How to Choose the Best Tapware for Your Bathroom or Kitchen

With so many options available, choosing the best tapware for your kitchen or bathroom can feel overwhelming. Striking the perfect balance of style, performance, and efficiency is key to creating spaces that look and work beautifully. 

This guide breaks down materials, finishes, and water-saving features, giving you the confidence to make informed choices for your kitchen or bathroom.

The best tapware does more than control water flow — it defines the look and feel of your kitchen or bathroom. Carefully selected mixers, spouts, and shower sets simplify everyday tasks while adding a stylish, cohesive finish to your space.

Select from tapware finishes ranging from brushed brass to matte black to create a seamless, sophisticated look that truly elevates your space. Choosing WRAS-approved tapware that is compliant with British Standards ensures water efficiency, durability, and long-term performance, giving you confidence across your spaces for years to come.

Choosing the best tapware for your kitchen isn’t just about style — it’s about finding fixtures that suit your layout, cooking habits, and everyday needs. Designed to make daily tasks easier while adding a polished, cohesive look, these taps bring practicality and elegance to your space. Here’s a closer look at some of the UK’s most popular kitchen tap options and what sets them apart.

Gooseneck kitchen mixers combine style and practicality with tall, curved spouts for easy pot-filling. Durable brass or stainless steel construction ensures long-lasting use, while optional pull-out spray heads add flexibility for rinsing, cleaning, or filling — ideal for busy kitchens.

Three-way filter taps deliver hot, cold, and filtered water in a single, stylish design. They give easy access to fresh drinking water without needing extra appliances. Many designs also include pull-out spray heads, adding convenience and versatility to busy kitchens.

Both practical and stylish, pot fillers are wall-mounted taps positioned by the cooker, allowing you to fill large pots directly on the hob. Many models feature extendable or fold-away arms for maximum reach, making them a functional yet striking addition to the kitchen.

Akin to kitchen tapware, choosing the best tapware for bathrooms is about blending style with everyday functionality. From compact basin mixers and wall-mounted designs to versatile shower and bath taps, many options suit different bathroom layouts and personal preferences. Choosing durable materials and reliable components ensures your taps look stylish and perform consistently for years to come. Below, we explore the key bathroom tap options.

Basin mixers, designed for smaller sinks and streamlined layouts, offer a practical, stylish solution for UK bathrooms. Many are made from solid brass and feature ceramic cartridge technology for smooth operation and long-lasting durability. Contemporary designs often include ergonomic handles or subtle textured detailing, combining practicality with a refined aesthetic.

Uniting convenience and style, bath taps and mixers transform your bathroom into a place of daily relaxation and renewal. Available in wall- or deck-mounted configurations, they typically include thermostatic or progressive cartridges for accurate temperature control. Many models also feature diverters, allowing users to switch easily between bath spouts, hand showers, or overhead showers for a flexible and enjoyable experience.

Choosing the right finish and colour is just as important as selecting the material, as it defines the overall style and ties your bathroom or kitchen together. Options range from classic chrome and matte black to sophisticated brushed brass, brushed copper, brushed nickel, brushed gunmetal, and antique brass — standing out for its warm, aged appearance, which adds character and a timeless feel. Stainless steel provides a modern, understated appeal, while a selection of neutral tones ensures versatility across different design styles.

Aside from antique aged brass, which is raw and unlacquered and naturally develops a patina over time, all other finishes are designed to retain their appearance, resisting tarnish, scratches, and corrosion while being easy to clean and maintain. By thoughtfully matching the finish to your home environment and style, you can create a cohesive look that blends functionality with lasting visual appeal.
 

When choosing tapware, water efficiency is an important consideration, alongside the material and finish. Many eco-friendly taps are designed to reduce water usage without compromising performance or style. To support both sustainability and longevity, ABI focuses on using durable metals rather than plastics wherever possible, extending product lifecycles. We are also transitioning brass products to lead-free alloys, reflecting our commitment to environmental responsibility and safer, healthier tapware.  

ABI Interiors’ Infiniti Tapware has interchangeable handles, allowing you to easily refresh the style or finish even after installation. This not only provides design flexibility but also extends product longevity, reducing the need for full replacements and helping minimise landfill waste. Infiniti supports a more sustainable bathroom and kitchen design approach by enabling simple upgrades without discarding the entire fixture.

Tapware choice goes beyond practicality — it’s about how it harmonises with your space and everyday routine. The right taps can complement your design, streamline everyday tasks, and create cohesion throughout your kitchen or bathroom.

When selecting tapware, consider your sink type, the size of your space, and your existing décor to ensure everything works in harmony. Coordinating taps with matching kitchen accessories or bathroom accessories can elevate the overall look, while drawing inspiration from thoughtfully designed kitchens and bathrooms can help you visualise the perfect setup.

When selecting bathroom tapware, it’s important to match style with function to suit your space and daily routines. Assembly taps work well in traditional or vintage-inspired bathrooms, offering separate hot and cold handles for a classic look and precise temperature control. For more modern spaces, minimal mixers provide a single lever to adjust water flow and temperature, creating a sleek, streamlined aesthetic. Progressive mixers offer continuous control over temperature and flow through one dial, combining elegance with practical versatility.

Wall-mounted options, such as gooseneck spouts, can free up counter space while giving your bathroom a clean, uncluttered feel — instrumental in smaller layouts. To complete the look, choose tap finishes that harmonise with your bathroom’s colour palette and materials. For instance, matte black works beautifully with monochromatic schemes, while brushed brass adds warmth and complements natural textures.

Kitchen tapware should blend practicality with style, simplifying daily tasks without sacrificing design. Pull-out mixers are perfect for washing large pots and rinsing vegetables, while integrated filter taps provide fresh, filtered water directly from the spout, removing the need for separate filtration systems.

When planning your layout, consider whether a wall-mounted or deck-mounted tap is best suited to your space. Wall-mounted taps can free up bench space and give a modern, streamlined look, while bench-mounted taps are versatile and easy to install. Finally, coordinate finishes with your kitchen design: brushed nickel can complement a sleek, contemporary kitchen, while brushed copper or brass adds warmth and character. 

 

Selecting tapware that matches both your style and how you use your space can transform your kitchen or bathroom into a functional and visually striking room. Thoughtful finishes, clever mounting choices, and the right tap styles create a cohesive, effortless look that elevates everyday routines into something more special.

For more inspiration, check out these blogs:

Gunmetal vs Brushed Nickel: Which Finish Is Best for Your Bathroom or Kitchen Fixtures?

Brass vs Stainless Steel Tapware: Which is the Best Choice for Your Home