Different Types of Tapware: We Explain Common Types & Styles

If you’re planning to upgrade your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry, understanding the different types of tapware is essential to finding the perfect balance of style and functionality. At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we’ve helped countless homeowners navigate the options, from classic three-piece sets to modern sensor taps. With so many choices available, selecting the right tapware can transform both the look and usability of your space.

In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of tapware available, highlighting their unique features and ideal applications. Whether you’re after a sleek mixer for a contemporary kitchen or a vintage-inspired three-piece set for the bathroom, we’ll provide the insights you need to make an informed choice. Let’s dive in and discover the tapware that will elevate your home’s style and practicality.

Mixer Taps

Let’s kick things off with perhaps the most popular tapware of all, mixer taps! These handy fixtures combine hot and cold water through a single spout, making it super easy to adjust the temperature with just one lever or handle. At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, mixer taps are all the rage, especially our Cube Basin Mixer in sleek matte black or classic chrome. Why are they so popular? It’s all about that modern design and sheer ease of use.

Types of Mixers

• Single-Lever Mixer Taps: These beauties feature a single handle that lets you control both water flow and temperature. Simple, stylish, and oh-so-functional.
• Double-Handle Mixer Taps: These mixers have separate handles for hot and cold water and control a single spout. They are not as common or in-demand as their single-lever counterparts, so you probably won’t see many in our store.

Ideal Applications for Mixer Taps

Mixer taps are versatile and perfect for any space where you want a modern design without sacrificing functionality. High-rise mixers are great for kitchens and laundries, offering that extra height you need. Meanwhile, the shorter basin mixers are the go-to for bathrooms, blending seamlessly with your sink.

Mixer Tap Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Modern appearance
• Temperature control with one handle

Cons:

• Can be more expensive
• Complex installation compared to traditional taps

Mixers are a fantastic choice whether you’re updating your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. And remember, if you’re looking to buy mixer taps in Perth, we’ve got you covered with the best options around.

Three-Piece Tapware Sets

Next up, let’s talk about three-piece tapware sets! These beauties are coordinated collections that feature separate hot and cold taps, typically paired with a matching spout. While they might not be as trendy as mixer taps, three-piece sets have their own charm, especially in traditional or classic bathroom designs. One of the top picks here at Ross’s Discount Home Centre is the Fiona 1/4 Turn Wall Set. It’s a favourite among our customers for its timeless elegance.

Ideal Applications for Tap Sets

Three-piece tap sets are best suited for bathrooms with a classic or traditional aesthetic. They’re also a perfect choice if you prefer having separate controls for hot and cold water. Imagine the sophistication these sets bring to a vintage-inspired bathroom—absolutely stunning!

Tapware Set Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Allows precise control of water temperature
• Classic and elegant design

Cons:

• Requires more countertop space
• More complex plumbing

So, if you’re aiming for a bathroom that exudes classic elegance, three-piece tap sets are the way to go. When you’re ready to explore your options, remember that Ross’s Discount Home Centre is the place to buy three-piece tapware in Perth. We have a fantastic range and the expertise to help you make the right choice!

Wall-Mounted Taps

Wall-mounted taps are another great tapware option—some might say they are a game-changer in terms of tapware style and functionality. As the name suggests, these taps are mounted on the wall rather than on your sink or benchtop. This means you have more space to work with and can achieve a sleek, minimalist look for your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room.

Types of Wall-Mounted Tapware

• Single-Spout Wall-Mounted Taps with Mixer: These combine hot and cold water through a single spout, mounted on the wall. Our Sky Wall Mixer Set at just $260 is a prime example and a customer favourite.
• Separate Wall-Mounted Taps: These feature a single spout with wall assemblies for hot and cold water, each mounted on the wall. The Fiona 1/4 Turn Wall Assemblies paired with a Fiona Swivel Bath Spout are popular choices among our customers.

Ideal Applications for Wall-Mounted Tapware

Wall-mounted taps are ideal for modern bathrooms and kitchens where space-saving and minimalistic designs are desired. They work wonderfully with vessel basins or freestanding bathtubs, adding a touch of sophistication to any space.

Wall-Mounted Tapware Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Saves benchtop space
• Sleek and modern design
• Easier cleaning around the sink area

Cons:

• Complex installation
• Difficult to adjust after installation
• May require more extensive plumbing work

If you’re looking to revamp your bathroom or kitchen with a sleek, modern touch, wall-mounted taps are an excellent choice. And when you’re ready to explore the best options, Ross’s Discount Home Centre is your go-to place to buy tapware in Perth. We’ve got the selection and expertise to help you find the perfect fit!

