Everything You Need to Know About Swivel Bath Spouts
Picture this. You’re having a soak after a long, hard week. The water is warm, the candles are lit, and you lean back to relax. Ouch.
You’ve just jammed your spine against a rigid, unmoving bath spout sticking out from the wall. It ruins the moment. Completely. Or maybe you’re a parent, trying to wrestle two energetic toddlers in the tub, and that fixed metal spout is just waiting for a bumped head. We hear these stories all the time at The Blue Space. It’s a small detail in the grand scheme of a renovation, sure. But it’s the small details that usually drive you crazy.
That is exactly why we are obsessed with swivel bath spouts.
They might not be the first thing you put on your Pinterest board. We get it. Tiles and vanities are way more exciting. But trust us on this one. Choosing the right spout changes how you use your bathroom every single day. We’ve seen so many customers fall in love with this simple upgrade because it just makes sense.
What actually is a swivel bath spout?
Let’s strip it back. No fancy terms here. A swivel bath spout is exactly what it sounds like. It is a spout that fills your bath, but it has a hinge or a mechanism that allows the outlet to move left or right. You can push it out of the way.
Most standard spouts are fixed. Rigid. They stick out about 200mm from the wall and stay there. Forever. A swivel spout gives you options. You turn the water on, fill the tub, and then simply push the spout against the wall. Gone. It creates space where there wasn’t any before.
It’s the kind of thing you don’t realise you need until you have it. And then? You can’t imagine living without it.
Why we think they are a game changer
Look, the way we see it is pretty simple. Your bathroom needs to work for you, not against you. We recommend these for almost every family home we help design. Here is why.
1. Safety for the kids
If you have little ones, you know the bath is a splash zone. It’s chaos. Kids slip, they slide, and they jump around. A fixed metal object protruding from the wall at head-height is a hazard. Being able to fold that spout flat against the wall removes a major risk. It gives them more room to play and gives you less to worry about. Peace of mind? You can't put a price on that.
2. Reclaiming space in small rooms
Australian bathrooms aren't always massive. Sometimes, you are fighting for every centimetre. If you have a shower-over-bath setup, a swivel spout is basically mandatory. There is nothing worse than trying to have a shower and constantly dodging the tapware jutting out into your leg space. Fold it away. Suddenly, your standing room doubles. It feels bigger. It acts bigger.
3. The "Ouch" Factor
We mentioned it earlier. The back scrape. It happens to the best of us. Whether you are tall and trying to stretch out, or you just have a smaller tub, a fixed spout limits where you can sit. With a swivel model, you can use the entire length of your bathtub. You can lean back on either end. It’s total freedom.
Where does it work best?
Honestly? Pretty much anywhere. But there are a few scenarios where our team thinks they are non-negotiable.
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The Family Bathroom: High traffic. Lots of use. Needs to be safe. This is the prime spot for a swivel function.
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The Euro-Style Laundry/Bath: We see this a lot in apartments. Everything is tight. Being able to tuck fixtures away when they aren't in use keeps the visual clutter down and the functional space up.
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The Shower-Over-Bath: We can’t stress this enough. If you stand in your bath to shower, you need this. Don't even question it. Just get one. You will thank us later.
Choosing the right look (Because style matters)
Okay, so we know it works. But does it look good? Absolutely. There was a time when moving parts meant clunky design. That time is gone. The options we see coming through the warehouse now are sleek. They are architectural. They are stunning.
And don't think for a second that choosing practical means choosing boring. It doesn't. We remember when you could only get silver taps. Boring. Now? The options are endless. You can match your vibe perfectly.
Maybe you want that classic, clean look. Chrome taps are timeless for a reason. They sparkle, they match everything, and they are durable. But maybe you want something softer. A little more organic. Brushed nickel tapware has been flying off our shelves lately. It hides fingerprints better than chrome and has this lovely, warm grey tone.
Going for drama? We love it. Black taps create an incredible contrast, especially against white tiles or marble. It’s bold. It makes a statement. Or perhaps you are chasing that spa-like luxury.
If that's the case, look at gold taps or the slightly more understated brushed brass taps. They add instant warmth. Instant expensiveness (even if they didn't cost a fortune).
We are also seeing a huge surge in industrial vibes. Gunmetal tapware is perfect for this. It’s moody and sophisticated. Or for something earthy, bronze taps bring a rustic charm that is hard to beat. Champagne taps offer a lighter, metallic elegance that feels very modern.
