STYLISH DESIGNS WILL ADD THE FINISHING TOUCH TO YOUR NEW BATHROOM, SO IT’S WORTH SPENDING TIME DECIDING WHICH ONE TO GO FOR

ESSENTIALS

Memoirs Stately basin mixer with lever handles in polished chrome, £306, Kohler (0870 850 5551; kohleruk.com)

TYPES AND STYLES

The body of a tap is brass, but its finish is typically chrome, which can be shiny or brushed. As a rule, the better the brand, the thicker the coating. Ritzier coatings include pewter, nickel or gold plating. Tap handles usually match their spout, but other choices are ceramic, crystal or wood. Pillar taps come in pairs and need to be fitted to a ‘two-hole’ bath or basin, making them suitable for a traditional look. A contemporary choice would be a ‘one-hole’ basin, which requires monobloc mixer taps with spout and controls in one piece, delivering blended hot/cold water through a single spout. ‘Three-hole’ mixers have separate hot and cold handles and a central spout. Try Kludi (0870 242 4301; kludi.com); Grohe (0871 200 3414; grohe.co.uk); and Hansgrohe (0870 770 1972; hansgrohe.co.uk).

WHERE TO FIT THEM

Wall-mounted taps have water coming in from the back, ideally with concealed pipework. Panel taps are also wall-mounted, but have two water controls and a spout. Deck-mounted taps are on the bath/basin or an adjacent surface. A single lever can control temperature/water flow, but check the mechanism is easy to use before you buy.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Quality taps may have ceramic discs inside instead of washers; these open and shut with just a quarter or half turn and are long lasting. The latest techno taps are turned on and off by radar, which detects hand movement. Alternatively, infrared sensors detect body heat and these controls can be mains or battery operated. For the latest techno taps, try Vola (01525 841 155; vola.co.uk).

TIP

Always check that your chosen taps will work with your home’s water pressure as some mixers and many continental taps require high pressure.

Illumini Basin Mixer by B & Q

The LED light inside the tap lights either red or blue according to the temperature of the water. The contemporary design and chrome finish makes his tap a stylish yet affordable choice.

£220

Crosswater Stream Basin Monobloc from Boundary Bathrooms

A stylish and contemporary edition to your bathroom.

£239.95

Axor Stark Basin Mixer from Hansgrohe

Designed by Phillipe Stark, the Axor tap includes a joystick leaver to control temperature and flow. The basin mixer is styled to allow the water to fall in a tranquil waterfall style.

£378

Floor Standing bath and shower mixer from Tap Store

A great Chrome all in one to go with a free standing bath allowing you to have an over bath shower.

£449

Enskar Tap from Ikea

Stylish, chrome plated tap including a strainer, a perfect budget buy!

£40