Choosing bathroom taps – things to consider

Basin and bath taps  – functional jewellery for your bathroom

(look out for our separate at-a-glance breakdown for shower mixers and showerheads)

Your taps may be relatively small in the scheme of things but they can have a big impact. Here are some things to consider.

The big picture

There are many choices for your bathroom tapware and before getting started it pays to look at the big picture. If you’re serious about getting your bathroom just right, create a design board with vanity and basin styles, tiling, flooring, and wall colours/finishes. With your wider design context considered your choice of taps will be more informed and enduring.

Broad things to consider – traditional or contemporary? Generally it makes sense to have classic-look taps for a traditional bathroom and more minimalist, sculptural designs for a modern bathing space. Another option is to contrast the wider theme. For example, classic chrome hot and cold taps can offer a contrasting feature within a hip, modern aesthetic.

One pretty good rule of thumb is if you have one style of faucet, it’s almost always more effective to stick with that look right through your bathroom.

Another early point is to think about the size, positioning or number of tap holes in your basin as these factors may well dictate your choices. Two holes means two taps, for example. And size also matters. You can’t put a huge tap in a modest basin and still expect to be able to use it comfortably.

Finish

There are, of course, myriad options here. Chrome and stainless steel tapware is always in style, for example, while taps, and/or mixers in contemporary matt black create drama. As opposed to stainless steel or chrome, matt black also resists watermarks and fingerprints. 

Chrome tapware is generally brighter and shinier than stainless steel but stainless steel is more durable. Chrome is a plating while stainless steel is a solid alloy.

Brushed metal finishes add texture as well as tone while gunmetal is also on trend. Gold-look, bronze and brass are other bling options to consider.

Form

From a classic hot and cold tap for a traditional in-bench basin design to a sleek basin top or wall mixer for table top vessels, your tap style will further enhance the look of your bathroom, be it traditional or modern.

For a more traditional look bathroom, rounded tapware is effective due to its softer aesthetic.

Conversely, contemporary/ minimalist bathrooms work well with bolder fixtures and fittings such as chunkier or square shapes, or other clean-lined or sculptural designed taps.

If you have a more traditional style bathroom, rounded tapware works well, thanks to its softer look. Contemporary and minimalist bathrooms, however, often suit bolder fixtures and fittings such as chunkier square shapes or more architecturally designed taps.

If you have vanity top basins, you will need a wall mixer or a tall mixer, the latter especially designed for this scenario.

All these options also work for your bath taps, with the added option of a floor-mounted tub pourer, particularly for freestanding tubs. You can even do away with taps all together and have a ceiling mounted tub pourer for the ultimate design statement.

Function

The function of your tapware is as important as style. A mixer obviously makes adjusting water temperature easier and the plumbing is simpler behind the scenes as well. In addition, a single lever or knob mixer is easier for children to use.

However, using an existing basin you might be limited to having two taps instead. Mixers and single taps can also be wall mounted, creating a designer look and also saving valuable basin space.

Flow – green water

Whether its responding to poor plumbing, a remote, off-grid tank-filled system or simply a love of our planet, water-efficient tapware is a great option.

NZ's Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) presents a 1-6 rating system to help you make informed choices. The more stars given, the more water efficient your tapware. A one-star tap translates into about 12-16L per minute, while a six-star tap uses less than 4.5L.

Story by: Trendsideas