A guide to choosing the best bathroom tapware

Bathroom taps are an essential element of any bathroom but are often overlooked and not given the same time and attention as fellow furnishings. When you finally get around to thinking about your bathroom taps, you quickly find that there is more to it than meets the eye.

Given your taps will go through more usage than anything else in the bathroom, it’s important to make the right decision before going ahead.

To help, we’ve put together this informative guide that will cover the essentials before talking about the different types of taps you’ll want to consider.

Consider your needs

The first thing to do is to carefully consider your needs. Primarily this will be down to who will be using them and how often. Will your bathroom taps be used in an en-suite for yourself and a partner? A family bathroom including children? A guest bathroom for all?

People of all ages and backgrounds will have different needs and requirements and when you know and understand who and how many will be using the bathroom in question, you’ll have gone a long way to determining which solution will be the most practical and appropriate.

A style of bathroom tapware that suits your bathroom

As important as the practical considerations are, the aesthetics are equally so. Sometimes it’s easy to take a tunnel vision approach, focussing on the basin area and the basin area alone.

When you enter a bathroom, however, you view it as a complete canvas, which the bathroom taps are a part of. It’s vital therefore to take a step back and envisage your taps as part of the overall picture of your bathroom.

Is there a contemporary style you need to be consistent with or is there an opportunity to try something different, perhaps in a vintage style? Do you want your bathroom taps to have curved or straight lines? Would a traditional chrome finish look best or would a matte, black or brass finish add a bit of complimentary style to the other furnishing you have?

You’ll be surprised by the variety of styles you’ll have at your disposal but the more time you spend visualising, the clearer your choice will become.

Pressure, water usage and other factors

There are a number of other factors that shouldn't be forgotten as part of the process. On their own, they may seem minor but together they add up in significance.

The first thing to mention is water efficiency. In New Zealand, we have WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme), a standardised national comparative rating system that works on a star system (6 stars being the most efficient and one star being the least). In the context of water rates and the environment, this may well be a factor in your thinking.

Another thing to consider is the type of finish that’s been applied to your taps. Is there an advanced plating process that’s been used to increase its longevity? Is it a type of finish that will be easy to clean and maintain, especially with frequent use?

In terms of spacing, do you have enough room on your basin for a full 3-hole basin faucet or will a wall-mounted option save you some valuable space? Is there enough distance between the spout and the basin for your hands?

You should also do some research on the manufacturer and their track record in bathroom supplies. Do they have good reviews from satisfied customers? Do their products come with guarantees and for how many years? Are there any extras like drip-free guarantees that they include with their products?

By considering these additional factors you start to cover things that can potentially take you by surprise.

Different types of tapware

There's a vast range of bathroom tapware options available so we thought we'd cover the main categories and highlight a few of our favourites along the way.

1 tap hole basin mixers

The classic 1 tap hole mixers are a popular, go-to choice for a few reasons. With only 1 hole required, they are usually the easiest to install. They also take up less space which could be important for a smaller apartment bathroom for example. They are also easier to use for the most part with only one handle to negotiate.

A popular 1 tap hole basin mixer is the American Standard Signature Basin Mixer. With smooth curved joints and seamless finishing, there is no compromise on the design and functionality of the American Standard Signature range. This single tap hole basin mixer has a 5-star WELS rating and includes a number of features including DuraShine, Comfort Move and Comfort Angle. The Signature collection won a design award at the Asia Design Prize 2020. These are modern bathroom sink taps and can be matched with a wide range of basin styles.

2 tap hole basin mixer

The 2 tap hole basin taps are much less prevalent than they used to be, but they still have a following in some circles due to their affordability and simplicity. One tap for hot, one tap for cold. They tend to be quite small fittings too which mean they won’t take up much space and are quite well suited to individual toilet rooms.

Whilst 2-tap hole basins mixers are not as popular, we still have a number of options if this is the style you want to go with. Whether you are looking for a classic design or something modern, we have a number of options including the Samuel Heath Two Hole Basin Mixer.

3 tap hole basin mixer

3 tap hole basin mixers are a very popular choice for family and master bathrooms. The main advantage of these taps is the greater degree of control you get over water flow and temperature with two handles at your disposal, which is a big factor for many people. They are a bit more challenging to install with 3 holes required to be cut out, but a skilled bathroom specialist should have no issues.

Much of what is now regarded as contemporary design is rooted in Bauhaus. Landmark Industrial is faithful to the rational functionalism redolent of Bauhaus and a modern interpretation of the values and style of the designs it pioneered. The Samuel Heath Landmark Industrial three tap hole basin mixer is made in the United Kingdom and will add a touch of style to any bathroom design. The Landmark Industrial collection comes in a range of finishes including urban brass, city bronze, chrome, and the popular matt black chrome tapware.

Wall-mounted basin mixers

Wall-mounted basin mixers are becoming increasingly popular because of their visual appeal and because of the decluttering and space-saving benefits around the basin once installed. They can be fitted as single or double taps with a wide range of design styles to suit a variety of tastes. The only downside is the installation can be challenging with the plumbing fitted in the wall. The cost to replace and repair means you’ll want to make your first decision, the right one.

If you are looking for something minimalist, the Grohe Eurodisc Joy wall mount basin mixer is a great option. The innovative joystick operation reduces the Eurodisc design to its core providing an unparalleled aesthetic. Combined with the smooth, long-lasting fingertip control it is the highlight in any bathroom. As you would expect from Grohe, the Eurodisc collection is packed full of features including a 15-year guarantee, SilkMove, Grohe Light and Grohe StarLight. The Eurodisc has collected a number of design awards including Good Design Japan, IF Product Design and Good Design USA.

Conclusion

There’s a lot to take in and consider when deciding upon the perfect bathroom taps. They’ll get a lot of day-to-day use and by following a few simple steps, you’ll ensure you make the best decision for yourself and your family.