Selecting the perfect bathroom taps is as personal to some as choosing your next car. They’re a practical, reliable, and consistent element of your daily life that’s going to be in your home for a considerable amount of time. So how do you make sure you make the right decision? It’s simple: weigh up all of your options!
We’ve put together a beginner’s guide to the different types of bathroom tap and their finishes so you can be absolutely certain that you make the right decision. So without further ado, let’s tap into the information. (We’re sorry!)
Important Considerations:
Water Pressure
Your water pressure determines which taps you have in your bathroom, so it’s important that you’re aware of this beforehand.
If you install a tap that needs a high pressure to function, but have low water pressure in your home, then it’s likely you’ll get nothing more than a measly drizzle unfortunately.
Before choosing between the various types of bathroom tap, you’ll need to make sure you find one that’s suitable for your pressure system to ensure it works perfectly. As long as your home reaches the ‘minimum water pressure’ required by your new tap, then you’re good to go.
Still not sure? You can learn more about water pressure here.
Tap Holes
Whether you’ve gotten your hands on a swanky brand new basin (lucky you!), or if you’re simply replacing an old tap, it’s vital that you take note of any pre-drilled tap holes. If your basin has one pre-drilled tap hole, then you’ll need a mixer tap so you can get both your hot and cold water through one spout; whereas, if you have two tap holes, you’ll need some pillar taps - traditionally one for hot water, and the other for cold water - or alternatively, a deck mounted mixer tap.
Of course, if you’re a fan of things looking extra modern and have a bathroom with no pre-drilled tap holes, you can either opt for a wall mounted tap, or drill as many tap holes as you please depending on the type of bathroom taps you prefer. It’s almost too much freedom!
Bath vs Basin Taps
Keep an eye out when you’re buying your taps that you’re definitely looking at the right ones. Often, you can get your hands on a matching set of basin and bath taps, or even a pair bundled together. But if you’re seeking them separately, you want to make sure you get both a specific bath and basin tap as they’re not a one-size-fits-all deal. Be careful you don’t end up trying to fit a bath tap to a basin - you might end up wasting precious time and money on an unfortunate mistake.
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Types Of Bathroom Taps
Mono Bathroom Mixer Taps
Mono mixer taps are relatively self explanatory once you’ve deciphered their fancy name. Mono, meaning one singular tap; and mixer, meaning a tap that mixes both your hot and cold water flow into one steady stream.
These are the most common form of bathroom sink taps, and are available in a huge variety of styles and colours. They’re ideal if you already happen to have one pre-drilled tap hole, or even if you’re simply a fan of classy minimalist aesthetics. Mono basin mixer taps certainly won’t disappoint.
Mono basin taps are also available in a variety of sizes, so if you’re adding a smaller basin to your cloakroom and need a mini mono bathroom tap to match, then you certainly won’t struggle to find any!
Pillar Tap Pairs
Pillar bathroom taps or pillar tap pairs are most often associated with more traditional bathroom design - you might have even had a pair of these beauties in your childhood home! There’s no denying they are a style classic. What’s more, they’re now available in more modern styles if you’re after more contemporary types of bathroom tap.
These wonderful tap pairs give you excellent control when achieving your desired water temperature thanks to the individual hot and cold handle design. This can be a really handy feature when you’re running a bath for those more heat sensitive little ones, or even for your furry friends too.
The only down-side with these beauties is their placement: if you happen to have two tap holes, or are able to drill two new ones, then you’re covered; however, if you’ve invested in a beautiful basin with only one tap hole, you’ll need to look at a mono basin tap instead - luckily lots of our taps are available in a variety of designs so it’s likely if you’ve found “the one” but it’s not in the right style, there might be something very similar in your required style available anyway.
Wall Mounted Bathroom Taps
These divine bathroom taps are ideal for the modern design lover due to their straying away from the traditional basin mounted taps; although, like all good types of bathroom taps, wall mounted taps are available in both modern and traditional styles.
A great benefit to wall mounted taps is the hassle-free maintaining of your basin and bath. There are no deck mounted taps for you to awkwardly attempt to clean around, so you can keep your decks as clutter-free and clean as you please.
Of course, whilst there are no tap holes to hinder your innovative design ideas, it is important to note that you’ll need to place these taps somewhere in practical situ to your basin or bath. Save the super high-up placements for your luxury shower head!
3 Hole Bathroom Taps
Those of you who love to make a statement are bound to be tempted by a striking 3 hole bathroom tap. It’s similar to a two hole tap in the sense that you have both a hot and cold lever, with the third additional hole being the spout itself in the centre.
These types of basin taps are suitable for virtually any bathroom style as they’re available in both modern and traditional designs. What’s more, ever the diverse tap, 3 hole basin and bath taps come in both wall mounted and deck mounted designs, so you can enjoy this style no matter your orientation preference.
If you happen to have an undrilled basin, it’s possible you can switch up the placement of your three hole taps too. Some people have all three in the centre of their basin, whilst others have the spout in the centre and the hot and cold tap handle near the edges for a more quirky aesthetic.
