Material matters

Bronze, brass, chrome, brushed steel – with so many finishes available, it’s never been so easy to find a stylish tap. Consider if you want the tap to blend seamlessly into your kitchen or to stand out as a statement piece. It’s a good idea to coordinate the metal elements in your kitchen, such as cabinet handles, light fittings and wall sockets.  It’s these small details that can really lift a kitchen out of the ordinary. Don’t forget the practicalities. For example, which material will stand up best to cleaning or limescale build-up?

Tap styles

Among the decisions, that you’ll need to make is whether to opt for a contemporary or traditional design tap. There’s a huge range of different styles from the simplest swan neck to swivel tap and pull-out options. Taps can be mounted on the sink or worktop, so check for pre-drilled holes. A single hole will require a monobloc mixer tap. Check that the spout of any tap you choose reaches the centre of the sink for full functionality. Next, consider if you want a single lever to control water flow or twin levers to allow you to mix hot and cold water separately.

A new tap doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s possible to buy taps with big savings off the manufacturer’s recommended retail price (RRP), often with next day delivery. Prices start around £19.99 for a budget kitchen sink mixer tap (tapwarehouse.com). But it’s worth spending a few extra pounds for a more robust option with a better finish. Elegant, top-quality taps from the Blanco range start at around £150 per tap but can cost as much as £735, so something to suit most budgets. 

High-tech taps

If you want designer style and substance in your kitchen, boiling water taps are a significant upgrade on traditional taps. Aside from eliminating the need for a kettle, it will transform how you use your kitchen. No more waiting for the kettle to boil to make a quick cuppa or blanch the veg, you can enjoy boiling water straight from your kitchen tap. Boiling water taps are great for minimalistic kitchens where you don’t want appliances cluttering up countertops. But be prepared to fork out between £300 to £1,000-plus per tap. Be aware they need to be plumbed in and connected to electricity, so it’s best to hire a professional fitter.  You may have to sacrifice cupboard space to fit the water tank (which come in different sizes) under your sink.

Water filter taps reduce limescale and other chemicals. They remove the need for a filter jug and can also cut down on plastic if you would otherwise buy bottled water. The ultimate luxury Zip Hydrotap pours filtered, boiling, chilled and sparkling water plus unfiltered hot and cold water – all from a single spout. But it will cost you a small fortune at about £5,000 per tap.

Eco-friendly taps

Eco-friendly taps simply have flow restriction valves to reduce the amount of water wasted. The aim is to save water without restricting the flow to a dribble. Water saving taps can be great for environmentally conscious households and are available in a range of finishes and styles. A more high-tech solution is to install a sensor-activated tap that cuts off the flow as soon as you move your hands away.

Remember to check your home’s water pressure. Taps show a minimum water pressure rating, so choose an option that works well in your home.

Sink style

There’s a smorgasbord of sinks available to choose from whether it’s stainless steel, composite granite or white ceramic. Stainless steel kitchen sinks are a cost-effective option renowned for their resistance to stains, rust, cracking, peeling and chipping. Belfast sinks can add timeless charm to your home and have generous bowls deep enough to fit even your biggest pots and pans under the taps.  But it’s not just about looks, the sink must be hard-wearing to cope with everything from frequent exposure to oil and grease to dishes being dropped in it. 

The latest composite sinks are highly durable, stain, scratch and heat-resistant.  They are made to have the looks of granite without the price tag. In the case of Grohe, they are made using 80 per cent quartz mixed with resin while the Schock range has been tested for durability by firing a gun at the sink from just a couple of feet away to prove its toughness. Composite sinks are available in a wide range of colours from black to grey to white as well as green, pink and yellow (for the more adventurous).

Sink shape and size

Sinks come in a variety of sizes and shapes, including single bowl and one-and-a-half and double configurations. Two sinks can be useful for soaking pots in one while using the other to wash fruit and veg.  That said, a single sink takes up less counterspace, leaving more room for drainage boards and workspace. Round sinks are a modern alternative to the more typical square and rectangular sinks. 

Elegant taps and sparkling sinks can give a fresh, new look to your kitchen, bringing it bang up to date. When choosing taps make sure they suit your sink and vice versa. Think carefully about the material you want as well as shape, size and configuration. Style is important but so too is functionality and, of course, price.

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