Ultimate guide to choosing the perfect tapware for your home

Jessica Hodges

Manager - Interior Design

Tapware: The jewellery of your kitchen, bathroom or laundry

Tapware is like the finishing touch that brings together the design of your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry. Whether you’re after sleek modern aesthetics or something more traditional, the best tapware will perfectly complement your bathrooms and kitchens while delivering a consistent flow of water for everyday tasks like cooking, drinking, and cleaning.

With a wide range of tapware brands on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help you choose the best tapware for your home, here’s a breakdown of the key styles, finishes, and considerations to keep in mind.

Different types of tapware 

Tapware comes in a variety of styles to suit the different spaces within your new home. From kitchen taps to bathroom tapware, there are just so many options but the right choice depends on your space. When it comes to style, take your cues from the colours, finishes and aesthetics of the room. Generally speaking, sleek, minimalist tapware will suit a contemporary space, while rounded, intricate styles are a better fit for traditional homes.

Also consider how the tap will be used. Do you, for example, need a large or pull-out style to clean bulky pots and pans, a swivel spout that delivers water to both sides of a double sink or tapware with soft, rounded lines for a bathroom used by children?

To see some stunning examples of different tapware styles, check out our brand partner and Australian market leader Phoenix, renowned for being one of the best tapware brands.

Quality tapware that blends style and functionality without compromising performance. 

Mixer taps

This modern style of tap allows you to control the flow and temperature of water with one lever. Mixer taps prioritise aesthetics and tend to have a simple, low profile that suits modern bathrooms and kitchens, as well as laundries and shallow sinks and basins. Their minimalist look suits contemporary designs, offering both sleek lines and ease of use.

Pull-out taps

Need the flexibility to clean large pots in the kitchen sink or hand wash the kids’ muddy sports gear in the laundry? Functionality is key with a pull-out tap where the tip extends from a retractable hose, making it easy to wash bulky items. These innovative designs offer longevity and flexibility to your functional areas and are best suited to large, deep or double sinks.

Spray mixer taps

Spray mixers allow you to adjust the water flow, giving you the flexibility to go from a wider spray for cleaning things such as vegetables to a finer spray for more targeted cleaning. These are most suitable for kitchens or laundries. 

Three-piece tap sets

This classic tapware style consists of a hot tap, a cold tap and spout, all installed independently on or above the benchtop. It’s a popular choice for traditional bathrooms.

Gooseneck taps

With their tall, striking silhouette, gooseneck taps are often the centrepiece of a kitchen or bathroom. Their added height also means they’re ideal for cleaning bulky items. Choose from modern, high, curved styles and tall, square ones. As they are large, gooseneck taps are most suitable for large kitchens and bathrooms or generous kitchen islands.

Swivel-spout taps

Attempting to clean a large pan but can’t quite get the spout to reach? Alleviate the issue with a swivel-spout tap that can be rotated left or right for added functionality. 

Choose the best luxury tapware finish for your space  

We’re spoilt for choice nowadays when it comes to tapware finishes and colours. When choosing a tap finish for your kitchens, bathrooms, ensuites or laundry, focus on functionality and creating a cohesive look by seeking out one that ties in with your appliances, joinery finish and hardware. 

You’ll also need to decide whether you want a tap that blends into your space, such as chrome or stainless steel, or one that makes a modern and bold statement such as a coloured tap, brushed nickel or one with a matte black finish and gold accents.

Here’s a rundown of the main tap finishes on offer and their features:

Chrome: 

The most common finish for tapware, chrome offers durability and ease when it comes to cleaning. It is the perfect choice if you’re after a high quality finish that can stand the test of time. You’ll find endless chrome styles available – and generally at a great price.

Brushed nickel 

If you want a softer, more subtle look than chrome, brushed nickel is a great option. It pairs well with natural materials like marble and timber, exuding elegance and warmth. It offers a striking finish that’s a little less ‘blingy’ than brass or gold. It develops a lovely, aged look over time.

Gunmetal

This on-trend, dark-grey finish has a smooth, metallic lustre. It looks great in contemporary spaces. It is also fantastic for minimising the appearance of water spots, making them a great option for family homes.

Matte Black

The matte black finish is perfect for those wanting to create a bold, contemporary statement in their new Carlisle home. This modern finish works beautifully in spaces with black accents like window frames or mirrors.

