Choosing the Right Kitchen Mixer Tap: Features, Finishes, and Functionality

A tap mixer is a crucial part of every modern kitchen. The mixer helps mix hot water and cold water and dispenses the mix from a single spout. As a result, choosing the right tap mixer for your kitchen becomes imperative to enhancing convenience in your kitchen. 
However, choosing the right mixer tap for your kitchen is not a walk in the park, as many factors go into making a choice you won’t regret later. Factors like your kitchen style, tap finishes, and tap sizes and shapes help ensure you buy a mixer tap that works for you and your kitchen. 
This article takes a detailed look at how to pick the right kitchen tap for your kitchen:

Kitchen Style 

Your kitchen style is a significant determinant of your choice of mixer tap. Choosing kitchen hardware that doesn’t match your existing kitchen style might be a foul play against your kitchen outlook. Hence, you want a mixer tap that complements your kitchen style. 
For example, if you own a traditional kitchen, look in the direction of classic cabinet hardware styles. On the other hand, if your minimalist kitchen features simple, clean lines, you will get the best value from a modern, simple-design mixer tap. 

Finishes

When choosing a mixer tap that works for you and your kitchen, consider your existing hardware finishes, such as those of your cabinets. Your mixer tap must match the existing kitchen hardware. This helps optimize consistency and visual harmony among your kitchen hardware and accessories. 
Thankfully, kitchen mixer taps are available in different designs and finishes to give you the right finish for your kitchen. 
However, you can spice things up by choosing a mixer style that contrasts your existing hardware. Kitchen designers adopt this approach to make a statement in the kitchen and elevate the entire space. 
For example, if your kitchen cabinet handles are bright brass, opting for a dark black tap can help offset the design of your kitchen. Similarly, if you have chosen Matte Black kitchen hardware, a silver mixer tap can create a gentle contrast without throwing the space into a state of chaos. 

Types of Kitchen Taps

It is important to note that kitchen mixer taps are available in different types, and the best type for you depends on how you want to control your water flow and temperature. Common types are one-lever and two-lever taps, and the single-lever tap is the best for easy control over your water flow and temperature. 
While a single-lever tap lets you control your water temperature with a single control using one hand, a twin-lever requires you to mix hot and cold water through two levers, which can be more tasking. 
With a single-lever tap, you have one hand to toss your pancakes while adjusting your water temperature and flow with the other hand. 

Kitchen Tap Shapes

Another important variable to understand when picking the right mixer tap is the different shapes of taps available. The right tap shape for your kitchen depends on your sink space and installation. 
Choose a kitchen mixer tap with the design that works with your sink space. 
For example, if your sink is installed beneath wall cabinets, go for an angular spout mixer tap. Or if your sink has ample space around it, such as in front of a broad window or on a kitchen island, picking a silhouette will make a great choice. 

Functionalities

The functionality of your choice of mixer tap matters in the scheme of using your tap. 
Our mixer taps at My Home Ware offer these functions: 

Water Stream Options

A water stream mixer tap is the common type that you are familiar with. It offers a stream of water for general use, which is handy when fetching water into a container. However, some models come with the option of spray mode for rinsing, such as when rinsing your vegetables and fruits or cleaning your pots. 
Thanks to a switch at the end of the spout, switching to the spray mode is seamless. 

Pull-Out Spouts

If your tap is for cleaning or rinsing larger items, consider the pull-out, flexible spouts. A pull-out spout features a hose that extends from the tap to a longer reach. This function is possible with a magnetic holder or a coiled spring. 
One beauty of a pull-out spout tap is that, while you can extend it to a longer length from the tap, you can also maneuver it in different directions to achieve your desired shape.  

Foldable Models

As the name implies, a foldable kitchen mixer tap can be folded and is commonly found in applications where the sink is close to traffic, such as when installed below the window. When the sink is below the window, cleaning or opening the window exposes the tap to impacts, which can break it, hence the need for a foldable tap. 
With a foldable tap, you can retract your tap when not in use and extend it when you need it. 

