Today we are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing accessories for the bathroom, not least the huge range of beautifully stylish bathroom taps from traditional to contemporary, angular, to curved. With so many options available to suit every budget, how do you choose?

Firstly decide which type of tap suits your needs - you will want to consider the options of lever style taps, mixer taps, screw top and electronic taps.

Lever Taps

Hansgrohe Starck Mono Basin Tap

Lever taps are very easy to use and a hygienic option.  They are available in round, square and straight base designs.  Lever taps control both hot and cold water and the rate of flow. The direction that the lever is pointed determines the temperature with hot and cold water being mixed in an internal cartridge before it reaches the spout.

Single-lever mixers such as the Mono Basin Taps are designed for installation in a single hole in the basin surround. Double lever taps have separate levers for hot and cold water. For a smooth and precise control, choose a tap with ceramic discs and a wide operating angle.

Mixer Taps

Mixer taps combine the hot and cold water into one tap.  You can choose from both one and two handle designs to control flow and temperature. In each case the water will come out of one single tap. The benefits of using a single unit are that it creates a more minimalistic appearance, and an optimum temperature can be achieved from a single flow of water.

See the Hansgrohe Axor Citterio M Basin Mixer for the ideal contemporary bathroom tap look.

Screw Down Taps

Screw down taps are the traditional style with rate of flow, and on or off, controlled simply through a screw motion of the tap head. This style is available for Basin, Bath and Bidet taps.

Electronic Taps

Much more contemporary are Electronic taps, with two main design functions available. Sensory-controlled (touchless) taps sense the presence of the user though use of infrared light sensors. One-touch taps require the user to touch-start the flow switch. This style of tap could be considered more eco friendly with the auto-switch technology resulting in less water use than with conventional or traditional tap designs.

Contemporary Bathroom Taps

Hansgrohe Puravida Basin Mixer

With your functional choice made, now you can enjoy choosing from the huge range of stylish designs that are available. You can combine the traditional, timeless bathroom suite with modern taps for an interesting twist on style or to add that little bit of wow factor to your bathroom. Or you could choose taps that follow the shapes and angles in your bathroom adding to the overall sense of co-ordinated design.

Our favourite luxury bathroom tap is probably the Hansgrohe PuraVida Basin Mixer Tap that is simply stunning to look at, but also a joy to use.

Bathroom taps can have a huge influence on the final look and feel of your bathroom decor.  Even if you are on a budget, it’s still well worth spending a little more on quality design taps to achieve the more sophisticated overall feel.  Budget taps can save in the short term but must be chosen carefully if you are to avoid spoiling the whole look and feel of the bathroom design.  Taps are generally available in chrome, porcelain, or stainless steel with satin or matt finishes. Some designs offer nickel, which will provide a softer look.

Tap Mounting

Hansgrohe Axor Citterio Wall Mounted Basin Tap

How taps are mounted is also an important consideration.

Will the taps be mounted onto your sink or bath, mounted in the wall, or behind the sink into the bathroom vanity itself?  Wall mounted taps have become popular as there are no tap holes on the bath or basin so creating a sleek modern look. They are also easy to clean.

To keep your taps looking shiny be prepared to dry and buff the taps regularly. Hard water causes shiny brassware to mark and dull quite badly.

Choosing your Taps

So in summary, firstly choose the tap function to suit your needs, then the design to suit your décor. Skimping on cost can be a false economy as quality taps add an instant wow factor.

And finally, when choosing your bathroom taps, consider other fittings in the bathroom including the mirror, sink, bath and towel rails and make the choice that best brings everything together.