And for the minimalists among us? The ones who want the fixture to almost disappear? White tapware on white tiles is super fresh. Or go for the ultimate in durability with stainless steel tapware. It’s tough as nails and looks great.
Who makes the good stuff?
People often ask us who makes the best gear. It’s a fair question. You don’t want to install a spout only for it to get wobbly a month later. We’ve been in this game a long time. We know who delivers quality.
We always tell people to look at the heritage brands first. Caroma taps are an Australian icon. They know local plumbing better than anyone. Similarly, Dorf taps have a reputation for being incredibly solid. You pick one up, and you can feel the weight. That’s quality.
If you want serious design flair, check out Phoenix taps. Their designers are always winning awards, and their swivel mechanisms are smooth as butter. Meir taps are another favourite of ours, especially if you love that matte black look. They guarantee their finishes, which is huge.
For something that balances price and style beautifully, look at Fienza taps or Nero taps. We recommend them constantly for renovations where the budget is tight but you don't want to compromise on the look.
Then you have the innovators. Methven taps do incredible things with water flow. Greens tapware from New Zealand is fantastic too. And we can't forget Oliveri tapware, Seima taps, and Clark taps. All solid choices.
If you are looking for something a bit unique, maybe check out Indigo taps, Modern National tapware, or Suprema. We stock them because they pass our tests. We wouldn't sell them if they didn't.
Installation and Tech: The boring (but important) bits
We have to talk about the plumbing. We know. It’s not the fun part. But getting this right saves you headaches later.
Wall vs. Hob Mounted
Most swivel spouts are wall-mounted. This means the pipe comes out of the wall above the bath. It’s clean. It keeps the bath rim clear. However, you can get hob-mounted versions (where it comes out of the bath deck), but they are rarer for swivels. Make sure you know what your plumbing setup is before you buy.
The Reach
This is critical. Measure your bath. You need the spout to reach far enough so the water doesn't dribble down the side of the tub, but not so far that it's in your way. A swivel helps here because you can adjust it, but the length still matters. Standard reach is usually around 180mm to 220mm.
Mixers and Taps
Remember, a spout is just the water outlet. You need a way to turn it on. You will generally pair a swivel spout with a wall mixer. This keeps the look minimal. We have a massive range of bathroom taps and mixers to match whatever spout you choose.
If you want to be really modern, consider progressive mixers. They control flow and temperature in one simple twisting motion. They look amazing with a swivel spout because they are usually very compact.
Health and Safety
This is something people often overlook. Water quality matters. We are seeing a big shift towards healthier materials in plumbing. Check out our range of lead-free taps. It’s a great way to ensure the water you and your family are bathing in is as pure as possible. It’s a small change that makes a difference.
Common questions we get asked
Do they leak more than fixed spouts? This is the number one fear. The answer? No. Not if you buy a quality brand. Modern swivel mechanisms use high-quality O-rings and washers. They are designed to move. Thousands of times. If you buy a cheap knock-off? Maybe. But if you stick to the brands we listed above, you are golden. We stand by them.
Are they hard to install? For a plumber? No. It’s standard. They just screw onto the thread coming out of the wall. It’s no different to installing a fixed spout. You don't need special pipes.
Can I retrofit one? Usually, yes. If you already have a spout coming out of the wall, you can often unscrew the old one and screw on a new swivel spout. You just need to check that the thread size is the same (it’s almost always a standard 1/2 inch) and that the position works. It is one of the easiest DIY upgrades you can do. Though, we always recommend asking a plumber if you aren't confident. Water damage is no joke.
The Final Word from The Blue Space Team
Renovating is full of decisions. Thousands of them. Tile colours. Grout lines. Vanity heights. It gets overwhelming. We know. We help people through it every day.
But sometimes, the smallest decisions have the biggest impact on how you enjoy your home. A swivel bath spout is one of those things. It solves problems you didn't know you had. It makes bathing kids easier. It makes cleaning the bath easier (just push it out of the way and wipe). It saves your back from nasty scrapes.
And on top of all that? It looks fantastic.
So, don't overthink it. Have a browse through our taps collection. Find a finish that makes your heart sing. And make the switch to a swivel. Your future self, relaxing in that bath, will be very glad you did.
