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Go into any hardware or homemaker store and you will likely be greeted with an enormous array of tapware in different styles, sizes, colours, shapes, and efficiencies. With so many options to choose from, the idea of choosing the perfect tapware for your home can border on overwhelming, if not downright impossible.
However, there are ways to cut through the busy noise of the huge range available, allowing you to choose a polished and cohesive look as well as one that reflects your personal style and taste.
Let's explore the range of tapware available, how to find quality fittings, and how to choose the perfect taps and other fixtures that will perfectly complement the overall aesthetic of your home.
Tapware is the collective term for the fixtures that control the flow of water in a sink, bath, or shower, and encompasses the shower head, spouts, nozzles, and handles that control and deliver water flow. When choosing tapware, you must consider its aesthetic, its function, and its efficiency in order to make an informed decision.
It comes in an incredibly wide range of styles, from a classic style (including antique aesthetics) to minimalist tapware, from gunmetal grey to brass or stainless steel, with many options now also coming with water-saving features to help you save. So, where do you start?
Choosing tapware occurs in two main situations: during a new build or a renovation. Whether you are replacing existing tapware or first developing your kitchen and bathroom design, it helps to break down the design process to create a shortlist of options from the vast range available. Tapware has an obvious practical function, but it is also a way to tie in the myriad design elements in your home.
Which tapware option(s) you decide on will be based on both visual and practical reasons. Here are a few things to consider when you first start to explore your tapware options.
If you're looking to renovate or redesign your bathroom and kitchen plumbing, assess your existing plumbing setup and determine how much of it needs to be replaced. Does the basin also need to be updated or just the tap? Are you intending to replace the handles but leave the spout or do you want to replace the entire set-up? What is your budget like, and how flexible can you be with purchasing?
Considering these questions will help you begin to formulate a plan of attack. Modern taps have a lifespan of 15–20 years, so there's certainly no need to rush into making a decision.
The room and its purpose will also impact your tapware choices. Laundry tapware will be different from a bathroom tap which will be different again from kitchen sink taps. How many people will be using the tapware and how often? What is the existing aesthetic of the room and what kind of tapware will fit in?
Additionally, consider who is most likely to be using the tapware over the long term. Will young children find it easier to use a hot and cold tap separately to avoid a risk of burns or is a mixer tap appropriate?
Some antique styles may look fantastic but can be difficult for elderly hands to grip properly.
Determine your overall budget, including the cost of a professional installation. Think about the costs of additional extras, such as a specific finish or being water efficient. Remember, tapware is a long-term decision, so be mindful of your budget, but don't be afraid to choose what speaks to you.
A common and convenient choice for bathrooms and kitchens, mixer taps combine hot and cold-water control in the one lever, making them incredibly easy to use. With a long temperature control handle, this tap choice offers a sleek design for your kitchen or bathroom.
As their name suggests, wall-mounted taps are mounted directly into the wall, commonly found over a bath or above the sink in modern laundries. A space saving option, wall-mounted taps are fantastic for small bathrooms or places with limited space around the sink and countertop.
Basin mixer taps are a smaller variation of mixer taps, delivering a stylish option that nonetheless possess sleek lines without overpowering the rest of the basin design. Consider a basin mixer tap to enhance a modern bathroom aesthetic.
Chrome is timeless and never goes out of style, making it one of the most popular finishes for tapware.
Easy to clean and durable, maintaining chrome tapware is simple and easy to do. Suitable for both traditional and modern aesthetics, chrome suits a wide range of styles without looking out of place.
With all the class and versatility of chrome with some added character, brushed nickel is another popular choice, perfect for contemporary aesthetics. Modern and sleek, brushed nickel is a suitable choice for many kitchen and bathroom styles. Like chrome, it is easy to keep brushed nickel and maintain its finish for years to come.
There are several other tapware finishes available for you to consider based on the existing design of your indoor space:
Gunmetal is a dark metallic grey option that works well with contemporary bathrooms, both as a contrasting colour and to support and tie in other gunmetal elements.
Matte black is a bold but effective finish that is effective against white or marble backdrops. It certainly makes a statement!
Brass with a gold finish is an elegant choice that adds a degree of warmth and an air of luxury to both light and dark surroundings.
Whether your bathroom is traditional or modern will influence the fixtures you choose to install. Choose options that complement the existing design. Tapware should complement but not overpower other design elements. Consider the space and how you want to use it: will a wall-mounted or basin mixer tap be a more effective use of space?
In your kitchen, the type of sink and countertop you have will play a big part in your design choices.