Brass

An elegant, yellow-gold look that comes in a polished (shiny) or satin (brushed) finish. Brass ages beautifully over time and can add warmth to a bathroom, kitchen or laundry.

Living brass 

This slightly textured finish is garnering a lot of attention in the design world right now. It darkens, tarnishes and oxidises over time to create a unique look, imparting a rustic, beachy vibe into a space. Living brass pairs beautifully with natural finishes such as marble and timber. Opt for living brass for a rustic look that complements coastal or Hamptons inspired interiors.

Brass with a gold finish 

With its innovative design and bright, yellow-gold appearance, brass with a gold finish is the perfect fit for an opulent or dramatic bathroom or kitchen tapware option. With the right tapware, it can be the star of the show in your new home. 

Consider format and size when choosing the right tapware for your new home 

When choosing new tapware, proportion is key. The size of your sink or basin should dictate the size of your tap. For example, a small sink will suit a smaller tap, while a large or double basin requires larger kitchen taps. This ensures a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing interior throughout your new home. 

It’s also important to make sure your chosen tap directs water to the centre of the sink or basin for ease of use. A gooseneck tap or a tap with a swivel spout can be particularly useful in achieving the right water flow and ensuring the entire sink area is easily accessible.

Quality tapware to reduce water usage 

All taps in Australia come labelled with a WELS star rating. This is the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards rating, which tells you how water-efficient and environmentally friendly a tap is. The rating ranges from one to six stars, with more stars indicating better efficiency. The WELS label also includes a figure that tells you the rate of water consumption (flow rate in litres per minute) so you can see exactly how much water a tap uses. Tap brands like Phoenix prioritise water efficiency in their design process, which is why many of their products hold a six-star Water Efficiency Labelling Standards (WELS) rating.

Finishing touches: Quality tapware accessories

Complete the look of your bathrooms and kitchens with matching bathroom accessories. Choose a unique blend of towel rails, soap dishes, and toilet roll holders in finishes that match your tapware for a polished and cohesive look. These small details may seem minor, but they’re crucial for creating a stylish and functional space.

Other considerations for selecting the best tapware

• If you’re replacing existing tapware in your bathroom or kitchen, you’ll need to choose the same position and set-up. For example, a wall-mounted, three-piece set will need to be replaced with the same style.
• If you have young children, tapware with rounded lines is safer than sharp, angular styles.
• A swivel spout is useful if you want to be able to move it out of the way when the bath has been filled.
• You don’t need to match all the tapware in a room space, but for a cohesive look it’s best to choose styles in the same finish.
• For peace of mind, it’s wise to choose tapware from Australia from established tap brands like Phoenix, as their high quality products are reassuringly backed with excellent warranties.

Get inspired by our display homes

Choosing the best tapware for your new home is a key step in creating your dream kitchen, bathroom, or laundry. Browse our award winning designs across our collection of homes, on display across Melbourne and Geelong, perfectly crafted with quality fittings and elegant tapware features. 

Take a virtual tour of one of our beautiful display homes from the comfort of your own home. 

Explore tapware options at our Spectra Showroom and Spectra Online

At Carlisle Homes, we understand that choosing the perfect tapware is an important part of creating your dream home. As part of building your new home with Carlisle, you get access to our world-class, industry leading Spectra Showroom, where you can explore a wide range of tapware fittings and finishes. No matter what style you have in mind for your new home, our Spectra Showroom offers the most renowned brands across Australia and allows you to see, touch, and compare the huge number of options available. 

For added convenience, our market leading technology and Spectra Online platform allows you to browse and select your favourite tapware and other home finishes from the comfort of your home. With unlimited digital access, you can explore various finishes and styles, ensuring your selections align perfectly with your design vision.

Whether you’re visiting the Spectra Showroom in person or making your selections online using our market leading technology, you’ll have the support of our expert Interior Design consultants to guide you through every choice and ensure you create a cohesive and stylish look for your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry. That’s why we are number one for customer service in Australia - voted 2023 Most Professional Volume Builder. 

You can browse our Spectra Showroom anytime between 10am - 4pm every Sunday or book a call with one of our friendly Sales Consultants on 1300 328 045.