The best bathroom taps
If you’re currently in the market for some new bathroom taps, having so many options to choose from might seem a little bit overwhelming. You’re met with different functionalities with multiple types of mixer taps, different handle shapes, and different variations for both sinks and baths. But what’s best for you and your bathroom? And what’s on trend at the moment? Luckily, we’ve put together a handy guide on the best taps for your bathroom.
- Mixer and pillar taps are ideal for standard basins, while tall, wall-mounted, or floor-standing designs work best for countertop sinks and freestanding baths.
- If you need an accessible tap option in the bathroom, sensor-activated, push-down, and single-lever taps are the easiest designs to turn on and off.
- When choosing bathroom taps, warm metallic finishes like brass create a cosy feel, cool chrome adds a traditional look, and dark shades like matt black provide a striking, modern contrast.
What are the best bathroom sink taps?
Your most-used bathroom taps will likely be your sink taps, and these come in lots of different varieties to suit different room aesthetics and functionalities. Let’s take a look at what’s available so you can make the best choice for your bathroom.
Mixer taps
A mixer tap blends both hot and cold water into a single stream, giving you the ability to control the temperature completely. You can get a few different types, including single lever and dual lever, and they come in both modern and traditional styles.
Single-lever mixer taps
Single-lever mixer taps are suitable for basins with one hole, as they only have one control. The hot and cold water are mixed in the main body, depending on the position of the handle. Generally, the handle is most commonly at the top, but it can also be at the side.
Dual-lever mixer taps
Dual-lever mixer taps also only require one hole in the sink housing, with the hot and cold water being mixed in the spout. The two separate controls often lend themselves to a more traditional design and give you a little more control over the temperature of the water.
Three-hole dual-level mixer taps
While most dual-lever taps are designed to only require one hole in the basin, you can also get some that require three. These need one hole for the spout, and one for each of the handles, all of which are attached to the basin individually.
Bridge taps
A bridge tap is a cross between pillar taps and mixer taps. They’re designed for two-hole basins but only use one spout, with the hot and cold water being mixed in the middle. These can be used in sinks but are particularly popular for baths.
Pillar taps
Pillar taps are the most traditional option, consisting of two separate taps with their own controls. This means you get one spout for hot water and one spout for cold water, no mixing involved. They come in lots of different styles, including twist handles and lever handles.
Waterfall taps
Waterfall taps are an elegant addition to your bathroom and can be used in the bath or sink. Where they differ from standard taps is in the way that the water flows out. They function just like a mixer tap with the water flowing from one spout, and they can either be controlled with one handle or two.
Wall-mounted taps
Wall-mounted taps do what they say on the tin – they’re mounted to the wall rather than to your basin. These taps can either be dual-lever or single-lever, and most have mixer functionality, so you’ve only got one spout attached to the wall. Wall-mounted taps are also a great option for baths, especially freestanding baths that don’t have space on the sides to attach a tap system.
Tall basin taps
Tall basin taps are designed for countertop basins that don’t have a space for holes to be made. They’re attached to your worktop behind the sink, towering over it, and they come in both single and dual-handle models.
What are the best bath taps?
Of course, your sink taps won’t be the only taps in your bathroom; you also need to consider what’s best for your bath.
Floor-standing taps
Floor-standing taps are perfect for freestanding baths where you don’t get the option to secure your tap directly to the bath. They’re also ideal if you want your bath away from the wall, as they don’t need to be attached to anything but the floor. They often come with shower attachments too.
Shower mixer taps
If you don’t have a dedicated shower unit but you do have a bath, you may want to install a bath and shower mixer tap. This means you get a shower head that works alongside your bath taps. You’ve got three options here:
Wall-mounted: wall-mounted taps are handy for built-in baths or freestanding baths that are placed next to your wall.
Bath-mounted: to install a bath-mounted mixer tap, you’ll need to have a bath with a wide enough rim to attach it. This means it usually doesn’t work so well with freestanding baths but is perfect for built-in models.
Floor-standing: a floor-standing mixer tap is perfect for freestanding baths that don’t have enough space or capacity for tap connections.
Bidet taps
If you want an extra bit of luxury in your bathroom, you might be considering a bidet. Bidet taps have an attachment that can be extended, and they can either come with one handle or two. They’ll also often have a higher water pressure than standard taps.
The best bathroom sink taps for accessibility
When it comes to the best tap for someone with mobility issues, there are a few different functionalities that are known to be easier to use.
Choosing a tap finish
When choosing the finish of your tap, you’ll need to consider the main colours in your bathroom and how the taps will complement the overall interior design.
Cool tones
Cooler tones like chrome and nickel bring a more traditional look and feel to your bathroom and pair well with darker shades like navy blues and blacks. They can also help to add a soothing atmosphere to a space without taking too much attention away from other design features.
Dark and dramatic
Darker shades like black and anthracite add dramatic touches around your bathroom that draw the eye. These will give your bathroom a modern look, especially when contrasting with white fittings and décor, with matt black making a particular statement against white gloss baths and showers.
Fresh and white
White taps can be an unconventional choice, but they work really well to give your bathroom a clean look. Opt for white taps if your sink has a bare wood backdrop, as this can break up the white and create a Scandi-style vibe.
Reflective vs brushed
Once you’ve chosen your colour, you’ll want to pick between reflective or brushed taps. If you’ve gone for a metallic shade like chrome or brass, a shiny finish will reflect light and brighten the space, while a brushed finish will add softness. For colours like black and white, the choice will be between gloss or matt, with gloss’ reflective nature adding brightness and matt bringing a modern, softer touch.
We hope you have a better idea of which taps would work best for your bathroom, in terms of both functionality and appearance. Whether you’re looking for a simple pillar sink set or a more luxurious brushed bronze bath and shower mixer tap, there are many options out there. Now it’s down to you to decide on the look you want.
Thinking of installing your new taps yourself? Check out our guides on how to fit a sink and taps and how to fit a bath and taps.
FAQs
Are bathroom sink taps easy to replace?
What is the difference between mixer taps and pillar taps?
Which bathroom taps are the easiest to use?
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