Tall Bathroom Taps
When choosing your dream bathroom sink taps, there are often other elements to consider aside from the obvious cosmetic desires we all have. For example: what kind of basin you have. If you’ve opted for a truly sublime countertop basin, many standard types of basin taps simply won’t reach the correct height for a perfect water flow; this is where tall basin taps come in! High rise mixer taps are striking in appearance and perfect for any taller, exquisite countertop basins you may have.
These all come in mono mixer form and a variety of both classic and contemporary styles. As always, be wary of your water pressure when buying a tall bathroom tap, as there’s further for the water to travel and you may therefore require a slightly higher water pressure than usual.
Bridge Taps
These fabulous bathroom mixer taps require two tap holes, one each for the hot and cold handles, which then meet and mix in the middle at the spout, allowing you two obtain the perfect water temperature. Bridge taps cater more towards those traditionalists among us, often boasting a long spout and two crosshead tap handles. However, don’t let their traditional appearance fool you, these elegant bathroom basin taps use the latest in modern technology to ensure you receive the highest quality products.
Types of Bath Taps
Bath Shower Mixers
Bath shower mixers provide you the ultimate bathroom tap versatility. They allow you to have a traditional bath filler alongside a shower handset stretching from the tap. These are great for shower baths where space is at a premium or for rinsing off hair whilst in the bath.
Deck Mounted Bath Taps
Deck mounted taps are attached to your bath using holes drilled into your bath rim. Deck mounted taps are probably the most common type of bath tap you’ll see as they are easy to install and give a clean, minimalist look.
Wall Mounted Bath Taps
Wall mounted bath taps are a stylish way to reduce the clutter around your bathtub. These taps are attached to the wall above your bath and extend out in order to fill it. They are great for those who want to create a minimalist look and offer versatility, as they can be placed either at the foot or alongside the bath. However, wall mounted taps can be trickier to install as drilling into the wall is required, which also means accessing pipes for maintenance can be harder.
Mono Bath Taps
Mono bath taps are a beautifully simplistic bathtub accessory. Featuring just one handle to control flow & temperature & one water spout, these taps are ideal for anyone looking to create a minimalist bathroom space.
Bath Pillar Taps
Pillar taps are ideal for anyone looking to create a traditional bathroom. Featuring separate taps for hot & cold water, they are easy to install and offer precise control over temperature.
3 Hole Bath Taps
3 hole taps offer easy control over hot & cold water. These bath taps use 3 holes, one for hot water control, one for cold water control and a third for a water outlet.
4 & 5 Hole Bath Taps
Our 4 & 5 hole bath taps feature hot and cold water controls & outlets in a variety of different combinations. Alongside a standard bath outlet, they also include a shower handset which will give you the feel of a refreshing shower whilst in the bath.
Bathroom Tap Finishes
Black Taps
You may have come across the new monochrome bathroom trend on Instagram, Pinterest, magazines or even in your friends’ homes, and there’s no secret as to why it’s so popular. Black bathroom taps offer a timelessly elegant look that immediately adds a touch of extra pizzazz to your home. Sometimes it’s all in the details too, which is why we’re such big fans of black bathroom taps. No matter if you’re going all out monochrome, or if you simply fancy a touch of black style, we have the tap for you.
These statement taps are available in a multitude of styles, so whether you’re after a bathroom basin tap, or a bathroom shower mixer tap, or both - you’re bound to fall in love with one (or all) of our black taps. You can shop the full range here.
Gold Taps
Taking your bathroom to a whole new level of luxury is pretty much the best reason to get your hands on a gorgeous gold bathroom tap. Brushed brass bathroom taps offer a subtle golden tint that will have guests turning green with envy. Match them with your bath taps and shower head for a fully regal bathroom look, or simply add a subtle touch of gold in the form of a basin mixer tap.
Find your perfect gold bathroom tap right here
Brass Taps
The beauty of brass bathroom taps is their diversity in both styles and finish. If you’re after a more urban look, then the Crosswater MRPRO Industrial range is your best bet. This unlacquered brushed brass is designed to age and patina over time, whereas a simple brushed brass tap keeps its golden hue. You may prefer things a little shinier too, in which case a polished brass tap may be more suited to your home.
Chrome Taps
Sometimes, simplicity is key, so if you’re a fan of a subtle touch of style in the bathroom, then chrome bathroom taps are certainly a game-changer. These minimalist taps offer an elegant chrome finish that complements any bathroom aesthetic, and promise a long lifetime of reliable quality.
Available in a staggering amount of different styles, our full range of chrome taps ticks all of the boxes, so you can kit out your bathroom without any hassle, regardless of your tap holes or lack thereof!
Something a Little Different
Of course, whilst chrome taps offer a divine simplicity, there are some equally as striking contenders that add a few extra pops of colour to your bathroom; for example, copper taps, rose gold taps, and stainless steel taps.
Copper bathroom taps promise to add a touch of individuality to your bathroom style, particularly if you’re a fan of industrial design, whilst the latter offers a slightly more brushed alternative to the shine of chrome taps. If you like the simplicity of chrome taps but aren’t looking for something quite so shiny, stainless steel offers another classic look that adds a more modern touch to your bathroom mixer taps.
As always, each finish is available in a variety of styles so you aren’t limited by a number of tap holes. Just remember to keep an eye out for the minimum water pressure required to prevent any installation disasters!
