing neutral hues, House Doctor’s hand-blown glass and ceramic soap dispensers epitomize organic Danish design. No two pieces are exactly alike, making them true works of art.
Simplehuman
This innovative brand focuses on fused Brushed Nickel and stainless steel forfingerprint-proof, corrosion and rust-resistant durability. Their sensor-activated models even allow adjusting soap viscosity and dosage amounts.
While sleek and ultramodern, Simplehuman dispensers still reveal thoughtfully designed details like sweat-proof pumps and precise tip control.
Perigold
Offering pieces curated from top designers globally, Perigold brings you a luxurious assortment of kitchen soap dispensers. Find hand-cut crystal, vibrant porcelain, hammered copper sinks and more to infuse authentic artistry into your home.
Design Styles and Finishes to Complement Your Kitchen Decor
Modern and Contemporary
From clear angular glass in bold colors to streamlined matte black pumps, modern designs interplay light, shape and texture for sculptural appeal. Or showcase sleek stainless steel against natural stone for compelling contrast.
Rustic and Farmhouse
Inspired by pastoral living, these dispensers feature natural unrefined textures like wire-brushed metals, unglazed stoneware, or wood. Combine with vintage elements like exposed filament bulbs or galvanized metal accents throughout your kitchen.
Transitional
Walk the line between classic and contemporary with transitional pieces like white crackled glass or antique bronze finishes. Effortlessly blend old and new styles for a comfortably upscale ambiance.
Industrial
Loft-worthy rough luxe comes from combining hardwearing stainless steel, iron or nickel with utilitarian elements like exposed pipes, rivets and distressed wood. Striking, machine-age appeal for the modern urban home.
Functionality and Special Features
Adjustable Soap Flow
Look for dispensers with variable flow control so you can easily adjust soap viscosity and dollop size. Dial in everything from thin liquid to dense foam for maximum flexibility.
No-Touch Automatic Dispensing
Infrared sensors detect hand movement below the spout to automatically dispense soap on demand without needing to pump or push anything. The ultramodern convenience prevents messy hand contact and helps reduce germ transmission.
Built-In LED Lights
Illuminated soap dispensers feature discreet LED lighting to gently brighten your sink area for easier tasks after dark. Sensitive enough for nighttime, the soft glow sets a relaxing ambiance.
Opt for plug-in electric over battery-powered which may leak over time. Position near an outlet to keep things sparkling day or night.
Refill Reminder Alerts
Smart dispensers can connect via Bluetooth to iOS/Android apps on your phone or tablet. This allows programming of handy refill alerts when the soap level drops too low so you never run out at an inopportune time.
Using Your Kitchen Soap Dispenser
Refilling and Priming the Dispenser
While specific filling instructions depend on your model, generally open any caps or panels to access the interior chamber. Unscrew and remove existing bottle then thoroughly clean interior. Replace soap bottle and pump mechanism then prime dispenser until soap flows properly.
Troubleshooting Clogs and Leaks
If soap flow seems blocked, first try pumping vigorously 10-15 times to clear any residue. Still blocked? Carefully unscrew caps to inspect interior tubing for obstructions. Gently insert a pipe cleaner or small flexible brush to remove any debris then reassemble.
For leaks around seams allow the dispenser to completely air dry then apply clear silicone sealant along the edges. Wipe gently to smooth sealant before it dries. Give 24 hours to fully cure before refilling.
Always check manufacturer guidelines, but typically soap dispensers clean up nicely with gentle dish soap and warm water. Rinse and dry thoroughly afterwards, especially any nooks around tubing or seals. Avoid abrasive cleaners which may scratch delicate surfaces.
For stainless steel apply a small amount of mineral oil to maintain the sleek polished finish over time. Buff gently with a microfiber cloth after cleaning.
It is important to maintain your high-end soap dispensers for years of luxury living.