Shower Tapware

Alright, let’s dive into the world of shower tapware! This broad category covers all the taps and fixtures designed specifically for showers, and we’ve got a huge selection here at Ross’s Discount Home Centre. Picking the right shower tapware is crucial for enhancing your shower experience’s functionality and comfort. Trust us, it’s worth spending some time to get it right.

Let’s kick things off with the most popular of all, shower sets.

Shower Sets/Twin Showers

If you’re after versatility and a touch of luxury, shower sets or twin showers are where it’s at. These systems include both a fixed overhead shower and a handheld shower head, giving you the best of both worlds. They’re all about providing you with enhanced showering options, and it’s no wonder they’re the go-to choice for contemporary bathrooms. Our Cube Twin Shower and Fiona Twin Shower are big hits with our customers, and they’re just $280 each.

Ideal Applications for Twin Showers

Shower sets or twin showers are perfect for luxury bathrooms where you want a bit of everything. They offer the indulgence of a rain shower experience along with the flexibility and convenience of a handheld shower.

Twin Shower Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Versatile, offering multiple showering options
• Modern appearance that fits well in contemporary spaces

Cons:

• More expensive than standard options
• Requires more space and additional plumbing work

Shower Heads

Second to shower sets are traditional shower heads! These are the fixed components of your shower system, available in a variety of styles, such as rain shower heads, waterfall designs, and traditional nozzles. They’re the unsung heroes that define your shower experience, turning it from meh to marvellous. Our budget-friendly Universal Shower (All Direction) shower head is a crowd favourite, and at just $35.00, it’s also the cheapest option in our store. Who said you can’t have quality on a budget?

Ideal Applications for Shower Heads

Shower heads are suitable for all bathrooms. Whether you’re looking for an invigorating, jet-like spray to wake you up in the morning or a gentle, rain-like flow to wind down at night, there’s a shower head style to match your desired experience.

Shower Head Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Wide range of styles and spray patterns to choose from
• Enhances the overall shower experience

Cons:

• Fixed position can limit flexibility
• Larger rain shower heads may require higher water pressure to perform optimally

Read our article, “The Pros and Cons of Fixed Showerheads” to learn more about the benefits and downsides of fixed showerheads.

Shower Mixers

Shower mixers blend hot and cold water through a single control, giving you precise temperature regulation with just a flick of the wrist. Available in both exposed and concealed styles, shower mixers are a necessity for any shower set and provide essential operation functionality. Once you’ve experienced the convenience of a shower mixer, you’ll never look back.

Types of Shower Mixers

• Standard Shower Mixers: These mixers provide a single control to adjust both water temperature and flow, making them super simple and easy to use. One of our top picks is the Fiona Wall Mixer, which you can snag for just $80.00.
• Shower Mixers with Diverters: These mixers take it up a notch by including an additional diverter function. This allows you to switch between different water outlets, such as a shower head and a hand held shower, or between a shower and bath spout for those versatile shower/bath combos. Our Cube Wall Mixer with Diverter is a customer favourite, coming in at $220.

Ideal Applications for Shower Mixers

Shower mixers are suitable for all shower types, especially in modern bathrooms where a streamlined, user-friendly design is key. Whether you’re outfitting a sleek ensuite or upgrading your main bathroom, these mixers add both style and functionality.

Shower Mixer Pros and Con

Pros:

• Easy temperature control with a single handle
• Sleek, modern design
• Available in a variety of styles to match your bathroom design style

Cons:

• Installation can be a bit complex, especially for concealed models
• May require professional plumbing work

Hand Held Shower Heads

Let’s now look at hand held shower heads. These beauties are flexible shower fixtures that can be detached from their mount, allowing you to direct the water flow exactly where you need it. They offer a level of convenience that fixed shower heads just can’t match. Often paired with fixed shower heads or installed on their own, our Project Hand Shower/Rail Set is a big hit with our customers, coming in at just $120.00.

Ideal Applications for Hand Held Shower Heads

Hand held shower heads are perfect for family bathrooms, especially if you’ve got to bathe little ones or pets. They’re also a fantastic option for bathrooms designed for people with mobility issues or simply for anyone who values flexibility and ease of use.