Sizes of Kitchen Taps

The right size of kitchen tap is what you don’t want to skip on your list of factors to consider when buying a mixer tap. Picking a kitchen mixer tap that is too big or small for your kitchen can be a costly mistake. 
A standard tap comes with a hole of 35mm in diameter, but the base is much larger than 35mm to disguise the hole. Regardless, you want to be sure of the diameter of your sinkhole by measuring it with a measuring tape. 
You also want to measure the height and diameter of the mixer tap to ensure the size fits your kitchen sink. 

Meir Round Gooseneck vs. Round Brass Pull-Out Kitchen Mixer Taps

The Meir Round Gooseneck and Round Brass Pull-Out taps are two of our mixer tap popular products that have made a name for us among homeowners and kitchen renovation managers.
While both taps share a few features, they are different on other fronts. One common feature between the two mixers is the solid brass that enhances durability, and major differences are in design and water efficiency.
Here is a breakdown of the differences between our Meir Round Piccola Pull Out Kitchen Mixer Tap and AQUAPERLA Round Pull Out Kitchen Mixer Tap, so you can make a better choice for your kitchen:

Features

The two mixer taps are similar with the solid brass construction that is known for high resistance against corrosion. This feature helps increase the durability of the mixers. They also share a 35mm ceramic cartridge that aids smooth operation.
However, when it comes to water efficiency, the Round Brass mixer tap outperforms its competitor.

Meir Round Gooseneck

Gooseneck boasts 6 liters per minute water flow that contributes to its 5-star WELS rating. The tap features a pinless handle that can be installed in two ways. You can choose to install the handle front-facing or on the side for better customization. Thankfully, the tap comes with installation instructions for the ease of DIY installation.

Round Brass Pull-Out

The Aquaperla pull-out mixer tap is a better option for water saving at 4 liters per minute flow, a huge contributor to its 6-star WELS rating.
Major features of the Aquaperla  tap include stainless steel hot and cold pipes, a pull-out mechanism, and an aerator. It is designed for a 32mm tap hole and can dispense up to 80°C hot water.

Finishes

One noticeable selling point of both mixer taps is the plentiful aesthetic options. With a wide range of finishes, shoppers can find the right one that matches their kitchen style.
Available finishes for Meir Round Gooseneck are:

• Chrome/Polished Chrome
• Matte Black
• Brushed Nickel/Nickel
• Gunmetal/Gun Metal Grey
• Gold/Brushed Brass/Champagne
• Bronze

Available finish options for Round Brass Pull-Out are:

• Chrome/Polished Chrome
• Matte Black
• Brushed Nickel/Nickel
• Gunmetal/Gun Metal Grey
• Gold/Brushed Brass/Champagne

However, it is worth noting that the Meir offers more premium PVD-coating for protection against scratches, while the Round Brass targets lower-budget shoppers with brushed and matte variants.

Functions

Functionality is what sets Meir and Gooseneck taps widely apart, meeting distinct user needs.

Meir Round Gooseneck

The gooseneck is a great choice for easy positioning over the sink, thanks to a 360-degree swivel spout. It comes with a single pinless handle that controls water flow and temperature at the same time.

Round Brass Pull-Out

The Round Brass also features a 360-degree swivel, but is complemented with a pull-out spray head that can reach an extra 1500mm length. This extended reach is crucial to washing or rinsing larger objects like pots and big bowls.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right mixer tap to choose between the Meir Round Gooseneck and the Round Brass Pull-Out depends on your preferences.
While Meir Round is highly elegant with customization designs, its PVD coating assures high durability. Plus, the tap is best for smaller, styled kitchens where elegance is a priority.
Conversely, the Round Brass Pull Out mixer tap is targeted at improved functionality. With the pull-out mechanism, it is a practical choice for high-usage applications for its water-saving efficiency.
Hence, your choice should be based on what you cherish more in a kitchen tap. Is it aesthetics or functionality?

Conclusion 

A mixer tap is a game-changer in every modern kitchen. With the ease of regulating water temperature and flow at a go, a kitchen mixer tap aids convenience in the kitchen.
When choosing your kitchen mixer tap, consider factors like size, shape, features, and functions. With these factors on your checklist, you can confidently pick the right mixer tap for your kitchen. 
With our high-quality kitchen tapware, you can rest assured that you will find the right option that meets your needs and kitchen setup.