How to Choose the Right VADO Tap for Your Bathroom
Choosing the right bathroom tap involves more than finding a design that looks attractive. The tap must suit your basin or bath, work effectively with your home’s water system and complement the other finishes throughout the room.
VADO offers an extensive collection of premium brassware for contemporary and traditional bathrooms. The range available from Bathrooms Direct Yorkshire includes basin mixers, tall basin taps, wall mounted taps, bath fillers and bath shower mixers in a selection of shapes and finishes.
This guide explains the main points to consider when choosing VADO taps for your bathroom.
Why choose VADO bathroom taps?
VADO is a British bathroom brassware manufacturer known for combining contemporary design with practical performance.
Its varied product collections make it possible to find taps for different types of basins, baths and bathroom layouts. Whether you prefer curved, understated brassware or a more angular modern design, there are options available to suit a wide range of interiors.
Bathrooms Direct Yorkshire stocks products from several VADO collections, including Life, Edit, Notion, Origins and Zoo. This selection allows you to coordinate basin and bath fittings in a consistent style.
Start with your basin or bath
Before choosing a tap, consider the type of basin or bath it will be fitted to.
The number and position of the tap holes will determine which products are suitable. Some basins have a single central tap hole, while others are designed for two taps or a three hole mixer. Countertop basins may require a tall tap or a wall mounted design.
Baths can also have different configurations. Depending on the model and available space, you may need a deck mounted filler, a bath shower mixer, a wall mounted spout or a floor mounted tap.
Checking these requirements before purchasing will help you avoid compatibility problems during installation.
Choose the right type of basin tap
VADO offers several styles of basin tap, each designed for a different type of installation.
Mono basin mixers
A mono basin mixer combines hot and cold water through a single spout. Temperature and flow are normally controlled using one handle.
These taps are a popular choice for modern bathrooms because they are compact, practical and easy to operate. The VADO Life, Edit, Notion and Origins collections all include mono basin mixer options.
Mini basin mixers are particularly useful for compact cloakrooms and smaller basins where a full sized tap might look oversized.
Tall basin mixers
Tall basin mixers are designed primarily for countertop basins that sit above a vanity unit or worktop.
The additional height allows the spout to reach comfortably over the side of the basin. Before ordering, check the overall tap height, spout projection and height of the basin to make sure there will be enough clearance.
A tap that is too low may be awkward to use, while one that is too tall or projects too far could cause excessive splashing.
Wall mounted basin taps
A wall mounted basin mixer is installed above the basin rather than through a tap hole.
This can create a clean, uncluttered appearance and leave more usable space around the basin. It can work especially well with countertop basins and minimalist bathroom furniture.
Wall mounted taps require careful planning because the pipework and valve are concealed within the wall. The position of the spout must also be calculated accurately so that water flows into the centre of the basin.
Bathrooms Direct Yorkshire offers wall mounted VADO taps from collections including Life, Edit, Notion and Origins.
Three hole basin mixers
A three hole mixer usually consists of separate hot and cold controls with a central spout.
This arrangement can create a more luxurious and symmetrical appearance, particularly on a wider basin or vanity top. It requires a basin or worktop with the correct three hole configuration.
The style can suit both modern and traditional bathroom interiors, depending on the shape of the handles and spout.
Basin pillar taps
Pillar taps provide separate hot and cold water controls and are fitted through two individual tap holes.
They can be useful when replacing existing two tap fittings or when creating a more traditional bathroom design. VADO’s Zoo collection includes a pair of pillar basin taps for this type of installation.
Choose the right bath tap
The correct bath tap will depend on the style of bath, its tap holes and how you intend to use it.
Bath fillers
A bath filler mixes hot and cold water before it leaves the spout. Most designs use two handles or controls positioned on either side of the spout.
Bath fillers provide a neat alternative to separate pillar taps and can be coordinated with the basin mixer from the same VADO collection.
Bath shower mixers
A bath shower mixer combines a bath filler with a separate shower handset.
This can be useful for rinsing the bath, washing hair or bathing children. However, a handset intended for occasional rinsing may not provide the same experience as a dedicated shower system.
VADO offers bath shower mixers in several configurations, including three hole and four hole designs. Always check that your bath has sufficient space and the correct number of tap holes.
Wall mounted bath spouts
A wall mounted bath spout can create a particularly streamlined appearance because the water controls and pipework are concealed.
The VADO Edit range includes wall mounted bath spouts in finishes such as chrome, brushed gold and brushed black.
As with wall mounted basin taps, the installation must be planned before the wall is tiled. The spout position and projection should be checked against the dimensions of the bath.
Freestanding bath taps
A floor mounted bath shower mixer is often paired with a freestanding bath that cannot easily accommodate deck mounted taps.
This style can create a striking focal point, but it requires suitable floor space and correctly positioned plumbing. Bathrooms Direct Yorkshire offers a VADO Origins floor mounted bath shower mixer for this type of bathroom design.
Consider the shape and style
The shape of your brassware can influence the character of the entire bathroom.
Rounded taps tend to create a softer and more understated appearance. They work well with curved basins, rounded mirrors and organic bathroom furniture.
