Bathroom Basin Taps

Basin Taps: The Honest Advice You Actually Need

Let's be real for a second. Most people leave the tapware until the very end of a renovation. You spend months agonizing over the perfect tile, the vanity layout, and the lighting plan. Then, almost as an afterthought, you realize you need something to actually get the water into the sink. It happens. We see it every single day at The Blue Space.

But here is the thing. That piece of metal is the handshake of your bathroom. It’s the first thing you touch in the morning. It’s the last thing you touch at night. If it’s clunky, splashes water on your shirt, or feels cheap, you are going to hate it. Viscerally. And you’ll be reminded of that poor choice ten times a day.

We want to save you from that. We want you to love your bathroom. So, we are going to break down the world of taps. No sales pitch. Just the stuff we tell our mates when they ask for help.

What are we even talking about?

A basin tap isn't just a "tap." It’s a specific piece of engineering designed for the smaller flow and reach needed for washing hands and brushing teeth. It’s not a bath filler (too fast). It’s not a kitchen mixer (too big). It sits on, or above, your vanity unit.

It sounds simple, right? It’s just plumbing. But the variation is wild. And getting it wrong means water all over your benchtop.

Where does it fit?

Context is everything. You wouldn't put a delicate, gold-plated mixer in a laundry, and you probably shouldn't put a stubby little chrome pillar tap in a luxury master suite.

• The Main Bathroom: High traffic. High mess. You need something that cleans up fast. One wipe.

• The Powder Room: This is your gallery space. Since nobody is really shaving or doing deep skincare routines here, you can go wild with the design. Pick the weird shape. Pick the expensive finish.

• The Ensuite: This is for you. It should feel nice in the hand. Smooth. Quiet.

The Lineup: Shapes and Styles

Okay, let's look at the hardware. This is usually where people get a bit glassy-eyed looking at our bathroom taps and mixers pages. Let’s simplify it.

The Basin Mixer

You know this one. It's the standard for a reason. One lever does it all. Flow and temperature controlled by a single hand—or a wrist, if your fingers are covered in soap. They are practical, they look tidy, and they fit almost any basin hole configuration. If you want a no-fuss life, our basin mixers are the go-to.

The Three Piece Set

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. But it’s not just about looking "old school." There is something really satisfying about separate hot and cold handles. It gives you total control. Plus, it creates a visual symmetry on the vanity that a mixer just can't match. We are seeing a massive resurgence in three piece sets for modern heritage homes.

Wall Mounted Stuff

Want a vanity that looks like a magazine cover? Get the plumbing off the bench. A wall basin mixer set floats above the bowl. It looks incredible. But the real win? Cleaning. There is no base plate collecting gunk and limescale. Just a quick wipe of the porcelain and you're done. Just remember, you need to commit to this before the tiler arrives.

The High Risers

If you have chosen a vessel basin—the kind that sits on top of the counter like a bowl—a normal tap is useless. It won’t reach over the edge. You need altitude. Gooseneck basin taps and extended mixers are built for this. They tower over the rim. They look like a statement piece rather than just a functional item.

Hob Mounted Mixers

These are the hybrid option. You get the separate spout and the separate mixer handle, but they install directly into the benchtop (the hob). Hob mixers give you that spread-out, custom look but with the convenience of single-handle control.

Custom and Tech

Sometimes standard doesn't cut it.

• Building your own look: You can buy standalone basin spouts and pair them with separate controls. This is great for awkward spaces. Actually, if you are doing a whole house, looking at our general range of spouts can spark some great ideas for matching bath and basin outlets.

• The Energy Saver: We are big fans of progressive mixers. Instead of pulling a lever out, you twist it. It starts cold and gets warmer the further you turn. It stops you from accidentally firing up the hot water system for a two-second hand wash. Smart.

• No Hands: Once upon a time, these were just for airports. Now? Electronic sensor taps are in homes everywhere. Kids love them. Germaphobes love them. It’s the future.

• Safety First: For families concerned about water purity, we have a dedicated range of lead-free taps.

• Accessibility: Design is for everyone. Our accessible taps use extended levers that are easy to grab and move, without looking "medical."

Colour is an Emotion

Chrome is safe. Chrome taps will likely outlive us all. But bathrooms are moody places now.

If you want drama, you go dark. Black taps are the little black dress of the renovation world. They work with everything. On the flip side, white tapware is for the minimalists who want the hardware to disappear into the basin.

Then there are the warm metals. This is where it gets luxurious. Gold taps scream opulence. But if that feels a bit too "Vegas" for you, try brushed brass taps. They have this lovely, muted glow that hides fingerprints. Even softer? Champagne taps. Elegant. Understated.

For an industrial vibe, look at gunmetal tapware. It’s a deep, dark grey that feels masculine and solid. Brushed nickel tapware is the warm cousin of chrome—very forgiving and easy to match. If you want something earthy, bronze taps bring a richness that looks amazing with timber vanities.

And for the practical renovator? Stainless steel tapware. It’s tough as nails.

Who should you trust?

We don't stock rubbish. If a brand gives our customers grief, we drop them. Simple.

• The Aussie Icons: You grew up with these names. Caroma and Dorf are basically bathroom royalty here. They build stuff to survive Australian plumbing. Clark is another one—solid, reliable, no nonsense.

• The Design Leaders: If looks are your priority, Phoenix and Meir are killing it. The finishes are consistently perfect. Nero and Fienza are right up there too, pushing the envelope with texture and shape.

• The Innovators: Greens Tapware and Methven do amazing things with how the water actually feels. It’s softer. It splashes less. We also rate Oliveri and Seima highly.

• Fresh Perspectives: Keep an eye on Modern National for unique period styles, or Indigo and Suprema for great value picks.

Why upgrade?

Is it worth swapping them out? Usually, yes.

First, the vibe shift. You can take a dated, tired bathroom and make it look ten years younger just by swapping the bright chrome for matte black. It’s the cheapest renovation trick in the book.

Second, your bills. Older taps are thirsty. New ones have strict WELS ratings. A 5 or 6-star tap gives you a nice stream but uses a fraction of the water. It adds up.

Third, the feel. Ceramic disc cartridges. That’s the tech inside now. No more cranking the handle to stop a drip. Just a smooth glide.

The "Don't Forget" List

Before you buy, check these three things. Please.

1. The Reach Test: Get a tape measure out. You need to know where the water is going to land. If the spout is too short, you’re jamming your hands against the back of the porcelain every time you wash. It’s annoying. If it’s too long, you’ll have wet pants. You want the water to hit the waste (the plug hole) or just slightly behind it.

2. The Pressure Check: This matters. You grab a stunning European tap, get it installed, and... trickle. Sadness. If you have an older gravity-fed system (common in old Aussie houses), you might not have the pressure to drive some high-end mixers. Ask your plumber first.

3. The Hole Count: Look at your basin. Does it have one hole? Three holes? Zero holes? You can’t force a three-piece set onto a single-hole basin without risking a crack. Match the hardware to the ceramic.

That’s it. That’s the crash course. If you’re still scratching your head, or you just want to know if that brushed gold matches that specific timber vanity, give us a shout. We love this stuff.

Frequently Asked Questions