April 22, 2022 Adrian Micallef

Tapware Buying Guide for Kitchen and Bathroom

Gone are the days when a tap was just a stainless-steel three-piece benchtop set with a blue marking for cold and red for hot. Tapware today is a fashionable, functional feature of the home that has the visual appeal to transform your kitchen or bathroom look completely.

So how do you make a perfect splash when buying your new tapware in Melbourne? It comes down to knowing what types of tapware exist on the market, which ones will suit your budget, how they perform and function to meet your lifestyle requirements and ultimately, the aesthetic improvement they make to your home.

Appliances Today curates and sells some of Australia’s most sought-after tapware styles. We have put together the best quick advice for buying tapware in this guide. Know the facts and find your ideal faucet.

WALL-MOUNTED OR BENCH MOUNTED

wall mount taps

Choosing the location of your tap within your space is the first consideration. Earlier, people installed tapware on the benchtop or attached it to the basin or bathtub it serviced, but now you have the freedom to choose which will suit your wet areas better.

For kitchen sinks, it is most common to install spout taps with mixers into the joinery. However, there is a growing trend for those wanting a unique look and more bench space to buy wall-mounted tapware to complement their kitchen interior. You can indeed pair a farmhouse sinks with eye-catching wall-mounted tapware or create other custom spaces using wall-mounted spouts. Be mindful that bench-mounted kitchen sinks have more options with pull out hoses and rinse functions.

MIXER OR DUAL TAP

The lever mixer combines both hot and cold in one movement to enable your perfect temperature. Some will find the single motion of achieving the right temperature easier than having both a hot and a cold knob. You can buy mixer taps in Melbourne with a horizontal or vertical lever. Modern 3-piece sets, including hot and cold knobs, can be bought online, as can various mixer taps.

STYLE AND FINISH

Spoilt for choice these days, tapware can truly emphasise the accent detail within your home. Options for shapes and style include gooseneck, curved, spout tapware, square-edged taps and knobs, waterfall spout taps, high rise swivel taps, tall square mixers, round spout taps and more. The best advice when selecting your shape is to consider the detail throughout your home, especially the basins you choose.

Ultra-modern spaces may suit square or rectangle shapes to match the linear aesthetic. Round and curved shapes offer a more relaxed feel and work a charm with other rounded fixtures such as oval sinks and tubs.

Importantly, the finish you select can make a strong impact. You can never go wrong with chrome or stainless-steel tapware. For those looking to deter from the expected, leading brands like Paco Jaanson and Barben offer finishes including matte black, which works best when used consistently throughout the home. Also, brushed nickel, rose gold, white, gunmetal tapware, champagne, brushed gold, satin brass, and more can add decadence and designer flair to any wet area.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Particularly for kitchen sinks, tapware with a pull-out and rinse function is a must-have these days. For busy homes with bulk cooking and cleaning, installing a pull-out tap during the upgrade project is worthwhile.

SMART TECH TAPS

Whether you are fitting out a new kitchen or bar area in your home, it is the ideal time to integrate a Billi filter tap. Billi tapware provides instant sparkling water, hot water and filtered chilled water. Bench mounted and installed seamlessly beside your new kitchen or bar sink, the Billi water tap is a top trend in tapware in Melbourne and worldwide. For those who love to entertain, the rewards of a Billi tap can be experienced multiple times a day when preparing hot drinks, refreshments, cocktails, or quick meals.