Taps are one of the smallest things in a bathroom and one of the easiest to get wrong. People fall for a finish, order the tap, and then find it doesn't fit the basin they already have. The good news is that choosing the right tap comes down to a few simple checks, and once you know them the decision gets a lot easier.
This guide walks through the three things that actually matter: how many tap holes your basin or bath has, which tap type suits it, and which finish to choose. If you already know what you're after, you can jump straight to our basin taps, bath taps and bidet taps collections, or browse the full taps range. If your tap choice is part of a wider update, our guides to choosing a vanity unit and the right shower for your water pressure pair well with this one.
Start with the tap holes, not the tap
This is the step most people skip, and it's the one that causes the most returns. Before you look at a single style, check how many pre-drilled holes your basin or bath has. That number decides which taps will physically fit.
One hole means you need a mono tap, sometimes called a monobloc. Hot and cold are mixed inside the body and come out of a single spout, controlled by one or two handles. This is the most common modern choice.
Two holes means you need pillar taps, supplied as a pair, with separate hot and cold spouts. These are the traditional UK setup and suit classic and period bathrooms.
Three holes means a three hole mixer, where the spout and two handles are separate components, often seen on wider basins and baths.
No holes at all means your basin is designed for wall mounted taps, with the brassware coming out of the wall above it. This gives a clean, minimal look and frees up space around the basin.
A quick tip: if you're keeping your existing basin, the hole count limits your options, so check it before you fall in love with anything. If you're buying a new basin too, you have a free choice, and it's worth deciding the tap style first so the basin matches.
Choosing the right type for a basin
Once you know your hole count, the type tends to choose itself, but here's how the main options feel in use.
Mono basin mixers are the go-to for modern bathrooms. One lever controls both temperature and flow, they're easy to use, and they come in everything from compact cloakroom sizes to tall designs for countertop basins. If you have a countertop or under counter basin, a taller mono tap gives you the clearance you need over the rim.
Pillar taps suit traditional and period schemes. The separate hot and cold handles are simple, robust and easy to grip, which makes them a practical choice for older or younger users as well as a style statement.
Wall mounted taps work beautifully with countertop and freestanding basins, keeping the surface clear and the look uncluttered. They do need the pipework set into the wall, so they're easiest to fit during a renovation rather than as a straight swap.
For compact spaces, a small mono basin tap is the easiest win. Our guide to small bathroom ideas covers more on making every fitting count.
Don't forget the bath
Baths follow the same hole logic but have their own options. A bath filler simply fills the bath, while a bath shower mixer adds a handset so you can rinse or run a quick shower over the bath, which is a practical choice for family bathrooms. Freestanding baths usually take a floor mounted tap, which becomes a feature in its own right. You can see the full range in our bath taps collection.
Spout height, reach and water pressure
Two taps can look identical and perform completely differently. A few practical points save disappointment later.
Match the spout to the basin. The water should land near the centre of the bowl, not behind the plug or over the front edge. Shallow cloakroom basins suit lower spouts, while deeper or countertop basins need taller ones.
Check your water pressure. Some taps are designed for low pressure systems and others need a strong mains feed to perform well. If your home has low pressure, choose taps rated for it, the same principle we cover in our shower and water pressure guide. If you're unsure what you have, our team can help you work it out.
Finishes: getting the look right
Finish is where personality comes in, and it's worth coordinating your taps with the rest of your brassware so everything feels considered.
Chrome is the dependable all-rounder: bright, easy to clean and suited to almost any scheme. Brushed brass and gold bring warmth and a boutique feel that works well in both modern and traditional rooms. Matt black is bold and contemporary and makes a strong statement against pale tiles. Brushed nickel and gunmetal sit somewhere in between, softer than chrome and very current.
Whichever you choose, try to match your taps, shower and bathroom accessories in the same finish family. Mixing finishes can work, but matching is the safer route to a room that looks pulled together.
Get the right tap the first time
We've spent over 40 years helping people match taps to their basins, their water systems and their style, and the projects that go smoothly are always the ones that started with the hole count rather than the finish. If you tell us what basin you have, we'll point you to taps that fit and perform.
Browse our full taps range, or go straight to basin taps and bath taps to start. Delivery is free on UK orders over £499, and our team is on hand if you'd like a steer before you commit.