Square or angular taps can provide a sharper architectural finish. These designs often complement straight edged basins, geometric tiles and contemporary vanity units.
VADO collections have their own distinct design characteristics. The Life range has a smooth and versatile profile, while products within the Notion and Edit collections provide options for more defined contemporary schemes.
Try to repeat similar shapes throughout the room. For example, a curved basin mixer will usually coordinate best with rounded shower controls and accessories.
Select a coordinated finish
Chrome remains one of the most versatile bathroom finishes. It has a bright, reflective appearance and can be coordinated easily with a wide selection of bathroom products.
Brushed gold can introduce warmth and create a more luxurious look. It works particularly well with marble effect surfaces, neutral tiles and deeper colours such as green, navy or black.
Brushed black provides a darker contemporary alternative to standard chrome. It can create a bold contrast against pale tiles or complement an industrial inspired bathroom scheme.
Bathrooms Direct Yorkshire offers selected VADO products from the Edit and Notion collections in chrome, brushed gold and brushed black.
For the most cohesive result, repeat the same finish across your basin tap, bath fittings and shower. You may also wish to coordinate it with your shower screen, mirror, waste and bathroom accessories.
Check the tap dimensions
A tap can look perfectly proportioned in a photograph but feel very different once installed.
Important dimensions to check include:
● Overall tap height
● Height beneath the spout
● Spout projection
● Required tap hole diameter
● Minimum space behind the tap
● Recommended basin or bath thickness
The water should flow comfortably into the basin without landing too close to the edge or directly over the waste. The handle should also have enough room to move without touching a wall, mirror or splashback.
Checking the technical drawing before purchasing is particularly important for tall and wall mounted taps.
Consider your water pressure
Bathroom taps are designed to operate within specified minimum and maximum water pressure ranges.
Some products work effectively with low pressure systems, while others may require higher pressure to provide their intended flow rate. Your home’s plumbing arrangement, boiler and water supply can all affect performance.
Before selecting a tap, check its pressure requirements against your water system. A qualified plumber can assess the available pressure and help you choose a suitable model.
This is particularly important when selecting bath fillers and larger outlets, where an inadequate flow rate could make the bath slow to fill.
Think about water efficiency
Water efficient brassware can help reduce unnecessary water consumption without making the tap inconvenient to use.
When comparing products, look at the stated flow rate and any available water saving features. The most suitable choice will depend on the room, water pressure and intended use.
A cloakroom basin, for example, may not require the same flow rate as a tap used to fill a large bath.
Match your taps to the rest of the bathroom
Your taps should feel like part of the overall bathroom rather than an isolated design choice.
Consider how the shape and finish will work with:
● The basin and bath
● Shower controls and shower heads
● Vanity units and handles
● Mirrors and lighting
● Shower screen frames
● Wastes and accessories
● Tiles and wall colours
Choosing basin and bath taps from the same VADO collection can make it easier to maintain consistent lines and proportions throughout the room.
You do not necessarily need every item to be identical, but the products should share enough design features to feel coordinated.
Plan wall mounted taps early
Wall mounted brassware can produce an exceptionally clean finish, but it must be considered during the early stages of the renovation.
The concealed components and pipework need to be installed before the wall is closed, waterproofed and tiled. The installer must also calculate the correct tap height and spout position based on the final basin or bath.
Future maintenance access should be considered as part of the installation. For this reason, wall mounted taps should always be fitted by an experienced professional in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Use a qualified bathroom installer
Replacing a straightforward deck mounted basin tap may be relatively simple for an experienced plumber. More complex products, including wall mounted taps, freestanding bath mixers and multi hole fittings, require additional planning and installation work.
A qualified installer can check water pressure, pipe connections, product positioning and access requirements before fitting begins.
Professional installation can also reduce the risk of leaks, movement and damage to the tap finish.
Which VADO tap is right for your bathroom?
The best choice will depend on your bathroom layout, basin or bath design and preferred interior style.
A compact mono mixer may be ideal for a small cloakroom. A tall basin tap can complement a countertop basin, while a wall mounted mixer can create a more minimal finish. Larger bathrooms with freestanding baths may benefit from a floor mounted bath shower mixer.
Before ordering, confirm:
● The number of tap holes
● The required tap dimensions
● Compatibility with your water pressure
● The position of existing pipework
● The chosen finish
● Whether matching bath and shower products are available
Taking time to review these points will make it easier to find a tap that looks balanced and performs correctly.
Final thoughts
The right VADO tap can become both a practical fitting and an important part of your bathroom design.
Begin with the technical requirements of your basin, bath and plumbing system. You can then compare tap styles, dimensions and finishes to find a product that complements the rest of the room.
The VADO collection available from Bathrooms Direct Yorkshire includes compact basin mixers, tall taps, wall mounted brassware, bath fillers and bath shower mixers across a variety of contemporary ranges.
Ready to find the right brassware for your bathroom? Shop the VADO collection at Bathrooms Direct Yorkshire and explore premium basin taps, bath fittings, shower systems and coordinated finishes for your next project.