Know Your Knobs & Levers: How to Choose Tapware for Your Bathroom
You’ve added an extra plant, new linen, you even got a novelty soap dispenser and still, you’re fed up with your outdated bathroom. Then, you start daydreaming about those luxury bathrooms you see in movies and your Instagram feed. Next, the thought of bathroom renovation starts rattling your nerves because let’s face it, the process is neither simple nor affordable.
However, even if you don’t have extra time or money to spare to redo your bathroom from scratch, there are other simple tweaks you can use to give it a refreshing makeover. I’m talking about some bathroom bling here and there that will drip luxury all over the place. Now, what’s this bathroom bling, you ask?
Well, it’s the bath tapware of course! Think of these fixtures as jewelry for your bathroom. If chosen wisely, bathroom taps can greatly influence both the functionality and the aesthetic with little to no effort on your end. Nowadays, you can find bathroom tapware in all shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes to suit various design preferences and budgets. But before you head out to the nearest store, let’s answer your question about how to choose bathroom tapware.
How to Choose Quality & Durable Bathroom Taps
Since you don’t buy mixer taps and shower heads every day, it’s really important to know a thing or two about the quality aspects of bath tapware before you make your purchase. So how do you figure out which taps are the best? Just like everything else in life, a hefty price tag doesn’t guarantee a long and trouble-free service life. That’s why you should take the following things into consideration:
- Material
- Finish
- Spare Parts
- Supplier
- Price
Although they’re on the pricier side, solid brass bathroom tapware is guaranteed to get your money’s worth. Brass is the safest and most durable material that will provide years and years of reliable service without any leaks or corrosion problems. You should also consider high-grade stainless steel bathroom taps which come real close to solid brass when it comes to durability, but might save you some extra dollars.
Then, if you don’t want to bother with scratches, scrapes, and corrosion after a few years, you should also choose the finish wisely. If you want to play it safely, polished chrome and brushed nickel are your best choice.
Next, some novelty bathroom taps may seem tempting, but keep in mind that if an internal part malfunctions, it might be quite a hassle to find the spares you need to fix up your tap. It’s best to stick to classic designs with a modern twist and leave the unusual taps in the Pinterest feed where they belong.
It’s also worth mentioning that you should buy bathroom taps from a renowned shop whose products’ quality can be backed by a generous warranty policy.
Last but not least, the price. As you read a few lines before, the price isn’t the crucial indicator of the taps’ quality, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important at all. You can’t expect a $50 tap to be safe and durable, right? In fact, some of these cheap taps can pollute your water with lead which can be very dangerous to your health!
How to Choose the Right Tapware Features for Your Bathroom?
The next thing you should focus on is the functionality of your tapware. Do you want a motion-sense activation? Do you prefer a hand-held shower or want to create a waterfall in your bathroom? Do you want instant hot water without a water tank? Asking yourself these things is the only way you can ensure you’ll be happy with your purchase for many years to come.
Nowadays there’s a wide variety of tapware types, styles, and functions. From the classic deck and wall mount taps to integrated overflow taps, your choices are virtually limitless, so make sure you explore all your options before going to the store. It’s also a good idea to consult a professional plumber to ensure your existing piping goes along with your plan to avoid any unpleasant scenarios.
What Are the Hottest Bathroom Tap Trends for 2021?
Although when it comes to the style of your bathroom taps, you’re only limited by your own design preferences, it’s good to know what the interior gurus have to say about it. According to the latest trends, brass, brushed nickel and matte finishes are stealing the show again with their timeless beauty that surpasses all the fads.
If you lean towards a more contemporary look, go for a bold brushed nickel or matte black finish to add a new dimension to your bathroom. But if you want to keep things traditional and still bring your bathroom up to date, you can opt for a bathroom tap in brass finish.
Then you should decide between lever handles or knobs. Sleek lever handles with clean lines look absolutely amazing in contemporary bathrooms, but it’s hard to imagine a traditional bathroom without the good old cross handles that ooze a rustic charm.
Of course, you can always do some tweaks and turns to achieve a transitional style bathroom and include the best of both worlds. Now that you have a better grasp of bathroom taps, it’s time to give your bathroom that long-overdue upgrade and find the perfect tapware to breathe new life into the place. Just don’t forget, always put quality and functionality on top of your list of priorities!