Choose tapware that enhances the finish on your countertop and sink and think about the functionality of your fittings. Will a mixer tap be sufficient, or will a pull-out spray tap be more convenient?
Modern taps are becoming more and more water-efficient over time without sacrificing water pressure. Taps that have a low water flow rate will save you money when the water bill comes, so be sure to check the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) rating of any tapware options you're considering before you make a purchase.
Temperature control is important in both the kitchen and bathroom (and laundry) so look for taps that provide a balanced mix of hot and cold water. Mixer taps are incredibly convenient for this, as you can find the optimal temperature with just one hand, but traditional taps have an aesthetic that may be more important than this element of convenience.
For commercial bathrooms, sensor taps are effective and hygienic for high-traffic areas. Hands-free activation limits the spread of germs, while the modern technology of a sensor lends an advanced feeling to the set-up.
In commercial kitchens, pull-out spray taps are the pinnacle of convenience. Perfect for large sinks where you have (and need) space to move, a pull-out tap makes cleaning and rinsing a quick and simple task, ideal for when the orders are coming in thick and fast. Pull-out taps come in a range of designs and finishes, ensuring your kitchen looks and functions are entirely up to date.
Modern taps have a lifespan of 15–20 years, generally speaking, so be sure to pick durable, high-quality materials for your tapware. Options like brass and stainless steel will ensure you get the longest usage possible out of your tapware.
Check the manufacturer's reputation and reliability to determine the quality of their products. Look for manufacturers with a comprehensive warranty and responsive customer support. Both of these will help you to feel more secure in your choice and give you peace of mind for years to come.
Hiring a professional plumber to install new tapware is the best way to ensure it is installed properly and quickly. A new tap is made of many components, some of which are incredibly small, so unless you're 100% confident in installing plumbing fixtures yourself, the additional cost of hiring a professional is often well worth it. Consider the cost and benefits as well as the risk of damaging a tap component before you make an installation decision.
Maintaining your tapware helps to ensure its longevity by keeping it clean and monitoring for any damage or wear and tear. You should clean the outside of your taps and plumbing fixtures weekly to prevent a build-up of dirt, soap scum, and other contaminants.
Schedule a yearly inspection from your local reputable plumber, who can run a complete diagnostic test over all your fittings and pipes to ensure the entire system is working as it should be. They can also replace any worn-out washers or O-rings in the taps before the tap starts leaking and dripping.
While the choice of design and aesthetic is completely yours, let a professional plumber handle the installation and maintenance of your tapware. A trusted local plumber can fit your new tapware, whatever style and make you have opted for, in a fraction of the time as a DIY job. They can also test your water pressure, modify the existing plumbing if necessary, and assess any additional problems that might arise before they can become a concrete issue.
Still unsure what the best tapware for your kitchen or bathroom is? Why not consult with a professional in the plumbing fixture industry to get all of your questions answered in one easy place?
Professional consultants will be able to explain which taps are best for double sinks, why shower mixers are an efficient choice for any bathroom, and whether gooseneck taps or swivel spouts are the most suitable for your situation. Whether you are after a sleek and modern look or you want to conserve countertop space, a professional consultant will be able to point you in the right direction and offer the best recommendations for your aesthetic and functional needs.
Of course, the best way to get an idea of how tapware options look and feel is to see them in person in a showroom or display home. Showroom spaces are built by professional designers, so you can really see the different style choices shine and perhaps even get some extra inspiration.
Seeing the options in front of you also gives you a more accurate idea of how the fixtures will look under different lights, which will differ from professional photos taken and uploaded to the manufacturer's or retailer's website.
While there are different styles involved, they are functionally very similar. However, kitchen taps can often be larger than bathroom taps to accommodate their functional needs, such as filling cooking pots and washing piles of dishes.
Yes, you can, provided the kitchen tap fits the bathroom's sink and tap hole spacing matches.
Metallic tones like chrome and brushed nickel never go out of style.
Yes and no. Water from the bathroom comes from the exact same source as that from the kitchen.
However, differences in the plumbing may change the taste slightly. Both sources remain perfectly safe to drink.
Is it time to revamp your tapware to revitalise your bathroom or kitchen? Ready to throw out the kitchen sink, remodel in the style of traditional bathrooms, or install tapware with an innovative design and fresh look? We've got you covered.
Plumberoo is your local trusted plumber located right here in eastern Sydney. With expertise in both shower repair and tap repair, we can replace those old fittings for you so that your bathroom or shower looks as good as new. Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out how Plumberoo can help you achieve the bathroom or kitchen you have always wanted.
