How to Choose a Basin Tap: A Plain-English Guide for UK Bathrooms

Basin taps are one of those things that should be simple but somehow aren't. Walk into any bathroom showroom and you'll see a wall of options with terminology that assumes you already know what you're looking for. This guide explains what actually matters in plain English.

Mono mixer vs pillar taps: which do you have?

This is the most important decision, and it's largely made for you by your existing basin.

Pillar taps use two separate holes — one for hot, one for cold. They were standard in UK bathrooms until the 1990s and are still found in many older properties. If your basin has two tap holes, you need pillar taps (one hot, one cold) or a three-hole mixer (which fits across both holes via a bridge design).

Mono mixer taps use a single hole. They have one body and one lever that controls both hot and cold. They're the standard choice for all modern basins and deliver better mixing control than separate pillar taps. All Aqualake basin taps are mono mixers — they require a single hole in the basin.

Check your basin before ordering. Count the tap holes. One hole: mono mixer. Two holes: pillar taps or three-hole bridge mixer. If you're buying a new basin at the same time, buy one with a single tap hole — mono mixers are easier to install, easier to use, and better looking.

What size hole does my basin need?

Standard UK basin tap holes are 35mm in diameter. All Aqualake mono basin taps fit this standard size. If you're buying a new basin, confirm the tap hole diameter in the specifications before ordering.

What's a waste kit and do I need one?

The waste kit is the plug mechanism in the basin — the part you press or pull to hold or drain water. Most modern basins come without a waste, as they're sold separately to allow you to choose the matching finish.

All Aqualake mono basin taps are supplied with a matching waste fitting included. You don't need to buy one separately. The waste finish matches the tap — chrome waste with chrome tap, matt black waste with matt black tap.

What finish should I choose?

Three choices in the Aqualake range:

Chrome — the most versatile and the easiest to keep clean. Suits any bathroom style. The safest choice if you're not sure. From £39.

Matt black — bold and contemporary. Works particularly well against white sanitaryware and light-coloured tiles. Fingerprint-resistant. From £49.

Brushed brass — warm and premium. Suits bathrooms with natural materials, warm tile tones, or a more traditional feel. The tarnish-resistant finish won't turn green. From £54.

Whatever finish you choose, match it across all fittings in the bathroom — tap, towel rail, toilet flush, mirror frame. Mixing finishes in a small space rarely works.

Design: round lever vs square edge

Both are purely aesthetic choices with no impact on function.

Round lever (Derby range) — a classic, softer look that suits both traditional and contemporary bathrooms. The most universally applicable design.

Square edge / soft square (Marlow and Irlam ranges) — a more architectural, contemporary look. Works best in modern bathrooms with clean lines and minimal clutter.

Water pressure: do basin taps have minimum requirements?

Yes, but basin taps are much less sensitive to pressure than thermostatic shower sets. All Aqualake basin taps require a minimum of 0.5 bar. Most UK homes — whether on a combi boiler or gravity-fed system — deliver at least this much at a basin. Pressure issues at basin level are rare.

Browse our basin taps

Derby Round Lever range (waste included):

• Derby Chrome — £39
• Derby Matt Black — £49
• Derby Brushed Brass — £54

Marlow Soft Square range (waste included):

• Marlow Chrome — £44
• Marlow Matt Black — £59
• Marlow Brushed Brass — £59

Irlam Contemporary range:

• Irlam Chrome — £44
• Irlam Matt Black — £59
• Irlam Brushed Brass — £59

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