Fienza Lillian Shepherds Crook Sink Mixer Chrome

Your basin tap is one of the most-used things in your bathroom, so it's worth getting right. Here's how to find one that looks great and works perfectly.

1. Check your basin type first

Your basin style decides which taps will work. Above counter basins usually need tall basin mixers or wall-mounted taps, while undermount and inset basins pair nicely with short basin mixers on the benchtop. Check if your basin has tap holes already drilled, or if you'll need to go wall-mounted.

2. Pick your mounting style

• Benchtop-mounted: Taps sit on the vanity beside your basin – easy to install and practical for daily use.
• Wall-mounted: Fixed to the wall above the basin for a clean, modern look and easier cleaning around the basin.

3. Get the height right

Taller basins need taller taps so you're not awkwardly reaching down. Lower or undermount basins work better with shorter mixers. Just make sure the spout reaches comfortably into the basin without water splashing everywhere.

4. Choose a finish you love

Matte black, brushed nickel, brushed brass and gunmetal add personality and hide fingerprints and water marks beautifully. Try to match your tap finish to your towel rails, shower heads and accessories so everything feels connected.

5. Match your bathroom's vibe

Clean, angular taps suit modern spaces. Curved or traditional designs work better in classic bathrooms. Coastal or minimal styles pair beautifully with simple tapware in softer finishes.

6. Set a realistic budget

Good basin mixers usually sit between $150–$600+, depending on the brand and finish. It's worth spending a bit more on quality. After all, you'll be using this tap several times a day, and a well-made one lasts years.

Need help choosing?

Explore our full range of bathroom mixers and bathroom tapware to find the perfect fit. Or visit our building and renovating tips blog for practical advice, real renovation examples, and the latest bathroom design trends to help you plan with confidence.

Your taps get used more than almost anything else in your home, so it's worth choosing ones that work beautifully and feel great to use. Here's how to find the right tap for your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry.

1. Choose your mixer tap type

For bathrooms:

• Basin mixer taps: Single lever control for easy temperature adjustment—most common for bathroom basins.
• Tall basin mixers: Higher spout for above-counter basins—stylish and practical.
• Short basin mixers: Lower profile for undermount or inset basins—clean and compact.
• Wall mixer taps: Mount to the wall for a minimal look and easy bench cleaning.

For kitchens:

• Gooseneck mixer: Classic curved spout gives you good clearance for pots and tall items—timeless and practical.
• Pull-out mixer: The hose pulls out to make rinsing, cleaning corners and filling pots on the bench much easier.
• Dual spray mixer: Switch between a regular stream and a stronger spray for fast clean-ups—super versatile.
• 3-way mixer or filtered water tap: Combines everyday use with built-in filtered or boiling/chilled water—brilliant for convenience.

For laundries:

• Pull-out laundry mixer: Makes filling buckets, rinsing the sink, and washing pets so much easier.
• Dual spray laundry mixer: Switch between spray and stream modes for different tasks—practical for busy laundries.
• Gooseneck laundry tap: High spout gives you plenty of clearance for buckets and large items.

2. Pick a mount style

• Deck-mounted taps: Install through the benchtop or sink and suit most renovations and retrofits—the most common option for bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries.
• Wall-mounted taps: Free up bench space and give a clean look but need in-wall plumbing and early planning.
• Sink or basin-mounted taps: Use existing holes in the sink or basin, making swaps simple in budget or update projects.

3. Match the finish to your space

Choose a finish that ties in with your bathroom basin, kitchen sink, laundry sink, and other fixtures so the whole space feels consistent. Chrome and brushed nickel are timeless and bring both softness and warmth. Matte black, brushed brass gold, and gunmetal add personality and hide water marks beautifully.

Buildmat tip: Look for PVD-coated finishes if you want better scratch and tarnish resistance over time.

4. Think about spout height and reach

Make sure your tap spout is the right height for your needs. Bathroom taps need to reach into the basin without splashing. Kitchen taps should be tall enough for your biggest pots and reach comfortably into the centre of your sink. If you have a deep laundry tub, a higher spout or gooseneck design works best.

5. Pair with functional accessories

Think about how your tap and sink will work together day to day. For kitchens, match your mixer with practical add-ons like sink protector grids, over-sink colanders, and dishracks or drainboards to keep the area organised. For bathrooms, pair your tap with matching basin wastes and bathroom accessories.

6. Look for quality features

Choose taps with ceramic disc cartridges—they last longer, feel smoother to use, and are less likely to drip. A solid brass body is more durable than cheaper materials and handles daily use better. Quality tapware makes a real difference to how your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry feels to work in.

7. Consider your budget

Many renovators allow around 3–5% of their bathroom, kitchen, or laundry budget for tapware. Quality bathroom mixers typically sit between $150–$600+. Kitchen mixers range from $250–$900+, with three-way mixers or filtered water taps costing more. Laundry mixer taps sit between $150–$600+. Your taps are workhorses in your home, so place them in the same tier as your sinks and fixtures (not an afterthought).

Need more help finding the right mixer tap?

Browse our full range of bathroom tapware, kitchen mixer taps, and laundry mixer taps. Or head to our building and renovating tips blog for practical advice, renovation examples, and the latest design trends to help you plan with confidence.