Tap Design

From traditional pillar taps to state-of-the-art single lever mixers, the variety of design styles on the market ensures there is a tap to suit every style of décor.

Design styles and finishes
Taps are the hardest working pieces of equipment in the bathroom and should be a primary consideration from the outset of a project.

As well as delivering water to the basin or bath, they reflect light around the bathroom acting as design highlights within the space. Therefore your choice of tap design and location will influence the final look of your bathroom.

Taps are now available in a host of styles. From modern sculptural mixers designed to complement pure, minimalist spaces, to classic styles designed to enhance traditional and period style rooms.

Chrome is the most popular finish due to its ability to work with all styles of interior. It is easy to clean and its reflective qualities bring light into the bathroom environment.

Matching taps to sanitaryware
Choose the right model to match your basin. Sanitaryware comes in a exhaustive range of design styles, shapes and sizes, so check that the basin and the tap complement one another.

Many basins come pre-drilled with a set number of holes. If the basin has three holes, then you will need a three-hole basin mixer.

Vessel basins sit on the surface of a unit or shelf and will require a tap with a high spout, or a wall-mounted tap where the spout reaches to the centre of the basin.

What should I look for?
Look out for a solid metal tap body, ceramic discs in the cartridge and a deep plated finish. A quality tap will last a lifetime so choose a design with timeless appeal.

It is false economy to buy a cheap tap, as you will only have to replace it in a few years time. If your budget is tight, try and save money elsewhere in the bathroom.

Safety and water-saving features
Temperature limiters allow you to set a maximum water temperature via an internal mechanism – this should be done at the time of installation. They save energy and are a benefit if you are planning a bathroom to be used by children or the elderly.

To save water, replace the mousseur at the end of the tap’s spout for one that restricts the flow. Not all manufacturers offer flow restrictors, so check before you buy your tap.

Next: Basin taps