Hand Held Shower Heads Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Flexibility to target water flow
• Easy to use for various tasks
• Excellent for cleaning the shower area and for bathing children or pets

Cons:

• May not look as streamlined and sleek as fixed shower heads or a contemporary twin shower set

If you’re still not sure what type of shower tapware to buy, be sure to read our Ultimate Shower Tapware Buying Guide.

Pillar Taps

Now, let’s kick it old-school with pillar taps! These traditional taps come with separate hot and cold water spouts and are a staple in older or traditionally styled bathrooms. We see them as a bit of a specialty tap, so you probably won’t find any at Ross’s Discount Home Centre any time soon. But hey, we still love them for their nostalgic charm!

Ideal Applications for Pillar Tapware

Pillar taps are best suited for traditional bathrooms or utility sinks where you’re after that classic look and the ability to control temperatures separately. Think of them as the vintage vinyl records of tapware—timeless and classy.

Pillar Tap Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Simple design that’s easy to install
• Classic aesthetic that harks back to yesteryear

Cons:

• Less convenient for temperature control compared to mixer taps
• Takes up more space on your sink or basin

Bridge Taps

Bridge taps are the lovechild of traditional and modern tap designs. Featuring two separate handles connected by a “bridge” to a central spout, they offer a unique look often seen in vintage or industrial-style kitchens and bathrooms. Just like pillar taps, bridge taps are a bit of a specialty item, which means you won’t find them at Ross’s (unless they become mainstream popular, of course!)

Ideal Applications for Bridge Taps

These taps are ideal for vintage, farmhouse, or industrial-style kitchens and bathrooms. If you’re aiming for a look that’s both nostalgic and stylishly modern, bridge taps might just be your ticket.

Bridge Tap Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Unique design that stands out
• Offers separate temperature control with a single spout

Cons:

• More complex installation process
• Can be more expensive due to their unique design

Floor-Mounted (Freestanding) Taps

Say hello to the showstoppers of the tap world—floor-mounted taps! These freestanding beauties rise majestically from the floor, giving your bathroom that luxurious, high-end look we all dream about. Typically paired with freestanding bathtubs, they scream sophistication. Our Fiona Black Freestanding Bath Mixer and Fiona Freestanding Bath Mixer with Hand Shower are among the top picks in-store. Talk about making a statement!

Ideal Applications for Freestanding Tapware

Perfect for bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs where you want to add a dramatic flair. These taps are all about making a bold design statement, so if you’re looking to create a spa-like oasis, floor-mounted taps are your go-to.

Freestanding Tap Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Adds a luxurious and dramatic element to your bathroom
• Ideal for high-end, designer bathroom setups

Cons:

• Requires more space
• Complex and often expensive installation
• May need reinforced flooring to support the tap structure

You’ll find a range of freestanding taps within our bath tapware range, including those mentioned above. Plus, once you’ve chosen your bath tapware, we have a range of stunning freestanding baths to complete the look.

Sensor Taps

Enter the future with sensor taps! These innovative taps use infrared technology to detect motion, offering you a hands-free, hygienic experience. Increasingly popular in both residential and commercial settings, sensor taps are all about convenience and water conservation. Our Galaxy Sensor range (pictured above) is a prime example, available in brushed gold, brushed nickel, chrome, gunmetal, and matt black, with prices ranging from $680 to $780. Talk about options!

Ideal Applications for Sensor Tapware

Sensor taps are a stellar choice for modern bathrooms and kitchens where hygiene, water conservation, and ease of use are top priorities. Perfect for those who love tech-savvy solutions and a sleek, modern aesthetic.

Sensor Tap Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Highly hygienic with hands-free operation
• Water-efficient, helping you save on your water bill
• Modern and incredibly convenient

Cons:

• Requires a power source (batteries or electricity)
• Can be on the pricier side
• May require professional installation, adding to the overall cost

Whether you want to add a touch of luxury or embrace modern technology, Ross’s Discount Home Centre has you covered with the best options and expert advice.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve explored the different types of tapware, from the flexible functionality of handheld shower heads to the luxurious statement of floor-mounted taps. Each type of tapware brings its own unique benefits, whether you’re drawn to the classic charm of pillar taps, the vintage appeal of bridge taps, or the modern convenience of sensor taps. Understanding these options will help you choose tapware that complements your space and meets your practical needs.

If you’re ready to transform your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry, visit Ross’s Discount Home Centre. Our extensive range of tapware options and knowledgeable team are here to help you find the perfect fit for your home. Let us help you bring both style and functionality to your space with the ideal tapware for every need.