If your bath and basin are understated, then bold, angular bathroom brassware will create several focal points. Many brassware ranges have satin and matt finishes, sometimes in nickel, which will provide a softer look. The trend is for bathroom taps to be arched and graceful and showerheads as large as possible, especially in a wet room, to give you a good drenching.

• Hard water causes shiny brassware to mark and dull quite badly, and be prepared to dry and buff the taps regularly.
• Don't skimp on the bathroom taps - it's a false economy as quality taps will instantly add a wow factor to your bathroom.
• Most universal trend in bathroom brassware is for wall mounted fittings. It means no tap holes on the bath or basin which gives a sleek modern look. They are also easy to clean.
• Floor mounted spouts are another stylish option that leave your bath tap free.
• Bath fillers allow water in through a concealed valve so there's no visible spout, giving a clean linear look. They are great for double ended baths.
• The latest waterfall-style taps and cloudburst shower are more eco friendly using less water than conventional taps,

Bathroom taps

Taps for the bath and basin can be mounted on the wall or set into the bathtub or basin itself. Some mixer bath taps incorporate a lever or knob so that the water can be directed either to the bath or to the shower above (or the shower may have separate controls).

The standard finish for a bathroom tap is shiny chrome. Even high street suppliers, however are offering a more varied choice, including a modern matt steel finish. Specialist companies offer more alternatives, including matt chrome, nickel, brass, antiqued bronze and even silver.

Tap technology

Over the years there have been advancements in tap technology and probably the most sophisticated type of bath tap is the thermostatic tap this incorporates a dial, which allows you to set the exact temperature before running the water.

To stop the dripping tap syndrome check your tap has ceramic disks:

	Traditional washer mechanism: Uses a rubber tap washer to restrict flow Prone to leaking Erratic operation, can stick Shorter expected life Can be hard to turn on and off In high pressure water areas the taps can turn themselves on!
	Advanced ceramic disk technology Uses advanced ceramic discs to control flow Reliable and seldom leaks Smooth operation Longer expected life Easy to turn on and off Perfectly suited to high or low pressure water areas

Take advice when choosing bathroom brassware as products vary in suitability for high or low pressure water heating systems. Some modern bathroom taps will only work with a minimum water pressure.