Lavari Interiors: Your Guide to Premium Tapware, Bathroom Design & Renovation Tips

5 Common Bathroom Tapware Mistakes + How to Choose the Right Tapware

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Choosing the right bathroom tapware is about more than just appearance — especially in coastal regions like the Sunshine Coast and Noosa. Understanding how to choose tapware that suits your space, lifestyle, and environment can make the difference between long-term performance and costly replacements.

In this guide, we share common tapware mistakes and expert insights to help you select finishes and fixtures that are both beautiful and built to last.


MISTAKE 1 - CHOOSING LOOKS OVER LONGEVITY

What people do:

They choose a finish because it looks beautiful in photos, display homes or on Instagram.

Why it’s a mistake:

Not all finishes are designed for wet areas. In bathrooms - especially humid or coastal ones - lower quality coatings can:

  • Tarnish

  • Peel

  • Fade

  • Discolour unevenly

Once this happens, there is no fixing it without replacing the tap.

Better approach:

Choose tapware with PVD or high-quality electroplated finishes, design specifically for bathroom use and long-term exposure to moisture.


MISTAKE 2- NOT CHECKING IF THE TAP SUITS THE BASIN

What people do:

They choose a tap they love without considering:

  • Basin depth

  • Bowl width

  • Spout height or reach

Why it’s a mistake:

The wrong proportions lead to:

  • Constant splashing

  • Water sitting around the basin edge

  • An awkward user experience

  • It looks good.. but doesn’t work.

Better approach:

Always match the spout to the basin:

  • Shallow basin → lower spout

  • Wide basin → longer reach

  • Above-counter basin → taller mixer


MISTAKE 3 - IGNORING COASTAL CONDITIONS

What people do:

They choose tapware without thinking about climate.

Why it’s a mistake:

Coastal environments bring:

  • Higher humidity

  • Salt in the air

  • Faster corrosion of poor-quality materials

Some tapware simply isn’t designed to handle this long-term

Better approach:

Choose stainless steel tapware with durable PVD coatings, which perform exceptionally well in coastal areas like the Sunshine Coast.


MISTAKE 4 - BUYING CHEAP TAPWARE TO SAVE MONEY

What people do:

After spending on tiles, cabinetry and stone, they cut costs on tapware.

Why it’s a mistake:

Cheaper tapware often means:

  • Lower-grade internals

  • Poor cartridge quality

  • Stiff handles

  • Leaks within a few years

Replacing tapware later is far more expensive than doing it properly once.

Better approach:

Invest in solid stainless-steel construction with quality internal components - tapware is a daily-use product and should last.


MISTAKE 5 - MIXING FINISHES WITHOUT A PLAN

What people do:

They mix finishes across taps, accessories, wastes and handles - without intention.

Why it’s a mistake:

Too many finishes can make a bathroom feel:

  • Busy

  • Incohesive

  • slightly ‘off’, even if each piece is nice on its own.

Better approach:

Choose one hero finish and carry it through:

  • Tapware

  • Accessories

  • Hardware

If mixing finishes, do it deliberately and sparingly.